On cuteness scale from one to ten this book and the recipes get a 12! Cute! Cute! Cute! But it doesn’t stop there. This cookbook is a treasure trove of yummy Lilliputian recipes. Their size makes them even more of a delight. Everyone wants to cut back on eating sweets but face it, the craving is still there. When we go to have a “serving” it is more than we need plus we usually have the tendency to super-size it or go back for seconds. With these mini desserts you can go back for thirds and be okay! They are just enough to satisfy hankering for something luscious.
Recipes include muffins, cakes, yeast rolls, yippe pies instead of whoopee pies, cupcakes, brownies, pies, donuts, and some extra special ones in the “Fancy Stuff” chapter that will surprise you. There is also a section with frosting, fillings, toppings and drizzles for your masterpieces!
Muffins are made in mini muffin pans of course but the instructions to use a one inch cookie scoop made me chuckle. A recipe of 2o or 24 servings is all baked in a 9 inch pan. Cakes are baked in mini Bundt pans. You get the idea of the scale.
Even more than the tininess of the recipes, I was impressed with how good they were! The variety is amazing!
My mind ran with idea in ways to enjoy this book. You could make several different recipes for a ladies meeting and every one get a plate full of the small goodies. I know they would delight children, and what about a little girl’s tea party. I can also see making a variety of recipes and give in a special box as a gift for Christmas, birthday or any special occasion!
I received this book from Ulysses Press in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

To be honest, when I saw the adult coloring books come out I was elated! Now I didn’t have to hide that I still enjoyed coloring as a grown-up. This book takes it up a notch!!! Another great childhood pleasure made available to adults and with challenges equal to our abilities.
I found it a stress reliever just like the coloring books, but with the bonus my concentration was heightened therefore engaging my mind even more. Not only was it fun to do, but I never knew for sure what my picture would become once all the numbers were connected. It was always a surprise especially how intricate they were. I counted approximately 43 pictures, a nice number to keep me busy for a while!
The book is printed on thick quality paper so if my attention to my work leads to a little too much pencil pressure on the picture, the paper didn’t tear. After I was finished with my masterpiece, I could then color it for a little more relaxation. Yes the numbers were small, but I did fine with my dollar store glasses. The book is small enough I can easily take it with me while waiting and pass the time.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to others, who enjoy challenges and would like something different,
I received this book from Ulysses Press in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Boy was I surprised when I received this book! It was so more than I was anticipating. I was expecting a smaller book (and there’s nothing wrong with that) but this one is 8” x 10”! This storybook is for snugging in a chair with your little one in your lap and your arms around them as you hold the book. Love it!
The stories are literally short enough to be read in 5 minutes; minus my sound effects of course! With each page having just a few lines, it is just right for young attention spans. It is my opinion with the large bright colored pages your little one will want to linger over the pages after you finish reading. This part impressed me. Every of page is filled with vivid colors of their favorite Veggie Tales characters and scenes depicting the story.
Just as with the Veggie Tales videos, each story is humorous, fun and always shares a special message about biblical truths especially for children. These zany vegetables have become a beloved tradition among Christian parents and children. A quality book not on in construction and materials but also in content. I cannot wait to share it with my grandson and even in my Sunday school class.
I received this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

The title of this book captured my attention because it is a regular thought of mine. That and the picture of the crammed bookshelf! I mused about the books written for other interests, but none are as quirky as a book to read about reading. I had to chuckle.
They say “birds of a feather flock together” that is true of avid readers. We don’t have anything outwardly to show about our passion other than shelves and stacks of books visible only to those who visit our homes. In our collective love of the written page we share certain traits and oddities exclusive to our tribe.
This book is for us!!! Ms. Bogel totally gets it! It is not genre biased (and neither are we, a reader is a reader!). As you read the essays you feel a sense of “yes, there are others like me!” I felt understood and accepted in my odd little world as a bookworm.
She took me through a whole rainbow of emotions, from tears of laughter to tears of the heart. Ms. Bogel captured the joys of being a bookroom along with the emotional and mental conflicts. The chapter, “How to Organize Your Bookshelves” really close to home as that has been a goal for a long time. I was also taken back in time to my childhood beginning love of books. The trips the library every week in the summer. Reading all the Wizard of Oz books (I was so surprised to find there was more than one story!) and the Wind in the Willows series. The memory of being put to bed and reading under the sheet with a candle, yes a candle! Only to spill hot wax on the sheet upon hearing my mother’s footsteps. That was a sticky wicket to explain!
I found this book to be delightful, making be feel normal as few of my friends, acquaintances or family is readers. If you are addicted to reading, add this book to your TBR list!
I received this book from Baker Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I stated are my own.

Will Rogers said he never meet a man he didn’t like, well I never read a Jane Kirkpatrick book I didn’t like! Her books always draw me in because they are about real people and history. She never ceases to amaze me how she fleshes out the historical facts she has with emotions and details to make the reader feel like they are living actual events. She has introduced me to so many women that played important roles in the past that I have never heard of.
Carrie Strahorn lived an exciting and adventurous life that few women in her time had the opportunity to experience.
When she married Robert Strahorn she believed her dreams would be fulfilled; children, a home, being a homemaker and entertaining friends and family as her mother had. After her vows were said, she quickly found her life would be nothing like this. In fact it would be totally the opposite. Her husband Robert Strahorn was a writer for the railroad, creating detailed pamphlets to attract people to move west and settle with the purpose of creating communities and towns where the railroad would eventually travel through.
To say this was a passion of his is an understatement.
Their travel, almost constant, was by train, stage coach, and ship spanning a period of 45 years. There were not the comforts and amenities we have now not to mention how rough, dangerous, exhausting those modes of travel were. I don’t know how she survived. A long car trip does me in! I loved the part where they rode and cow catcher on the front of the train for a thrill; hilarious but frightening!
I greatly admired her dedication and commitment to her marriage. It was far from perfect, but she chose to be the best wife she could and turn to the Lord to deal with her many hurts and struggles. Ms. Strahorn wrote a memoir, Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage. There are excerpts from this book at the end of each chapter. I am looking forward to reading this book also and of course the next one Ms. Kirkpatrick writes!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own

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This I Know: Trusting Your Unknown Future to a Known God
By Laura Dingman
Life in our times is filled with stress, pressures, and so many unknowns. The modern world with all its advancements has greatly complicated our lives and added a myriad of unknowns. It is not surprising that anxiety and fear have multiplied also. As Christians we have hope and help in these daily struggles. We have a mighty God who is here to help us and carry us through whatever we may face.
Ms. Dingman’s book gives us six weeks of study gives great encouragement and scriptural guidance to put life’s distress where it belongs: in the hands of our loving God. The book is a treasure chest of reassurance and tools to trusting God with whatever life may throw your way, enabling you to have complete faith. This changes our view whatever happens, making it a total game changer! When we focus on the Lord instead of our circumstances we receive “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding….” mentioned in Philippians 4:7.
I found this to be a dynamic, mind changing study! We think we KNOW about God but often what we know is a passing thought, not a deeply rooted truth in our lives.
I liked everything about this book! The author’s writings and questions motivated me to dig deeper (which she helped me do). I also liked that that questions weren’t “busy work” like many studies but truly thought provoking ones. This is an excellent Bible study and I feel a not only learned but was given scriptural insights trusting God with the future. I have no need to worry about the unknown because God already does and is taking care of it.
I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

Hooray! A new Christmas book from Melody Carlson! It has become a holiday tradition for me! I love them! Each one stirs up Christmas nostalgia and those warm feelings the season brings.
Wendy is struggling financially after her husband’s death and trying to keep her life has she has known it afloat, not only for her but for her son Jackson. She can’t see past putting one foot in front of another and maintaining her job. She gets word she has inherited her grandparent’s beach cottage in Maine. Wendy sees it as a way to pay off her bills by fixing it up and selling it in the 3 weeks they are there. This will enable them to be home by Christmas.
As she enters the little town that held so many happy childhood memories her emotions are in turmoil. Her 12 year old son has other plans. He wants a fresh start in a new place, as he has been miserable since his Dad’s death. The town isn’t as small and dead as it used to be. It has grown with new people and businesses.
With each reminiscence, she wards off the tugs at her heart to love the town, house and people. She has blinders on envisioning their life in Ohio as the only way they can live. Jackson barrels ahead embracing every experience and moment, and appears to think they are moving there. Wendy, not wanting to burst his bubble, makes it harder on herself by not telling him the truth. His enthusiasm and joy draws her in.
When we are adults and suffer tragedy, we cling to what is familiar, unable to realize new opportunities in front of us. Children’s eyes and hearts are clear to comprehend and embrace the joyfulness of new beginnings. I saw this in Wendy and Jackson. I can relate as after my husband died I too wanted to cling to what I had known, changes were frightening and sometimes still are. I have grown to realize that I cannot continue to in the life I had because a vital part of it is no longer there.
Thank you Ms. Carlson for another wonderful and touching book to warm my heart!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

Kids love jokes, the cornier, and the sillier the better! They love to tell them and will laugh at the same ones over and over even if no one else does. This book is especially for the miniature budding comedians in your life. It is packed full of jokes, riddles, and stories kids will love. All or clean, nothing off color or suggestive, something I value and appreciate in children’s reading material. The jokes have large spaces between each one so they are easy to read. While you may not find the jokes as humorous as the children, you will find yourself cracking up at the sound of their laughter. I know I do!
I received this book free from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

This book came at the perfect time! I have a 5 month old grandbaby and he is already very curious and interested in everything! His favorite toy is a squishy soft book but it won’t be long till he will graduate to board books. It is never too early to introduce prayer to a little one’s life.
This one checks all the boxes: Sturdy, wipe clean pages, great pictures. The pictures are soft colors. I didn’t think I would like that but I find them very soothing. The pictures are of children (which appeals to children!) and illustrate the subject of the prayer. Almost all the prayers are four lines long, just right to hold a child’s attention. They are written in rhyme which is not only entertaining but will help kids remember the prayer.
I can’t wait to share it with my little boy!
I received this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.