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Stephanie H. - Reviews

1 to 15 of 15
The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden
Review Date: 6/29/2009
Helpful Score: 4


I really loved this book, it was quite funny. The author still has a lot to learn about gardening on a budget though. I guess with a doctor wife it is okay to spend $10,000 annually on the garden but for the rest of America that is just ridiculous. That was really the only thing that irritated me, the over spending when it really wasn't necessary. As for the title I think you will see that his math isn't so great, the tomatoes really cost him alot less than calculated, he includes the price of trimmers of the shrubs adjacent to the tomato plots in their cost, hmmmm? Anyway's, it is a good read if your an avid gardener like myself, just suspend disbelief if you can and enjoy his follies, and the lengths he goes to for his crops.


Animals as Teachers and Healers
Animals as Teachers and Healers
Author: Susan Chernak McElroy
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 14
Review Date: 6/29/2009


I enjoyed the stories in this book, it is a quick read. It didn't change my life though. I have had my own experiences with animals that has done that. It did seem less about animals and more about the emotional problems of their humans to me. Maybe I need a different book. All in all, it is a good book but not life changing as suggested.


Change Your Life in 30 Days: A Journey to Finding Your True Self
Change Your Life in 30 Days: A Journey to Finding Your True Self
Author: Rhonda Britten
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 10
Review Date: 7/23/2011
Helpful Score: 1


I have read and own a lot of self help books and this one just didn't work for me. It entails hours and hours of journaling- not my favorite thing to do. There were a lot of interesting stories but I really cannot see how 30 days of nightly journaling, if you can even find the time EVERY night to do this is going to change your life in just one month. I guess if a person really hasn't taken anytime to know themselves this could be a start to learning some true awareness.

I just felt there were WAY too many questions and talk and not enough action. I want things to DO, not just write about all my pain and suffering. I do believe though that life coaching can be very life changing when you work with a live person who gives you weekly tasks and personal direction. This book was all over the place topic wise and most folks probably have a few specific areas they want to work on. Not my style and a waste of time in my opinion, check out Barbara Sher's books. I am the more creative type and her style is just that.


The Complete Tightwad  Gazette
The Complete Tightwad Gazette
Author: Amy Dacyczyn
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 144
Review Date: 7/23/2011
Helpful Score: 2


I am sorry to say folks but I hated this book. Her ideas are mostly about how to recycle garbage into more useless things. I have found I can live without many items and save gobs of money that way. If you don't buy you save. It just seemed like a lot of worthless hoarding of junk, turning it into more junk. I could only get through about 1/3 of the book before sending it on it's way. I live a simple life, shop at thrift stores/garage sales, recycle, re-use as well. I think my time could be better spent focusing on living with less then reading this book....be your own judge.
***A single gal from Oregon, living on $1000 a month comfortably.


Degunking Windows
Degunking Windows
Author: Joli Ballew, Jeff Duntemann
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/29/2009


A good resource if you use windows, I have since switched to Linux-Ubuntu and have none of the problems I had with windows. So use this book to help with windows user errors and system problems but in the long run I would move to FREE open source operating systems such as Linux.


Kick Litter: Nine-Step Program for Recovering Litter Addicts
Kick Litter: Nine-Step Program for Recovering Litter Addicts
Author: Perre DiCarlo
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/29/2009


I received this as a gift. Anyway, this is more of a gag gift than of any real substance. It is more of a silly comedic book, rather than one that actually teaches you how to toilet train your cat. There are other books on the subject that are quite detailed. I never saw myself doing this as I had five cats, now four. Never gonna happen with that many critters running around. Good luck to anyone who tries this, I think if you had just one cat it may be very possible with dedication and an extra bathroom.


Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance Order Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life
Review Date: 6/29/2009
Helpful Score: 2


An okay read, not the best of the living simply movement. Also seems to be geared towards people with money but all in all not a bad book. I would recommend Sarah Ban Breathnach books, they are wonderful.


Lose 200 Pounds This Weekend
Lose 200 Pounds This Weekend
Author: Don Aslett
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 6/29/2009
Helpful Score: 2


I have read quite a few organizing books and this one is not my favorite. It is funny and can be quite motivational for a beginner but not as thorough as some. Being a professional organizer I read alot of different books and although Don Aslett is very successful this one isn't the best choice.


Magicats!
Magicats!
Author: Jack Dann (Editor), Gardner Dozois (Editor)
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 6/29/2009


A fun read if you love spooky, mysterys and also love cats. Not the best short stories I have ever read but worth checking out from the library.


Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto
Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto
Author: Anneli S. Rufus
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 46
Review Date: 9/9/2009
Helpful Score: 1


I really loved this book. If your a loner or introvert like myself it will ring true with you on so many levels. It covers alot of different topics, childhood, adventure, friendship, love, crime, religion, advertising, and more, and the way we and the world view these subjects. It is well written, intelligent and often laugh out loud funny. It can be a dry read at times with alot of history thrown in but all in all very informative and enjoyable.


Plain and Simple : A Journey to the Amish (Ohio)
Plain and Simple : A Journey to the Amish (Ohio)
Author: Sue Bender
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 126
Review Date: 6/29/2009
Helpful Score: 1


This is a really great book. Very inspirational and a wonderful addition to your simple living library. Pass it along to a friend to enjoy. I plan to read her other books as well. A really interesting look into the lives of the amish juxtaposed with our modern, high tech, high stress society. Really makes you think about things you can change in your life to be more present, slow down and to live more simply.


The Practice of Witchcraft
The Practice of Witchcraft
Author: Robin Skelton
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 1.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 6/29/2009


I got this book as a gift when I became interested in learning about wicca. It was really a dull read and lacking substance. Choose another title if your also a newbie, definitely not for an experienced practitioner.


When You Live With a Messie
When You Live With a Messie
Author: Sandra Felton
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 6/29/2009
Helpful Score: 6


This book was truly useless to me. I was looking for some tips into the psychology of hoarding and other similar behaviors. I also have a messy boyfriend. I didn't take one note from this entire book and found myself getting quite irritated with the repetitiveness of the whole thing. I was also unaware of the theme of the bible and psalms permeating the entire book. I did not know this when I requested it. I choose to keep religion out of my organizing books thanks. It also spends alot of time talking about battered women and the possibility of alcoholism as the root of chronic messiness. Just way too heavy and preachy to me, there are hundreds of quality organizing books out there, this is not one of them.


Working With Wildlife: A Guide to Careers in the Animal World (Science, College and Career Guidance)
Review Date: 6/29/2009


This is a good resource for young adults looking into career options after high school or college with animals. Quick read with alot of other resources throughout. It is pretty generic so if serious about one specific interest rather than alot of generalized descriptions, you might want to look elsewhere.


A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman
A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman
Author: Joan Anderson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 155
Review Date: 6/29/2009
Helpful Score: 5


I agree with the long negative review listed here, omigod this woman had to get a job and take care of herself during her one year sabbatical from life and marriage. It is a good read though just not exactly what I expected. Myself being a single self-employed woman I really resonated with the subjects of getting back to nature and how solitude and forcing yourself out of your comfort zone really can make you grow in ways you never expected. But unfortunately I don't think this author has ever really had to struggle for money or free time in the way that most American women do on a daily basis. It is a pleasant enough book but from a white collar yuppie who finds herself in her 50's. Thank god I am not even forty and I have already learned most of these lessons. Check this one out from the library, there are things to learn from it but my guess is alot of women are already ahead of Joan's learning curve.


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