Books, Favorite Things, Health, Photo Essay, Spirit, Videos

Keep Calm, Slow Down and Open Yourself Up to Life’s Little Pleasures [REVIEW]

Cyclists relaxing — Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer knows all kinds of ways we can relax. She shares them with us in her new book, *1,001 Ways to Slow Down*. (Photo by Björn Söderqvist, Flickr)

Author Jane Austen once said, “Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.” This comes from a woman who was born in 1775, long before the Information Age, which has whipped all of us into a frenzy, hurtling us through life at the speed of light. Cell phones. Twitter. The Internet. Twenty-four hour news cycles. It gets to the best of us, which is why I love the new book, 1,001 Ways to Slow Down: A Book of Everyday Calm. Here, bestselling author Barbara Ann Kipfer reminds us about all the many ways to unwind. Continue reading “Keep Calm, Slow Down and Open Yourself Up to Life’s Little Pleasures [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkMarch 31, 2017March 30, 20172 Comments

Books

Jacqueline Winspear’s ‘In This Grave Hour’ Examines the Effects of War on the Human Psyche [REVIEW]

Britain declares war — The day Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announces that Britain is once again at war, Maisie Dobbs is given a cold case to solve in Jacqueline Winspear’s IN THIS GRAVE HOUR. (Photo courtesy Wayne State University)

The last thing anyone wanted after the Great War was to be thrust into another melee. Families had already sacrificed so much, and nations were still recovering from the “last war.” In fact, psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs’ latest case has her investigating killings that occurred during that previous conflict. Will she be able to find the murderer? And what will she do when someone new arrives on her doorstep in need of assistance? Find out in Jacqueline Winspear’s In This Grave Hour.
Continue reading “Jacqueline Winspear’s ‘In This Grave Hour’ Examines the Effects of War on the Human Psyche [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkMarch 22, 2017March 22, 20172 Comments

Food, Videos

In ‘The Dude Diet,’ Serena Wolf Proves She Understands How Men Eat [REVIEW]

As a dude, particularly as a dude of a certain age, I have become increasingly concerned about what I eat. My physician just had a heart to heart with me today in fact, reminding me to be more conscious of the food I put in my body, the need to minimize carbohydrates, watch my cholesterol intake, and reduce the number of calories I consume daily. But what’s a dude to do when he loves chowing down on pizza, wings, nachos, and all the other eats guys love? That’s where Serena Wolf’s new book, The Dude Diet: Clean(ish) Food for People Who Like to Eat Dirty, comes in to save the day. Continue reading “In ‘The Dude Diet,’ Serena Wolf Proves She Understands How Men Eat [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkNovember 9, 2016November 9, 20164 Comments

Books

Margot Livesey’s ‘Mercury’ is the Story of Us [REVIEW]

Woman connecting with horse — When Viv meets a horse named Mercury, all her old dreams suddenly seem tangible. (Photo by Anne Worner, Flickr)

Two people, one horse, and a decision that changes their lives forever. In Margot Livesey’s Mercury, a married couple realizes that perception is everything and sometimes life changes seemingly overnight simply because we failed to listen. Continue reading “Margot Livesey’s ‘Mercury’ is the Story of Us [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkOctober 6, 2016October 6, 20166 Comments