National Tell-A-Joke Day is August 16!

It's National Tell-A-Joke Day - August 16! 

I found some of these on the Internet: 

Here's a bookish one - just to make it worthy of a book blog! 

Keep Calm graphics are always welcome!

 I asked Siri to tell me some jokes and here is what she said: 

"Which baseball player has the shortest commute?" 
"The Catcher - he only works from home." 

"What was the turkey grateful for on Thanksgiving?" 
"Vegetarians" 

and...

"I love math - although do you know what seems odd to me?" 
"numbers indivisible by two." da dum dum

what's your favorite joke? 

Review of "Heartless" by Marissa Meyer

Title: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer

Published: November 8, 2016

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Edition: hardcover 453 pages

Literary Awards: Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2016)

From Goodreads:

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness and monsters, fate has other plans.

Alleluia’s Review:

I read Marissa Meyer’s series The Lunar Chronicles, so I was anxious to read this book to see what she would do with the origins of “the wicked queen.” I got attached to Catherine early on and I kept anticipating what terrible thing was going to happen to her to make her evil. In the end, one could almost commiserate with her, although one could sense where it would lead. I was disappointed that the story stopped where it did – perhaps there will be a sequel? There is a space of time between this story and The Lunar Chronicles that could be filled in nicely with another volume or two. I enjoyed this one. It was quick-moving and interesting. If you are a fan of fairytale retellings, this book is for you.

I gave it 5 stars! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA

August 4 is the birthday of our 44th President Barack Obama! Here are just three of the books to consider reading to celebrate! They all are rated at least 4 stars on Goodreads. 

 

Here is a quote from President Obama that I find very inspiring: 

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." - Barack Obama 

and this one: 

"The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, and you will fill yourself with hope." - Barack Obama 

NATIONAL COLORING BOOK DAY - AUGUST 2

Yesterday, I was looking for information about Coloring Books in anticipation of “National Coloring Book Day” which is today, August 2. I found this article on the Huffpost blog by Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psy.D., LCPC entitled, “7 Reasons Adult Coloring Books Are Great for Your Mental, Emotional and Intellectual Health.” If you want to read the entire piece with all its footnotes and related links, you can read it here.

Dr. Martinez says coloring books are prescribed by many psychologists, therapists and occupational therapists, including herself, for various reasons. She actually prescribed coloring for herself after she had major surgery and was laid-up in bed for eight weeks. Now she pulls out her coloring books when she needs to shift her focus or practice her own stress reduction. Coloring books are useful in so many ways. Dr. Martinez lists 7 of them:

1.      Coloring can be used as an alternative to meditation, as a means of relaxation, and as a calming tool. It can help an individual focus on what they are doing vs. focusing on intrusive and troubling thoughts.

2.     It can help with many emotional and mental health issues such as boredom, lack of structure and stress. Dr. Mendez says, “The time and focus that adult coloring takes helps the individual remove the focus from the negative issues and habits, and focus them in a safe and productive way.”

3.     They help patients with PTSD, anxiety and stress issues by calming down the part of the brain that controls the fight or flight response. Coloring helps turn down that response to give a patient much-needed rest and relaxation.

4.     It reminds us of a simpler, easier and happier times of childhood. To tap into those times is cathartic and enjoyable.

5.     Coloring has intellectual benefits, too. It uses parts of our brains that enhance focus and concentration. Deciding which colors to use to make the picture pretty activates those parts of the brain.

6.     Coloring uses both sides of our brain. Dr. Martinez says, “When we are thinking about balance, color choices, applying colored pencil to paper, we are working on problem solving and fine motor skills.” Coloring can be used to retrain individuals by occupational therapists by starting with easier pictures and gradually advancing to more and more intricate designs.

7.     Finally, Dr. Martinez gives 3 reference links for us to check out. Read her whole article here, then go get yourself some colored pencils and a coloring book and get started!