Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady

This one's for all the young ladies.  Growing up we are introduced to a lot of new things, different ways on how to behave and act as well as appear and present ourselves as.  Some of these things are good while others are choices we should avoid if we want to look intelligent and put together.  In this day and age I find myself coming across all sorts of girls, and I think the media and iconic figures of today make them forget whats proper.  Not that there is anything wrong with being trashy, well actually there is if you'd like to be taken seriously, but to get ahead in life and be respected its always smart to show that you're smart.  It is always in your best interest to put your best foot forward.

This book is a pretty nifty handbook but if you wouldn't like to follow it then it can be a fun read. To me it felt like flipping through a magazine and I love taking a look through the pages of Vogue or Elle so it was fun to take a look at this.  It comes with great pictures that will inform you as well as entertain you.  And mind you, you don't have to follow all of advices Derek Blasberg gives you, some may not even apply to you but they're all pretty interesting and it will give you some interesting perspective.  I'd love to hand a copy of this book to some high school girls I see on the train these days, they could learn a thing or two about being a lady.

The term "classy" is overused these days and I think people, women and girls especially have even forgotten the actual meaning of the word.  I've heard girls talk about their super short, skimpy, slut dress and call it classy.  I don't think their definition is rather different from that in the dictionary.  I'd recommend this book for any young woman who would like something fun to read but also just see how there are better ways to be seen and treated as a lady.

The Hunger Games Trilogy

If you haven't seen the movie yet, DON'T!  Read the books first.  You will appreciate the story more and you'll understand what the hype is all about if you don't end up liking the movie because the book, just like the Harry Potter and Twilight books holds so much more within t he pages than the screen can ever capture.  Once you pick the first book up, I highly doubt you'll drop it until you reach the last page of the last book.

I could've summed up just one of the books but I am such a fan that I thought I'd touch on all of them so it may encourage you or encourage you to encourage children to give this book a chance.  If you have seen the movie by now and enjoyed it and you're waiting for the next movie ( we know that will take some time) then in the meantime pick up this great read.  A coworker of mine who is a grandmother in her 50's refused to watch the movie until she read the books and she finished all of them in days.  That just goes to show that anyone can love it.

The Hunger Games Trilogy, if you haven't heard from all the hype by now is  about a yearly event where the main character Katniss is chosen to compete in the battle amongst twelve other districts who also choose a boy and a girl.  In the end only one can win and only one of them can survive.  This book will have you hooked and it will take you into a whole new world.  A world that millions of children have already read about and fell in love with.  If you are into suspense and action, take some time to read The Hunger Games.

A Lion Called Christian

Now, here is a book for children young and old.  A Lion Called Christian by Anthony Bourke and George Adamson is a beautiful story about an amazing lion and the bond between humans and people.
In this book we travel into the world of two young men, Anthony and John and how they end up buying a lion.  We all know a lion isn't meant to be a household pet and from there we see Christian's struggles and triumphs in the world of humans as well as his own world in wild.

This book will teach children how important it is for animals to be free and it will also teach them to love and accept all creatures.  We're all so used to thinking love only exists between people but after reading this you'll see that there are many special bonds between humans and animals.  Everyone tends to forget, and one would never expect an animal to remember but here Christian remembers his owners after a year and greets them with loving arms... or paws.

If you'd like a small taste of what this book holds take a look at this video:

if you love animals this story is surely going to touch your heart.

Along with a heart warming story comes beautiful pictures and this video here has was a youtube phenomenon that you should take a look at if you haven't heard of this amazing creature yet.  This story is good for children because it teaches them about love in the most unconditional of ways and it will teach them to grow up and appreciate animals and the environment as well.

People like Anthony and John let me believe that there are still good people out in the world who care about innocent animals because they gave this lion a second chance at life.  I love all creatures and this video brought me to tears when I first saw it and I always hoped for a book and then one day I found it.  It is an exceptional story that will make you rethink how you see animals in the wild, in zoos, in your neighborhood, and even your very own home.  It will teach children to appreciate animals around them and with the world becoming so closed in and so industrialized there might be a day where we will no longer have such majestic creatures amongst us so I suggest you hand a child a story like this and then maybe they'll be the future that saves these animals.

FEED Our Small World

I thought I'd take things back to the young ones for the next book because the past two entries were more grown up so this book is for the children who like food and are more hands on.  This book will take kids to a whole different world, as a chef and what's best of all is that buying this book will contribute money to the FEED Foundation to help children.  So while you're having fun make delicious meals you will also be helping children in need.

While it is very important for young children to learn about who they are and where they are from it just as important for them to learn about other cultures and countries around the world, what better way to do so by learning with your stomach?  This book holds tasty recipes from all over the world and children taste new food they also learning about another place across the globe.  Once you're older you become well aware of the kinds of foods you like,  like I love Thai food.  This book allows kids to open up and try new things from a very young age.  Its a great way to try new things and it can also be a wonderful way for parents to spend some quality time with their children in the kitchen.

From lunch to dessert, its all in this book with step by step directions on how to make each and every recipe come to life and on your plate.  As children learn about other countries they will also learn about various fruits and vegetables and will be eating smart and healthy, this book is a great alternative to McDonald's or any other fast food place a parent would have resorted to on their next meal with their kids.   FEED Our Small World is by Disney and since Disney is all about children, this book is the perfect read and perfect activity at the same time.

I Wrote this for You

Recently I went to a book reading at this place called Pianos for this book right here called I Wrote this for You.  The author is pleasefindthis (also known as Iain Thomas), his actual nam is signed on my copy of the book but I can't make out his script to read his signature.  This is great for adults but I personally feel that young adults will find great motivational words within this book, and as an added bonus there are interesting pictures to go along.

His words are inspirational and deal with everyday life.  It is a great little book to look through when you need a little push or a little cheering up.  If you've ever sat and wondered, " I wonder if anyone else feels this way" when you're down then this book may serve a greater purpose for you in particular.  It did for me.  This book is also a great example as to how a small blog can turn into something much greater.  When I met the author I told him his words always cheer me up and his response to that was "well, that's what I'm good at" and if you take a look at this book you may just agree.

If you don't feel like buying his book, follow his blog right here on blogger, find him on facebook, or follow him on twitter.  If you're one of those people into inspirational and moving words then you may just love his work.  Something wonderful about this book is that once you're done with it and you're still aching for more relatable and inspirational words you can just go to the blog that updates quite often.    I often wonder who the author wrote this for, why he chose to be anonymous, what happened to him in his life that made him want to write all this, and if the person he meant this for knows its about them and read all of it, if they are moved by it.

I used to read this blog religiously, sometimes in class, on the bus, on my spare time, when I would procrastinate, and other random moments so I'd like to leave you with a a few words he has said, its a bit long but to me the words are very moving and heartfelt.

“On this day, you read something that moved you and made you realize there were no more fears to fear. No tears to cry. No head to hang in shame. That every time you thought you’d offended someone, it was all just in your head and really, they love you with all their heart and nothing will ever change that. That everyone and everything lives on inside you. That that doesn’t make any of it any less real.

That soft touches will change you and stay with you longer than hard ones.

That being alone means you’re free. That old lovers miss you and new lovers want you and the one you’re with is the one you’re meant to be with. That the tingles running down your arms are angel feathers and they whisper in your ear, constantly, if you choose to hear them. That everything you want to happen, will happen, if you decide you want it enough. That every time you think a sad thought, you can think a happy one instead.

That you control that completely.

That the people who make you laugh are more beautiful than beautiful people. That you laugh more than you cry. That crying is good for you. That the people you hate wish you would stop and you do too.

That your friends are reflections of the best parts of you. That you are more than the sum total of the things you know and how you react to them. That dancing is sometimes more important than listening to the music.

That the most embarrassing, awkward moments of your life are only remembered by you and no one else. That no one judges you when you walk into a room and all they really want to know, is if you’re judging them. That what you make and what you do with your time is more important than you’ll ever fathom and should be treated as such. That the difference between a job and art is passion. That neither defines who you are. That talking to strangers is how you make friends.

That bad days end but a smile can go around the world. That life contradicts itself, constantly. That that’s why it’s worth living.

That the difference between pain and love is time. That love is only as real as you want it to be. That if you feel good, you look good but it doesn’t always work the other way around.

That the sun will rise each day and it’s up to you each day if you match it. That nothing matters up until this point. That what you decide now, in this moment, will change the future. Forever. That rain is beautiful.

And so are you."

-I Wrote this for You

Frankenstein

Here's a book that's not necessarily meant for  the youngest of children, but every child has heard about it thanks to Halloween.  This novel is meant for young adults but can be read by people of all ages, and if you're older then at one point or another in your high school or college life you have probably read this book which is why I find it fit for young adults, so that they may get a head start.

 I feel as if we all know the general synopsis of this story but  also feel as if we get the wrong idea or are misinformed.  How many of you always figured that the monster is called Frankenstein?  Well its not.  Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein to be precise is the name of the monster's creator.  Even though many people have a general idea as to what this story is about I would recommend children to read it so that they may know the real story behind the monster.  I feel as if there is a lot to learn within this text.

Before I read this novel I always figured that the monster was evil and just wreaked havoc all over the place but after reading it I felt so much sympathy for this fictional character.  I don't think many people would realize how hard things were for him and how unloved he was because of how he looked and despite all that he showed many acts of kindness.  And did you know that he is quite intelligent?  Everyone assumes that he's dumb and just grunts and makes no sense.

This is a great read but also very wonderful for high school children who will eventually take the SAT's.  The book is filled with great vocabulary and the language is is a bit more mature.  The world of Frankenstein is a wonderful place to escape to, there's so much to find out of about such a familiar name.

The Truth about Forever

I felt like moving away from the books meant for the youngsters this week and looking into books for young adults, those who are just about nearly there, months away from being called adults.  They stand in the middle point between young and old and I feel as if they have the best of both worlds but they would never think so because I'm sure many of them are eager to be adults.  When I thought about this I came across a book that I fell in love with, its called The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen.  Growing up I was in love with this author, if you're into or was once into cute touching books with a bit of romance all about being a teenager then Sarah Dessen is the author for you.  There are a whole bunch of books by her This Lullaby, Someone Like You, Just Listen, Lock and Key, and How to Deal are just to name a handful.

Originally, I won't lie I judged this book by its cover.  It was vibrant and pretty and I was drawn to it.  So yes, I judged it by its cover and I shouldn't have but a beautiful as I found the cover to be the story inside was just as amazing, better even.  The story is about a girl named Macy who has to deal with a whole lot of drama, at home and in school.  Life gets a little complicated and overwhelming for her with issues that her family faces and the ones she faces along with them, plus her own fair share at home.  The issues are very relatable to any high school girl, even guy.  While all this happens within her life she meets some pretty great people and she also meets a pretty great guy.  It changes her perspective on life and she grows to be much more positive despite whatever is in her way.

I've read this book a handful of times and sometimes I'll go back to certain parts that really stuck to me and reread them over again.  It is a wonderful book to read for any young girl because aside from it being a nice story it will also teach you something and give you new perspective on life and the various obstacles that get thrown your way.  Sarah Dessen's writing is like music to my ears, she really knows how to depict her characters for who they really are.  There are lines I'll find in her stories that really touch me, here is one I'll heave you with in the hopes that it will pull you in to go and read this book:

“Life can be long or short, it all depends on how you choose to live it. it's like forever, always changing. for any of us our forever could end in an hour, or a hundred years from now. you can never know for sure, so you'd better make every second count. what you have to decide is how you want your life to be. if your forever was ending tomorrow, is this how you'd want to have spent it?”