Making Babies by Sami S. David, MD & Jill Blakeway, LAc

Review by Toni Rakestraw

Many women find themselves needing help with their fertility. Making Babies is a collaboration between a fertility doctor and an acupuncturist/herbalist. As such, it gives readers a unique perspective. Since this is such a touchy subject for many, I was happy to find that this book handles it very gently.

Dr. David performed the first successful IVF treatment in New York, but he now focuses on more conservative approaches to help women achieve pregnancy. He recommends many changes to lifestyle, diet and basic health issues that can improve your chances of conception. He believes that many reproductive technology tests and treatments are overused when a simpler treatment could work as good or better.

Ms. Blakeway brings up Chinese herbalism, which can be a real fertility breakthrough for many women. She includes self tests for you to take to find out if you are a Tired, Dry, Stuck, Pale or Waterlogged person. Each type goes through a different treatment to bring the body into balance.

Combining this traditional approach to a better diet, less stress and specific supplements can often help open a woman up for conception.

What I really like about this book is it is easy to read. Both authors speak clearly and simply about issues that could be very complex. The writing is directed to the reader in a casual, familiar tone. What I don't like is typical of books with more than one author... every time they switch voices you get their name in parentheses behind the first pronoun they use. I got used to it, though.

The book addresses fertility problems of both men and women throughout the book. They have checklists and action plans. Case studies let you in on how each technique worked for someone else. Overall, this is a very good book for infertility. If you are not sure what approach you want to take yet, or you're not ready to fork over thousands of dollars for tests at the ART clinic, read this book first. You may end up solving your own problems for the price of the book, some herbs and a few supplements.

Buy It Now at Amazon: Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility

Disclosure statement: We received a free review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for the review.

Harry Potter

What can I say about Harry Potter? When he joined our family so many years ago he stuck out for awhile, like any new kid does. It didn't take long before we embraced him as a family member. Can I even remember what life was like before Harry Potter?
We have been lucky enough to accompany Harry through all of his adventures from beginning to end. We reread the books occasionally out loud so even the younger set can enjoy them. We eagerly await the movies. We wish there were more books to keep us up to date on what is going on in Harry's life. Hmmm. We sound a bit like stalkers, don't we? Can you stalk a fictional character?

Anyway, Harry Potter has been a large part of my children's growing up. They will always be able to look back on those evenings spent reading one chapter at a time, followed by a lively discussion on what we thought may happen next… or what we hoped would or wouldn't happen. As for those who still seek to ban this amazing set of books… I don't understand. I have found nothing in the books that are offensive or reason enough to be removed. If you don't like the books, don't read them. We are very grateful to J. K. Rowling for bringing Harry and his friends to life. He has made a huge impact on our lives, just as he has to so many other readers.

Harry will be a welcome member of our family forever. If you haven't read the books or seen the movies, you may enjoy them. They are full of magic, adventure and life or death situations. We get cliff hangers from one book to another… yet each time you open another book you are welcomed in with open arms. Are you ready to take the plunge? Come with me and we'll head out to Diagon Alley so you can get prepared for the ride of your life…

Buy It Now at Amazon: Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

Disclosure statement: We have received no remuneration of any kind in regards to these books.

Harry Dresden of the Dresden Files

Harry Dresden. Wizard. Harry seems to be a popular name for wizards. It also seems to mean a lot of trouble for them. Harry Dresden is a modern day wizard just trying to eke out a living in Chicago. If you're looking for an action packed adventure, try hanging out with him for awhile. I don't think Harry ever gets a day to relax and take it easy. It seems like he is always at the center of some controversy between the fae or the vampire courts. He seems to attract their attention like the roast turkey does on the Thanksgiving table.

Yet Harry is a likeable guy. He knows his magic. He only uses it when it is necessary. His life is complicated by the fact that he often works as a consultant with the Chicago Police Special Investigations unit, since they get the cases that no one else knows what to do with. Who knew evil magic is alive and well in Chicago? It is easy to identify with Harry... he never has enough money. He lives in a basement apartment. His car is always breaking down. Yet anyone with a grain of sense would hesitate before inviting him over for dinner... he always attracts the worst kinds of trouble.

I don't want to give anything away for this ongoing series by Jim Butcher. The stories are just too good! But if I were in Chicago, I'd sure want Harry on my side. For an unlikely hero, he always turns up at the right time and has more than his share of luck that manages to help him succeed.

Okay, okay... here are a few hints to pique your interest. Just what use is a Foo dog, anyway? How do you crash a vampire party and live to tell the tale? Don't trust everything you see at a horror Con. Give some people the benefit of the doubt. What kind of creature would you name Shagnasty? For the answers to these and many more questions, consult Harry Dresden, Wizard.

You may have seen the short-lived Sci-Fi series called the Dresden Files. Too bad they took it off the air. It had a good flavor of the books... but of course the books are full of even more than you can fit on a television show. Join Harry in his crusade against evil. He really needs the help.

This link is for the newest book, Changes that just came out in April, 2010.

Buy It Now at Amazon: Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12)

Disclosure statement: We have received no remuneration of any kind in exchange for talking about these books. We just like them.

Twilight

Twilight seems to be a phenomenon. My family and I have made fun of it in many ways... how sparkly can a vampire be, anyway? We got a couple copies of the first book in this series in a box of mixed books, so I read it. It took me awhile to get into it... but before long I found myself being sucked in. How could this be? How could I get sucked into a vampire romance novel? But I did.

I read the book every spare moment I had until it was done. Yes, some parts were a bit hokey. Some were a bit hard to believe. But all in all, it is a love story, as improbable as that may be. I already liked the setting... I grew up in Washington. Not on the peninsula, but close enough. I have never liked the name Bella, so I already had hurdles to overcome when it came to liking the heroine of the story. Add in the teenage angst of wondering what Edward was thinking and I was still wondering how I got sucked into the story. But I did. There are still questions I have... how in the world did Edward and the rest of the vampires not get discovered in Arizona when they were out in the sun? Why didn't they sparkle then? How could it be a healthy relationship for Bella to already wish to become a vampire? How can anyone respond to a kiss that is cold and hard like marble? Ewww. Nevertheless... if you like romance, you may become a Twilight fan.


Just a word of warning... you can like the story and not become a crazed rabid fan. It is possible. I liken the craziness I have heard about fans stalking the actors and posting flairs about being Mrs. Edward Cullen to getting infected with the vampire venom they talk about in the book. Some of these fans border on the obsessive. You can enjoy the book and then set it down.


I have not seen the movie yet. I haven't read any of the following books yet. I hear they get much stranger and Bella gets more fanatical. It doesn't matter if she is obsessing about Edward or about Jacob the werewolf... the girl has an obsessive personality. She was just begging to be put in the path of something unusual so she could become the ultimate fangirl.


My verdict: While it can be really fun to still make fun of the books, go ahead and read them. It will either give you more fodder to have fun with, or you too may be bitten by the vampire obsession. Either way, it is a great way to spend a cold winter's night in front of a warm fire.


Buy It Now at Amazon: The Twilight Saga Collection


Disclosure statement: We have received no remuneration of any kind in exchange for this review.