REVIEW: "Turning the Tables: From Housewife to Inmate and Back Again."- BY: Teresa Giudice

Hello again!

Today I'm bringing you a brand new review of a brand new book! Teresa Giudice, famous from her role on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," recently was released from jail after being incarcerated for almost a year. While in jail, she took advantage of her time and wrote an almost "tell-all" book about where she came from and her life growing up; and most importantly about her time in jail and how it has helped her to have a new look on life.

I knew immediately I wanted to read this book and even pre-ordered it. When I learned about Teresa and her husband, Joe, being sent to jail, I was so upset. Mainly, because I felt so sorry for their daughters. Having a parent go away for a long time is a very challenging thing because you rely on them so much throughout your day to day life. I know I wouldn't know what to do without my mom for a whole year, and then knowing she was in jail just makes it so much worse. I also felt bad in general for Teresa and Joe, because they seem like good people and going to jail is just the worst thing imaginable.

While I was reading, I truly could feel the heavy weight that Teresa carried on her shoulders. I felt like I was in her shoes, having to deal with the press, taking care of her family while fighting legal issues. Ii felt so overwhelming. And I also felt some anxiety for her while she was in jail. I don't know how I would be able to handle living in unsanitary quarters and eating expired food for a whole year. Just the thought of it made me want to cry. If everything Teresa wrote was true, then I truly applaud her for her strength and ability to be positive during her time there.

Teresa spent much of the book talking about her first few days there because I am sure those were the toughest. That is also where I felt the most anxiety for her. I would start to feel like I was the one facing those next 365 days of hell. It felt almost too much to bear. Even though Teresa's book was written much like a conversation or diary, it felt like it was full of emotion that was just leaping off the page. Many times she talked about just missing her girls and husband and how she had to just keep busy and stay strong for all of them and how she was one tough Italian cookie.

What I really loved about the book was the first few chapters about her life growing up, how she met  and married Joe Giudice and her eventual role on RHONJ. I always love a good back story, because to truly know someone you have to know where they came from. It was great to read something about Teresa that I didn't know. Like how her parents met or the she repair business that her father started in America after emigrating form Italy. I loved when she talked about her relationship with her brother and how close of a bond they had. What I also loved was how her and her husband have known each other since they were little kids and loved each other even way back then. I'm a sucker for a good love story. It shows that their families have strong bonds that brought them up to be good people and sometimes good people make mistakes, but it doesn't have to define who you are. And I believe that is what Teresa is trying to tell through her book. She wants to move on from her mistakes and make the most out of her life every day.

The stories she told about her time in jail where almost made for a movie. Since I have watched, "Orange is the New Black," I could totally picture the setting and events that were taking place. I love that she made friends and worked on herself by changing how she reacted to things while in  jail. In jail, there can be lots of chances for confrontation, but she made it a priority to stay away from trouble. She was focused on getting out of there as soon as she could. The conditions that she lived in sounded horrible, and when she said she found out they were eating expired food I felt sick to my stomach. I understand that criminals don't deserve luxury but they are human beings that deserve at least a good meal. I don't know how I would have functioned without decent food, but it seems that even she could make it through.

Overall, I loved her book. Reading it felt much like reading her diary which is probably exactly how a book like that should be written. Often times, when reading a biographical book, I expect a lot of deep writing, which is what I love, but you won't find a whole lot of in depth writing, just a lot of emotional writing that fit the book nicely. Before you go and judge Teresa based off her TV life, read this book about her real life and maybe you will learn to not always judge a book by it's cover.

XO

REVIEW: "You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Life Changing Lessons From Heaven" - BY: Theresa Caputo

Welcome back to my regular book reviews. Glad to be getting back on track. There are so many books in the lineup so check back for more reviews coming soon. 

Back in May of 2014, I read Theresa Caputo's first book, "There's More to Life Than This." I reviewed it for this blog and recently re-read it and I consider that review one of my best, if not my best work. Looking back, I remember how deeply moved and inspired I was by the first book. Her books and her message were totally unexpected. It is truly a soul changing experience. 

When I found out that she wrote another book, I knew what my next book was going to be. And it was just as soul changing as the first. This time around she focused mostly on life lessons and our souls journey in this life. She often talks about soul- searching and how important it is to find out our souls purpose on this earth. I learned a lot about how our souls reincarnate and choose our bodies and then come to earth to continue learning the lessons it didn't fully learned on its first round on earth before they died. Your soul also has the choice to stay in heaven and learn the lessons there. It's all about of your souls journey to reach the highest level of heaven which is where God is supposed to be. 

Most importantly I learned a lot about how our choices and the way we view our life and our reactions to things can effect our souls. Theresa explained the ways that we should go through life trying to trust in our souls journey and to not hold grudges, resentment or anger. We should always be kind, do out best and let go and forgive all the things that weigh heavy on out hearts and souls. It only effects ourselves in the next life. 

I think in a lot of ways it was my destiny to read this book. Sometimes along the way, you need to stop and smell the roses. Look around you and realize that life is a wonderful gift. I needed this reminder to get my life and my soul's life back on track. It helped me feel more comfortable in my journey and that no matter what is happening, I am were I am meant to be. 

Theresa also included many stories about the people she has read. Each story was so powerful and moving. It was again, comforting to know that our loves ones who have crossed over are always looking out for us and guiding us from the other side.

I don't thing nearly enough people give Theresa the time of day to truly listen to her message. Theresa said her gift was from God and spirit to help the world receive his message in a new and more interesting way and I truly believed it has helped me to feel stronger to my faith and believe and trust more in God's will for my life. It's not always easy to give up some control of your life or destiny but her message makes me feel more secure that God has the right plan set out for me and for everyone.We just have to listen and live the best possible life. 

I highly recommended reading her books not only are her books entertaining and fun reads, but there life changing and help you to be a better person. And who doesn't need a little lesson in that?!

Achievement Unlocked: Read the Harry Potter series

I'm so excited to announce that I have now officially finished reading Harry Potter. I read all 7 books. And now I can die happy. :)

Reading Harry Potter has brought me so much joy and renewed my love for books. I can't even quite remember a time before reading Harry Potter, because it probably it took me a few good months to get through them. They sparked a new life in me. I truly felt as if these books carry a magic all their own. It was truly a trance like experience reading them. It helped that I also saw all the movies so the visual imagery was totally alive. I think it's time I start binge watching those movies again....

All 7 books were phenomenal and delivered everything and more than I could have ever imagined. I got started on this journey after I cam back from "Harry Potter World" at Universal Orlando, Florida. I got so insanely inspired from that park that I knew I had to read the books. I wanted to know all the secrets. I wanted to immerse myself in Harry Potter land and never leave. I luckily had 3 of the 7 books and then just ordered the rest on Amazon. I sometimes literally could not put the books down. They were amazing from start to finish. Each and everyone. 

Some times that surprised me about the books started with the very first one. I know these books came out many years ago and at the time I was slightly too young to truly appreciate them. So I feel that now was the perfect time for me to get the full experience. But the first book less intense then I was expecting. It felt very much like being a kid and your parents withholding all the "grown-up" stuff that you don't need to know yet. And all the books progressed, much like we all age and come to learn about all those things that our parents omitted telling us. It was the underlying theme that played throughout. Each book got more intense and starting revealing more and more. 

I know years ago, I remember some people had told me that the movies did not follow the books too well. So when reading it I was hoping to find out some more information that the movies skipped over. To be honest, since having seen the movies first, I didn't see that much difference. of course there were plot lines that were omitted for good reasons I think. Except for the last book. I felt that towards the end there were some interesting things left out. Such as when Harry dies and goes to "Kings Cross," his conversation with Dumbledore was much more informative then I remember the movie being. I especially remember this because I was a little frustrated with the lack of information he gave Harry in the movie. But we all know movies are far more complex.

Harry Potter is a MUST READ. It's magical and amazing. After finishing the last book, I felt as if my whole life was changed from that moment and that it would never be the same. I remember just sitting there with the book closed in my lap and thinking,"What am I going to do now?" 

It's the true feeling of a "book-hole." Where you don't know what to do with yourself after investing so much time and enjoyment into something. This book will live in infamy and I will be sure that my kids read these books and enter the magical world one book at a time. 

Lose Yourself In A Good Book

Happy New Year Book Bound!! Can't believe its already 2016.... (Pause for a slight panic attack).

Every time a new year rolls around, it almost forces you to reflect on how the past year has been. 2015 has definitely not been my year, but it did have some really fun and happy moments. Definitely, my top favorite are my vacations. I went to Florida 3 times this year. Seeing Harry Potter World with my love was definitely my highlight. I also got to spend some time with my grandparents who live in Florida and which I have not seen in over 3 years. I've also had some really low, lows but otherwise I'm happy to say that I am keeping a positive attitude for 2016! I hope nothing but peace and happiness to all!

One thing I am definitely happy about this past year is my continuation with this blog! Even though I may not post as often as I would like. I am still so proud of myself that I have not let this fall apart. I love this blog more than I can express. Books and reading are a passion that I will always want to be a part of my life. For Christmas this year, I bought The Book Bound it's first ornament. (See attached picture.) This ornament just spoke to me and I had to have it. The ornament says, "Lose yourself in a good book." That epitomizes what reading and books are to me. It's an escape, to a world all its own. It's a world like to no other that you can explore in your own mind. It's my favorite gift of all. This new year I hope you all lose yourself in a good book. Lose yourself in hundreds of books. Don't stop believing in the magic of books.

I also hope for this coming year, much like every year, to continue with this blog and make it bigger and better. Here's to 2016!

Much love
xoxo

Writing Power

Lately, I've been trying to write more things down. I often have an overflow of ideas or thoughts. They just can't stay in my head space for too long. So for some time now I've been telling myself that I need to get into journaling more. I even bought a journal from work for the purpose of starting my journaling journey. However, its taken me some time to really take the plunge.

But writing is second nature to me. Heck, I'm obviously writing right now! Writing is who I am. It's always been apart of me. So I don't quite know why it takes a whole lot of energy to get me to do it sometimes. My best guesses are: I'm super busy sometimes and I have so many thoughts to write that it can seriously get overwhelming. The best idea is for me to write down the influx of thoughts but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has trouble truly sitting down and sorting through your thoughts to write them out. Sometimes the work can just be put off for another day. Except today was the day and I didn't have another day to spare. The thoughts were going down on paper. One way or another. And it was exactly what I needed. I brought be the clarity that I had so desperately been craving.

Sometimes you just have to stop overthinking and just go with the flow. Literally JUST DO IT ! Don't think. Just Do. That's going to be phrase going forward because I have big plans and I want to be in control of them. That's the only way to get ahead.

So no more time for excuses. It's time to make things happen. Writing is my vice in life. Besides reading of course. It's the way my mind knows how to function.

Another good tip of mine for life is to write. Writing is sometimes the only way to get out your true feelings. It's pure and personal and sometimes the most vulnerable you can feel.

So I did what I set out to do. I WROTE!

xo Cheryl

Just One of Those Days

Until mid-day, I was having a mostly normal day. Nothing crazy and I was feeling pretty good. For some reason, as the day went on, I just got into one of those moods. Nothing even happened to make me feel this way. My attitude just flipped and I was no longer feeling like this day was normal or fun.
Sometimes these days just happen. And often times I find myself reflecting on this moments because for the most part I like to remain happy at all times. I have some suspicions that I have some underlying issues, like under the surface that I haven't faced, that cause me to create these moments in a seemingly good day.
I wanted to share this thought with you because I felt like we can all use a reminder that bad days will happen and they won't be announced. But remember that you can turn things around. Don't get weighed down by the negativity. I believe that life is a lot about how you react to it. Stop for a moment before you make a decision or say what your thinking. Often times if you give yourself that few seconds to think you will find that what you are about to do or say in those moments of negativity are not the correct response. I tired to do that today. I still failed but I realized that I do have the power over how I respond to things and how I respond reflects on how well my day will go.

Another reason I wanted to write this, was because reading is a huge antidote to a bad day. If I'm ever having a bad day I know one thing that will always get me out of it and that's reading. One of the major things I love about books is that they can be an escape. Books have always been an escape route for me from life. Whenever I need clarity, I read, because it clears my mind of my worries or concerns and opens it up for more positive and rational thoughts. Reading should truly be a medical remedy for some people because I swear its my life line.

So if you're having a bad day, maybe this time start reading, if you don't normally do that. I think you might find that your day just turned around again and this time for the better.

XO
Cheryl

Magic is Happening

I'm sure you read the title of this post and was a little confused. So let me explain...

Probably going to sound familiar to you when I say that I'm sorry for not writing for some time. I don't know why, but I always feel the need to apologize or preface a post before I really get into it. It helps me to put my thoughts and emotions out there and then move on from them.

But, I actually have a good reason for being away and that reason is: HARRY POTTER. Guys, I'm officially obsessed. I know one of my last posts was about how I was going to be reading and 'reviewing the books so this shouldn't come as a complete shock. My plan now is to read all the books and then write one post about my thoughts on the books and my experience reading them. It will be some great reflection writing and I'm excited about that post.

I figured that writing an individual post about each book was too much and I barely have gone a day without reading a chapter, even between books. I just flew through the first 3 and now I'm almost finished with the 4th. By the time I realized that I should have written about them, it was too late. Plus I feel my new idea is way better, so it all worked out.

In the meantime, while I'm reading HP. I will try to write some more opinion or journal like entry's that focus on topics of interest about reading or just some random thoughts or rants. Really whenever I get the inspiration to write I'm going to just do it. (I'll try my best.)

I've really been getting more and more inspired by my passion for books. It just reassures me that I'm on the right path to success, I just can't give up yet. Because, I do believe in the magic of books.

Please let me know if there is something you would like me to talk about. I tend to have opinions on most things and I'm sure it would be fun to have a dialogue about it.

For now I'll just say see ya later!

Ciao,
Cheryl