Closet Confidential Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way, by Winona Dimeo-Ediger, Sasquatch Books, 18.95

Witty, wise and at times downright hysterical, this is a book for “real women with real bodies, real budgets and a real desire for style. Equal parts self-deprecating wit, fashion smarts and bargain-bin savvy, fashion blogger Winona Dimeo-Ediger covers everything from tops to bottoms to undergarments to help women become divas on a dime.” You’ll be laughing out loud while making mental notes on do’s and don’ts, whether you work in or out of the home—and be forewarned, she despises robes (except for “Notable Exemptions to her No-Robe Rule.) Read on for fun, fashion sense and all you need to avoid or rectify most fashion faux pas.

Alex doesn’t understand why his dad quit his job as a policeman and would rather sleep than play with the dog or watch Alex play soccer. Is he lazy? Doesn’t he care? This picture book for all ages provides a way to talk with your children about depression, perhaps the most common mental health issue we face. In partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), this is one in an important series of books for children who “have to cope with adult-size problems.” Children understand more than parents realize, they need to ask questions and get clear, age-appropriate answers. If a parent’s depression becomes a “big taboo secret,” kids often draw their own conclusions, such as they are the cause, they make it worse, or that they may “catch it like a cold.” In simple, straightforward language, this book explains what depression is, how it’s treated, and prepares a child for working with a counselor. Research shows that if kids understand their parents’ depression, kids do better later in life. According to this excellent book, good communication within the family helps children develop healthy coping skills, and make positive choices in difficult situations. Encouraging children to start talking is one of the most important things you can do for them.

By Kim Childress

This book ranks as one of the best I’ve seen on helping your child transition out of the elementary years into a future of academic success. For many kids, middle school is the beginning of a radically different learning environment. For the first time, they travel from classroom to classroom to learn from a variety of teachers who each cover a specific subject. They also confront social issues at an age that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. This book includes ideas galore–mind-mapping and goal-setting projects, coaching tips on ways to stay involved in your kids’ lives without making them crazy, and study and organizational ideas. (I’ve put the “milk crate filing system” into practice successfully.) The 6th-8th grade years have proven to be critical time in the student’s academic career, both rewarding and challenging, when kids gain independence and parents assume the role of supportive coach. I highly recommend this book for everyone who has or will have a middle schooler.

I wonder if I’m just weird (I’s like to think if it as “unique”), or if you readers do this as well. My process for buying new books at the book store is simple: I go through the Literature section, pick out any book whose cover looks appealing, then sit down and read the first page of each book. Then, I buy the books I want! I know, it’s time consuming, but I often come across novels I would have never heard of.

This brings me to the book of the day, which had an appetizing and yet somehow chic picture of a cloud, some rain, and a large piece of red velvet cake. I’m talking about The Divorce Party, by author Laura Dave. The novel does indeed feature a bizarre divorce party, but has so much more to offer. I really expected a kitschy, adult version of “Gossip Girl”, but instead, Dave impressed me wither ability to capture a reader based on fast moving plot, and humored commentary.

Dave centers the book on 2 main characters, Gwyn and Maggie. Gwyn is the older woman who is in control. She is still amazingly beautiful, and throwing a party to end her decades long marriage; thus, a divorce party. Maggie is a young food critic who is getting ready for a lot of new things in her life: a fiancé, then a marriage, a new business with that fiancé, and becoming the owner of that restaurant. You would think that this is enough, but little does Maggie know that her fiancé’s past holds a lot of secrets for her to find out. She arrives to meet his parents, Gwyn (yes, that Gwyn) ad Thomas, on the eve of their divorce party. Let me just say, the divorce party is not even the half of it.

I have to say I really loved Dave’s style of writing. If I had to capture it in one word, it would elegant. Check it out for yourself here on amazon.com.

PS- The book is being turned into a movie! I am very excited to see who will playing who, so I suggest catching up on the reading part now!

Otherwise, I thought it was fun while it lasted. I definitely recommend reading it; it is really worth the money. ! Enjoy!


Hello everyone! I hope that sometime during your crazy schedules, between the driving, caring, cooking, cleaning, working, and everything else, you’ve had many a minute or two to pick up a book and read. I’ve gotten into the habit of reading before bed. I used to have a really hard time sleeping; but now, I read no matter how tired or how late it is. Usually, it ends up only being a page or two but it still does the job.
Unfortunately, I just turned the last page of book I really didn’t think was worth the time. Since I only get a page or two in everyday, it takes quite a while to finish a novel, and this one was not worth it. I read Kaya McLaren’s On the Divinity of Second Chances. Initially, both the cover and the basic plot intrigued me. I like the idea of a broken family getting another chance; this family is subject to so many things all families feel after 20 years together. The mom is going through menopause and can’t stand her husband. The husband’s check-list approach to life isn’t going so well, while his kids are all dealing with problems of their own. Forrest, the youngest, lives in self-imposed exile after an accident he holds the guilt for. Jade, the middle child, really holds the family together, while Olive, the oldest, seems straitlaced but holds a secret she can’t live with anymore. The set-up to this book was promising; it just didn’t deliver at the end. I usually find something good about all the books I review, but this one just didn’t do it for me. Sorry readers! Better luck next book!
If you still want to check it out, or read other reviews, you can check it out on Amazon…