I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna

Author: Paul McKenna
ISBN: 0-593-05054-1
Genre: Self help
Pages: 141
Format: Paperback & CD
Publisher: Bantam Press


" Do you want to lose weight easily? Would you like to feel really happy with your body? Are you unable to lose those last 10 pounds? Are you a late night snacker? Do you find it hard to say no to second helpings? Do you get disheartened about your eating habits and your weight? Yes? Well, Paul McKenna has written the book for you. "I Can Make You Thin" will change your attitude to food for ever."


This is the second time I have read this book, and the first time was back in 2004, where after reading it and following it's four simple rules I lost over a stone in weight in just five weeks. I had given my copy to a friend over seas who wanted to read the book. Anyway, I borrowed my sisters copy last night and finished it this afternoon. My enthusiasm is back for it again.

Over the last year, I had begun to emotional eat again, I put it down to having a hard time last year. Anyway, I have put on a few pounds although, I'm still slim, I mainly want to stop emotional eating so this is why I have re-read this book. I've been eating to make myself feel better but its actually been making me feel worse.

Anyway enough of that, this book in my eyes is a gods send. It isn't a diet, it is a healthy eating system. It does work, if you want to really give it a try. It's more to do with changing the way you think about food, and teaches you to love your body. It's filled with some good exercises to help boost your self esteem. The best thing about this book is, you can eat what you like, there are no forbidden foods, unlike diets where they tell you what you can and cannot eat. You can loose weight with it and you can change how you view yourself and your relationship with food. All you have to do is

1. Eat when you're hungry. (yes when your hungry, not emotionally hungry lol)
2. Eat what you want. (yes anything from cakes to your favourite foods)
3. Eat consciously and enjoy every mouthful. (meaning slowly and pay attention, no woofing it down!)
4. Stop when you are full. (as soon as you think you are full STOP)

That's it, and it does work. My hubby did it too, and lost 5 stone in 6 months.
If you want to try it, you really need to read the book though, as it comes with a CD to help to boost your self esteem.

Eva's Book Meme

I was tagged by Rhinoa from Rhinoa Ramblings who was tagged by Gautami Tripathy and Annie the Superfast Reader.



Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
IT by Stephen King, and the reason is, it's a huge book. I nagged my hubby for that book, and he bought me it and now it's just sitting on my shelf collecting dust, much to hubby's disappointment. But it looks like such a chore to read!! I know, I'm crazy and one day I will get around to reading it. :)

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
Hermoine, Ron and Harry from the Harry Potter series. I love the adventures they get into. The HP series has been one of my most favourite reads. I'd love to go and snoop on Snape with them. :)

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can't die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it's past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
Well the most boring book I've ever read was Katherine the Virgin Widow by Jean Plaidy, and also Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult, so anyone of those..... *yawn*

Come on, we've all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you've read, when in fact you've been nowhere near it?
I've never done that, not yet anyway. But there's always time 'he he he'.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't? Which book?
I don't think that's happened to me either? I keep a blog so I know all the books I have read.

You've been appointed Book Advisor to a VIP (who's not a big reader). What's the first book you'd recommend and why? (if you feel like you'd have to know the person, go ahead of personalise the VIP)
That's easy! The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Why? Because I love that book, it is most probably the best book I have ever read. It's the first book I read about time travel, and reading this book I felt as though I was really there, I just couldn't put the book down. My emotions were pulled in all different directions. Everyone should read that book, it's just too good to be collecting dust on a shelf. I would even beg the person to read it, that's how passionate I am about that book.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with? Mmmm Japanese.


A mischievious fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
For Fiction: The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I told you it was great! ;)
Non Fiction: Journey of Souls by DR Michael Newton. Also I have to include this one; I Can Make You Thin by Paul Mckenna.

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What's one bookish thing you 'discovered' from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?
New Authors, I wouldn't know half of the authors I've found without visiting online blogs and forums.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she's granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.
OK, you remember the Library in Beauty and the Beast? Well that would be my Library. Need I say more? ;)

And the final portion of this assignment is to tag four others:
Confessions of a Bookaholic
Tanzanites Shelf and Stuff
Jess at My Front Room
Aarti at Booklust

*And, for extra credit, if you leave a comment letting Eva know you've done the meme with a link to the post, she will give you some link love via a big list of who's participated. Additionally, if you link back to her original post, she will enter you in a drawing to win The House at Riverton. If you're an American, this is especially exciting since it isn't going to published until April. ;) To be in the drawing, you must have posted the meme (and commented) by February 5th, which is when she is holding the drawing.

Alicia Keyes - As I Am

Format: Music CD
Artist: Alicia Keyes

1. As I Am (Intro)
2. Go Ahead
3. Superwoman
4. No One
5. Like You'll Never See Me Again
6. Lesson Learned (featuring John Mayer)
7. Wreckless Love
8. The Thing About Love
9. Teenage Love Affair
10. I Need You
11. Where Do We Go From Here
12. Prelude To A Kiss
13. Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)
14. Sure Looks Good To Me
15. Waiting For Your Love

This is the new fabulous album by Alicia Keyes, and I love it! I was just saying to my hubby before Christmas, where are the really good 'unique' artists? People like Barbra Steisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey. I said we have no one that is 'special' lately, that was until I heard Alicia Keyes new album.I have never really been a big fan of hers, but after hearing this I am!
Mariah carey is good, but Alicia Keyes has 'class'. This album has been written by a woman for women. When you hear Superwoman, you'll feel like a Superwoman!

My favourite songs on the album, are: Go Ahead, Superwoman, Lesson learned, Like You'll Never See Me Again, The Thing About Love.

When A Man Loves A Woman.

Format: Dvd
Theme: Romancing Drama.
Year 1997
Cert: 15
Duration: 120 minutes
Actors: Meg Ryan & Andy Garcia

"Two of Hollywood's hottest stars, Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia give critically acclaimed performances in this extraordinary motion picture hit. Ryan and Garcia portray Alice and Michael green, a passionate couple who have worked hard to build a good life for themselves and their two young daughters. But a dark secret from Alice's past is about to surface - a secret that threatens to destroy them as lovers, as a family and as individuals. Ignited by riveting star performances, When A Man Loves A Woman is the "must-see" hit of the year - a story of fiery passion and the enduring power of love!"

Want a movie that will have to balling your eyes out? Well, this is it.

I have always loved Meg Ryan in her movies, and although in most of them she comes across as pretty much the same, this one was different. She played a more serious role, more down to earth.

This is a movie about a woman who is a secret alcoholic, things become bad when she passes out in front of her daughter. It rips the family apart, comes between her and her husband, and her children. But will they survive this, will all be OK? Well, you'll have to watch it.

I liked how Meg Ryan played this part, sometimes when you see people in movies, it's like they play the same sort of role each time, especially with those who star in Comedies. But it isn't the case with this one. (It's the same with Jim Carey, in most of his movies, he acts in comedies, and comes across as the same character each time, which can become boring. But in 'The Majestic' he played a serious role, and I loved him in this movie.)

I have to say though, for anyone who does like their drink (like me), this movie is a bit of a wake up call. It makes you realize to make sure you have your drink in moderation, and not to take it for granted, as no one sets out to be an alcoholic, it just happens.

This is a heartfelt touching movie, and make sure you have your tissues with you!!!

Journey of Souls By Michael Newton

Author: DR Michael Newton
ISBN: 9781567184853
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 278
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications,U.S


"In this groundbreaking book, 29 subjects under hypnosis reveal graphic details about how it feels to die, what the spirit world is really like, where the soul goes and what it does there, why souls come back in certain bodies, how to recognize soul mates, and much more. They confirm the existence of an immortal soul whose journey between lives confers meaning on our earthly existence."

I got this book a few years ago, after it was recommended to me. I became especially interested in life after death, after my youngest son who was 5 years old at the time, fell ill one day, passed out and stopped breathing and was rushed to hospital. When he came around in the hospital, he looked at me and his first word to me was 'died'. Since that day, I have researched about life after death, and my research still carries on today.

This book is about how Dr Michael Newton, has regressed his patients back to their 'super conscious' the part of their soul that can remember what's it's like to die, how it feels when we pass away and step over into the spirit world. What happens to our souls and how and why we come back in reincarnation.

This is a wonderful book, with so much information. It's not one of those books to be taken lightly. It isn't about a mediums experience, where it just skims the top of the spirit world. This book digs deep into the spirit world. Filled with so much information. Which is comforting and helps you to view your own life in a completely different way. I believe it can help you to deal with stressful situations in your own life, because you can understand the bigger picture in life, in your own life.

I did find it to be hard going in some places, due to the fact that it digs deep into this subject. Although some of it was hard going, I took my time, and read it slowly when I was drawn to read it. It has been my most favourite book about the spirit world, this book isn't based on fiction, it is true accounts of people in deep regression, with Dr Michael Newton talking to their souls.

This book is truly fascinating, so educational, and comforting. 10/10 from me.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman.

Author: Neil Gaiman
ISBN: 978-0-7553-3751-4
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Pages: 216
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Review

"There is a way into Faerie, beyond the fields we know, and it lies in a village called Wall, somewhere in the early Victorian era. Every nine years there is a fair on the other side of the wall, where Faerie sells its wares to the mundane. Farmer Duncan Thorne had his moment of mad love with a witch's bondservant; Tristan, his son, turned up in a basket nine months later. Now Tristan is old enough to fall in love, and promises Victoria a falling star... This is a fairy story in the tradition of George MacDonald and Hope Mirlees; a book of passion and terror and wit which reminds us that Faerie is not a safe place, or a fair one. And at its edges there lurk other stories--Neil Gaiman's work in comics and television has previously shown his capacity to evoke mystery and glorious magic by telling us just enough and no more, but he excels himself here. Charles Vess's illustrations, (Vess collaborated with Gaiman on key episodes of The Sandman), have charm and occasionally more--the stars dance, Pan looms from the forest, a witch queen rides a chariot driven by goats and Tristan journeys by candlelight leagues at a step."

This is another book, my eldest son bought me for Christmas. I had seen the movie which I thought was good, but the book is so much better. In the movie they had changed some things and left some important other factors out which are included in the book.

This novel was magical and fun to read, it was the first of this kind I have read. I enjoyed being taken into the world of faerie and reading about unicorns, goblins and witches, and stars ;)
I put this down as a young authors book, from teenage upwards, the reason for this is, there is some sexual reference in the beginning chapters, not much though.

This story is about how a young boy Tristian Thorn, promises to collect a fallen star for his love Victoria Foster, he sets out on his travels as she promised him, his hearts desires if he brings back the star for her. He has to cross the Wall into faerie land, and his adventures begin.

If you like fantasy, you will enjoy this book.

For One More Day by Mitch Albom.

Author: Mitch Albom
ISBN: 978-0-7515-3750-5
Genre: general Fiction
Pages: 200
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sphere


"This is the story of a man named Charley who loses his job, leaves his family, and decides, one night, to end his life. Somewhere between this world and the next, he encounters his mother, who died years ago, and he spends one last day with her - a day he never had on earth. This 'ordinary' day covers the whole of their existence, and reveals how Charley, like many children, was constantly forced to choose between his mother and his father. He gets the chance many of us yearn for - to ask the questions never asked while our parents are alive. In the end, Charley learns how little he really knew about his mother, how her love saved their family, and how deeply he wants the chance to save his own."

I borrowed this book from my sister, after reading 'The Five people You Meet in Heaven' which I loved.
This book is about how a man finds himself becoming distant from his family, and his story is told by another. In this novel, 'Chick' tries to take his own life, and in doing so, is met by the spirit of his mother.

It's a really lovely book, an easy read and again, some would finish it in a day. This book helps you to look at your own life, and will may be make you realize not to take things for granted, especially your family.

Definitely worth having on your book shelf.

The Five People You meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Author: Mitch Albom
ISBN: 0751536822
Genre: general Fiction
Pages: 231
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sphere

"From the author of the phenomenal number one bestseller TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, comes this enchanting, beautifully written novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold. Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in the toil of his father before him, fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. Then he dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life. Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer is as magical and inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself."

With the recent passing of my father, this is one book I 'needed' to read. I was gob smacked my eldest son even thought about buying me this book for xmas, let alone actually surprising me with it on xmas day.

This was a wonderful little book, with a lot of meaning to it. It helps you to understand why certain things happen to you in life, and how we are all connected.

This book is basically about a man who dies, and is met by five people, who in some way affected how he lived his life. Some are family while others are strangers. I really can't go on to tell you more, as you have to read it for yourselves. All I can say is, I found the book left me wanting more. I wish the book had been bigger so I could go on reading. It's a light read and some people would finish it in a day.

It's a very comforting read and one worth having in your book pile to be read.