I learned so much about the art of henna and the role it played in Indian culture – it was amazing.
Lakshmi’s drive to succeed and make a better life for herself and her family, despite her past, was inspiring.
About The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi:
Lakshmi Shastri has spent years carving out a life for herself as a henna artist after fleeing her abusive husband and backward rural village for the Rajasthan capital. Well-versed in apothecary and the miraculous properties of herbs, her services (the effects of which are far more than just aesthetic) are highly sought after by upper-caste women, and Lakshmi’s success brings her within inches from her, and her country’s, ultimate goal: total independence. That is, until the past she has so desperately tried to run from comes knocking at her door…
My Full Review of The Henna Artist
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is the story of Lakshmi Lakshmi ran away from her village life with an abusive husband to make it on her own. This is a difficult task in 1950s India. She makes her way up through society, making sure to always follow the rules and know her place. Pleasing her “ladies” with every visit, and making her henna designs seem like magical cures. All the time, saving money to build her own house.
But when Lakshmi’s sister, the one she didn’t know existed, shows up with the husband Lakshmi ran away from 13 years ago, things slowly begin to fall apart. As she tries to navigate the tricky social structures without missing a step, the worst happens, and she finds herself having to decide what family really means and how to best help them.
The well-written relationship between Lakshmi and her sister, as well as the errand boy, turns out to be far more important than you think at first. They were incredibly different people, and yet they were very similar as well. As with many families, their relationship isn’t all roses. But you could see how Lakshmi was trying so hard to do what was right. She wanted to give her sister every opportunity that she could possibly have.
Lakshmi earns extra money making herbal remedies. Some make sure women who don’t want to be mothers don’t have to be. Many people around her frowned on this practice. And they also shunned her other natural remedies in favor of modern techniques and medicines. This cultural difference between the city and the villages really played a role as Lakshmi’s character developed and she navigated the world around her.
The Henna Artist was beautifully written and immersed me in an unfamiliar culture. I loved every second of it. The story unfolds in a way that isn’t all excitement and suspense. It’s peppered with moments that stood out in my mind as I read through it. I highly recommend this book.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Pick up your copy of The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Three reasons you should read Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is easy to listen to with a lot of good tips that are uncomplicated.
Great step by step approach to changing or quitting habits that builds on itself through the book.
Homework and worksheets are available to go along with it that were very helpful at times.
About Atomic Habitsby James Clear
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.
Learn how to:
make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
design your environment to make success easier;
get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.
Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.
My Review
Atomic Habits does a great job of laying out the framework of changing, improving good habits, and getting rid of bad habits. James Clear walks you through the process of how habits form using realistic examples and psychological and sociological backup. Also, he throws in a bit of chemistry when he mentions how the chemicals in the brain respond to stimulus. But the book isn’t a bunch of high-level information that you can’t use. Clear lays out step-by-step directions to help create better habits in your life.
Pulling from his personal experience and the work of other habit specialists, James Clear brings their work together and pairs them with real-life exercises and homework to help you along the way. I did listen to the audiobook, and handouts are available through links he provides verbally throughout.
While I was able to take away some ideas on how to build good habits (habit-stacking is probably my favorite), there were a few times things got a little repetitive. I understand James Clear presented similar concepts in different ways with different approaches. Still, I wanted to hit fast-forward every now and then. A few of the examples were a little extreme – and were acknowledged as such.
I learned a lot from reading Atomic Habits. And it was a good read. There are a few tactics and practices that I plan on trying, and there are a few that I won’t. If you’re looking for some good ideas, I would give this book a try.
The magical realism in All the Breaking Waves sucks you into a world you know with just a little twist.
Molly and her daughter Cassie are such beautiful characters, and their mother-daughter bond was amazing.
I did not see the end coming – not at one bit. Kerry Lonsdale threw me a curveball, and I loved it.
About All the Breaking Waves by Kerry Lonsdale
After a harrowing accident tore her family apart, Molly Brennan fled from the man she loved and the tragic mistake she made.
Twelve years later, Molly has created a new life for herself and her eight-year-old daughter, Cassie. The art history professor crafts jewelry as unique and weathered as the surf-tumbled sea glass she collects, while raising her daughter in a safe and loving environment—something Molly never had. But when Cassie is plagued by horrific visions and debilitating nightmares, Molly is forced to return to the one place she swore she’d never move back to—home to Pacific Grove.
A riveting exploration of love, secrets, and motherhood, All the Breaking Waves is the poignant story of a woman who discovers she must confront her past, let go of her guilt, and summon everything in her power to save her daughter.
My Review
Kerry Lonsdale has a way with her characters. Molly and Cassie start the book faced with the frightening reality that Cassie has inherited psychic abilities. It runs in the women of the family, but each generation is a little different. Cassie is forced to see horrible events in the near future, reliving them in her nightmares until the event comes to pass. And someone usually ends up dead. Not a very good thing for a little girl.
When Cassie sees Molly’s death, they both completely freak out – understandably so – and take a trip to Molly’s mother’s house – hoping that Cassie can learn to control her abilities. But also hoping to find a way to avoid Cassie’s tragic vision.
Nana has other ideas though, and this is where things started to take a few very interesting turns. One of those turns was Owen. And while this isn’t quite a romance, there is definitely a romantic storyline between him and Molly – with a long history to drive it forward. Owen and Nana both play a crucial role in helping both Molly and Cassie find their way.
I found myself infinitely frustrated at Molly’s inability to stay away from the very things that could make Cassie’s vision come to pass. Like a moth to the flame – she was drawn to it. Lonsdale used this to create a level of suspense without having an actual bad guy, and it was brilliant. The tension was ever-present and I could feel it in every word and between each line.
I was shocked at the end. Lonsdale led me on and made me believe so many things – and I was wrong about a lot of them. We have a lot of happy moments, but there is some sadness as well. Much like life, this novel took me on a journey the was quite memorable.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
