The Happy Hammock

Amazing Romance Novelists You Should Know

As a bookworm, you probably have various romance books on your reading list or on your shelf. There is just something amazing and wonderful about romance novels that capture both your heart and mind. In this contemporary period of literature, there is already a wide array of progress that happened in genre mentioned. It is already combined with another genre, which enhances its overall impact and success.

With the growing numbers of romance books, the number of authors increases as well. Most of these novelists have sold millions of copies of their books while others are currently jump-starting their careers. So, if you want to get to know more about this genre, you should start looking into the wide array of brilliant novelists. That said, here are some of the best romance book authors that you should know.

Monique Boyd

If you are a fan of romantic suspense novels, then you might have heard and read the book titled Jasmine A Woman of Color by Monique Boyd. The novel was published in the early part of the year 2018 and was reprinted in 2020 by ReadersMagnet. Monique Boyd continues to write the following novels to complete a series. In fact, the sequel of the aforementioned book was recently published by the same publisher and is titled Jasmine: A Greater Love.

Monique was born in New Jersey but grew up and settled in another state, which is Kansas. She has been in the work force for 31 years, specifically in the office administration industry. She allocated her time and talents in two competitive companies, which are Boeing Company and Spirit AeroSystems. In her more than 3 decades of being in the office administration world, she spent 2 decades and a year of it becoming a Senior Executive Assistant — which is the same job description as the protagonist of her books.

Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is a popular name in the literary realm, specifically in the romance genre. However, it is only a pseudonym used by Madeleine Sophie Wickham. Among her popular works are Confessions of a Shopaholic and The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic. Collectively, Kinsella’s books have sold more than 40 million copies in different countries worldwide. The novels were also translated into various languages, which widen its reader base.

Before her literary breakthrough, Sophie is known to be the big sister of the remarkable writers named Gemma and Abigail Townley. She went into different amazing schools, such as Putney High School, St. Mary’s School, Sherborne School for Girls, and New College, Oxford. When she turned 24, she wrote her debut novel titled The Tennis Party; however, it was published when she is already 26. Her first book already carried her pen name, which is based from her middle name and her mom’s maiden name. Sophie continued using her pseudonym and only revealed her real identity in 2003.

Nicholas Sparks

Do the names Noah and Ally or Jamie and Landon ring a bell? If yes, then you probably have seen them in the movie adaptations and read them in the books of Nicholas Sparks. A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Dear John, The Best of Me, Safe Haven, and more are among his most remarkable works where each has a corresponding film adaptations starred by popular actors.

Nicholas Charles Sparks, moreover, is not just a promising novelist but also an amazing philanthropist and screenwriter. He currently resides in North Carolina, which is evident in most of his books because some of the stories are set or associated on that particular state. With the success of his career, he launched a foundation in 2011 called the Nicholas Sparks Foundation aimed to enhance the cultural and foreign understanding through worldwide education experiences for learners of different ages.

Sarah Dessen

That Summer, Dreamland, Just Listen, Along for the Ride, and This Lullaby are some of the award-winning works of romance novelist Sarah Dessen. Perhaps what sets her apart from other authors in this genre is her “effortless perfection” style of writing. Hence, readers start to engage in her stories because of how the characters of her book show relatable aspects.

Sarah Dessen, furthermore, was born in Evanston, Illinois whose parents are both educators. She grew up as a timid and quite teenager who formed a bond with a 21-year-old individual when she was still 15, but she suddenly cut their communication. Before she became a writer, she was once a waitress in Flying Burrito at Chapel Hill.

Essential Things You Can Learn After Reading Biographies

Have you ever had a particular experience that you want to share with the world? Do you fancy stories that are based on personal accounts of different individuals? Then, biographies and memoirs definitely suit your taste. Reading tales about the intimate experiences of a certain person can bring so much difference in your life. There are so many benefits that you can get just by reading those books.

Biographies can bring a sense of assurance and comfort that you can never find anywhere else. So, if you are reading these kinds of books or are looking into titles in this genre, then here are some of the essential things that you can possibly learn after delving into them.

Learn more about life and everything in between

Life is a big mystery that many tend to ponder. There are moments that can break you while there are also times that can make you. In the hopes of trying to figure out life and all its angles, you often fall into the pit of confusion. There are many things that you may question and events that you’ll have to make sense of. Amid these roller coaster moments, biographies can be a great means to calm the surge of questions in your head trying to get you overwhelmed.

Books like biographies, in their own little way, teach you what you need to know in life. A great example is the narration of David extraordinary journey on Kooman’s book,

There are many stories that talk about achieving goals, dealing with failures, mending wounds, keeping up with others, discovering oneself, and more. From these themes, you begin to learn that life is not something you can learn in one go; but, a matter of taking baby steps until you get to know all it inside out. Hence, you can come up with proper action plans and fallbacks when things don’t go your way, as well as get a better understanding of the uncertainty of life.

Know that you are not alone

Being alone, perhaps, is one of the toughest things in this lifetime. Although there are also positive sides to solitude, becoming too independent and alone for quite some time can be difficult. You will have to deal with different kinds of events on your own without someone to talk to or confide with. If you have been on this setup for so long, you need to reward yourself for being strong. However, there are definitely moments where the struggles and pain become too much to handle.

Upon reading the stories of notable people, you get to learn that you are not alone in the sense that they also experience the same things as you did. You will find comfort in their words and their experiences. When you get to know that there are many people out there who struggle and succeed to the same extent as you do, it will give you the motivation that you never thought that you had in you.

Give you tips on dealing with different situations

Living is not easy. There are times that you feel that everything is going your way but there are also moments that everything is going downhill. With the unpredictability of life, coming up with suitable aid for each situation can be tough. But with biographies, you will come to know the account of other people’s life. Thus, it will give you the knowledge and tips that you need in handling situations that are overwhelming, new, and recurring. These circumstances may occur in different parts of your life; but, what is important is that you already know how to act on these events and how much they can impact your life. As a result, you become stronger and wiser than you were before.

Enhance your self-esteem

Self-esteem is crucial. Possessing high levels of confidence is the key to achieving good mental and overall health. There are a handful of life lessons that biographies offer, which you can process and apply on your own journey. There are also a couple of great stories that you can relate to, which can definitely improve your self-esteem. Upon knowing that there are also others who share or have gone through the same pain, struggles, and happiness as you, you become more confident in life.

Stirring Books that Should Be On Your Reading List

Reading has always been beneficial. It isn’t just an activity for leisure but it has become part of the lifestyle of many, especially for bookworms. Books just offer different sense of comfort and entertainment making every reader craves for more. Like how the real world is filled with different kinds of people, the literary realm is also full of diverse genres. There are those that tell stories that can light up your imagination while there are also those that will open your eyes to reality. At the end of the day, regardless of what genre you pick, you can still get the great experience brought by reading.

So, if you are currently on the look-out for new titles to add on your reading list, then here are some great and stirring ones that you should check out!

The Madhouse Projects by Rick Badman

The Madhouse Projects by Rick Badman is a science fiction book published in 2019 that showcases the sci-fi trope adventure, where the invention is helping the protagonist succeed or struggle. It follows the story of a former automotive engineer who was fired from California University. With his knowledge and talent in his field of specialty, he was hired at the Madhouse in Arizona to help create fly-wheel-power electric Indy cars. The cars that they are inventing are anticipated to race at the 2037 fictional Indianapolis 500. He was followed by her wife at the Madhouse following the event where they were assumed to be dead in an accident. Their life and work at the madhouse turned their lives into a rollercoaster ride.

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

Are you a fan of Haruki Murakami? If you are, then you should check out this book. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami was published in 2009 by Shinchosha. The book was translated by Jay Rubin and Philip Grabriel since it was originally written in Japanese. The story showcases an alternate history and parallel worlds, which are clearly elements of science fiction. It centers on both the fictionalized and real year 1984, in which the two variations are in parallel with one another. It started when a girl named Aomame, who noticed peculiar modifications that are taking place in the world. She suddenly got involved in a plot entailing a religious cult called Sakigake and her puppy love named Tengo. Thus, she set her sail to discover what world is real and what is not.

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

This 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner is the debut novel of Viet Thanh Nguyen. It was published in 2015 by Grove Press and has become a critically-acclaimed and bestselling book. It depicts the story of an unknown narrator, who is a North Vietnamese spy in the South Vietnamese troops. He kept immerses in the South Vietnamese circle in expulsion in the United States. While in America, the narrator talks about becoming an immigrant and a cultural advisor on the movie set of a particular American movie, almost taking after Platoon and Apocalypse Now, prior to coming back to Vietnam as a member of the guerilla raid as opposed to the communists.

The anonymous narrator’s different identities, which is as a spy and expatriate, as well as the Vietnam War’s Americanization are among the central messages of the book. The novel, moreover, is being housed under different genres, such as metafiction, historical fiction, mystery, and more.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the first published book of Gail Honeyman. The U.K. edition was published by Harper Collins while the U.S. edition was published by Pamela Dorman books. The publication year of the both editions is 2017. The story follows the social outcast named Eleanor Oliphant. She has a traumatic past, which contributed on her misfit social status. She later on became a great singer, which she was always believed that it is her destiny. The book features the themes of alienation and sadness and depicts the transformation of the protagonist as she move towards a broader understanding of her life and herself. Moreover, the book won the Costa Debut Novel Award in 2017 and the British Award’s Debut Book of the Year in 2018.

Perfect Books to Read for Personal Development

In this day and age, people do not 100% crave for success anymore, instead they start to aspire for other things that can make their lives more comfortable and bearable. Personal development is among the essential things in this world that individuals try their best to achieve. Imagine living in an advancing world knowing that you are also progressing, that would be amazing.

But how could you attain personal development? There are many means and methods on how, but books can be the most convenient medium. That said, listed below are the best books to read for personal growth.

Happiness in Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain

Aura D. McClain authored the remarkable book titled Happiness in Quantum Leaps. It was published by Christian Faith Publishing in 2020. It serves as a guidebook for people who want to attain love, tranquility, happiness, and delight via positive order of their mind, body, and soul or energy united as one. You can definitely achieve mental peace through learning to manage your mind, get to reunite to the spiritual energy source and knowing the ways to utilize it, and heal physically when it comes to mental stress. What makes the book more influential is the way McClain cited different sources or references that strengthens an idea or concept.

Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport

This book was published in 2016 by Oldtown Publishing. Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenportteaches the readers the practices, acts, and perspectives to tidy up the mess in their mind that is restraining them from living significantly. It learn different things upon reading the book including the roots of mental clutter, tactics to enhance or remove bad relationships, a simple technique to uncover the things essential to you, and more. There are also various exercises that can surely create an instant and optimistic effect in your outlook in life.

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story by Dan Harris

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story is a New York Times bestselling book written by Dan Harris. It contains the story on how the author experienced a panic attack on national television and embarked into an unanticipated and witty journey through the unfamiliar realms of self-help and spirituality to uncover the methods of becoming genuinely happy. This book will bring the readers on a trip from the external reaches of neuroscience to the internal sanctuary of network news to the rare perimeters of America’s spiritual sequence.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

The 25^th anniversary edition of Julia Cameron’s bestselling book The Artist’s Way was published in 2016 by TarcherPerigee. The book has encouraged and motivated a wide array of readers to jumpstart their creative journey and discover a more profound bond to purpose and procedure. Cameron’s book helps the readers in seeing the pressure points and issues, which hold back their creative flow. It also provides great strategies and tactics to clean up the parts where the creative juices are stuck and offers a way to let chances for self-improvement and development.

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell

The bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell wrote the award-winning book Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know. It was published in 2019 by Little, Brown and Company. The book looks into the miscommunication, encounters, and presumptions that individuals do in managing people that they aren’t familiar with. The author also talks about different kinds of events and problems to make his point, such as the capturing and succeeding death of Sandra Bland, the child sex abuse issue of Jerry Sandusky, the death of author Sylvia Plath, and more. Moreover, it brings about the truth-default theory of Timothy R. Levine, a renowned psychologist and communication studies professor.

Ideal Books to Read that Show Strong Female Qualities

A girl wearing a white dress holding a book

In this day and age, women are in the peak of breaking gender stereotypes and unleashing their full potential. Literature is among the many platforms that allow females to express themselves and show the world how equally skilled and capable they are if compared to other genders. There are several remarkable books written by great females that successfully show the amazing sides of females in a world filled with twists and turns.

If you are on the lookout for books that feature and highlight the resiliency, determination, and other notable qualities of a woman, then here are some of the great titles that should be on your reading list.

Trini: My Life of Poems by Trinidad Rodriguez

The strength of woman in relationships on Trini: My Life of Poems book by Trinidad Rodriguez is one of the many essential things that it tackles. This poetry book is a memoir of how the author conquered the struggles of becoming a single mother. Going through problems and celebrating victories through constant manifestation of bravery, faith, and determination will definitely inspire every reader. Some of the poems will surely help you soar above like a beautiful butterfly experiencing the liberty of its first flight, while other poems will absolutely break your heart.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah’s fiction book titled The Nightingale was published in 2015 by St. Martin’s Press. It is a historical fiction novel that centers on the tale of two sisters in the course of World War II in France. It shows the hardships that the ladies went through just to survive and withstand the German occupation in their country. The book is, in fact, inspired on the personal experiences of Andrée de Jongh, a Belgian female who assisted the knocked down Allied pilots to flee the land of Nazis. Right after the book was launched, it became an instant bestseller. Because of its remarkable story, it was planned to be adapted into a movie with Melanie Laurent as its director.

Lilac Girls: A Novel by Martha Hall Kelly

This New York Times bestselling book is authored by Martha Hall Kelley that has touched millions of lives. It is recognized as the New and Noteworthy Book by USA Today and the Top Ten Pick of LibraryReads. Lilac Girls was published in 2017 and is part of the Woolsey-Ferriday series. The story revolves around the lives of three women namely Caroline Ferriday, a socialite in New York, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish youth, and Herta Oberheuser, a German doctor. Their paths are about to cross when an unthinkable event takes place. Their tales are going places as two of the three girls do their best in giving justice to those who are being buried by history.

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

My Dear Hamilton was published in 2018 by William Morrow Paperbacks and is authored by two bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. This book is about a revolutionary female named Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. She faced different challenges, like her nation, in defining herself in the course of war, deception, and catastrophe. Dray and Kamoie definitely wrote a touching and beautiful novel that successfully tells the tale of Eliza. The story doesn’t only tell her experiences on being a wronged wife but also her experiences in becoming the person that molded an American legacy using her personal rights. My Dear Hamilton also talks about her being a general’s daughter, founding father’s wife, and final surviving hope of the Revolution.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

You are probably familiar with the TV series that has the same title as this book. Did you know that it was based on the book series of Diana Gabaldon called the Outlander series? Moreover, Outlander is a historical fantasy book, which is known to be the first novel of the series, which was primarily set in World War II. It centers on the tale of Claire Beauchamp, who is a nurse that time travelled to Scotland around 1800s. She found herself in an adventure with a touch of love after being romantically involved with Jamie Fraser. Because of how remarkable the book was, it was awarded with the RITA Award for Best Romance by Romance Writers of America in 1991.

What You Need to Know About the New Evangelization

In the Christian community, the term “new evangelization” has been widely used. What could it mean? It refers to the specific process wherein the Catholic Church’s baptized constituents demonstrate the universal Christian call to evangelization.

The new evangelization was tackled by the Holy Bible in Mark 4:31-32 that states, “It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

Getting a Better Grasp on New Evangelization

Have you ever felt that your connection towards God and the Catholic Church has weakened? Then you should aspire to tie the loose ends and regain your faith. That is what new evangelization is all about, which is to urge the members of the Christian Church to cultivate a more profound faith, trust in gist of the Gospel, and profess the word of God.

Moreover, it typically centers on drawing the attention of every Christian to be evangelized or re-evangelized. There are also aspects of it that focus on re-proclaiming and professing the Gospel to those people who have dealt with great struggles when it comes to faith.

The Synod of Bishops proclaimed last 2012 that there are three principals highlighted in the new evangelization. These keys are as follows: regular pastoral ministry with the goal of blazing the hearts of the believers; reaching out to those that received the sacrament of Baptism but whose lifestyle do not conform to the demands of the sacrament; and evangelizing the individuals who haven’t known Christ or who constantly reject Him.

In relation to the second principal setting, the importance of bringing Christians who have strayed on their path and loosen their faith back or closer to God have resurfaced. A special emphasis both in Europe and America, which are the places that have traditionally become Catholic; however, they have intensely become impacted by secularization.

There are many members of the Catholic Church that strongly believe and adhere to the new evangelization and Rev. Francis J. Peffley is among them. To Father Peffley, sharing the faith is important in every aspect, especially in the present world. He also cultivated and gathered great deals of materials to help everyone in looking for inspirations for their faith and getting the drive to share those materials to others.

Background and Origin of the New Evangelization

As seen on the opening sentence of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, it was stated by the Second Vatican Council that Christ had sent forth the Catholic Church to spread the Gospel to everyone. Moreover, evangelism is an integral message in different Vatican II files to the point that the said documents have mentioned and tackled the terms evangelization, gospel, evangelize several times.

New evangelization originated from Nowa Huta close to Kraków in Poland. It is where heavy and lengthy efforts were spent in the course of the communist rule to put in place the church land, cross, and cathedral in a new urban area when there was nothing.

Why New Evangelization is Essential

You might be wondering about the reasons why many aspire to achieve new evangelization. According to Pope Benedict XVI, “To evangelize means: to show this path—to teach the art of living. . . This is why we are in need of a new evangelization—if the art of living remains an unknown, nothing else works. But this art is not the object of a science—this art can only be communicated by [one] who has life—he who is the Gospel personified.”

With the current changes and progress in the world, many end up forgetting to cultivate their faith. There are also those that unintentionally fail to remember the importance of having a deep relationship with God. That is when new evangelization comes into the picture and starts to work on these people. With this factor, everyone will develop a better bond with God and live up to the demands of the sacrament of Baptism in their own little ways.

Great Nonfiction Books You Must Read in Your Lifetime

As we age, we start to crave for change. This doesn’t only apply to life in general but also to our preferences, especially as a bookworm. Many book lovers experience reading slumps and disinterest in genres that they recently enjoyed. It could be perhaps people are constantly developing, and there are many things that they tend to outgrow.

But, nonfiction is among the book genres that are timeless and that many tend to obsess on, especially when they start to enter adulthood. There are just so much lesson that everyone can get, which they can apply in their lives.

You may have been a die-hard fan of fiction during your teenage years, but you suddenly lose interest in those types of books now that you are a full-grown adult. But, worry not, because nonfiction has multiple books that will surely suit your taste. These books have a wide range of topics and learning that we can apply in our lives. So, if you want to check out some works in this genre, then here are a bunch of great titles you should never miss reading.

The Face of Hunger: Reflections on a Famine in Ethiopia by Dr. Byron Conner

This book is a comprehensive and excellent memoir of Dr. Conner’s experiences in Ethiopia. The Face of Hunger: Reflections on a Famine in Ethiopia enlightens the minds of the readers on the humanitarian catastrophe, specifically famine, which has risked and ended thousands of Ethiopians between 1983 and 1985. Those who survived this crisis were luckily but were left poverty-stricken.

The 3-year missionary trip that the author and his wife have embarked on was the start of a brand-new way of living when it comes to ministry and outreach. Even though they left Ethiopia after how many years of service, they still deemed themselves as missionaries; but now, to their own nation and not in a foreign land anymore.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie was published by Pocket Books last October 1998. This bestselling self-help book helps readers who are struggling to get out there and conquer the world. It is also the perfect book for those who have low self-esteems because it encourage everyone to land on their dream job, improve their career paths, and make each situation doable.

The author gives substantial tips and advises that have been helping readers achieve personal and professional success for how many years now. There are different methods and ways that center on different aspects of the social and personal lives of everyone, which can help them succeed.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi are the authors of the promising New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling book titled Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. The book is, in fact, gives an amazing reimagining of the critically-acclaimed book of Dr. Kendi. It uncovers the history of racist concepts emerging in America and has grown hopes for an incoming antiracist era.

Thus, the book will surely bring the readers on a trip from past to present, which presents the way everyone feels and the reason why racism still exists. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is definitely a must-read.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

The first edition of Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot was published in 2020 by Viking. A year after this work was published, it immediately become a New York Times bestseller. The book shows indisputable charges about an irregularity in a movement. During her evaluation of anthology of essays, the author has decided to target the authenticity of the modern feminist movement, where she raises indictments that is has subsequently failed to tackle the needs of only few ladies.

Thus, Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot was written by Kendall in a ferocious manner that successfully spread awareness and insights to every aspiring feminist to carry out the legitimate mandate of the movement in both concept and action.

Ideal Books to Check Out by Home Cooks and Aspiring Chefs

Food always has a special place in our hearts. Sometimes these delectable dishes bring us to a trip down memory lane with just one to two bites. Imagine being able to recall your childhood through a piece of biscuit or other particular dish. There are just so much wonderful things that food can bring to each of our lives. There is also a wide array of dishes that originate from different countries and representing diverse cultures. As a result, there are many who get inspired to cook for their family as a hobby while there are also those who opt to cook for a living.

There are various recipes in this world that many might lose especially if they are only remembered by memory. Thus, literature gave everyone the chance to keep these recipes and share them to the world. That explains why there are several cook books and even food fiction books in the market that have inspired a lot of people to learn the art of cooking until this day. That said, here are some of the best books that every home cooks and aspiring chefs should check out.

Family Recipes by Kathryn Coltrin

Favorite Family Recipes book by Coltrin was published in 2019 by Blurb. The different recipes contained by the book originated from several places. Many of us were raised along with these delicious dishes and have grown to love them as we become older. Hence, the recipes of these courses were handed down from one generation to another.

These dishes swiftly captured the hearts and taste buds of every family. There are also a bunch of recipes that others consider as back-ups, which they know that will constantly be a hit with theirs. In this book, there are blends of recipes that exist for many years and several ones that are popular at every family event.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I: A Cookbook by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck

The first book of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck was published in 1983 by Knopf. This bestselling cookbook has been the most patronized by American readers when it comes to French cuisine for more than 50 years. The book showcases more than 500 delectable recipes and over a hundred instructional images to supervise readers in every step that they’ll take.

The authors have sort out the classic dishes in France and formed a reasonable series of themes and categories instead of introducing an infinite and scattered catalogue of food.

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

The illustrated edition of Ina Garten’s critically-acclaimed book titled Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook was published last year by Clarkson Potter. This remarkable cookbook contains almost a hundred recipes that will definitely satisfy your cravings.

Several of the foods in this book are inspired by the favorite dishes from our childhood but with great enhancement, such as smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions, Boston Cream Pie, Roasted Sausages, Peppers, and Onions, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, and the likes.

Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence by Claire Saffitz

Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence by Claire Saffitz is a New York Times and Amazon bestseller. It was also named as one of the best cookbooks of the year by different platforms, such as The New York Times, NPR, and more. There are over 100 detailed and comprehensive recipes that will surely motivate you to create and bake different types of desserts. Among the promising recipes in the book are Strawberry-Cornmeal Layer Cake, Malted Forever Brownies, Sour Cherry Pie, and more.

The Well Plated Cookbook: Fast, Healthy Recipes You’ll Want to Eat by Erin Clarke

The illustrated edition of The Well Plated Cookbook: Fast, Healthy Recipes You’ll Want to Eat by Erin Clarke was published last year. As of April of 2021, this book is an Amazon Editor’s pick in best cookbooks and food & wine category. The book showcase over 130 recipes together with the secrets to enhancing classic comfort foods based on her Midwestern ancestry and wise recipe hacks that allow everyone to create healthy dishes and serve them on the table.

5 Simple Ways for You to Be Happy

Happiness was always the big question in our lives that we needed to solve. It was often the question that starts with what we needed to do in order to be happy. Actually, we already knew the answer. We just didn’t know where to start looking. We all walk different paths in life in our pursuit to find happiness. You may come to battle the fights that you started, or come to face the battle found deep within yourself.

It’s pretty much a different cause, course, and experience for everyone. Naturally, you may spend your whole life hoping, expecting, and living in eternal frustration while waiting for happiness to knock on your door—and the moment can never come. And then, looking back, you might wonder, “Was I really that unhappy, or did I succumb to the happiness craze?”

That is, how can you tell whether you are truly unhappy, when happiness means different things to different people, it’s impossible to measure directly when the feeling of happiness, is fleeting.

If you’re reading this blog, it just means that you don’t know where are the right places to find your happiness. Happiness In Quantum Leaps by Aura McClain is a great piece to start if you wish to find your happiness. It is a self-help guidebook of how we can find new ways, and make new paths to finding our happiness; such as relationship issues and failure vs. success, and ultimately, how to achieve proper happiness. This book will surely entice you to read more and help you find your happily ever after, whoever, or wherever it may be.

Here are a few simple ways for you to look, to be happy:

Build relationships

No man is an island, as the saying goes. Although we all want our privacy, we all want to be close to each other. Make an attempt to communicate with the ones you love (e.g., friends, family, or lover) on a daily basis. Ideally, set aside time at least once a week for an in-depth conversation in which each of you has a chance to talk and be heard.

Instead of talking about your issues, concentrate on your goals, dreams, and ambitions. Discuss what makes you “oomph’ and what brings you the most joy in life. At these times, listening is just as important as speaking. In order to have real intimacy, both parties must benefit emotionally from these conversations.

Having a relationship with someone is a two-way street, whether he/she maybe your lover, family, or friend. You can’t just talk about you, but rather you should also talk about them.

Build your self-esteem

Being confident in your own skin is very important. The same goes with confidence in one’s own ability; self-respect and freedom to make your own decisions. Why is this important? It’s because it’s one small problem that eventually becomes a big one. In fact, this is one of the many reasons why people are depressed, enough that it drove them to their deaths.

But, how do I gain self-esteem?

Stop looking through other people’s lenses, and starting looking through your own lenses. Nowadays, people are more focused on their outer shells rather than the inner qualities of what makes them who they are as a person. We spend our time thinking about how others may perceive us that we dress according to their liking, act according to their will, and even lick their shoes if we must. We don’t see ourselves when we always live up to the expectations of others, rather we see a completely different person living in someone else’s body.

Stop living someone else’s life, and start living your own life! Happiness is not found there. It is found when you can be yourself— making your own decision, making your own mistakes, and accomplishments that you hope to achieve all on your own. McClain believes mental health, such as building self-esteem is one of the most important aspects of any person’s life, and her book Happiness in Quantum Leaps really hits home.

Build security with love and belongingness

Since the quality of our personal relationships is connected to our mental health and well-being, the desire to belong is important. The closer we are to the ones we love, the happier we feel; and more contentment we have in our lives.

Most people view moments of intimacy and mutual pleasure with their loved ones as their most valuable life experiences. These valuable relationships are not only limited to family and personal friends but also larger groups and communities to which we belong. Forming bonds and a sense of belonging with coworkers, neighbors, and the various groups that make up our identity (e.g., such as sports, interests, religion, and community groups) all lead to our happiness. Developing a sense of belonging with other people around a common goal, or identity is a major contributor that gives personal meaning in life.

Such groups will help us get back up when we’re down and give us the strength to face whatever obstacles come our way. Therefore, it’s important to maintain and cultivate our relationships

Spend more time outdoors

Are you constantly switching between clients and phone calls at work, or clicking from spreadsheets to presentations? Even at home, you can find yourself balancing chores, babysitting, and maybe some household equipment you need fixing. Your brain can only handle so much distraction before it needs to recharge, and I know just the way for you to be fully recharged.

Why not spend your time outdoor? Spending your time outdoors helps reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness. When you feel stuffy or frustrated, just take a step outside and breathe for a moment. The outdoors will surely help you recharge from your laundry list of things to do! Out of sight, out of mind is what I’d like to call it.

Use your time wisely

Do you constantly feel that you’ve wasted so much time on one thing, and feel so unhappy because of it? Spending your time wisely may be the solution to leading a happy life.

What’s the problem with your time management? Well, it’s everything from going to work, sleeping, eating, and taking a break. You may think that overworking yourself is a good thing, when in fact it does more harm than good. And believe me, some people work themselves to the bone, straight for 5 days in a week without sleep, and still manage to get everything done. McClain stresses that time is very important, and we must know how to spend it wisely with the ones we care about; and ourselves as well.

Don’t spend your time slaving away for a company, learn to manage time properly including proper meals, good sleep, exercise, and vacation leave for you to rest.

However, the most efficient path to long-term happiness and satisfaction is to consider not just your own interests, but also the interests of others. When we turn our attention away from ourselves, we live lives with more meaning and contribution.

Nonetheless, the pursuit of happiness by so many people is no small matter. Let’s make certain we find it, both in the short and long term.

Best Books that Every Christian Should Read

Books are influential as it is powerful. There are many works that have already fueled the passion of many to continue walking on their chose path. There are also several works that aim to educate readers about a significant aspect in the society, community, or religion.

Christian literature is one of the most widely read genre. Due to the large volume of Christian readers who use books as instruments to keep their faith stronger and other personal reasons, there are tons of books that are written to cater the need of Christians or center on different factors of Christianity.

So, if you are looking for books that can uplift your spirit, remind you of your Christian roots, strengthen your relationship with Him, and give you more insights about Christianity, then you should check out these amazing titles.

Inside the Catholic Family: Reflections of a Parish Priest by Fr. Francis Peffley

Published in 2019, Rev. Francis Peffley’s Inside the Catholic Family: Reflections of a Parish Priest is a remarkable book that teaches readers about faith and other important factors in the Christian community. With the current condition of the modern world, which is in mess and havoc, the Christian family wasn’t exempted to the chaos. The Christian community was attacked resulting to the twisting of the underpinnings of faith and love. What could be the best measures that Christians should do in order to restore what have been distorted and eliminate the developing risks? Getting a better grasp on faith and the necessary roles that everyone should be responsible enough to perform are among the necessary things that Christians must do.

Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright

The book Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church was written by the award-winning author and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright. This outstanding book revolves around the biblical question of the possible occurrence after a person dies and shows the Christian family how they often get it wrong. The thought of ascending to heaven might be the first thing to come to mind after a person dies, but this might be wrong. Because according to the book, humans are being resurrected and people do not go to heaven but it will come to the world instead.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Originally titled as Nachfolge, this outstanding book by German theologian author Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a classic that everyone should never miss reading. It is based on Bonhoeffer’s interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, in which he explains what he thinks it means to obey Christ. The novel was pprimarily published in 1937, in the midst of Germany’s rise to power under the Nazi occupation. This was the context in which Bonhoeffer formulated his expensive discipleship theology, which eventually resulted in death. Among the most widely mentioned passages in the novel is Bonhoeffer’s differentiation between “cheap” and “costly” grace.

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster

The unabridged edition of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster was published in 2007 by Hovel Audio. Over a million believers have benefited from the book, which has helped them explore a richer spiritual existence filled with joy, harmony, and a greater understanding of God. Celebration of Discipline delves into the Christian religion’s “classic Disciplines,” or core spiritual beliefs. Richard Foster demonstrates that the true road to spiritual development can only be discovered through it and by these activities.

The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer was published in 2017 by Fig. It’s a timeless devotional book that’s lifted Christians’ hearts for more than a century now. Each chapter focuses on one attribute of God–from God’s infinitude, immutability, grace, goodness. The Knowledge of the Holy is the devotional that is among the most philosophically abundant and relatable in the whole planet.

Christian literature definitely has the ability to provide the spiritual needs of its readers. Every Christian should never miss reading a book of this genre. If they want to heal, transform, develop, and grow into a better part of the Church and follower of God, then these books will absolutely help them.