Book Review: Keeping Score by Marc Brackett

Here is a relationship book that has a fresh approach and is difficult to put down. If you are an eager learner and fast reader, with the hopes of learning a thing or two about relationships the honest and mature way, then this book is worth a try.

Style

The analogies and examples are relevant! It knocks sense into the reader, and if you are a man looking to learn a thing or two here, you would not regret lingering for a while. The tone gears towards the obvious, to the subtle. Overall, it is a fun read!

The more you read, the more insights you gain. Whether or not you have a slow or fast pace, it is worth it. In my case, I recommend you take your time with this. This is not just a straight relationship boring read. It is a fun journey and you will be glad with little surprises along the way.

If you have at first hesitated to open and discuss about your relationships, this is the time to re-evaluate and work towards the issues which are slowly surfacing on the front.

The name of the game is to manage and come up with good solutions to make the relationship or marriage work. Explanations and illustrations are short and concise, making this book very reader friendly.

Quotes are generously sprinkled in sections of the book.

I have also asked some friends if they would pick up the book or read it, surprisingly the answers are yes, and they have even said that the title is intriguing.

Organization

Sections are broken down in easy to digest, bite-sized chunks which makes it easier to read, so if you find yourself in need of a break, you can finish a section and take a break there, then continue to the next.

The book is not a questionnaire, it is not an activity book, but the approach is similar to one. There are special features which serve as a bonus. Even if the tone is light and funny, the realizations cannot be missed!

If you are a sensitive person quick to pick up on the hints that are laced all throughout the book, then you can make mental notes of what adjustments and new things to try in order to improve your relationship.

Another plus with this book is its scope. From finances, vacations, dating, to in-laws and many more, the topics are diverse, touching as much as it could in a simple, comprehensive manner in 150 pages.

Inspiration

In an interview with Parchment and Pixels, Marc Brackett shared that he hopes Keeping Score’s readers would understand the power of how the little things affect the quality of relationships they are leading. The way he sees it, the little things build up. They even matter when problems arise. Also, Brackett hopes that “the readers can find joy along the way and appreciate the journey together with their partners”.

About the Author

Marc Brackett lives in Idaho with his lovely wife Kristin and five beautiful daughters. The whole family enjoys outdoor activities that are abundant in Idaho. Keeping Score was made possible by the following:

Cover and interior design by www.TheBookProducer.com
Fountain pen image courtesy of Waterman: www.Waterman.com

Last Words

Keeping Score is not just for readers who are in relationships, it is also for couples who are married, as well as those who are single, searching and are content to be single but would want to see themselves in a relationship someday.

There are a few lessons that I have realized along the way, and perhaps you can pick up a thing or two with Keeping Score. Brackett has tried his best in maintaining equality for both men and women readers. Although there are some choices following questions that are repetitive, it is still generally a good experience and I can say that there is no time wasted with a book like this.

What Others Are Saying About It

You can find out what other people are saying about Keeping Score in the leading book sites here:

Good Reads

“This is not the usual kind of book for me. I tend to stay away from these relationship-improvement books, but this one caught my attention and I had to give it a try. “ -Valentina

Amazon

"I'm very happy to see we are really a perfect match"-pinkcattleya

Beauty Review on Celeteque Skin Relief after Sun Gel from the Sun Care Line

Summer is making its presence known and in dear old Zamboanga, the heat can sometimes be unforgiving. I’m not really a summery person, I dwell more with winter because sometimes, the heat and glare is unkind to someone like me with four eyes. But the thing that really gets to me about the sun and the heat is that I don’t like feeling dry and dehydrated. Once that happens, you can hear me complaining non-stop and that is something that could irritate the people around me. Also, it’s not really a good thing for me to stay exposed to the sun for a long time. I mean, who wants that?

I’m grateful though that I got to try out Celeteque’s Skin Relief after Sun Gel from their Sun Care Line and this is a courtesy of the ever trustee Sample Room. I got it for only 60 points and I thought it is already a good value for me to get a sample that is already full sized. 

About the Company

Celeteque has linked up with Unilab to formulate skin care products for its consumers to have healthy and beautiful skin. Celeteque Dermoscience is one of the successful skin care lines in the market with local origins. It has already earned some recognition and loyal users since its first introduction and launch in 2003. There are various skin care lines for many skin care types and needs from acne solutions, sun care, hydration, anti-aging, restorative and brightening. It is a very competitive brand in my opinion and even if it sounds imported, the brand actually comes from the Philippines.  

Celeteque also offers a skin analyzer to help every customer find the best skin solutions for a customized skin care regimen for optimal results. 

Price

For a full sized product of 200 ml, it cost Php 290 ($7.29). But it is currently available in Sample Room for 60 points, and all you have to do is pay for the shipping fee. It is already a good value for me, I get to try out a full sized product, and don't need to pay an additional Php 290 for it. 

My sample came with a freebie too. 

 About the Product

Celeteque DermoScience Sun Care Skin Relief After Sun Gel provides immediate moisturizing and cooling relief to sunburnt skin caused by prolonged sun exposure. It contains anti-inflammatory soothing extracts that reduce possible inflammatory response after long sun exposure. Wheat and aloe vera skin conditioners soothe and reduce possible flaking of overly dry skin. 

Who Is It For?

Celeteque's After Sun Gel is for people who :

• are regularly exposed to the sun and are most of the time outdoors as part of their profession or just simply enjoy leisurely activities outside
• have sensitive skin and immediately redden after sun exposure
• have skipped sunblock
• for those who do not want the painful effects of sunburn to show on their skin

A word of warning though: this is not a substitute for sunblock 

Pros

I like that it is: 

• quick absorbing and it has an instant cooling effect on the skin
• A little goes a long way with this product
• It can be applied anywhere you need in order to have a soothing feeling
• Can Instantly be applied on wet skin 
• Does not irritate the face

Cons

I don't like that it is:

• Scent is overpowering
• Might gather dust and other debris to stick on the skin
• Feels sticky after an hour or so 

The Verdict

It feels good though to know that there is relief available for people who are overexposed to the sun and its effects that could be harmful over the years. If I were to purchase it for myself using my own money, I would definitely do so. In the meantime, I am grateful to have it for free thanks to Sample Room. With Celeteque's After Sun Gel, I will be able to make the most out of my summer this year! 

Reading Haul for the Holy Week

While everybody else will be heading out and going for a refreshing change this weekend to have some rest and relaxation, I am already on a head start and now have stayed home to rest thanks to a minor procedure done on my upper chest yesterday morning. 

So look at what I have received in the mail today that's been delivered door to door. It's my reading haul again from Life Is Like A Book Page just in time for Holy Week. Again, nothing heavy. I am alternating from   heavy reading to light reading. That's just the way it is for me lately. From Vintage Veronica, I am now in The Lost Symbol and I just pick up one of the following books in this haul here when I am done.

The Book Lover's Appreciation Society

Good Omens

Sex and Sensibility

JRR Tolkien Artist and Illustrator

And look at what came in the package! It's a really cool book mark! This is just the right freebie for me because I have so many crumpled receipts in between pages. Thank you to Ate Maricar! 

What will you be reading this Holy Week? Or if you are not reading, what will you be doing? 

I will be sharing some author news for you just in case you haven't heard of them. Have a great day ahead! 

Currently Reading and Additional To Read on My Shelf

Now that I have time, or rather, now that I really made time- I am updating my blog and also sharing with you some of my reads that I have acquired, and the rest just arrived in time for Holy Week reading! It's time for some reading and slowing down, before the full blast takes place when we all go back to work.

So what am I currently reading? I already updated my currently reading shelf in my Good Reads account, and have rightfully shared my review about the light YA reading which I have completed recently, Vintage Veronica by Erica Perl. I was lucky enough to find a hardbound copy of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol when I went to visit my Mom's friend at her house. Who would have thought I could score a free copy of the book?

Robert Langdon returns.

I'm not new to Dan Brown's settings and writing style. He is fond of mysteries involving secret societies and symbols, and he does provide so many facts and weaves situations that make good suspense stories, chasing against time and solving murders and kidnappings. But let me not spoil it for you.

Here is what Good Reads has to share about The Lost Symbol, don't worry I did not read the reviews. I'm careful not to.

Famed Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon answers an unexpected summons to appear at the US Capitol Building. His planned lecture is interrupted when a disturbing object-artfully encoded with five symbols-is discovered in the building. Langdon recognizes in the find of an ancient invitation into a lost world of esoteric, potentially dangerous wisdom. When his mentor Peter Solomon- a longstanding Mason and beloved philanthropist- is kidnapped, Langdon realizes that the only way to save Solomon is to accept the mystical invitation and plunge headlong into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and one inconceivable truth all under the watchful eye of Dan Brown's most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels and temples of Washington DC, The Lost Symbol is an intelligent, lightning paced story with surprises at every turn- Brown's most exciting novel yet. (goodreads.com)

Currently Reading:

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

There are also other books to read that are gems, and I am also trying my hand at YA reads, a little chick lit and some personal favorite authors. The next post will be about my latest haul from my suki shop again. Stay tuned! 

You can add me in Good Reads and we can share some thoughts on similar reads! 

Have a great Monday everyone! 

Book Review: Vintage Veronica by Erica Perl

Again, I found this book from my suki online bookshop, LifeIs Like a Book Page on Multiply  Even if Ate Maricar sells second hand books, they are in great condition and can still pass as brand new because its original owners know how to take care of them very well, most especially the hardbound ones. I found this book in another one of last year’s album, and have wanted to read it for some time now. I saw another copy in another supplier’s album but I was too late because it was already sold out.

But this time, I was lucky to have it reserved. And now as I have finished reading it, I can share some insights about Vintage Veronica by Erica Perl. Now you can see why it attracted me to read the novel in the first place. It says vintage and the cover sure reflects it.

A healthy dose of vintage clothing for teen/ YA lit 

Highlights of the Book

If you are into vintage flannel, embroidered patterns, lace and all things vintage, you might just enjoy reading Vintage Veronica. If you are a confessed collector and frequent "visitor" of the flea market, then this might just be the bedtime reading that you need.

But beyond just the Dollar a Pound vintage clothing store, you can see that the people in it are all a handful of characters that have their quirks and pet peeves. Veronica is a fat girl who thinks that she is doing fine all on her own until her mother encourages her to meet other people and make friends. She sure does meet people and make friends thanks to Zoe and Ginger who think they pretty much run the store in the fitting room areas. However, when they let Veronica in on a secret, confirming their suspicions that Claire and a boy named Lenny are running a stolen goods ring, Veronica feels that she has won friends and have some people to laugh with instead of people laughing at her. Now she is let in on a Secret Spy Girl pact and has to update Zoe and Ginger about Lenny's activities. She even follows him to his house and confronts him!

But there is so much more about Lenny that none of theSecret Spy Girl trio know. Is accusing Lenny of stealing something to be taken seriously?

Each chapter has a fun illustration of vintage clothing pieces, like a pink flannel pajama top, or an embroidered full skirt. Sometimes one might think that Veronica’s character is patterned after the author herself who is equally obsessed with vintage clothing too.

What I also like about the book is that I can closely picture what’s going on, I have a close vision of what the Clothing Bonanza store looks like, how slim Veronica’s mother is, and I can almost hear Lenny’s voice as he argues in his backyard as he buries beloved Dep.

Conclusion 

I picked out this book for light reading, something to look forward to during weekends or even for some bedtime reading with a lamp (hooray I already have a lamp with clear light!). Admittedly, there is some fun dialogues the reader can pick up between Lenny and Veronica in their conversations but let me not spoil it for you.

I am proud to say though that my copy came with a paper bookmark and it sure suits the book and the plot. There is magic in the book, and it comes really subtle and you have to feel it, which probably makes this book a keeper somehow.

Did I like reading the book? I would have to say yes, because it touches on what most of us want to feel, and that is having to stop being lonely. Here, Veronica wants to belong, even if it means spending some time with two snotty girls, which at first she thinks is cool because she gets to have “friends”. But as the friendship between her and Zoe and Ginger take unexpected turns, she finds out who the real friends can be, and they usually show up in the unexpected persons of Bill and Lenny, and of course, her Mom. Because Veronica prefers to spend most of her time in Employees Only!, she does not know what she is missing to where the real action is in terms of vintage clothing.

Also, just like any teen, Veronica does have a rocky relationship with her Mom because they tend to see things in a different light, but the key to resolving this is through some good old, honest girl talk.

Erica Perl’s writing style is a relief, such that it is very easy to read. It is suitable for teens and young adults who want a refreshing, easy read. I would not recommend it to pre-teens however, because there is a makeout scene in the middle of the book and f***k appears too often in the conflict scenes. There are also behavioural problems that may not be good examples for preteens but I feel that it is important to show because these actions contribute to the characterization in the book.  

About the Author

Erica S. Perl is a third generation connoisseur of vintage clothing, fabric, and collectibles. She honed her thrifting skills at the fertile resale bins of Vermont, Louisiana, New York and Massachusetts. Erica was inspired to write about Vintage Veronica after consigning some items at the Garment District, the legendary Cambridge, Massachusetts second hand store. Although fans of the Garment District will likely recognize the influence of some of the store’s customs and characters, Vintage Veronica is mostly a work of fiction.

A former trial lawyer, Erica lives in Washington, D.C.

Vintage Veronica is her first novel.

(2010)

Winner of the 2011 Gold Star Award and Hall of Fame Placement

What Others Are Saying About Vintage Veronica

I laugh at what the reviews at Amazon say about this book!

Amazon Reviews

“Wonderful novel with quirky characters”-Sara

“Pitch perfect voices”-J. Chessen

“Refreshingly original and quirky story”-Karen

Other reviews:

Erica Perl OfficialSite

Lauren’s CrammedBookshelf