Free Books

I bought this book for my daughter because she wants to learn to sew. The book explains many of the basic tools, procedures, hand sewing, and maching sewing. The projects look interesting and not too tough to tackle. The book includes directions for making a pair of jeans into a skirt. Directions for a skirt and belt are also styles that will appeal to the younger girls.

This was a great gift for my 20 year old daughter and 16 year old niece - snappy easy projects that really teach sewing skills. They made the Jean's skirt from their favorite jeans that were headed for the trash bin. My daughter said that it is a book that teaches you how to "EDIT YOUR CLOTHES". Fun to do and not a great cost for the projects. I had Singer Sewing books when I began to sew and I like the new, fresh, updated look. I hope there will be more in the series.
Easy Singer Style Pattern-Free Fashions & Accessories: 15 Easy-Sew Projects that Build Skills, Too (Easy Singer Style)

Altho this book is geared for beginning sewers, as an experienced sewer I still found some great ideas and little tips worth knowing. The directions are clear and concise and easy to follow. I think the projects will interest teens - and other new sewers - and start them sewing early! Nice assortment of wearables and craft projects.

I've had celiac disease since I was sixteen and until recently I've not been on my diet strictly. Well as I was researching I found out a lot about all the "additional" illnesses and diseases that could be associated with celiac and to be quiet honest it frightened me. But this book explained some of the background behind gluten free dieting and how that once on the diet, the risk of getting these associative disorders was no more than your average person. This brought great comfort in light of the fact that everything else I read negelected to inform me of what happens after the diet is initiated. This is a fantastic book and I would recommend it to anyone who is also gluten sensitive/intolerant

One reason I like this particular cookbook is that it not only addresses my gluten intolerance, it also addresses my lack of time and energy. Most of the recipes require minimal prep and make extensive use of handy appliances like the food processor and blender. Some recipes take more cooking time, but it's the sort where you cover the pot or throw the pan in the oven and forget about it until the timer goes off. Also, the author was not an experienced cook when she was first diagnosed, so the recipes are very clear and detailed, and most of them are designed for the inexperienced chef. This makes them even less labor-intensive for those of us who started helping Mom in the kitchen as soon as we could reach the counters.

Now, the recipes don't get too "exotic." Steak, chicken, and fish are the only meats mentioned, and the vegetables and spices are all easily found. The specifically gluten-free ingredients, like non-wheat flours, can be found either online (http://www.bobsredmill.com is a source I swear by) or at your local organic/health foods grocer. The fruit might be a little harder to find if you're not located in a city with a fairly diverse ethnic population, particularly Hispanic and Asian (the author lives in San Francisco, I live in San Diego), but I'd still recommend this book even if you have to skip the recipes containing things like young coconut, papaya, and agave nectar.

Also, along with the recipes, the book features a section at the beginning detailing which foods are gluten hazards, tips for eating out, symptoms that might indicate Celiac or other gluten intolerance disorders, and kitchen basics if you, like the author, are not accustommed to cooking for yourself. In addition, there's a section at the back listing some support groups and resources for Celiac sufferers.

Overall, I'd say this is a good volume for those just starting a gluten-free life or those looking for some easy, tasty recipes that branch out a little in the produce area and are guaranteed safe for the gluten intolerant. Gourmets may not get as much out of it, or those with a decided aversion to Mexican- and Asian-influenced cuisine, but for yours truly, it's pretty much a perfect fit.

From the moment I cracked open Shreve's book, I knew I was entering a world that would change my life.

This book is fantastic. Several recipes have become family favorites. Her "Essential Advice for Living Well" has had the most profound effect and continues to inspire me.

I am not gluten intolerant, at least not in an obvious way, but I have found that the quality of my life has improved immensely by eliminating all gluten from my diet. The awful bloated feeling is a thing of the past. The lethargy that always hit after lots of bread before dinner is gone forever. Hurray. All thanks to Shreve and her wonderful book.

What she did by completely transforming her life and lifestyle, and then sharing the experience, and her tips and recipes with us is the most generous gift one can give.

Thank you, Shreve.

All of the recipes we have tried thus far have been terrific. They are simple and quick and full of flavor.

The days when a diagnosis of diabetes condemned to a life of the bland and the unappetizing are long gone. Compiled from the pages of 'Eating Well' magazine by Joyce Hendley and the publication's editorial staff, "The EatingWell Diabetes Cookbook: Delicious Recipes And Tips For A Healthy-Carbohydrate Lifestyle" fully lives up to the promise of its title by offering a culinary wealth of diabetes-friendly recipes that are as delicious as they are nutritious and dietarily sound. Beginning with the encouraging introduction that 'Eating Well: It's Not Dieting', followed by 'Diabetes 101: The Essential Facts', and 'Food Matters: Eating to Manage Diabetes', "The EatingWell Diabetes Cookbook" presents a compendium of information about calorie counts and menus as well as food and exercise diaries. Then the individual recipes are organized into chapters of 'Healthy Starts', Muffins & Breads, Snacks & Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Vegetarian Main Dishes, Chicken & Turkey, Fish & Seafood, Side Dishes, Sauces & Condiments, Desserts & Treats. The thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from a Greek Potato & Feta Omelet; to a Spicy Mushroom & Rice Soup; to Grilled Rosemary-Scented Chicken; to Citrusy Couscous Salad with Olives; to a One-Bowl Chocolate Cake! Enhanced with a Glossary, a Resources list, 'Healthy Pantry Essentials', Ingredient Notes, Cooking tips, and an Index, "The EatingWell Diabetes Cookbook" is an ideal addition to personal and community library cookbook collections for diabetics -- and anyone else seeking to prepare and consume nutritionally healthy, appetite satisfying, palate pleasing meals.

I have found very few book on Diabetes that explain how and what to cook for a diabetes diet. This is one of them. What I like very much is the illustration of how to divide a plate to follow a carb counting diet. i would highly recommend this book with much information and good recipies.

A refreshing, Biblical treatment of a recently controversial topic - God's Eternity, as it relates to Omniscience, Foreknowledge, Aseity, Infiniteness and other Scriptural attributes. Our era is on the threshhold of potentially unravelling the Biblical portrait of our Whole God (He is greater than the sum of His attributes) into a 'Reader's Digest' abridged version of a 'kinder, gentler, user friendly god made in man's image'. What with process thought, free-will theists and other hybrid theories partially or radically jettisoning the historical, evangelical exegesis approach to systematic theology, we seem to have a 'free-will free-for-all'. This volume is an invaluable resource to marshal against unbiblical, neo-evangelical encroachments on the Scriptural understanding of the Person of God. While His many attributes can be distinguished, they cannot be detached from each other or His Personhood. Any 'fresh rethinking' of any one attribute, such as Omniscience (Can God know the future free actions of created agents as anything but open possibilities?)has involuntary unforeseen ripple/domino effects on each of the other attributes such as Omnipresence, etc. For example, if God cannot know a free-will future as definite in advance in toto, micro, subatomic level, exhaustively, without exception, then by definition, God cannot be truly Omnipresent in space/time reality. God is not only Omniwhere, but Omniwhen; Omnithere and Omnithen; Omnihere and Omninow. By ruling out God's exhaustive definite foreknowledge of all future free-will activity, His Omnipresence is in direct proportion downgraded to Multipresence, Penultimacy, Quasi-Eternal,Finite. Thus, we have a 'whole new god', not the Bible's Whole God. Sage, seeker, skeptic, saint - all will be challenged to re-evaluate just what God is believed in by careful consideration of this excellent volume. See also Millard Erickson's God the Father Almighty; Evangelical Left; Norman Geisler's Making God in Man's Image and C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity.

Unfortunately the traditional (i.e. classical) view of God as a timeless being is waning. However, there are still a few keen men, such as Paul Helm, who argue for and defend the traditional view of God. "The Eternal God" is a gem of a book. Helm spends his time in these pages refuting the notion that a timeless God is incoherent. God, being the creator, Helm claims, is one of many solid evidences that can account for God's omniscience, and ultimately for God's eternality (i.e. timelessness). Helm also discusses the consequences of divine timelessness and human freedom, and our language of reference toward an eternal being. Moreover, Helm covers tensed and tensseless facts, indexicals, and how God knows time and how God relates to time. It must be noted, however, that this book presupposes that the reader has a background knowledge of the issues at hand. But, it is also written in such a way that if one reads the book with great care and attention, it is not too difficult to understand. I highly recommend this book as one of the better defenses of the view of God as a timeless being.

Paul Helm's work needs to be considered in a few ways: in terms of its cogency of argumentation, the clearness of writing, and when it was written. For each of those, his book deserves a five-star rating. This book is written very clearly to give you an idea about what some of the issue are. The only thing I thought that was not dealt with in terms of a clear explanation was "Cambridge changes." Nevertheless, that did not inhibit my understanding through the rest of the book. Also, Helm's book was written in 1987-88. The issue of "God and time" is one of the hot topics currently circulating philosophy of religion journals. That being said, for the time he wrote it, it deals with the stronger criticisms to a timeless God (e.g. as put forth by Swinburne).

This book starts by looking at some of the challenges, such as to the origin of the idea of a timeless God within the Christian world view; if God is in time, then are different temporal events identical with one another in God's mind?, etc. It considers one model, Stump-Kretzmann's ET-simultaneity model, and opts for another position. Following which, the idea of indexicals are considered; relating the idea of God in time to a God that is in space. Following there is a discussion on God being a timeless-person; his immutability in respect to his timelessness, and a relating issue of God's knowledge. With that said, an obvious relating discussion of God's (fore)knowledge is in hand, and free will. Both compatibilism and libertarian agency are discussed.

In that discussion about freedom, the following is considered: the Ockhamist distinction of 'hard' and 'soft' facts; logical determinism and theological determinism (in a discussion of fatalism); is God the author of evil (or sin)?; or does an atheist version of determinism fair any better than a theological determinist account for grounding human moral responsibility? Lastly, there is a discussion about referring to a timeless God. Both Anthony Flew and Kai Nielson's work are considered; Helm works with Kripke's distinctions to form a plausible response.

Over all, this book is not an easy read; but it is not an easy topic either! But again, Helm writes clearly and his theory is at least initially plausible. It would have been nice to see a discussion on the different time theories (A or B theory), but that was not absolutely necessary. Perhaps in relation to today's work, it would be. But this book is worth reading to get an understanding of a defense for the traditional view of God. See also God and Time: Four Views, also made available at Amazon.

This book was a great one to start out with if you'd like to know how to do what everyone (it seems) is doing on the net these days. Learning the basics isn't that hard, and this book does a good job with it.

It is quite unusual to find a book on the Internet written by someone for whom english is not a second language. And it is even more unusual for an author to not assume that you are already well-versed in the subject. Especially useful is McDonnell's section on search engines, which lists their websites and explains how to use them. For example, she tells you how to "...monitor what's being said about your favorite hot topic in the thousands of discussion groups on the Internet... you can easily search by subject, newsgroup name, date, or writer of the posted messages." I keep this book right next to my computer and use it almost every day.

There are a number of helpful Internet guides available in print today that target a variety of reading audiences. One of the better ones published in recent years for beginners is Sharon McDonnell's The Everything Internet Book. She offers a broad treatment of the Internet scene.

Readers will not thumb through this book for long before realizing that it covers just about every possible aspect of the Internet. Beginners will learn how to find an Internet Service Provider (ISP), how to install and use the leading Web browsers, e-mail programs, and plug-ins, how to search the Internet, how to send e-mail, how to design Websites, and how to select good domain names and avoiding registering the wrong ones!

McDonnell provides her readers with warnings of some of the pitfalls and dangers of operating online. She warns readers of computer viruses, of how easy it is for rumors to spread online, snooping, privacy, and legal issues. Employees for instance, are advised to think very carefully before composing and sending e-mail correspondence from their computers at work. Parents will learn how to keep their kids safe from online dangers as well.

McDonnell offers a number of valuable resources her readers can access for additional assistance. Many of the chapters include references to other helpful books and Websites. Readers are invited to grab free Web graphics, shareware programs, and loads of tips and advice made available online by others. A directory listing at the back of the book offers access to some of the better sites online today.

McDonnell does a great job opening up the world of the Internet for beginners. This is an excellent guide for anyone to get started with. Adults and children alike will benefit from the instruction offered in this fun, humorous, easy-to-read, and delightful guide. Great for gifts and classroom use!

It happens to most of us once. A broken heart can come at any age and we're left feeling incomplete, unworthy, angry, confused and a cluster of other emotions. Troy Byer's Ex-Free breaks down what happened, why it happen and how to give it new meaning so that you are empowered by the impact. I highly recommend this book to anyone going through heartbreak. Troy will lift your spirit and bring YOU back to YOU. Her 9 keys to freedom unlock all doors to light while redefining your relationship with yourself.

Troy Byer is amazing at getting to the heart of what makes us tick. She takes what feels so complicated in our minds and hearts and helps us to transform the pain into something logical. Ex Free allows the reader to make sense of their own thoughts, emotions and actions thus leading them into a space of healing and forgiveness. Byer is truly gifted at helping people to move forward in their lives. Ex Free is a must read for anyone trying to move forward from a relationship. Troy Byer and Michael Beckwith from "The Secret" are true forces that are helping others to create the lives they want to live. I believe Byer will come to be known as one of the great authors of our time in helping others transform their lives.

Even though my husband and I are separated and there were a lot of tears and heartache that led to the separation, thanks to the Keys in this book, I am not angry about the past anymore. It's miraculous, to not be angry, to be able to be in the moment because this book actually helped me to see why I loved him in the first place, our dreams together and how he made me think bigger than I ever had before I met him. Now he and I can be friends with a common respect and love for one another and very importantly, great parents to our 6 year old Luna. I am so grateful for the lessons and exercises in this book! I now know I am not the loser I thought I was for falling in love with my ex.

Like it or not we live in a culture that celebrates youth and beauty; how you look can affect your ability to get a job, find a mate, or even to be taken seriously. Dr. Sundaram has made a significant contribution to those of us over 40 by dispelling the guilt that many of us feel when we consider cosmetic procedures. She also provides an honest and thorough evaluation of what we can expect from these procedures. Dr. Sundaram recognizes, however, that some of our insecurities come, not from how others view us, but from how we view ourselves. Her book, therefore, includes a positive program for learning to accept and appreciate who, what, and where we are.

As a board certified cosmetic dermatologist, Sundaram gives us some fresh perspectives not just on facial rejuvenation procedures and rational discusions about the right to be beautiful, but also insights into inner beauty as the secret to real outer beauty. I found her guided principles of living refreshing and unexpected for one whose life's work involves rejuvenating faces. Her Seven-Minute at-home skin care program was particularly helpful. I thought so highly of this book that I listed it as a 'Helpful Resource' at the end of my own book!

Lois W. Stern
Author of Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery

Dr Sundaram's book is filled with understanding and obvious experience. She offers comprehensive solutions to skin problems and gives multiple alternatives to skin care that do not just sell her products - for example she offers an inexpensive alternative skin care plan to products that may be purchased with a dermatologist only. As someone with scarring/skin care issues, I felt she really puts herself in the patient's shoes. I highly recommend this book!

"What kind of activities are there for the Alzheimer's patient?" is a question that comes up often. I always recommend this book. Carmel describes all kind of activities: music, exercise, food preparation, crafts, gardening, solo activities, family games, and reminiscence. I especially like the chapter on reminiscence--with the life collage, memory book, memory box, and more. Activities are very important, as is explained in this book's introdution: "The more involved patients remain with the world around them, the more resourceful they become at finding ways to keep that world for slipping away."

Thanks to this book, I have found dozens of creative ways to keep my mother (who is in the middle stages of Alzheimer's) involved and free from boredom. The activity ideas we found in this wonderful little book have improved my mother's quality of life tremendously and have made caring for her a lot easier and more enjoyable.

This excellent book provides dozens of ideas for keeping the person with Alzheimer's involved and stimulated. The focus is on using activities such as music, exercise and reminiscing to enhance quality of life. Family and professional caregivers can use these activities and many of the ideas outlined truly work wonders. This is undoubtedly the most useful book available on using activities with people with Alzheimer's.

I am a mental health clinician, providing mental health treatment to both children and adults who've experienced abuse & neglect. This book is a wonderful tool for assisting children in understanding what is happening to their families. It does a nice job of portraying outcomes in a "hopeful" light. Finally, it is a great tool for facilitating conversation with the less-enthused late school age child, who is not necessarily happy to be placed in mental health therapy.

With so few books available for foster children, this is an amazing resource! The concepts are presented in such gentle, reassuring, and child-friendly language. I think that books like this really help children to know that they are not the first or only child to go through the traumatic experience of being separated from there birth family (and possibly abuse and neglect). And when they know they are not alone, it may help them to believe it is not their fault. Once again, it is very well written, and the artwork is quite nice.

Christine Mitchell, author and illustrator of:
Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Beyond

Written by Julie Nelson, who has taught in at-risk early childhood settings for nearly 30 years, Families Change: A Book for Children Experiencing Termination of Parental Rights is a simple, softcover picturebook about the realities of when families have big problems and need to change so that kids can be safe. The illustrations, painted in warm colors, evoke a powerful sense of hearth and home while the text gently discusses difficult situations. "When families change, kids can remember the happy times and the sad and mad and scary times too. Kids can remember and love their birth families. Kids can love their new families too." The last few pages offer a serious message to parents, foster parents, social workers, teachers, and caregivers, offering basic information about how to support and encourage young children amidst the terrifying crossroad of the termination of parental rights, as well as a list of resources and organizations created to help such children and those who look after them. Highly recommended especially for sharing with children in foster care or other, similar situations.

I check this book out of the library and ended up turning the pages down for over 3/4 of the recipes. I decided I needed to buy this book. So far, I have made 4 of the recipes (just got the book last week) and every one has been delicious, healthy and easy to make!

The title caught my eye at the library - to my amazement it's proved very accurate. The recipes are easy to make, only require ingredients that are already in my pantry, and have received thumbs up from my very picky husband. I've ordered extras just for gifts!

Every one of these recipes is great. I've tried more than 20 and the family loves it. Easy to make, highly nutritious, this is the best book of healthy recipes I own -- and I own more than 30! What a great find.