Life without Limits Book Review

   Originally going into this book, I didn't really know what to expect. The title "Life without Limits" perplexed me. A man without arms or legs living life without limits? Yes. That's exactly what it was. The author Nick Vujicic (a very difficult last name to pronounce) writes about how he grew up limbless. It was a struggle for him. Always needing his parents or someone else to care for him. He grew tired of having people take care of him. So he found ways to do everyday tasks himself. He talks about how he had to get creative, to function in life. Throughout his school years, he had to stand up for himself. He tells a story of a bully and how he had to conquer the beast. From this experience, he knew that fear couldn't take over him and he could do more with his life. Sadly, Nick started seeing himself as worthless and fell into a deep depression. How he got out of it? God. He then strived after his mess of depression to live life to the fullest. He tells of all the success in his life so far and encourages others to do the same.

   My opinion on this story was that it was inspirational and amazing. It felt like Nick was having a conversation with me. I personally am dealing with anxiety and depression. So to see someone else get out of its' trap and live; I was intrigued. His life is filled with so many positive things. I kept wondering "Can I do the things he does?". The story makes you think about your life and how you can improve it. The book included some ways to help others than yourself as well. Nick lists throughout the book many charities to give money to. I adored how generous this man is. I absolutely loved this story! I feel that I can read it again when I feel down in life.

   I recommend this book to anyone who wants a better life. To those who love helping those less fortunate. Anyone who wants to live life without limits. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars for how amazing it really is.

   If you want to give to a charity... give to his lifewithoutlimbs campaign. With it, he gives to those around the world hurting.

   http://store.lifewithoutlimbs.org/donate/  

NaNoWriMo 2014!

I bet so many of you fellow readers have heard about this month long excursion. All over the internet in the month of October you hear people talking about NaNoWriMo. If you are one of those people who don't know or haven't even heard about this wondrous month long event, look no further at the brief explanation I will provide for you.

NaNoWriMo is a month long of just writing a novel. It stands for National Novel Writing Month. All the things you will need can be found on the NaNoWriMo website. Or all over YouTube they will explain even further some tips or tricks. Starting on the 1st of November a participant will make it their goal to write over 1,000 words. Each day he/she will continue this pattern of writing until November 30th. It may be a grueling task. But it's worth it in the end to create a novel in a shorter amount of time.

I have decided to be a participant this year and commit to writing in the month of November. It's more work than I'm used to, but I'm excited to take on this challenge.

If you want to be an author or just love to write, join me. Write with me on November 1st- November 30th.

So far... I have done some planning and I feel ready for the 1st. I would suggest that if you are participating to plan. Start now. Look up character building, world building, unique names, writing advice. Gather up all the knowledge you need. The amazing event starts in only a couple of days. So start planning...NOW

Here are some websites to get you started

http://nanowrimo.org/dashboard

http://maxkirin.tumblr.com/

http://www.sfwa.org/2009/08/fantasy-worldbuilding-questions-physical-and-historical-features/#0.3_general

http://www.elfwood.com/tutorial/c9416faa-ad87-5049-db0b-228d6f80c922/creating-fantasy-and-science-fiction-worlds

And now for a quick unofficial description of what I hope my novel to be...

Christian/ Dystopian

- My main character is a mother who deals with social anxiety. She finds peace from stress by reading scripture. Her life goes well for a while until everything becomes different. She loses things and is forced to move away. Meanwhile, the water in the city that she lived in starts to have a chemical in it. This chemical alters the mind of anyone drinking it to strive for perfection. It makes anyone who drinks it, a slave to do whatever the creator wants them to do. But this chemical might be harming the people in the process.

Add me as a writing buddy... http://nanowrimo.org/participants/choir267 

The dear one by Jacqueline Woodson Review

     " When Feni learns that- who is fifteen and pregnant- is coming to live with them, all kinds of thoughts run through her head. How could her mother agree to such a thing? What kind of girl would let herself get into such trouble? And how is Feni supposed to live with someone like that? Feni decides to have nothing to do with Rebecca; but as time goes on, she finds that it's hard not to be curious about someone so close to her own age who seems so different...."
- Jacqueline Woodson (the dear one)

     This book had been sitting on my shelf for a while and kept wanting me to read it. Eventually I followed through with it's request and picked it up. It's a short book, but I thought in my mind. "Oh that seems interesting, a story about a teen pregnancy." This made me want to read it. The book itself took me only 2 days to read....since I am a slower reader. Feni narrated the story with some of her introverted personality. She started the story being a very likeable character to me. I myself am very introverted, so I understood how she felt. The family mentioned was described in way that was loving and a family I would like to be around. Soon Feni gets told by her Mom on her birthday of all days, that a person was coming to stay at their house. Feni soon figures out that this person is what she thought was her lifelong enemy....Rebecca. This was where the book got worse for me. Feni begins complaining A LOT, that she doesn't want this person to come. Her parents ignore her wishes and still let this girl stay at the house. Feni and her friend Caeser discussed the situation at home along with the cotillion for Caeser's apparent coming out party. The book really irritated me when Rebecca came to the house. I wanted to stop reading then and there. But I told myself to finish the book. Basically a whole part of the book was Feni and Rebecca fighting. Towards the end, Rebecca opens herself up more. She tells Feni how she got pregnant. (SPOILER)

At the end Rebecca has her baby and gives her up for adoption to a family. She names the baby Afeni (named after her new friend Feni) meaning dear one. Feni doesn't want Rebecca to leave and is sad when she does.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. The story started out interesting and engaging, Then it got worse for me with the constant arguing. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy creative insults, but can tolerate the bickering.