33 Habits of a Really Good Man by Yvonne Swinson

33 Habits of a Really Good Man
by Yvonne Swinson

LDS Non-fiction/Memoir
96 pages, softcover
Target Reader: Adults

Cedar Fort, Inc.
978-1599554105
Release Date: May 8, 2010



From the publisher:

Bill Wells was not a famous man, but he left an invaluable legacy for those who knew him. He kept a little black notebook full of quotes, proverbs, poems and stories that inspired him. He lived his life by these words of wisdom and taught his children to do the same.

Compiled by his daughter, Yvonne Swinson, 33 Habits of a Really Good Man shares Bill's legacy with you. Each mini-memoir includes one of Bill's favorite bits of wisdom and how making it a habit can lead to a "really good" life.

I cried the first time I read 33 Habits of a Really Good Man—both because it was written about my uncle who passed away not too long ago and because of the valuable lessons found within its pages.

Some of the "habits" included in this book are:

• Dream Big
• Laugh Often
• Stretch Your Mind
• Seek Truth
• Slow Down a Little
• Pray Often
• Love

This isn't just a book of quotes, although there are plenty of quotes scattered through it. It takes a habit, then gives us an example of how to use and develop it in our lives.

I can't pick a favorite. I love them all and the ones I like best seem to change from day to day, depending on what my current struggle is. Here is just one of the ones I love:

Do Your Best: While on a sales call, [Bill] went into a showroom to introduce himself. He said, "Hello, I'm Bill Wells, ad I work for Such–and–such Company..." The showroom manager said, "Stop right there. The last experience I had with your company was lousy, and I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to hear from you. Leave."

[Bill] picked up his briefcase and left. He walked outside. He set down his briefcase and straightened his tie. And then he picked up his briefcase and went back in. The man said, "I thought I told you to leave." [Bill] said, "You did, but you didn't tell me I couldn't come back." He brought the nan's business back to the company, and he and the man became good friends.

This story has been particularly meaningful to me as I've been working the last two months, starting a new business.

I love this little book and it makes a great gift for birthdays, graduation, or Father's Day. In fact, all four of my boys are getting a copy later this month. (Shh, don't tell.) It's a great guide to being a good man and a good dad. In fact, it's a great guide to being a good person.

If you're looking for a good gift, or want something that's a fast and feel-good read, this book is wonderful. I give it a full 5 out of 5!

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© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Interview with C.L. Beck and D.N. Giles (Or a Blogging Comedy of Errors)

I am so thrilled to be able to interview the authors of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief—a book filled with funny and embarrassing moments related to LDS culture and activities. I posted a review back in February, but now they're doing a blog tour. I'm happy to give them more exposure because they're great friends of mine.

[And for those brave souls willing to read all the way to the bottom, there's a contest where you could win a prize worth $150!!]

Cindy (aka CL Beck) and Nichole (aka DN Giles) came over to my blog for brunch the other day. I spent all morning making crepes and raspberry tarts and hand-dipping strawberries in chocolate. I even made teeny little cucumber sandwiches. I planned to serve them with chocolate mousse mint cocoa because it was a cold and blustery day out. I put out the good china and tea set with the delicate little rose pattern and the hand-tatted lace doilies that I whipped up myself last week, just for this occasion.

I was so excited to see Cindy and Nichole that I almost hyper-ventilated when they rang the bell. When I opened the door, I noticed Cindy's husband, Russ, standing on the porch with them. He was holding a bundle of rags.

Me: Cindy! (hugs) Nichole! (European cheek kissing) Come in! I'm so glad you made it, even though the weather is bad.

Cindy: We wouldn't have missed it for the world! But neither of us felt comfortable driving in this wind, so Russ drove us. You don't mind that I brought Russ and Corky Porky Pie along, do you?

(The bundle of rags turned into a small dog and jumped from Russ' arms to my floor. He shook himself, spraying little droplets of water all over us.)

Me: Of course not. (I shook Russ' hand and patted Corky Porky Pie on the head. He bared his teeth at me.) (Corky, not Russ.)

(I quickly added two more place settings to my new dinette table in the east-facing breakfast nook (which I'd remodeled just for this interview). I calculated that there would be enough sandwiches and strawberries for two more, but there might not be enough tarts. I'd only planned on two per person. Maybe one of them won't like raspberry tarts?)

(I poured out the chocolate mousse mint cocoa into the little teacups and everyone helped themselves to the food.)

Russ: I love raspberry tarts!

Cindy: Me, too. They're my favorite.

Nichole: Mine too! Karlene, how did you know?

Me: Uhmmm, lucky guess?

Nichole: Mmm. (She takes a sip of her cocoa and splashes a few drops on her white pants.) Karlene, this cocoa is delish! Where did you get it?

Me: Well, I mixed it up myself from a secret family recipe. I can't share or I'll be disowned.

Nichole: Oh. Well. It is yummy.

(Corky Porky Pie barked in agreement, then knocked over his teacup, spilling cocoa all over his doily and chipping the handle of the cup.)

Russ: Maybe we should get on to the interview soon. Corky seems to be overly excitable today. But he sure likes those raspberry tarts! That's the second one he's wolfed down already.

Me: I think getting to the interview is a great idea. Cindy and Nichole, what gave you the idea to write Mormon Mishaps and Mischief?

Cindy: The moon was full, Aquarius was on the cusp, and the chickens were molting, all of which combined to make this the right time for a book of humorous anecdotes. Well, that and the pantry was empty, so a book that might actually sell a few copies seemed like a good idea.

Nichole: What Cindy says might be true. But I think perhaps it was our children. Or our bishops. Or maybe it might have been our silly husbands and neighbors. Whoever it was, we should really thank them. They made us laugh.

Cindy: They sure did!

Nichole: And then one sunny spring morning, one of us woke up and said, “I think I’ll write a book of humorous anecdotes today.” Then there was email involved. Lots of email. And brainstorming and collecting and chocolate eating. And maybe some Twinkies. Thus, the proposal for a book of humorous anecdotes was born.

Russ: I think it was the chickens. Definitely the chickens. Don't you agree, Corky Porky Pie?

CPP: Yip. (He starts panting hard, obviously envisioning the chickens, and makes himself so dizzy that he tips himself off his chair. The doily, which was stuck in his flea collar, drags his plate off the table and it goes crashing to the floor. The plate wasn't damaged, thanks to my newly installed ultra-thick cream carpet, but Corky was so excited he stepped all over his crepes, smooshing the raspberry jam into the fibers.)

Me: Your book is pretty funny. Some of the anecdotes were potentially embarrassing situations. Personally, I've never done anything to embarrass myself but I understand that other people might do this quite often. What is the most embarrassing thing that you've done at church?

Nichole: Like you, I'm not susceptible to embarrassing moments. (Nichole swings her hands for emphasis. Unfortunately, she's still holding her second cup of cocoa and it sloshes onto my tablecloth, which I hand-tatted to match the doilies. Maybe I should have served water.)

Me: Oh, I see. You're not admitting to any social gaffes, huh?

Nichole: Seriously, there are none to admit (gives me a crusty). I'm going to have to pick something from the book. I think the story about the lady who's toddler pulled all her clothes open in Sacrament Meeting wins that one. Or wait, no, it's the bishop who told the crying lady we like big boobs. That's a hard choice!

Me: Cindy, what about you?

Cindy: (coughs a bit as she hurriedly chews the ginormous strawberry she'd just stuffed into her mouth. She uses the edge of her doily to wipe the juice off her chin.) I'd been wearing fuzzy socks before getting dressed for church, and never realized that when I put on my pantyhose, a big clump of fuzziness attached itself to my leg, inside my hose. I walked around all three hours looking like I was growing a large clump of green moss on my calf.

Russ: That's my girl!

Me: What about your most embarrassing moment outside of church?

Cindy: Ooo! I have a good one! I happened to be out driving past a friend's farm and noticed her husband standing by his barn. I pulled up and for about twenty minutes, I unabashedly sat there just shooting the breeze with him. Literally. Because as I drove away, I discovered the middle button on my blouse had been open the whole time, giving him a grand view of the whole enchilada. Not that my enchiladas are that buxom, but still ...

Russ: When was that? WHO was that? You never told me.

CPP: Grrrr!

Me: Nichole, are you admitting to anything outside of church?

Nichole: Of course not! (Drops a loaded raspberry tart, bright red jam side down, into her lap.) But from the book, I liked the fathers and sons who got caught in the sprinklers at a camp out and ended up standing outside in their pearly whites.

CPP: Ruff!

Cindy: Corky Porky Pie likes that one too.

Me: Well, okay then. Next question. When you get rich and famous from this book, how do you plan to treat yourself? How will you spend all your money?

Cindy: Donuts and Cheetos and Ho-hos and Twinkies. Umm, er ... I mean, I plan to travel to foreign countries, pleading for world peace. Okay, I'll actually be serious for a minute. If I had a ton of money, I'd like to spend a chunk on scholarships for authors to go to conferences like Storymakers, Highlights, Erma Bombeck ... and other conferences that most of us can only dream about attending.

Me: That's pretty altruistic of you. No mansion? No Hummer?

Cindy: Nope. I'm fine.

Russ: I wouldn't mind a Hummer.

Cindy: (ignoring Russ) Although I promised Corky Porky Pie that I'd buy him a Jeweled Crown Canopy Dog Bed.

(Corky Porky Pie runs around the table, slips in Nichole's tart jam that she had brushed from her pants onto the carpet, then nuzzles up to Cindy and licks her leg.)

Me: What about you, Nichole?

Nichole: After I buy an iPad, I believe I shall buy a small island for myself, where I'll invite all my writing friends, including Cindy and you. Also, I'll be buying Cindy a lifetime supply of Twinkies, because I believe that would make her happy. And she has a beautiful smile.

Cindy: (blinks back tears) Why thank you, Nichole. No one has ever done anything quite so wonderful for me. (Gives Russ a crusty. Russ ignores her, so she kicks his ankle under the table.)

Russ: Ouch!

CPP: Yip! (Corky runs over to Russ and jumps up on his lap, knocking Russ' untouched teacup of cocoa onto the new cream carpet.)

Me: (Sigh.) What is your favorite ice cream topping?

Cindy: More ice cream.

Nichole: Pineapple. And hey, I'd probably have that on my island because it will be well-stocked. Ooh, and maybe mangoes too.

Me: If you could have a secret identity, what would it be? What would your super powers be?

Cindy: I would be Super Twinkie, and wear a golden, cake-like cape. My super powers would consist of wrapping the bad guys in cellophane and entrapping them in a box.

Nichole: Yay, Cindy! (Stands to applaud and bumps the whole tray of cucumber sandwiches onto the new cream carpet. She doesn't notice and jumps up and down in excitement, grinding the sandwiches to gloppy bits.)

Me: And you, Nichole. What would your super powers be? Maybe turbo cleaning new cream carpeting?

Nichole: (Gives me a quizzical look.) What kind of super power is that?

(Nichole and Cindy both laugh hysterically as Nichole sits back down, missing the chair and landing with her bum in the cucumber mess.)

Me: Whatever. Just answer the question.

Nichole: Okay, but you have to promise not to tell. (She gets up and sits in the chair. I mentioned I had a new dinette, but I don't think I mentioned that the chairs have padded seats covered in a lovely off-white satiny fabric.) (Nichole leans over conspiratorially, lowers her voice and whispers.) Shh. Don't tell. I do have a secret identity. I'm an invisible ninja who goes on covert operations regularly. Don't tell the dew-dew spies! My super power is either being invisible or super-ninja skills. Take your pick.

Me: Alrighty, then. Ninjas make me think of stalkers. I had a stalker once but he's in jail now. Have you ever had stalkers?

(Cindy and Nichole shake their heads in unison.)

CPP: Yip.

Russ: Corky Porky Pie had a stalker. Remember, Cindy? That black cat that used to come prowl around the house and pounce on him when we weren't looking?

Cindy: Russ! Shhh! You're embarrassing him!

(Corky Porky Pie is now hiding under Russ' chair with his sticky red jelly paws over his eyes.)

Me: If you were to ever become a stalker, who would you stalk and why?

Cindy: Ooo, a stalker. That's a whole different snack cake than being a Twinkie. Okay, so I'd stalk Dave Barry, the humor columnist.

Me: Why?

Cindy: Because I once sent him a note saying that his picture in the Trib made him look bizarre and he kindly responded by saying, "What makes you think I don't look that way? Possessed by demons!"

CPP: Whine...

Cindy: And really, someone that nice deserves to have a stalker of his own.

Nichole: You're right, Cindy. All nice people really should have stalkers. Who would I stalk?...Wow, that's a tough one. Hmm. Maybe Taylor Lautner, because he was looking very stalkable in New Moon. Yes, I realize he's much younger than me. Details. I just want to touch his abs, that's all. Those can't be real!

(Embarrassed silence all around the room.)

(Nichole picks up another tart and almost drops it on its way to her mouth. She does a quick save but tips over the warm homemade maple syrup that I'd put out for the crepes. Yep. It ran straight off the table and onto the new carpet.)

Me: Last question. Sarah Eden asked me this question for INFF and I loved it: Suppose you were stuck on a desert island with only one type of food, one book and one pair of shoes. What food/book/shoes would you want to be castaway with?

Cindy: Food: Twinkies; Book: Where to Find More Twinkies When Stranded on a Desert Isle; Shoes: Sandals, so my Twinkie toes can shine through.

Nichole: Snow crab, definitely, and...um, can I take a Kindle or iPad with me? I'd choose that so I could have a variety of books. No way I could choose just one. And really, I can't believe you're making me choose one pair of shoes. Do you not know me at all? How can I make a decision like that? I suppose I could take my Sketchers flip-flops. My tan ones. They would probably match a grass skirt pretty well. But I'd forever miss my closet full of fantastic sandals. Or maybe I'd take these...

(Nichole lifts her foot up to the table top to show me the shoes she's wearing. They're shiny gold sandals with little beaded crystal flowers at the toe.)

Me: Lovely sandals. Really. I love them.

Nichole: Thank you. (When she drops her foot to the floor, the buckle snags on the hand-tatted tablecloth and everything comes sliding off the table onto the new cream carpet. Every. Single. Thing.)

Nichole: Ooops! Well, it's a good thing that's our last question, isn't it?

Me: Yes, I think it is.

Cindy: We really hate to eat and run but we do have another interview we need to get to. Let's go, Russ.

Russ: Just a minute. Something's wrong with Corky Porky Pie.

(We turn to look at Corky just as he spews out everything he ate for brunch, all over the new cream carpet. When he's done, Russ grabs the last clean doily and wipes off Corky's face and paws. Then he picks him up and heads for the door.)

Cindy: It's been a blast, Karlene! Thanks so much for your fun, creative questions. (hugs)

Nichole: Thanks for doing this! Love your questions. (European cheek kissing)


You can read more funny stories at Cindy and Nichole's LDS Humor blog.

[Disclaimer: No dogs, chickens or carpeting were hurt in this interview. I hardly put any made-up words in Cindy and Nichole's mouths, but I did make up responses from Russ and Corky Porky Pie. Also, Russ refused to sit for the photo shoot, so I stole his photo from his blog.]

The Promised Contest Information!
Your LDS Neighborhood has offered a YEAR LONG advertising package which includes space on the Neighborhood website as well as tiles in the newsletter. Were you to purchase advertising with them, this package would cost $150. (More details HERE.)

This is a fabulous contest for authors and/or people who have just launched a new business. (cough, cough)

To enter, FOLLOW ME and LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST. You can also get extra entries by promoting the contest on your blog. (More details HERE.)

DEADLINE: Midnight, May 16, 2010.

*I received a review copy from the authors.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D.N. Giles & C.L. Beck

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief
by D.N. Giles & C.L. Beck

LDS Humorous Non-fiction
112 pages, softcover
Target Reader: LDS readers, all ages

Cedar Fort, Inc.
978-1599552972
Release Date: December 1, 2009



From the publisher:

This collection of humorous anecdotes from celebrated LDS authors shows off Church members at their finest. From primary pranks to cheeky comments made by Zion’s youth to high priests hi-jinx, no age group is immune to the potential for humor.

Though it may not be in the official Word of Wisdom, laughter really is the best medicine. Whether you’re a senior missionary, or an eight-year-old graduating to senior primary, you’re bound to get a kick out of these silly stories.

Read about:

• The preschooler who was afraid of being eaten by ‘Sunbeans’

• Establishing Zion in Cougar Stadium

• The ‘oddmonition’ of Paul

• The 14^th article of faith

• Doing battle with the “Laman Knights”

• A young women outing that almost landed the class behind bars…and lots more!

Perfect for those long Sunday afternoons, Mormon Mishaps and Mischief will keep your family laughing all week long!

Read my interview with Nichole & Cindy.

I've been meaning to post about Mormon Mishaps & Mischief since before Christmas. (Sorry, Cindy & Nichole.)

If you need a good chuckle, this is the book for you. I read the whole thing in just a few hours on a Sunday afternoon when I was too sick to go to church. I discovered it was true—laughter is the best medicine!

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*I received a review copy from the authors.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Women of the Book of Mormon by Heather B. Moore

Women of the Book of Mormon
by Heather B. Moore

LDS Non-fiction, Historical
288 pages, hardcover
Target Reader: LDS Adult

Covenant
978-1608610075
Release Date: May 3, 2010



From the publisher:

Explore the lives, circumstances, and choices of women in the Book of Mormon in this uplifting and inspiring volume that illustrates the parallels between the lives of the women of the Book of Mormon and LDS women today.

With new insights on practically every page, author Heather B. Moore explores the written and unwritten stories of the prominent women in the Book of Mormon, taking familiar material and providing vivid details about family dynamics, domestic practices, and other aspects of daily life. By exploring historic and cultural contexts to the situations of women like Sariah, Abish, Eve, Mary, and the faithful mothers of the stripling warriors, you will peek beneath the surface of the scriptural accounts to better understand both the righteous women of the Book of Mormon, and the women who didn't use their agency wisely.

Yes, I know this is not fiction. My blog. I can change the rules if I want. LDS author, Heather Moore (aka H.B. Moore), has a new book out and it's a bit different from her previous historical fiction.

Women of the Book of Mormon: Insights and Inspirations is a beautiful book that features twelve women mentioned in the Book of Mormon—Sariah, Mary, Abish and others. Heather imagines what their lives might have been like—from the physical conditions of their surroundings to family life to cultural expectations and more. She also delves into the issues they faced, the choices they made, and the consequences of those choices. Based on clues from the Book of Mormon and extensive research into the time periods in which they lived, we get an accurate peek into their lives.

Heather's insights into these women are amazing and brought up issues I'd never thought about before.

All of the information on these women is presented clearly; it's fascinating and easy to read and understand. Each chapter starts with a gorgeous piece of art, representing the woman (or group of women) being discussed. The cover image is of Mary, the mother of Christ. Isn't that just breath-taking?

I think my favorite chapter was about Sariah, wife of Lehi. Reading about what she gave up and what she had to deal with during the journey to the Promised Land overwhelmed me with gratitude for the conveniences (read: modern appliances) I've been blessed with and the ease of my life.

What I especially liked about this book is the way Heather focuses in on a particular challenge each woman meets, and then likens it to our own lives. Over and over again as I read this book, I found myself going back to a quote from the Foreword written by Kate Terry Hansen, PhD, "In so many ways we are different. In so many ways we are the same." That is the message of this book. While our lives are very different from the lives of these women, they are also very much the same—and we can gain strength and comfort from their examples.

I recommend this book to LDS women, especially those who might be feeling alone, abandoned or just need a little reminder of sisterhood.

Plot: There's not really a plot, but it's great writing.

Characters: Wonderful insights into these women of history.

Cover: Gorgeous! As are the illustrations inside.



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*Review copy provided by Heather B. Moore.

© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Life is Tough by Stacy Gooch-Anderson

Life Is Tough: I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive
by Stacy Gooch-Anderson

Inspirational
192 pages, softcover
Target Reader: Adults

Cedar Fort
978-1599551760
Release Date: February 11, 2009



From the publisher:

Stacy Anderson, author of The Santa Letters, has had her share of trials as a mother. From making decisions about her career and future to dealing with illness in her family, she has learned that life will continue to teach her lessons in all circumstances. Join Stacy as she shares 28 life lessons that changed her perspective and helped her grow in character. Filled with humor and practical advice, Life is Tough I Doubt I ll Make It Out Alive is sure to inspire mothers everywhere!

Being the perfect mother that I am, when one of my dear children would come to me, crushed by life's blows, I'd impart these loving words of wisdom to them, "Life sucks and then you die."

I think they got the message because they generally face life head-on and rarely whine or complain to me.

However, if I had it to do over again, I think instead I'd try Stacy's approach to life's lessons. She uses a healthy dose of humor, a sprinkling of laughter and a generous dollop of wit as she shares with us some of life's lessons and how to deal with them.

I loved Stacy's book. I read it late one night when my daughter was out with "that boy" she hangs with and DH was at work. The book is a quick read and it had me laughing out loud in several places, wishing I had someone close by with which to share the humor. I very much liked Stacy's first book, The Santa Letters, but I think I liked this one even better.

One part that I particularly loved came from Life Lesson #23, "Life is like a roller coaster. You can scream every time you hit a bump or throw your hands up in the air and enjoy the ride." That's a big one for me. I tend to get a little overwhelmed and stressed out over life's little ups and downs. I need to regularly be reminded that life happens, and I can choose to be miserable or I can choose to enjoy the ride.

Another of my favorites is when Stacy compares marriage (and it works equally well when applied to children, siblings, parents and other relationships) with the family dog. "It's a pain in the neck and always in the way, but you love it anyway and treat it with respect."


Stacy has a blog where she posts a daily life saver. A life saver is a little "gem of wisdom" that helps us get through the day or deal with a particular challenge. Like her book, the life savers are very funny but leave you a little wiser.

One of Stacy's first life savers was: "Fat people are harder to kidnap." I could appreciate Stacy's story about that, having dealt with my own weight issues for years.

A personal life saver that I've used for years comes from a Star Trek TMG episode, when event after event goes awry, the normally stuffy Capt. Picard laughs and says, "Sometimes... you just have to bow to the absurd." On those days when so many things go wrong that I find myself looking up at the sky and yelling, "Are you kidding me?!" that little life saver reminds me to laugh and go on.

The life saver for today is "All power corrupts but we need the electricity." I can't wait to see what Stacy writes about that one.

You can read up on Stacy's life savers HERE.

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© 2010 It's a Book Affair