REVIEW - PRACTICAL SYMBOLS - RUNES & SIGILS FOR HOLISTIC WELLBEING BY AMY DONNELLY

  

Title: Practical Symbols - Runes & Sigils For Holistic Wellbeing
Author: Amy Donnelly
Publisher: Quarto Publishing, Leaping Hare Press
Genre: Arts & Photography, Health, Mind & Body, Religion & Spirituality
Release Date: 12th November 2024

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Would you like to learn how to invoke the power and energy of symbols in your everyday life?

Perhaps you’re looking for protection from a toxic situation at work, or guidance for a difficult assignment at school. Maybe you’re trying to help a friend in pain, or simply find more balance in your relationships.

Practical Symbols provides you with the tools you need to approach any situation with poise, confidence, and a little bit of magic.

This book is written in an accessible and friendly way, and will not only help you channel the energies of ancient and powerful symbols, but also show you how to create your own bespoke sigils. It will teach you which symbols work best for your specific purposes, and why, and help you to empower yourself to nurture your wellbeing every day with symbols.

Organized by theme, learn which symbols you can use for:emotional wellness—soothing your soul and nurturing your mental health
physical wellbeing—helping you relax, sleep better, and dream well
celebrating the wheel of the year—discovering how ancient symbols and runes have always been used to honor the sabbats
connecting with nature—through following the cycles of the moon
adding magic to special occasions—celebrating birthdays, marriage, graduations, and more
enhancing or starting your career—manifesting your dream job or boosting your career

With advice on rituals and methods for incorporating symbols into your daily practice, as well as a comprehensive index of symbols, this is a must-have book for any spiritually curious individual, no matter your level of expertise.

REVIEW
The cover looks quite dark and has an array of Symbols, Sigils, and markings on it that are later featured and explained in the book. The darkness of the cover gives the book a very mystical, magical, mysterious feel to it.

After reading the introduction that the author had always been fascinated by history and folklore and grew up with traditions such as throwing salt over her shoulder, putting a pin in a cushion to find a lost item, things handed down through the generations similar to my own passed down family traditions I was eager to read the book. However the book was more like a dictionary of different symbols, which whilst that is interesting, I would have loved to have read more folklore & superstition and traditions. The content of the book was detailed and well presented, though the actual content was not exactly what I had thought it was going to be.

The book begins by explaining symbol usage in witchcraft and cover things like the pentagram that most people would probably be familiar with. The book goes on to discuss how to choose and use symbols as well as where they came from. I found the history and origin explanations of each symbol to be detailed and well explained.

The book is then separated into 7 chapters with the following headings, Symbols for Wellness, Physical Wellness, Sabbat, the Moon, Special Occasions, for Career and Practical Sigils. This is the part of the book that is very much set out like a reference book. I read and e-copy of the book and I think a physical book would be much more tactile and absorbing as it would be easier to flick back and forth between pages and sections. There are also sections where the author recommends other books to read and an index of symbols

Summing up I think it's more of a handbook that you would dip in and out. A great addition to your book shelf if you're fascinated by Symbols & Sigils and are seriously wanting to learn to use them in a more in depth way in daily life.

 

REVIEW - THE LAUNDRY BOOK BY ZACH POZNIAK & JERRY POZNIAK

  

Title: The Laundry Book
Author: Zach Pozniak & Jerry Pozniak
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group, Rock Point
Genre: Health Mind & Body, Home & Garden
Release Date: 15th October 2024

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Do laundry right the first time with The Laundry Book, the ultimate reference guide for all things laundry.

If you’re like most people, laundry is a never-ending chore that you want to spend as little time, effort, and money on as possible, and no one has ever properly taught you how to tackle this chore. Laundry influencer Zach Pozniak and his father, Jerry Pozniak, owners of the luxury dry-cleaning company Jeeves New York and fabric-care experts break down this tedious task into playful and easily digestible pieces for a straightforward, easy-to-navigate book that can live in the laundry room and make doing laundry even enjoyable.

Zach and Jerry provide authoritative information and advice as third- and fourth-generation dry cleaners on all matters of fabric care, including:
Science-backed and -tested tips and techniques​
​How to save time, money, and the environment by doing laundry correctly​
​An A-to-Z stain removal guide
What ingredients to look for when buying laundry products​
How to read clothing care labels​
How to extend the life of your clothes​
When to call in the professionals
and much more!​
This guide cuts through the noise and educates you on best practices for clean, vibrant, stain-free, and long-lasting results. 

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I’ll start with a little background about the authors of this book, it’s their family history really which kind of makes the book a tiny bit memoir-ish.

Jerry the father (of this father & son book duo), started in what became the family business in 1986 originally just to 'help out' but ended up never leaving!

Zach (the son of the duo) did other things until his father Jerry, talked him into joining him in the family business in 2018. Zach is the one that does the marketing and social media for the business. This father & son team are 3rd and 4th generation dry cleaners.

The business they own & operate is Jeeves New York and it concentrates on and deals with working on high value speciality garments
Jeeves the business, was originally established in London in 1969 and has expanded far and wide as there are now Jeeves stores in 17 cities all around the globe. Jeeves also has a Royal Warrant meaning they take care of the royal clothing including those beautiful beaded, bejewelled gowns the female members of the family wear.
Jeeves is a luxury dry cleaners, when asked why does Jeeves exist their reply is would you take a 'Ferrari car to a Ford garage' therefore Jeeves exists for those heirloom, bespoke, vintage, couture, one of a kind items that need cleaning.
In 2020 when the global pandemic hit business dropped by 85% overnight! So needing to find a way to diversify, is how this book came about.

The authors describe it this 'field guide to laundry' designed to be dipped in and out of, as and when needed.

The book is set out in Chapters and then those Chapters are split into different sections. Chapter 1 covers the history of laundry, which though I had ideas about I still found really interesting to read about. How “doing the laundry” began by beating clothes on rocks by the river where the flowing water took away the stains and odour. How the “Valcha” aka washboard was invented in the 17th century. It was also interesting to learn that the original laundry soap was olive oil & ash. Early laundry methods were time consuming and hard work, thankfully with the invention of washing machines things improved.

I loved the “fun fact” that in Germany if your washing machine is considered noisy you will not be allowed to use it during “quiet time” which is 10pm to 6am and the whole day Sunday!

The book also covers an over view of laundry products, laundry detergent such as – liquid, gel, pods, tabs etc, then there’s the laundry boosters, liquid fabric softener, dryer sheets, dryer balls, and the newer arrival of scent beads too.

There’s advice on leaving buttons undone, pulling zipper closed and what “like items together” really means. Stain removal advice stating to treat the stain immediately even if you cannot wash the item immediately, at the stain remover is then working.

There’s even a section on “How often should you wash your stuff” such as anything you perspire on should be washed after wearing once along with things like baby clothes, and underwear. Bath towels at least once a week, blankets monthly, the list continues.

The book advises different methods of drying clothes as well as the benefits of ironing versus steaming etc.

The book gives advice on how to choose a dry cleaner. It also covers the difference between a dry cleaner and dry cleaning. A dry cleaner uses a variety of solvents including water to clean cloth, whereas dry cleaning which is a specific art of cleaning using waterless solvents.

The book also gives website links for sites on best liquids etc, washing machines, dryers etc
along with 'pro tips' such as laundry bag for socks, or safety pin them together! Zach and Jerry also share stories of garments they've rescued.

This book really is a brilliant guide to everything laundry related, a book every household should have! Whether you're starting out in your first home doing your own laundry or you've been doing the laundry for a large household for years ...there is something in this book for everyone! Would make a perfect new home gift or for Uni students who will be doing their own laundry for the first time. It reminded me of CSE home economics lessons at school learning all the laundry care labels etc. It is the type of book you need sitting on the book shelf or on your e-reader or phone to refer to when you get that awkward stain on your favourite outfit!

 

REVIEW - SAVAGE WOLF - SEVYN ROSE BK3 BY KARINA ESPINOSA

  

Title: Savage Wolf
Series: Sevyn Rose
Author: Karina Espinosa
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: 18th Febraury 2024

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It all ends now.

Sevyn Rose is done sitting idly by while her mother Imogen takes all the risks. Learning about her father and heritage, Sevyn makes an alliance with the angel Cassiel. Not knowing who to trust, she slowly accepts the help of Christian and Nadia who promise they’re on her side.

Feeling the betrayal of Gerard, Sevyn must find a way to secure Imogen’s safety and that of the cure—that is until she learns what exactly the cure is. This knowledge changes the game and Sevyn has to figure out whether her safety is more important than her mothers.

Alliances are made, and lines are drawn as Sevyn and her group of friends fight for their freedom and that of all of the supernatural community.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I love the cover of this one, it fits really well with the rest of the series and it has another powerful image of Sevyn Rose at its centre with her rose tattoo on her arm.

The mating bond tying Christian and Sevyn together has been removed but there’s still “something” between Sevyn & Christian.....”something” that turns to feelings and continues to grow. Both put themselves on the line for each other multiple times in this book. In fact they have to put any potential thoughts of a future together or any romance on the back burner whilst they deal with the mess Christian’s father has partially caused along Claudia the head of the witches.

With every supernatural faction wanting to get their hands on the cure that they are convinced Imogen has, it paints a really large target on Sevyn's back. As these supernatural leaders know if they capture Sevyn they can lure Imogen out and make her hand over the cure. Each faction wants it for their own nefarious reasons which is exactly why Imogen & Sevyn are determined they shouldn't get it. When Sevyn realises what the cure is and where it is, she knows she will never be left alone unless somehow it is destroyed.

I loved the relationship between Imogen & Sevyn, Imogen had been preparing Sevyn for the forthcoming inevitable battle all her life. All the continual training, preparing Sevyn physically, mentally and emotionally for what was to come. She'd been tough on Sevyn for her own good and at times their mother daughter relationship was sacrificed. In Savage Wolf, Sevyn realises that and loves her mother all the more for it. Sevyn is the powerful, fighting mercenary werewolf she is because of all this training.

Sadly there are more sacrifices to come, first Imogen ends up making the ultimate sacrifice to free her daughter of a gift that is really more of a burden, then there’s Cassiel breaking the rules to take revenge on the person that killed his best friend, Samuel. So, this book has lots happening on an emotional level as well as the physical battles being fought.

I adored the humour of Cassiel being an angel that doesn't need to sleep or eat yet he not only ate half the pizza he & Sevyn ordered & he even argued over the last slice! I love the humour this author puts into her books, the fun found in everyday things.
I thought the showdown between Imogen, Gerard & Claudia was amazing. The way Gerard and Claudia were unsure what type of being Cassiel was, but they certainly, quickly found out how powerful he was!

Initially I was not keen on the flashback memories, especially the placement within the book of the first one within the “action” of the book...but once I became more immersed in the book I really grew to love them and thought that they added to the book really well.
Part of me would have liked to have seen more interaction with Hawke I'd like to think he would have switched to Sevyn & Christian's side if he’d had to make that choice. I also wonder about what happened to Cassiel, what his punishment would be. Though these are questions I am left with, I do like how the author leaves some things for the reader to ponder and come up with their own possible endings for. I’d hope Cassiel’s punishment wasn’t too harsh, I mean the guy he took out was a powerful werewolf bad guy! As for Hawke I’d like to think maybe he met up with Nadia and they went off together somewhere, to return to the pack at a later date. I’ve enjoyed all the pack politics, the on/off romance between Christian and Sevyn and jealousy from Willa. It’s a shame the trilogy is over really would have enjoyed revisiting this pack!

Summing up, plenty of action, betrayal, hurt and loss along with loyalty, bravery and finally peace and love for Sevyn Rose. I really enjoyed this whole series from beginning to end. It was a fitting conclusion to the Sevyn Rose trilogy. I loved her character and honestly would have enjoyed reading more about the characters within this book.