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Dad of Divas

One Dad's Quest to Regain Control of his Kingdom

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Book Review – Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations

March 16, 2024 by dadofdivas

Book Review - Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations

 

About the Book
Design a truly unique vacation with 100 intriguing alternatives to more predictable, expensive, and overcrowded destinations.

Let’s face it. These days, many of the world’s most beloved places have become expensive and overcrowded, making their celebrated allure that much harder to enjoy. But fear not: Here Not There helps you create a more robust, off-the-beaten-path vacation by revealing 100 alternative destinations to the standard travel playbook—as well as expert tips on when to visit, where to eat, what to see, and where to stay.

In this surprising collection of lively travel itineraries, you’ll find authentic, unexpected, and rewarding destinations of a lifetime to add to your bucket list, including:

  • A trip to Quito, Ecuador, instead of Lima, Peru, for iconic architecture and top-notch South American cuisine.
  • A road trip along West Virginia’s byways instead of New England’s highways for brilliant autumn colors.
  • A romantic rendezvous to Lecce, Italy, instead of mega-touristed Florence for art, wine, and artifacts.
  • A hiking excursion in Chile’s Lake District instead of England’s for an unexpected natural wonder.
  • A theater-infused visit to Cleveland, Ohio, where the performances match the levels of New York City’s Broadway.
  • A tour of Portugal’s Azores, rather than the Hawaiian islands, for flora, fauna, and underwater adventures.
  • A water-filled excursion through New York’s Thousand Islands instead of a cruise down Germany’s Rhine River.
  • A trip to Detroit to find Art Deco skyscrapers (and even a beach in Motown) that rival those of Miami.

Both surprising and inspiring, Here Not There offers readers a chance to think beyond our typical borders and discover undreamed-of destinations.

My Take on the Book
What was great about this book was that the vacations that you are seeing are ones that are off-the-beaten-path and ones you would not typically consider. Too often in some of these large cities, you gravitate to the large and known locations (and you should in some cases), but this book reminds us that there are a ton of hidden gems that are out there that you should find and explore, as they are worth the search! The book is easy to follow, and while you may not visit everything, I know that for me, I find that this book really opened my eyes to places beyond the places that I have visited in the past, and definitely encouraged me to add new places to my list for the next time I visit and I encourage you to do so too!

Filed Under: book review, travel Tagged With: book review, travel

Book Review – National Geographic Bucket List Family Travel: Share the World With Your Kids on 50 Adventures of a Lifetime

March 16, 2024 by dadofdivas

National Geographic Bucket List Family Travel: Share the World With Your Kids on 50 Adventures of a Lifetime

About the Book
In this indispensable guide by the mega-popular Bucket List Family, discover expert tips for traveling with kids and 50 not-to-be-missed destination itineraries.

As a family of five, the Bucket List Family has swum with whales in Tonga, slept in castles in Ireland, lived on a houseboat in Amsterdam, eaten breakfast with giraffes in Kenya, spent Halloween in Disneyland, and visited more than 90 countries around the world. Now, Jessica Gee brings her tips and tricks to you in the ultimate expert’s guide to traveling as a family.

This beautifully illustrated guide provides all the know-how to fulfill your own family’s bucket list—including how-tos for picking a destination, packing, budgeting, and even surviving a 12-hour plane ride. Along with personal family anecdotes, Jess offers 50 itineraries for family-friendly destinations and inspiring top-10 lists with destinations for every age. You’ll learn everything you need to know to take a family vacation to:

  • South Africa, where you can walk on a beach with penguins
  • Utah, where ice castles bring a world of magic to a vacation full of natural wonders
  • Berlin, where holidays come to life at beloved Christmas markets
  • The Galapagos, where your kids will squeal with joy as they encounter penguins and larger-than-life tortoises
  • Alaska, where you’ll feel you’ve gone truly wild in the last frontier
  • And so much more!

This insider’s guide from one of the world’s most traveled families will inspire you to create new and lasting memories with your family for years to come.

My Take on the Book
My kids have always put together bucket lists, so watching a family that has taken this to the next level was always something that they loved, too. What I love is that the family empowers their kids to live largely, and as a part of this, they are also teaching their kids to live with courage, live their lives through their experiences, and not let anything hold them back. While this family has some ability to be mobile while others who read may not, the concept of having dreams and making them happen is inspirational. The book has many relatable tips about traveling, especially traveling with kids. At the same time, the book also has a section on traveling together as a couple, which was a nice add-in. All-in-all this is a book that offers practical and relatable tips that you can use no matter where you are traveling, but also will give you ideas about your next trip, too!

Filed Under: book review, travel Tagged With: book review, travel

CSB Life Counsel Bible Review & Giveaway

August 29, 2023 by dadofdivas

CSB Life Counsel Bible

About the Book
In the midst of challenging seasons of life there is hope. The CSB Life Counsel Bible, developed in partnership with New Growth Press, is designed to equip readers with biblical truth and counsel on a wide range of topics and tough life issues related to relationships, marriage, parenting, and more. This Bible is full of useful tools and resources for life application and discipleship grounded in the truth of the gospel of grace.

FEATURES

  • More than 150 full-length articles from respected Christian counselors and scholars
  • Contributors include David Powlison, Edward T. Welch, Paul Tripp, Stephen Viars, Amy Baker, Michael Emlet, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Justin Holcomb, Bob Kellemen, Diane Langberg, Timothy S. Lane, Robert Jones, Marty Machowski, Deepak Reju, Joni Eareckson Tada, and many more
  • Callout quotes placed near each article provide truth, hope, and encouragement to apply to life
  • Over 100-word studies focusing on keywords applicable to personal healing, growth, and counsel
  • Book introductions including “Circumstances of Writing,” “Structure,” “Contribution to the Bible,” and a special “Truth for Healing” section with an overview of key truths related to healing from each book of the Bible Wide margins for notetaking and journaling
  • Robust page-end cross-reference system with over 25,000 cross-references connecting Scripture from Genesis to Revelation
  • Durable Smyth-sewn lay-flat binding
  • Elegant two-color interior design
  • Two-column text format
  • Topical subject headings
  • Easy-to-read 9.5-point type size
  • Black-letter text
  • Footnotes
  • Ribbon marker for easy referencing between pages
  • Concordance
  • Topical Scripture Index
  • Presentation page for gift-giving
  • Full-color maps

The CSB Life Counsel Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

My Take on the Book
This was a great resource bible that will provide anyone that is looking to better understand Christ a better glimpse at the written word but also how it connects with everyday life. The bible brings you scripture but also a ton of articles that really allows anyone to see how the scripture relates to everyday life. The book also highlights passages and words to better allow you to understand the meaning. I have not seen this before, but it made it much easier to understand the bible in a whole new way.

 

Giveaway

Filed Under: book review, giveaway Tagged With: bible, book review, giveaway

Giveaway – Abide Bible

November 22, 2022 by dadofdivas

Abide Bible

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Bibles for providing a sample of the product for this
review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About the Book

With the Abide Bible, transform your personal Bible devotions into intimate, ongoing conversations with God with various Scripture engagement approaches that keep Bible reading fresh and new.

“Abide in Me.” John 15:4

Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ.

Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible’s features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible:

  • Praying Scripture: Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to express.
  • Picture It: Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in important events.
  • Journaling: Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God’s voice as you ponder.
  • Engage Through Art: Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture, painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths.
  • Contemplate: Follow the church’s longstanding practice of reading, meditating on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience God’s presence through the words of the Bible. 

Abide Bible

Features include:

  • Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read
  • 365 Day Bible Reading Plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year
  • Line-matched, single-column Scripture text for improved readability
  • Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk
  • Two satin ribbon markers allows you to easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading
  • Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print

 

Find the Abide Bible on Amazon!

My Take on the Bible

This is a great bible. As someone that has read other Bibles before, this Bible was a great one that I’m loving this bible makes it easy to study the word of God. The Bible really leads you through a guided study through scripture and helps you to engage with the words in numerous ways. As you read this Bible you will find that nothing gets lost. You will find that it is easy to understand, especially due to the notes on the side of the page and the additional comments that make it easier to comprehend.

Giveaway

Filed Under: book review, giveaway, product review Tagged With: bible, book, book review, giveaway

Get Ready for Adventure, Great Characters & More!

July 13, 2020 by dadofdivas

The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot

 

About the Book

As a young chipmunk, shy, bookish Rockford T. Honeypot had dreams of thrilling adventures across the forest. However, timid of danger and germs, his only adventures were found in books and in his imagination. When his family abandons him after a mistake that destroys their hazelnut business, Rockford sets off on a legendary journey beyond his wildest dreams. From exploring cuisines with a famous chef, training with ancient warrior monks, flying on giant hawks, finding true love, and much more, Rockford recounts his epic origin story of hardship, perseverance, and fortune.

My Take on the Book
This was such a fun book that brings together a slew of characters that you will not soon forget. The characters are fun and on each page you will go on the adventure with the characters. The message of living a full life resounds in this book and anyone that reads it will definitely think to themselves about how they are living the fullest life that they can. Also, I loved to see how these animals found ways to live in harmony together and how so many worked to help one another in so many ways. The book was an inspirational read and definitely one that I would recommend to all!

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Filed Under: book review, disney Tagged With: book, book review, books, disney

Debut Novel – The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot Available June 23rd!

June 9, 2020 by dadofdivas

The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot

Josh Gottsegen’s “The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot,” available for pre-order through Amazon and iBooks, is a quick-paced and fun new adventure novel that incorporates strong values while teaching important life lessons. One of the best books for kids and families to read today, “The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot” is filled with thrilling, comedic, and sometimes harrowing tales to help children understand the importance of not giving up on their dreams, even when faced with adversity.

“The Adventures of Rockford T. Honeypot” will be available to purchase on paperback, as well as eBook on June 23, 2020.

Synopsis:
As a young chipmunk, shy, bookish Rockford T. Honeypot had dreams of thrilling adventures across the forest. However, timid of danger and germs, his only adventures were found in books and his imagination. When his family abandons him after a mistake that destroys their hazelnut business, Rockford sets off on a legendary journey beyond his wildest dreams. From exploring cuisines with a famous chef, training with ancient warrior monks, flying on giant hawks, finding true love, and much more, Rockford recounts his epic origin story of hardship, perseverance, and fortune.

About The Author:
Los Angeles native Josh Gottsegen has a background in filmmaking and digital media and is the author of “Joosh’s Juice Bar,” an early elementary school children’s book series that encourages healthy eating habits through vivid illustrations and Dr. Seussian-style rhymes. Earning his BA in Film Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara, Gottsegen has won numerous awards for his short films and video productions. Starting professionally at NBCUniversal Interactive, later Josh Gottsegen moved into editing as well as other creative projects for the Walt Disney Company, Fox Corporation, IMG, and the NFL.

Follow on Social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockfordTHoneypot/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTHoneypot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockfordthoneypot/
Website: http://www.rockfordthoneypot.com/
Hashtag: #RockfordTHoneypot

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Filed Under: book review, disney, product review Tagged With: book, book review, disney, product review

Book Review – Return of the Jedi Beware the Power of the Dark Side!

January 17, 2016 by dadofdivas

Tom Angleberger delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi like you've never experienced before.
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About the Book

Acclaimed, New York Times best-selling author Tom Angleberger delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi like you’ve never experienced before, infusing the iconic, classic tale of good versus evil with a unique perspective and narrative style that will speak directly to today’s young readers while enhancing the Star Wars experience for core fans of the saga.

My Take on the Book

This is a great retelling of Return of the Jedi. My youngest daughter, who is a big Star Wars fan has been reading these books and has been loving them. As a part of her reading them, she has been reading them to me too, and I have to say that as a fan the author did a great job capturing the essence of the movie, but beyond that, he also goes beyond that and allows the reader to gain better perspective about the characters and the situations that occur in this timeline.

This is a great book and one that goes beyond the cannon and opens the eyes of young readers to the wonders and the world of Star Wars and as a fan and as a father I am so glad that this and the other books in the series have been available.

 

Want to read my thoughts on the other books in the series?

  • Book Review – Star Wars: A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy
  • Book Review – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back So You Want to Be a Jedi?

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Filed Under: book review Tagged With: book review, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars

Book Review – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back So You Want to Be a Jedi?

January 17, 2016 by dadofdivas

Adam Gidwitz delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like you've never experienced before.
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About the Book

Acclaimed, New York Times best-selling author Adam Gidwitz delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like you’ve never experienced before, infusing the iconic, classic tale of good versus evil with a unique perspective and narrative style that will speak directly to today’s young readers while enhancing the Star Wars experience for core fans of the saga.

My Take on the Book

My seven year old has had an interest in Star Wars since we watched all of the films together. As a fan myself I have always loved to share this love with my girls and I am just pleased that she too has loved the films as much as I have. Recently though, ever since we saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens, she has had an interest in reading more books about Star Wars too.

This book was a new ree-telling of the Empire Strikes Back. Though I say this, I will say that even though I say it is a re-telling, it is not the same as the movie. The author goes deeper than the movie and you get to see the characters and the situations through new eyes and ou get to experience what happened in the movie again with new life.

My seven (almost 8) year old is a strong reader and when she said she wanted to read this I was a bit reluctant because from the outside the book looks long, however, the text is large and the chapters short which makes the book move along quickly, even for younger readers.

I found that my daughter soared through these books and she simply loved the characters, the action and more.

This book really was a fun read for her and she kept saying to me how much she liked the book. She even read me chapters saying, “Dad, you have to read this!”

This book was a ton of fun, for the Star Wars fan!

 

Want to read my thoughts on the other books in the series?

  • Book Review – Star Wars: A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy
  • Book Review – Return of the Jedi Beware the Power of the Dark Side!

—————————————-

New to the Divadom?

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Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Filed Under: book review Tagged With: book review, Star Wars

Book Review – Star Wars: A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy

January 16, 2016 by dadofdivas

In Star Wars: New Hope, Although the Rebel Alliance has won a few battles against the Empire, hope is fading. The Empire is about to finish building the greatest weapon the galaxy has ever seen-the Death Star.

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About the Book

The galaxy is at war.

Although the Rebel Alliance has won a few battles against the Empire, hope is fading. The Empire is about to finish building the greatest weapon the galaxy has ever seen-the Death Star. The rebels’ only chance to defeat it now lies in the unlikely hands of a princess, a scoundrel, and a farm boy. . . .

Acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken delivers a captivating retelling ofStar Wars: A New Hope like you’ve never experienced before. Since the premier of the original film, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker have become iconic, larger-than-life characters. The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy takes a deeper look at these three heroes as they join forces to defeat the evil that threatens their entire galaxy.

My Take on the Book

This is a very true re-telling of the Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope movie! The book is geared toward grades 3-7 and gives you large words, shorter paragraphs which allows even young readers to get through the book in no time.

The book has something for everyone. You get to meet the characters that you know and love and even get to seem and know them on a bit deeper level than you do in the movie itself. The book has tons of action, drama and more and you will be reading chapter upon chapter as you try and read this all of the way through (or at least my kids did) !
The author is true to the cannon of the Star Wars world and does not take too many liberties. The book is so much fun to read as a family, but you can also read this individually too and still be entranced from beginning to end.

This is a great book that makes me want to go and watch the movie yet again!

 

Want to read my thoughts on the other books in the series?

  • Book Review – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back So You Want to Be a Jedi?
  • Book Review – Return of the Jedi Beware the Power of the Dark Side!

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New to the Divadom?

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Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Filed Under: book review Tagged With: book review, Star Wars

Book Review – Star Wars: Lost Stars

January 16, 2016 by dadofdivas

This thrilling Young Adult novel gives readers a macro view of some of the most important events in the Star Wars universe, from the rise of the Rebellion to the fall of the Empire. Readers will experience these major moments through the eyes of two childhood friends--Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell-
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About the Book
This thrilling Young Adult novel gives readers a macro view of some of the most important events in the Star Wars universe, from the rise of the Rebellion to the fall of the Empire. Readers will experience these major moments through the eyes of two childhood friends–Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell–who have grown up to become an Imperial officer and a Rebel pilot. Now on opposite sides of the war, will these two star-crossed lovers reunite, or will duty tear them–and the galaxy–apart? Star Wars: Lost Stars also includes all-new post-Star Wars: Return of the Jedi content, as well as hints and clues about the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, making this a must-read for all Star Wars fans.

My Take on the Book

In this new Star Wars book, the author does a great job at creating a world and a whole new story that fits well into the Star Wars cannon. We loved the new characters and the cultural environment that is created in the story. On top of this there is a great mix of action, drama and more that propels you through the book. You are brought through the life of the characters and you see how their lives intertwine over the years. If you loved The Force Awakens, this book goes deeper into the world when the when Alderaan was destroyed and how difficult it can be to balance duty with what is right.

There are new characters that are introduced and even some characters that you have come to love over the years too. We see the relationship between Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree grow and evolve which makes the book fun too. 

We have loved reading this book together and as Star Wars fans, this was a book that held true to what I would expect and gave me even more too. This is definitely a must read for any Star Wars fan!

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Filed Under: book review Tagged With: book review, Star Wars

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