Books Reviews - Parenting Healthy

Secret Seattle: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is a great gift idea for the traveler or Washingtonian! This book has everything odd and true about the Seattle area – and Seattle is odd in many ways! I know this because I live here!

Besides the strangeness such as our Gum Wall and famous Elephant, there is so much interesting history and tradition. With the Secret Seattle: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure book, you’ll discover the unique destinations, colorful history, and wacky legends that make the greater Seattle area such a popular destination to live and visit. Like Almond Roca? Tacoma, Wa says, “You’re Welcome!”

About the Author

Mary Jo Manzanares is a lifelong resident of Washington State and spent 32 years as a flight attendant, eagerly sharing tips and recommendations about Seattle to inquiring passengers. Mary Jo is a frequent speaker at travel industry events, a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, and writes about her beloved Washington State at discoveringwashingtonstate.com

Secret Seattle: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is available on Amazon now!

The Boy Behind the Door: How Salomon Kool Escaped the Nazis book review

October 19, 2022October 15, 2022 Erin Sluka

The Boy Behind the Door: How Salomon Kool Escaped the Nazis is the true story of Salomon Kool, a Dutch teenager who evaded the Nazi dragnet and survived the German occupation of the Netherlands from May 1940 to the end of WWII. It is labeled as a young adult non-fiction but does tell a true story. This book will captivate young readers as they connect with a very traumatic historical event.

While German soldiers barged into his Amsterdam home in 1940, he managed to evade them by successfully hiding behind the door. Young readers will relive these terrifying moments for Sal and the rest of the story follows Sal as he navigates the aftermath of the war.

This is a great book for fiction readers and school libraries. You can buy this book now on Amazon.

Books Reviews, Travel

100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die book review

September 14, 2022September 10, 2022 Erin Sluka

Tacoma, Wa is south of Seattle and many of its popular spots surround the beautiful puget sound with views of the Olympic Mountains. The parks and eateries are known up and down the I-5 corridor in Washington state. This book, 100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die just released September 1, 2022. Written by Peggy Cleveland, a local journalist you get the top spots to visit while in Tacoma.

I live near Tacoma and even I found some spots I have yet to try and are now on my list. I have never been to Copper & Salt or Incalmo at Chihuly’s Glass Museum and now I need to plan a trip. Fast find locations on the Table of Contents or turn pages by topics – food & drink, music & entertainment, sports & recreation, culture & history and shopping & fashion. This book is not limited on Tacoma only, she includes popular spots in neighboring cities as well.

The book is available now in book stores and on Amazon!

Books Reviews

Go To Help: 31 Strategies to Offer, Ask For, and Accept Help

May 31, 2022September 16, 2022 Erin Sluka

It’s OK to ask for help! Who really likes hearing that? I mean, we know it’s “OK”, but we are conditioned to think that asking for help is weakness or a form of ‘giving up’. I am the worst at asking for help. Go To Help: 31 Strategies to Offer, Ask For, and Accept Help takes this exact topic and makes it such a fun and engaging read to bring you skills to ask for help and even how to handle those who won’t accept your help.

how to handle those who won't accept your help.

The Mother-daughter team Deborah Grayson Riegel and Sophie Riegel, the authors, blend their respective backgrounds in coaching and mental health advocacy to bring this book as an effective to tools or ask and offer help. It is hilarious at times and so relatable to everyone in many ways.

You’ll learn how to:

Offer help that inspires others to learn and grow
Manage when someone doesn’t accept your help
Reject requests when you’re overloaded
Ask specifically for the kind of help that’s actually useful

The book is available now in bookstores and online at Amazon.