Creativity sometimes takes a back seat when it comes to
getting organized and keeping track of the events of your day.
That doesn’t have to be the case if you get organized with an UNDATEDCOLORING ACADEMIC AGENDA from Action Publishing Inc. While this
calendar is designed for students, it can be easily adapted to work for anyone
in all walks of life. They also offer a selection of day planners too.
Having just launched my own book tour service for authors, I’ve
been looking for a calendar that would help keep me super organized. I needed a
way to look at a month at a glance, as well as have space for day to day
activities. When I saw the COLORING ACADEMIC AGENDA, I knew it
would work perfectly for me. It also offers me a way to be a bit creative while
going over my activities.
With the adult coloring book phase popping up everywhere, the
good folks at Action Publishing have incorporated a touch of whimsy into their
calendars. There’s a full page to color opposite the month-at-a-glance page, as
well as small coloring opportunities throughout the daily pages.
The bonus to me is the huge amount of space you have for the
week’s events. There’s also a space to track a task; a goals/notes section; my
time space; and a spot you can use to sketch, jot a note or keep a journal. In
addition, there’s a vocabulary word of the week, useful tips and tools section,
and a weekly activity to help strengthen your life skills. I won’t even go into
all the neat information listed in the back of the calendar.
The calendar comes undated so you can begin using it anytime
of the year. Spiral bound makes the calendar easy to layout flat to use or fold
over as you would a composition book. The 8 ½-inch by 11-inch size makes
keeping track of daily events much easier providing lots of writing space.
The pages of the calendar aren’t glossy making it easy to
write on. I added sticky notes over the weekdays on my monthly calendar. This
allows me to move things around without having to erase if an activity changes.
When the activity is done, I then write it on the month page with any extra
notes I have.
I’m just getting my calendar set up, but I can see it’s going
to be an invaluable tool. Not only can I keep track of my daily schedule and
look at what’s set for the month, but I can also dabble with a bit of coloring
to help de-stress the day.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy
of this calendar was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review
it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The
thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
KILLER LOOK by Linda Fairstein
◊ Series:
An Alexandra Cooper Novel (Book #18)
◊ Narrator: Barbara Rosenblat
◊ Audible Audio Edition
◊ Listening Length: 10 hours and 29
minutes
◊ Program Type: Audiobook
◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller,
Suspense
◊ Version: Unabridged
◊ Publisher:
Penguin Audio
◊ Scheduled Audible.com Release Date: July 26, 2016
◊ Language: English
◊
ASIN: BO1FWJYUBS
SYNOPSIS:
New
York Times
best-selling author Linda Fairstein delivers a heart-pounding thriller that
explores the dark secrets of Manhattan's iconic fashion scene in her latest
Alexandra Cooper novel.
New York City is one of the
fashion capitals of the world, well known for its glamour and style. Nowhere is
this more apparent than on the runway, where American haute couture continually
astounds with its creativity, daring, and innovation in the name of beauty. Yet
high fashion means high stakes, as Alex Cooper quickly discovers when
businessman and designer Wolf Savage is found dead in an apparent suicide, mere
days before the biggest show of his career. When the man's daughter insists
Savage's death was murder, the case becomes more than a media sensation: It is
a race to find a killer in a world created entirely out of fantasy and
illusion.
With her own job at the DA's
office in jeopardy and the temptation to self-medicate her PTSD with alcohol
almost too strong to resist, Alex is not anyone's first choice for help. But
she is determined to uncover the grime - and the possible homicide - beneath
the glitz. Along with detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, Alex must
penetrate the twisted roots and mixed motives among the high-profile players in
the Garment District. The investigation takes the trio from the missing money
in Wolf Savage's international fashion house to his own recovery from
addiction; from the role of Louisiana voodoo in his life to his excessive
womanizing; and to the family secrets he kept so well hidden, even from those
closest to him - just as things are about to get deadly on the catwalk.
Linda Fairstein was chief of the
Sex Crimes Unit of the district attorney's office in Manhattan for more than
two decades and is America's foremost legal expert on sexual assault and
domestic violence. Her Alexandra Cooper novels are international best sellers
and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives in
Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard.
MY
THOUGHTS:
With a Linda Fairstein novel you not only get a tantalizing
murder mystery, but you also get tidbits of history and a tour of interesting
spots throughout New York City. Fairstein’s latest mystery combines murder with
the glitz and glamour of the New York fashion district.
Narrator Barbara Rosenblat does an excellent job giving
distinct voices to the various characters. Her unique vocals and manners are
spot on when highlighting the ups and downs of the characters’ emotions. Her
cadence enhances the story.
Fairstein has created realistic characters that are
well-developed and likable. The interaction between the characters adds depth
to the story. The secondary characters are colorful and add a bit of drama.
The New York setting adds intrigue and is virtually a
character in its self. Through Fairstein’s vivid descriptions the garment
district comes to life throughout the novel. With an eye for detail, Fairstein
pulls readers/listeners into the story with touches of clothing history and New
York’s place in all things fashion.
The story has enough twists and turns to have you changing
your mind about the killer’s identity as fast as super models change for the
runway. Fairstein combines her protagonist’s anxiety from a previous story with
current events to show her development. New readers won’t be left in the dark
about the problems causing Alexandra’s condition as Fairstein fills in the
blanks enough to make this a stand-alone read.
KILLER
LOOK is a fast-pace thriller filled with suspense and a shocking
surprise ending you won’t see coming.
Killer Look by Linda Fairstein, An Alexandra Cooper Novel (Book #18), Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, Penguin, @2016, ASIN:
BO1FWJYUBS, Unabridged,
Digital Download, Run Time: 10 Hours and 29 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy
of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would
review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my
review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks for stopping by today. Do you
have a favorite calendar that you couldn’t do without? Do you enjoy books that
include bits of history throughout the story?
Such varied books you have featured today. Both interesting - and so very different.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love books which incorporate history. Though I would prefer that they didn't meddle with it... A different perspective is fine, changing it less so.
Hi Mason - love the idea of the colourful calendar ... while Fairstein's book looks an interesting read and I'd learn a little about NYC ... and perhaps fashion?! Something I could do with?! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWith things to color, that calendar prompts kids to doodle in class.
ReplyDeleteI really like that appeal to creativity, Mason! It allows a person to keep a focus and keep things in order - but still keep the creative juices flowing. And that's so important. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love how audio books have made such a comeback.
ReplyDeleteI have several calendars and couldn't live without them.
the calendar seems delightful
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for a calendar.
ReplyDeleteAnn