Reading is fuel for the mind – what are you eating?
May 22nd, 2010
“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” – Charles “Tremendous” Jones.
I am living proof this is true. Over the past two decades, four separate five year periods, my life has changed “tremendously” in several aspects, but mainly in the books that I read and the people that I choose to share my time and energy with each day.
At one time, my nightstand held tabloid magazines & poorly written mystery novels filling my mind with junk. Now what goes in must come out somewhere and for me it was during the time I spent with the drama-queen type individuals, the negative people I kept company with, who enjoyed gossiping and trashing others instead of taking a good hard look at the dissatisfaction we each had with our own lives.
Time moved forward and one of the turning points in my late teenage life was the day I heard Dr. Wayne Dyer share his words of wisdom. His talk impact me on a level so deep that it was as if he slid into my head and drove the vehicle that was my mind for just long enough to turn the wheel into another direction. My life has not been the same since and for that, I am eternally grateful.
My reading habits changed. My social habits changed. My world began to shift and the blessings that poured into and through my life over the past two decades since that fateful day are incredible.
One of the ways I feed my positive reading addiction, yes I call it an addiction because I am physically compelled to read something positive every day, is to shop at second hand stores and online for educational, inspirational and uplifting books to fill my mind.
I was offered the opportunity to shop and blog about a book sale site entitled McKenzie Books and I was generously offered a $25 gift certificate by McKenzie Books to evaluate the site, their inventory and the overall shopping experience including their “BRAIN” system. Frankly, until this encounter I had not even heard about this website.
The site is visually appealing, easy to navigate without flash or pop-ups, which I am not personally fond of while shopping online. I surfed through their inventory and easily found books that will complement my library as well as several books suitable for my pre-teen daughter who is also an avid reader. Pricing is discounted up to 80% in many places and although I was not able to physically feel the book (like in the bookstore), the site does offer a physical description of each of the used copies they have on hand. Their BRAIN service allows a shopper to receive notifications on specific books as they come into the store, a timesaving feature for those who prefer to receive personalized service instead of having to return to the site day after day to search inventory.
In total, I received ten books and paid out $27 ($2 out of pocket and $25 g/c from the store), plus my order qualified to receive free shipping. When I surfed Amazon for these same books, I found the total would have been $63 with free shipping. A whopping savings of $36!
My personal preference is to shop my local independent bookstore as I enjoy the smell of a bookstore, being able to touch the book, turn the pages and feel the words travel through me. However, this experience at McKenzie Books online was definitely a positive one and I will use the site again. I have also set up several notifications through their BRAIN system, an incredibly easy system to use. I recommend those who enjoy online book shopping to visit McKenzie Books and give them the opportunity to serve your book buying needs and desires!
What you choose to watch, read, eat and talk about truly mold the life you live each day. Make your life the blessed adventure you deserve by filling your body and mind with only the best of the best!
In gratitude,
Caryn FitzGerald
*image property of & courtesy of McKenzie Books
EmbracingMyJourney L.L.C. was created by Caryn FitzGerald in 2008.
Caryn, known as "The Manifesting Queen" is a motivational columnist, speaker and writer, she has been featured in and published several books, including "Tulips In The Sand" "Fish Sticks, Books and Blue Jeans" “Manifest Success” “Visual Arts Junction Interviews” & “Online Marketing Success Stories..."
Caryn is a domestic violence survivor who has triumphed over a 10-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. She is a wife, mother, writer, speaker, blogger, coach and a health food enthusiast Click to connect with Caryn at her website Or click here to get inspired by her latest ebook “Living the Life of My Dreams” There may be paid links on this page, click here to read the blog disclaimer.
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Nice Story Caryn,
Their is no book, like a good book. A good book is one that causes the reader to create a positive action in their life. A positive action that moves this big old beautiful world forward.
Learn it, Apply it and Teach what you have learned to someone else – Repeat! Then Learn or Create something new and Apply it and Teach to others, Repeat again! Love It!!
Blessings and Visions of Greatness to All of Your Readers
Brian J. Donley
Author, The Original Psychology of Success, Proven Methods to Attain A Positive, Powerful Winning Personality