Aside from humankind becoming extinct this year (some time in December, I believe it is), it’s also the year to make positive changes. Every year we all make resolutions to be different, be better, be whatever, and every year we completely forget about those resolutions come February.

But what if these changes were broken down into bite-sized manageable pieces? I’m thinking it would be a lot easier to make those changes stick, especially with continued and repeated effort.

This year I have many plans for this blog, including the reintroduction of the newsletter, more interviews, giveaways, general commentary, and, of course, book reviews. I’m also thinking of coming up with a proper publishing schedule (which, as I think about it, seems like a very good idea) with features on specific days. Once I get my personal life back in line, I’ll certainly be revisiting the idea.

For now, I’ll just post up a quick note about a nice boon that arrived on my doorstep recently: three copies of 52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier New You by Brett Blumenthal to giveaway to a few lucky readers.

I’ve already started to read a few of the tips and I’ll admit, some seem fairly common sense (i.e. drink more water), but there are a few in there that have grabbed my attention. I also like that Blumenthal offers a few helpful tips for actually making those small changes less painless. Once I’ve finished reading it all the way through and making notes, I’ll post up a proper review, along with progress reports.

With that, I’m going to finish up with: I hope you had a splendid, varied, and wonderful 2011 and I hope that your 2012 will be even better.

Recent Arrivals chronicles the books that have made their way onto the Today, I Read… bookshelf. Here’s the latest arrival: Comfort Living by Chrstine Eisner

First line: Remember in "The Wizard of Oz" how Dorothy looked everywhere and asked everyone in her search to [...]

Initial thoughts: This book is gorgeous. When it arrived in the mail (along with its companion journal), I was stunned by its layout, colors, and formatting. Care went into its design and it shows.

So far, I’ve read a few of the pages and I’m pleasantly surprised. There’s a very approach to making changes around the home which means nothing is too jarring. In fact, I can’t wait to start applying some of the techniques discussed and seeing how well they work over the next couple of months going into the new year.

Book description:

Learn how little it takes to introduce positive change into day-to-day living!

People talk about comfort foods–foods that not only satisfy the appetite, but also nourish the soul. What about Comfort Homes and Comfort Lives? Comfort Living: A Back to Basics Guide to a More Balanced Lifestyle introduces a new way for people to think about, create and live with their physical surroundings and daily routines.

Author Christine Eisner demonstrates that creating a balanced lifestyle doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated or costly–and that living a good life is within easy reach. In Comfort Living, there are no rules or mandates; just some very simple and practical tools, presented in a casual, contemporary and relevant way.

• If you’re searching for your keys in the morning instead of sitting down for breakfast, this book is for you.
• If you envy the cozy nooks you see in catalogs and magazines but don’t have a clue about how to create your own, this book is for you.
• If you already enjoy fixing up your home with fabrics and furnishings but wonder if the look reflects who you truly are, this book is for you.
• If you are not able to enjoy your "decorated" home as much as you thought you would, this book is for you.
• If you simply want to make your house more of a home–a place that revives you each day–this book is definitely for you!

In these times, life isn’t about keeping up with "the Joneses," and it’s not about total deprivation either. Believe it or not, "the good life" is there for the taking. Just as with Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, it can be as simple as looking inward and saying, "There’s no place like home."

In Comfort Living, Christine is the reader’s personal guide, leading them through a process of self-discovery and creation. By translating inner priorities into physical surroundings and daily routines, each day can become a bridge to comfort, meaning, community and growth.

For each individual, this interactive book will ultimately become a personalized edition, customized to their particular needs and journey. Consider this book an 8-week investment in yourself and those who live with you–with lasting results.

Book Details: 84 pages; Lifestyle Design; Pub. November 15, 2009

Learn more:

• Official website

Recent Arrivals chronicles the books that have made their way onto the Today, I Read… bookshelf. Here’s the latest arrival: The Art of Meaningful Living by Christopher F. Brown and John Palmer

First line: The Art of Meaningful Living is about [...]

(Ultimate teaser, isn’t it? I should probably mention that the text layout is narrow columns, hence the seemingly clipped first line.)

Initial thoughts: After flipping through this book, I can’t wait for an opportunity to sit down and properly read it.

And although I’m not a huge fan of abstract art, from my brief perusal, I did enjoy most of the paintings provided. There was something about the color selections that caught my eye.

Book description:

"Meaningful living is choosing your passions over your fears. It is accepting what you cannot control and focusing on what is in your power." Too often our meaningful lives and the things we are passionate about are buried under disappointments and lost dreams. Christopher F. Brown, LCSW, MBA, offers a powerful book combining psychological concepts with beautiful, provocative artwork done by John Palmer to help us move beyond the pain in our present lives to something more valuable and joyful. Divided into four stages, Brown has put together this thought-provoking guide to transform a life filled with dissatisfaction to a life filled with true meaning. Open to any page and begin your own journey toward a meaningful life.

Book Details: 128 pages; Synergy Books; Pub. September 1, 2009