Drop: Making Great Decisions - Book Review

Title: Drop: Making Great Decisions; Use Neuroscience to Retrain Your Brain and Make Better Life Choices

Author: Dr. Helen McKibben

Publisher: Feelings Management Press

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Length: 167 Pages

About the Author
Dr. Helen McKibben's approach to counseling combines the study of the body, the brain, and the connection between them. She created the technique of dropping to the blank screen because she saw two significant, recurring needs in her clients: First, to learn how to manage triggered feelings, and second, to understand why her clients felt the way they did. Dr. McKibben has a doctorate degree in psychology and thirty-five years of clinical work.

New Definition of Self-Esteem
Traditionally, self-esteem has been defined as whether a person likes himself or not. However, Dr. McKibben defines self-esteem as the ability to listen to one's first instinctual thought, feeling, or idea and make independent decisions. High self-esteem allows you to look inward for guidance rather than relying on others to shape your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

This book demonstrates how to use the "Drop to the blank screen" method to pause and respond with how you feel, what you observe, or what you want to do, instead of deferring to others. Developing high self-esteem can transform how you see yourself and how others interact with you. With insights into how self-esteem affects all our decisions, this book offers a comprehensive guide to making better choices in life.

My Thoughts
This book provides a great deal of insight into the importance of self-esteem in our decision-making process. The author provides detailed information on how to "Drop to the blank screen" in the following situations:

• Improve sleep
• Increase self-confidence
• Become a more effective parent
• Enhance athletic performance
• Attract healthier friends and partners
• Heal addictions
• Handle disruptive people

Dropping to the blank screen is more than a simple relaxation or meditation technique. Dr. McKibben teaches us how to respond to people thoughtfully instead of just reacting.  By using memory retrieval and decision-making, the method aims to convert emotions into responses based on high self-esteem and the ability to lead a fulfilling life. 

I have already started using this technique in communication with family members and friends. IT WORKS!!! There are many parts of the book that I will reread and study to use the method most effectively. 

UPDATE: I purchased the audiobook edition of this book on Audible. Dr.McKibben does an excellent job narrating the book and explaining the "Drop" technique. The interviews with clients really come alive in the audiobook. I have been gradually learning this technique and it is making a difference in the way I communicate with others. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out of 5

FYI - Thank you to Stephanie Barko, the author's publicist, for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy to review.

This Ordinary Stardust - Book Review

Title: This Ordinary Stardust; A Scientist's Path from Grief to Wonder

Author: Alan Townsend PhD

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: June 4, 2024

Length: 272 Pages

About the Author
Dr. Alan R. Townsend is a scientist, author, speaker, and Dean of the University of Montana’s W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation.

A Journey of Science, Love, and Grief
Dr. Alan Townsend and his wife Diana worked as environmental scientists. The author's life is turned upside down when both his wife and his four-year-old daughter are diagnosed with unrelated, life-threatening forms of brain cancer.

My Thoughts
Dr. Townsend writes poetic descriptions of the work that he and his wife did as environmental scientists. I especially enjoyed the trip they made to the author's home state of Hawaii. 

When Dr. Townsend's four-year-old Neva was diagnosed with brain cancer, the family was determined to get her the best medical care possible. She received brain surgery that slowed down the growth of the cancer. Later, she had another surgery that completely removed the cancerous tumor.

When Diana was diagnosed with an unrelated form of brain cancer, the family was again focused on finding the best doctors and treatments available. Unfortunately, Diana did not survive her illness. 

This book describes how science and spirituality combine to deal with grief and to celebrate a life well lived. The author has written a beautiful love story that describes the happy years he spent with his wife, the struggle to find cancer treatment for both his daughter and wife and his wife's eventual death. This is an amazing story of hope and resilience. 

Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

On Tyranny - Graphic Edition by Timothy Snyder

 

Title: On Tyranny; Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century (Graphic Edition)

Author: Timothy Snyder

Illustrator: Nora Krug

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Publication Date: 2021

Length: 127 Pages

About the Author
Timothy Snyder is the Housum Professor of History at Yale University and a member of the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 
Nora Krug is the author of the graphic memoir Belonging and an associate professor at Parsons School of Design in New York. 

Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century on Resisting Authoritarianism

1. Do not obey in advance.
2. Defend institutions.
3. Beware the one-party state.
4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
5. Remember professional ethics.
6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
8. Stand out.
9. Be kind to our language.
10. Believe in truth.
11. Investigate.
12. Make eye contact and small talk.
13. Practice corporeal politics.
14. Establish a private life.
15. Contribute to good causes.
16. Learn from peers in other countries.
17. Listen for dangerous words.
18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
19. Be a patriot.
20. Be as courageous as you can.

My Thoughts
I found this book on a shelf at our local Goodwill store. When I browsed through the pages, I was immediately attracted to the illustrations. I read the entire book in a couple of hours and was impressed with the powerful messages.

This is my favorite quote;

"The hero of a David Lodge novel says that you don't know, when you make love for the last time, that you are making love for the last time. Voting is like that."

The author uses many examples from the spread of Nazism and Communism to show how people can be persuaded to go along with the crowd and ignore obvious danger signs. Many cautionary tales encourage people to be proactive and aware of their surroundings.  

People need to investigate and not give others the benefit of the doubt. The author encourages people to read books and strive to discern facts as opposed to disinformation and fake news.

"What to read? Any good novel enlivens our ability to think about ambiguous situations and judge the intentions of others."

The context of this book is compelling and sends a powerful message to all citizens of the free world. The collage-style illustrations are outstanding and add great value to the text. 

Highly recommended!

My Rating - 5 Stars Out Of 5

This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann

Title: This Impossible Brightness; A Novel

Author: Jessica Bryant Klagmann

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: February 1, 2024

Length: 308 Pages

Amazon Prime First Reads - January 2024

About the Author
Jessica Bryant Klagmann grew up in New England, studied writing in Fairbanks, Alaska, and now lives with her family in northern New Mexico. Her work has been published in environmental journals like Whitefish Review and Terrain.org.

An Amazing Adventure and Love Story
Alma Hughes moves to a remote island in the North Atlantic in hopes of dealing with the loss of her fiance. She also wants to tend to the needs of her ailing dog. Alma learns to communicate with "Echoes" and finds a purpose for her secluded life. 

My Thoughts
I have never read a book quite like this one. There were times when I was a bit confused by the different characters. I had to get used to the idea that Alma could see and communicate with people who were no longer living. Alma's dog was especially poignant and memorable. 

Alma was constantly dealing with the fact that the North Atlantic island was slowly being swallowed up by the sea. The harsh elements were a constant challenge. The issue of climate change was a strong part of this story.

This book was a combination of science fiction, adventure, and love story. I found the last couple of chapters especially engaging and all the questions that I had earlier were answered. The story ended with the strong message that love never ends. 

Alma was a courageous and resilient woman and I enjoyed getting to know her. This book took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a faraway place where hope and love endure.

MY RATING: 4 Stars OUt Of 5

Watercolor Textures For Artists - Book Review

 

Title: Watercolor Textures For Artists

Author: Ana Victoria Calderon

Publisher: Quarry Books

Publication Date: March 5, 2024

Length: 70 Pages

About the Author
Ana Victoria Calderon is a Mexican/American watercolor artist and teacher with a bachelor's degree in Information Design and continued studies in Fine Arts. Ana teaches in-person workshops and hosts creative retreats in Tulum, Mexico, as well as more than 40,000 students on Skillshare, where she is a Top Teacher. 

Textures and Techniques
This art book is divided into the following sections;

• Watercolor Basics
• Texture Swatching
• Inspired Textures
• Mindful Painting
• Mystical Landscapes and Skyscapes
• Templates

My Thoughts
The author begins this book with an introduction to basic watercolor supplies and techniques. I have had limited experience using watercolors so I found this introduction very helpful.
Ms. Calderon introduces textures using a variety of watercolor methods and alternate drawing tools, such as gel pens, paint markers, and colored pencils. The color illustrations are outstanding and offer a great deal of ideas and inspiration.

Some illustrations explain the difference between "wet on dry" and "wet on wet" watercolor techniques. 

The print edition of this book offers templates that can be used to try the more advanced projects in the last chapter of this book. These projects are beautiful but appear to be too complicated for my skill level. 

This is a short book but it offers instruction and inspiration for all levels of watercolor painters. If you worked through all the projects in this book, you would have an excellent creative experience. I didn't realize texture could make this much difference until I read this book!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

 

Title: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater

Author: Adam  Grant

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: October 24, 2023

Length: 302 Pages

Audible: 7 Hours and 21 Minutes

About the Author
Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of TED’s most popular speakers,
His pioneering research has inspired people to rethink fundamental assumptions about motivation, generosity, creativity, and potential. 

Unlocking Hidden Potential and Achieving Greater Things
Dr. Grant believes the learning process isn't complete when we acquire knowledge. It is complete when we consistently apply that knowledge.

The author focuses on the following three concepts for unlocking hidden potential;

• Build character skills. Become a creature of discomfort - Become a sponge - Become an imperfectionist.
• Set up scaffolding to overcome obstacles. Turn practice into play - Take the roundabout path to progress - Fly by your own bootstraps.
• Build Systems of Opportunity. Design schools to bring out the best in all students - Unearth collective intelligence in teams - Discover uncut gems in job interviews and college applications.

My Thoughts
I listened to this book on Audible (twice) and then printed out the PDF summary sheets that came with the audiobook. I studied the key concepts that were presented and determined which ones I needed to consistently apply to my life.

I want to become a creature of discomfort. I tend to beat myself up when I make a mistake and live the experience over and over again in my mind. This is especially true when I play the piano in public. I have struggled with "stage fright" since I was a child. Dr. Grant suggests that when you expect to stumble, you ruminate about it less and improve more. 

I like the idea of becoming a sponge. Progress hinges on the quality of the information you take in, not on the quantity of information you seek out. I will try to determine what information is absorbed and which should be filtered out. 

I will turn practice into play. I will apply this to my piano practice and my art projects. I will measure my progress over time, not against an opponent. 

I will harness both high and low expectations as motivation. "If ignorant naysayers doubt you, take it as a challenge. Instead of letting them crush your confidence, recognize it as an opportunity to prove them wrong."

There are many interesting concepts in this book but these four ideas really resonate with me. This is an excellent book and the author does a great job reading the audiobook. I have become addicted to Audible and love it more every day.

MY RATING - 5 STARS OUT OF 5

When You Meet a Dragon - Children's Book

 

Title: When You Meet a Dragon

Author: Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Illustrator: Udayana Lugo

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Publication Date: April 16, 2024

Reading/Interest Level - Grades K - 2

About the Author
Tanya Lloyd Kyi is the award-winning author of more than thirty books for children and young adults. 
Udayana Lugo is a self-taught illustrator of mixed heritage. 

It Takes A Village
Things look very bleak when a young girl sees a huge dragon in the sky above her. She knows she can't fight the dragon alone, so she starts recruiting friends, family, and community members to help her. She finds people of all races, ages, and ethnic groups to help fight the dragon. There are even animals that join the fight. 

This is a difficult battle but the girl and her friends do not give up. The dragon eventually grows tired and flies away. The girl knows that the dragon could return, but she also knows that she has nothing to fear.

My Thoughts
This is a wonderful story that spotlights the values of resiliency, perseverance, and courage. The young girl organizes a group of determined people who refuse to give up. I love the diversity of the people in the town. This is my favorite quote;

"You and your friends keep each other going. 'Don't give up,' you say. 'We can't give up!' You say it even when everything is dark. You whisper it when you're scared. You repeat it to anyone who will listen. We won't give up."

 The illustrations are outstanding and add great value to the story. 

The story ends on a positive note because the girl knows she is not alone.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Title: Tightwads and Spendthrifts; Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships

Author: Scott Rick

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: January 9, 2024

Length: 230 Pages

About the Author
Scott Rick is a marketing professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Decision Research from Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow. Before joining Michigan Ross, he spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Rick routinely teaches courses on consumer behavior, judgment and decision-making, and marketing management.

Relationships and Money
Dr. Rick defines a tightwad as a person who has difficulty spending money. A spendthrift is a person who has difficulty controlling spending. Research shows that conflict revolving around money is the second leading cause of divorce in the United States, with infidelity being the leading cause.  

This book explains why money should be considered when choosing a partner, how money should be handled within the relationship, and how money should be used in raising children. The ultimate goal is finding a balance between financial and psychological well-being.

My Thoughts
I chose this book because I tend to enjoy spending money and my husband tends to have difficulty spending. I am not an extreme spendthrift and he is not an extreme tightwad, but we definitely have different spending/saving styles.

The author did an excellent job blending the psychological and financial concepts in this book. Financial beliefs are deeply engrained and have often been in place since childhood. Communication and compromise are required to work out a financial plan that is satisfactory to both partners in a marriage. 

I read Chapter 7, "The Secret Language of Gifts", about three weeks before Christmas. It is always hard for me to purchase a gift for my husband. Dr. Rick believes that gift-giving occasions are important opportunities to make our partners feel seen and appreciated. He recommends giving gifts that require some kind of sacrifice. It should be clear to your partner that your gift was not easy to select or obtain. This advice really touched me and helped me choose appropriate Christmas gifts for my husband.

You might be surprised to learn that the author does not believe that complete financial transparency is necessary among financially mismatched partners. He suggests that financial translucency (partial financial transparency) is likely to strike the right balance between financial and relationship well-being.

This is an amazing book that should be required reading for everyone in a relationship that requires the blending of finances. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for this excellent reading opportunity.

Binding and Edge-Finishing Guide - Book Review

Title: Ultimate Binding and Edge-Finishing Guide

Author: Deonn Stott

Publisher: Landauer

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

Length: 80 Pages

About the Author
Deonn Stott is the owner of the longarm quilting business, Quiltscapes, and has worked with Riley Blake Designs for the last 10 years.

More Than 16 Techniques to Finish Your Projects Perfectly Everytime
The author provides detailed tutorials for finishing quilts and other sewing projects. The book is illustrated with beautiful color photographs. There are also links to video tutorials that complement the text.

My Thoughts
I chose this book because I had an old quilt with a loose binding. The stitching had come out and it needed to be repaired. I am not a quilter but I have had some experience with sewing. I found that this book offers much more information than I needed. However, I did successfully repair my quilt.

The target audience for this book is quilters. The author shares detailed information about binding materials, preparation, and application. The color photos are very clear and helpful. Ms. Stott knows that a quilt takes many hours of work and tedious stitching. The binding is an extremely important part of finishing the quilt. This book will help you design and apply a binding that will survive many years of use. 

Quilters will find this book extremely useful. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to Net Galley for this excellent reading opportunity!

Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World - Book Review

Title: Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World

Author: Scott Shigeoka

Publisher: Balance (Hachette Book Group)

Publication Date: November 14, 2023

Length: 228 Pages

About the Author
Scott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and author.  He is known for translating research into strategies that promote positive well-being and connected relationships around the globe, including at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and through his groundbreaking courses at the University of Texas at Austin. 

DIVE into Curiosity and Transform Your Life
The author uses the acronym DIVE to explain how curiosity is our superpower;
Detach - Let go of the ABCs (Assumptions, Biases, and Certainty).
Intend - Prepare your mindset and setting.
Value - See the dignity in every person, including yourself.
Embrace - Welcome the hard times in your life.

Readers are encouraged to start practicing deep curiosity and strengthening our capacity to connect and be transformed by the people, places, and experiences we encounter.

My Thoughts
At the beginning of this book, the author describes himself as "a city-dwelling liberal Asian American spiritually queer professor and researcher from Hawaii." He quit his job and spent a year living out of his car and meeting people that he would not normally encounter. He visited rural towns, an Indigenous reservation in Minnesota, a retreat center where nuns and millennials live together, and even a Trump rally. He became a seeker.

This is really an awesome book. It explains the difference between shallow curiosity where we are just seeking information and deep curiosity which is about making someone feel heard, seen, and validated. 

The author goes into great detail about using the DIVE model to develop healthy and safe curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of listening and communication skills. Curiosity should always come from a place of genuine desire to know who someone is and how they became that way, not trying to get them to agree with our point of view.

Finally, Mr. Shigeoka suggests the following actions to begin our curiosity journey;

• Articulate curiosity as an important value.
• Embrace curiosity as an identity.
• Bring curiosity into the spaces you're already in.

After reading this book, I value curiosity and I am a seeker.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

Building a Life Worth Living

 

Title: Building a Life Worth Living; A Memoir

Author: Marsha M. Linehan

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Length: 343 Pages

Audible: 12 Hours and 19 Minutes

About the Author
Marsha M. Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP, is the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and a professor of psychology, adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics at the University of Washington.

"You can't think yourself into new ways of acting; you can only act yourself into new ways of thinking."
Dr. Marsha Linehan shares her life story and how she developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). 
The four skills in DBT are;

• Mindfulness
• Distress Tolerance
• Emotion Regulation
• Interpersonal Effectiveness

These skills are designed to assist people in managing behaviors, emotions, and thoughts.

My Thoughts
I was recently introduced to DBT while reading "DBT for Everyone" for Net Galley. I was curious to learn more about this therapy and I thought this book would provide good background information. The book exceeded all my expectations!

Dr. Linehan shares her life story from the time she was growing up in Oklahoma to her long distinguished career as a psychologist and mental health researcher.

When the author was 18 years old, she entered a psychiatric hospital and stayed there for two years. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia but later believed she was actually suffering from borderline personality disorder. The time Dr. Linehan spent in the hospital inspired her to devote her life to helping other women who were suffering the way she had suffered. She taught her clients specific skills that could be used to build a life worth living. 

This book is inspiring and informative. It is written in a manner that is understandable to the lay reader. Dr. Linehan's DBT therapy offers skills and strategies that can be used by anyone who is interested in emotional intelligence. The book has prepared me to investigate DBT skills in greater detail. I listened to the audiobook on Audible and hope to revisit the information in print format.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you for visiting my blog!

The Stoic Mindset - Book Review

Title: The Stoic Mindset; Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism

Author: Mark Tuitert

Publisher: St. Martin Essentials

Publication Date: April 8, 2024

About the Author
 Mark Tuitert won the gold medal in speed skating in the 1500-meter event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. After retiring from competitive speed skating, Mark has continued to make a positive impact as a bestselling author, successful entrepreneur, host of the podcast Drive, motivational speaker, and representative for some of the largest organizations in the world.

An Initiation Into Stoic Mindset and Action
Mark Tuitert presents the following ten principles for developing a Stoic mindset;

• Use setbacks as signposts
• Judge less, understand more
• Win by not focusing on winning
• What's good for the team is good for you
• Accept your fate (and love it)
• Death makes life epic
• Happiness is a side effect
• A map is good, a compass better
• Character is your most important project
• Actions speak louder than words

My Thoughts
Mr. Tuitert started reading about Stoic philosophy in the weeks before he won a gold medal in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Since then, he has continued to study and apply Stoic philosophy to his life.

The author does a good job sharing Stoic principles and explaining how he has used these principles to improve his life. He shares many experiences about his athletic endeavors and his struggles to get to the Olympics. 

There are some very helpful practice exercises at the end of each chapter. There are also colorful illustrations that illustrate and clarify the Stoic concepts.

Stoicism has been undergoing a resurgence in the 21st century. Over the last decade, the philosophy of Stoicism has managed to permeate mainstream culture in a way that most philosophies never do. This book does an excellent job of presenting material that provides core information and encourages the reader to delve deeper into the subject. 

This book is an excellent introduction to Stoicism and offers a great deal of help in applying the principles to your life. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to Net Galley for an excellent reading opportunity.

DBT for Everyone - Book Review

 

Title: DBT for Everyone; A Guide to the Perks, Pitfalls, and Possibilities of DBT for Better Mental Health

Authors: Michelle Henderson and Kate Sherman

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub.

Publication Date: November 21, 2023

Length: 208 Pages

About the Authors
Kate Sherman and Michelle Henderson are Licensed Mental Health Counselors and hosts of the popular podcasts, DBT and Me and The Couch and the Chair. They both have personal and professional experience of using DBT skills and are passionate about communicating the benefits of DBT more widely.

DBT - Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that began with efforts to treat personality disorders and interpersonal conflicts. DBT skills training is made up of four modules;

• Mindfulness
• Distress tolerance
• Emotion regulation
• Interpersonal effectiveness

The authors share their knowledge and experiences using DBT therapy in their mental health counseling practices.

My Thoughts

This is the first book I have read on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and I think it is a wonderful resource for anyone seeking information on the subject. I took my time and read small sections at a time and highlighted segments that I wanted to remember.

The authors explained all the skills that are involved in the four modules that I named above. They shared the pitfalls and benefits of the skills and provided tips from their personal experiences. Many times, Kate and Michelle would emphasize different things that they considered important about a skill.

I found it very interesting that the DBT skills can be used by anyone who wants to improve their emotional intelligence and create a life worth living. I have read many books on mindfulness, but the other three modules contained skills that I will definitely use in my efforts to improve my relationships

My Rating: 5 Stars Out of 5

Thank you to Net Galley for an excellent reading experience.

Niching Up by Chris Breyer - Book Review

Title: Niching Up; The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize

Author: Chris Breyer

Publisher: LionCrest Publishing

Publication Date: October 24, 2022

Length: 133 Pages
 

About the Author
Chris Breyer is the CEO and founder of Rankings.io, an SEO agency specializing in elite personal injury law firms.

Specialization Pays Off
Chris Breyer provides insights and guidance on the benefits of specialization and establishing authority within a chosen market. The author shares personal stories about his youth and how he established an award-winning SEO agency that specializes in personal injury law firms.

My Thoughts
A niche is defined as a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service.

This book contains a great deal of knowledge about an important business concept. The author explains how you can demand higher fees if you specialize in a niche topic. 

"It was my goal in writing this book, to change the narrative on niching from being about scarcity to having an abundance mindset. Niching is not restrictive, it provides opportunity."

Mr. Breyer writes in a style that is pleasant to read and easy for a layman to understand. He emphasizes the importance of networking and giving/receiving referrals in building a successful business.  He believes that if build a reputation of excellence in a specific niche, you will have plenty of clients. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

Total Eclipse of the Sun - Book Review

Title: Total Eclipse of the Sun; Mexico-USA-Canada; Monday, April 8, 2024

Author: Pam Hine

Publisher: Mascot Books

Publication Date: November 7, 2023

Length: 46 Pages

About the Author
Pam Hine has studied both the arts and sciences. This is the third book she has written on eclipses.

Total Solar Eclipse
This book offers a description of the total eclipse of the sun that will cross the United States on April 8, 2024. There is a brief explanation of the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2923. The book includes drawings, maps, and lovely color photographs.

My Thoughts
This book provides basic information about the upcoming solar eclipses. The emphasis is on the total eclipse of the sun on April 8, 2024. The author provides scientific information about how an eclipse is formed. She also gives information about the locations where the eclipse can be viewed. 

"You need to locate yourselves within the Path of Totality, as this is the only area where you will be able to witness the total solar eclipse. It cannot be over-emphasized how essential it is to be within the path. The experience is well worth all the effort to get there. It's a day that people will remember for the rest of their lives."

I traveled to central Missouri to view the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. It was an amazing sight! I am looking forward to another opportunity to experience these rare astronomical sights on October 14th and April 8th.

The photos and illustrations are excellent. I read a digital copy of the book so I did not have an opportunity to examine the two eclipse viewers and 4-foot-long fold-out map that comes with the print version.

This book is a good basic resource for students and adults.  

MY RATING: 4 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to Net Galley for this excellent reading experience.

Penelope in Retrograde; a Novel - Book Review

 

Title: Penelope In Retrograde; A Novel

Author: Brooke Abrams

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Length: 247 Pages

An Amazon Prime First Reads Selection

About the Author
Brooke Abrams lives in the Sonoran Desert with her husband, three children, three dogs, and a cat. This is the author's first novel.

A Family Thanksgiving
Romance writer Penelope Barnes travels home for Thanksgiving to make amends with her estranged family. She is shocked to discover her ex-husband on the same ride-share van traveling to his childhood home right across the street from her parent's house. She experiences hilarious (and a few serious) situations with her perfect twin sister, her match-making mother, her workaholic father, her weed-growing grandmother, and her fake boyfriend.

My Thoughts
I have always been a nonfiction book reader. I read memoirs, art, history, self-help, and Christian books. I also like to read children's picture books. I have decided to start adding some adult fiction to my reading list. I chose this book from the group of Amazon Prime First Reads in September. 

This was a delightful book to read. I think almost everyone can relate to the family drama that happens around holidays. The humor in the story was outstanding. I loved Penelope and the way she handled problems and conflicts with laughter and a positive attitude. 

Family relationships were emphasized and that made the story really come to life. Penelope eventually took responsibility for her part in the family conflicts and vowed to make things right. 

The nicest thing about this story is that the ending is just the way I was hoping it would be. Everything came together for a Thanksgiving that would be cherished and remembered for many years to come.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

The Joy Strategist - Book Review

Title: The Joy Strategist; Your Path to Inner Change

Author: Grace Harry

Publisher: ‎ Andscape Books

Publication Date: October 17, 2023
 
Length: 224 Pages

About the Author
Grace Harry is an artist, entrepreneur, creative muse, pleasure instigator, and speaker. After a 30-year career in entertainment, Grace, “The Joy Strategist,” found her calling leading what she calls “the Revolution of JOY.” Through her popular playdate community “Play with Grace,” she helps everyday people welcome joy back into their lives.

A Toolbox for Joy
This book is a mix of memoir, self-help exercises, and cultural commentary on joy.
The author shares tips, tools, and exercises to help you cultivate your joy, embrace a more fulfilling life, and overcome obstacles.

My Thoughts 
I love the title of this book. 
This book is upbeat and inspiring. Ms. Harry shares experiences from her own life and explains how she has changed her life for the better by implementing JOY into her mindset.

The book is designed to be interactive and practical. The author suggests deep breathing exercises, journaling, playfulness, creativity, and nurturing the soul. Self-love is a strong thread that runs throughout this book. The author reflects on her past failures and disappointments; multiple husbands, affairs, bankruptcy, and a lack of self-love and respect. She asks the question, "Were all these botched relationships just reflecting how I felt about myself?" 

The author shares advice on picking a partner. The first thing to do is make a detailed list of all the qualities you are looking for in the person. And then ... go through the list and become what you want to attract. Start with yourself and become the partner that you would like to find. Great advice!

This book was a JOY to read. It is worth reading and rereading.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

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Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell - Book Review

 

Title: Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know

Author: Malcolm Gladwell

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: September 10, 2019

Length: 401 Pages

About The Author
Malcolm Gladwell is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers and the cofounder of Pushkin Industries, an audiobook and podcast production company. 

Stranger Danger
Malcolm Gladwell presents case studies that illustrate how we can make mistakes when communicating with strangers. We tend to think that everyone we meet has the same mindset as we do. 

"We think we can transform the stranger, without cost or sacrifice, into the familiar and the known, And we can't."

My Thoughts
This book convinced me to rethink how I communicate with strangers. First impressions are not always accurate and it takes time and experience to really know how a person thinks. You can't automatically give strangers the benefit of the doubt. You have to be in investigative mode and collect information over time. Mr. Gladwell is not encouraging the reader to be paranoid, just be smart. 

The author was especially interested in the case of Sandra Bland. This is a heartbreaking story where a young black woman had an unfortunate encounter with a Texas state trooper. This situation shows how fast things can spiral out of control and have dire consequences.

This book presents important lessons that everyone should consider and think about. I know that I have made mistakes in the past about the character and personality of new acquaintances. After reading this book, I will talk less and listen more carefully...and proceed slowly. My future depends on it.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

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He Called Me Sister - Book Review

 

Title: He Called Me Sister; A True Story of Finding Humanity on Death Row

Author: Suzanne Craig Robertson

Publisher: Morehouse Publishing

Publication Date: February 21, 2023

Length: 240 Pagest the Author

Suzanne Craig Robertson is a former legal magazine editor and bar association communicator. She holds a Master of Arts in writing and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Death Row Ministry 
The story begins with Alan Robertson volunteering when representatives of the Southern Prison Ministry visited Glendale Baptist Church in Nashville, recruiting

people to visit Death Row inmates. The death row inmate assigned to Mr. Robertson was Cecil Johnson.

This opportunity to serve soon included the entire Robertson family. Alan, Suzanne, and their children would write letters, accept phone calls, and visit Cecil on death row. Their relationship lasted for 15 years. Cecil Johnson was executed by the state of Tennessee on December 2, 2009.

This poignant story tells about the journey.

My Thoughts

Ms. Robertson said they went to death row to minister to Cecil, but it was soon evident that Cecil was ministering to the Robertson family. 
Cecil Johnson had a strong Christian faith and maintained his innocence to the end. 

The beauty of this book is the relationship that grew over many years. Cecil became a member of the Robertson family. It did not matter that Cecil was black and the Robertsons were white. It did not matter that Cecil grew up in an environment of extreme poverty and the Robertsons were affluent. It did not matter that Cecil was a convicted murderer. 

The Robertsons did hit a few bumps in the road during their friendship with Cecil. Sometimes friends did not understand why they would associate with a murderer. The legal appeals process was long and complicated. Then there was the day of the execution. 

The last several chapters tell of the days after the execution when Suzanne tried to figure out what went wrong and why Cecil did not get a fair trial in the court system. This part of the book bogged down a bit with details about lawyers, judges, and the legal system. 

I am so glad this book was written and I hope it will inspire other Christians to reach out to those who are locked up and forgotten.

My Rating; 4 Stars Out Of 5

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Share Your Joy; Mixed Media Shareable Art Book Review

 Title: Share Your Joy; Mixed Media Shareable Art

Author: Sarah J. Gardner

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster

Publication Date: September 5, 2023

Length: 128 Pages

About the Author
Sarah J. Gardner is a mother, practicing lawyer, and self-taught artist in Southern California. She works with mixed media and seeks to help others who want to explore their creativity and play with art supplies. 

Shareable Art
Sarah Gardner provides inspiration and instructions for eight art paper projects and nine shareable projects in this colorful mixed-media art book.
The sharable projects include;

• Sewn Collage Postcards
• Printed Layers Postcards
• Watercolor Rainbow Greeting Card
• Abstract Collage Note Card
• Embellished Envelopes

My Thoughts
This is an inspiring and instructional book for mixed-media artists. The focus of the book is creating art that can be shared with others. This is a perfect selection for artists who create handmade greeting cards and mail art.

The step-by-step directions are excellent for both beginners and experienced mixed-media artists. The color photos add great value to the text. The original designs and techniques will motivate the reader to take their creativity to the next level.

The book includes interviews with two artists who have been swapping and sharing art for many years. 

Ms. Gardner (juicy.s.art) shares samples of her work on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

I read a digital copy of this book and hope to order a print copy in the future.  I really love everything about this book.

Highly recommended!!!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 

Thank you to NetGalley for a wonderful reading opportunity.

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