Victor and the Sun Orb, by Amy Nielson, introduces the story of Prince Victor of Solandia, born to the king and queen of the sun fairies; however, long before the prince is born, a terrible thing happens in Solandia—the sun orb is stolen. The culprit is caught and imprisoned, and the matter is thought to be resolved. Prince Victor is born years later; but on the day of his baptism a spell is put on him that will transform him into a mortal on his thirteenth birthday. At that time, he'll be forced to leave Solandia and join the human world.
Not long after Victor becomes human, the sun orb is stolen again. War begins in the fairy world. Mysterious events take place. Victor must embark on a quest to get back the sun orb, his mortality, and his human friend, Annika. On this quest, he finds himself up against enemies and mythical creatures, but with the help of friends and others he meets along the way, he defeats them all.
Written specifically for older children, they should enjoy this story quite a bit. There's some lessons in it, as Victor goes through his education and his quest, that Nielson's young audience may benefit from, along with briefly touching on some bigger questions that older children will just be starting to discover. On the other hand, the story seemed a little detached from its characters, even Victor. It was a little difficult to try and care for the cast and whether or not they completed their goals and saved their people. The story does have elements of slightly more traditional fairytales and has some of that style and tone, and is overall a good story of courage and strength.
Victor and the Sun Orb is intended for children ages 8-12 but those somewhat older than this might enjoy it as well, and any child that enjoys fantasy should enjoy this book.
This book is available in print edition from Amazon.com.
Review by Diana Reed
Dreamtime Books features book reviews. We also occasionally feature interesting press releases about books which we have read. If you are interested in having your book reviewed, please email: Producer@TalkStoryTV.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Hardline Self Help Handbook by Paula Renaye
The Hardline Self Help Handbook teaches the reader how to apply tough love to him/herself. It's full of lists of hard-to-aswer questions that penetrate right to the heart of the matter. As the reader confronts him/herself and forces himself to answer the questions honestly, confusion clears and clarity begins to take hold.
In addition the book has structured writing assignments, that once again take you deep within to find the answers, and along with the answers you will find solutions because these writing assignments are perfect ways to enlist our subconscious in the fight to help ourselves and make a better life. You can open the book randomly and find a helpful exercise on any page, such as suggestions for making a vision board and script, or examining your dreams for guidance.
Written by a professional coach and a regression hypnosis practitioner, the professionalism of the book is evident. Available at Amazon and the author's website at: www.hardlineselfhelp.com, the book is priced at $19.95 for the paperback and $9.95 for the Kindle edition. This book is one of the books being offered in our subscribers drawings. So subscribe to one of our newsletters at the box on the right and be entered in our twice monthly drawing.
Review by Julia Widdop
In addition the book has structured writing assignments, that once again take you deep within to find the answers, and along with the answers you will find solutions because these writing assignments are perfect ways to enlist our subconscious in the fight to help ourselves and make a better life. You can open the book randomly and find a helpful exercise on any page, such as suggestions for making a vision board and script, or examining your dreams for guidance.
Written by a professional coach and a regression hypnosis practitioner, the professionalism of the book is evident. Available at Amazon and the author's website at: www.hardlineselfhelp.com, the book is priced at $19.95 for the paperback and $9.95 for the Kindle edition. This book is one of the books being offered in our subscribers drawings. So subscribe to one of our newsletters at the box on the right and be entered in our twice monthly drawing.
Review by Julia Widdop
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Double Your Creative Power by S. L. Stebel
Double Your Creative Power contains a number of useful exercises to discover what your subconscious feels passionate about, because as the author, Stebel points out your writing will be much stronger if you are passionate about your subject matter.
Stebel recommends that you write the book jacket material before you start the book. He also recommends writing a review of your book before starting to give your subconscious a target to aim for in the real writing of the book.
Double Your Creative Power is full of tips and exercises to access your subconscious and enlist its help in the creative process. I specialize in accessing the subconscious and I thought Stebel's methods were very useful.
For example he says watch for conflicting agendas between you and your characters. In bold type the author insists that the character's agenda always takes precedence over your agenda. The character's conflicting agenda is coming from the writer's own subconscious.
I had a hard time deciding on the most useful tip in the book, but finally decided it was the solo brainstorming technique he recommends. He recommends repeating the solo brainstorming process several times until you recognize that it is time to stop. Connections will have been made he says and a story will begin to emerge. I tried this exercise and I was impressed with the amount of targeted material I generated.
Available at Amazon, this hardcover book is priced at only $14. The solo-brainstorming exercise was worth that price alone.
Review by Julia Widdop
Stebel recommends that you write the book jacket material before you start the book. He also recommends writing a review of your book before starting to give your subconscious a target to aim for in the real writing of the book.
Double Your Creative Power is full of tips and exercises to access your subconscious and enlist its help in the creative process. I specialize in accessing the subconscious and I thought Stebel's methods were very useful.
For example he says watch for conflicting agendas between you and your characters. In bold type the author insists that the character's agenda always takes precedence over your agenda. The character's conflicting agenda is coming from the writer's own subconscious.
I had a hard time deciding on the most useful tip in the book, but finally decided it was the solo brainstorming technique he recommends. He recommends repeating the solo brainstorming process several times until you recognize that it is time to stop. Connections will have been made he says and a story will begin to emerge. I tried this exercise and I was impressed with the amount of targeted material I generated.
Available at Amazon, this hardcover book is priced at only $14. The solo-brainstorming exercise was worth that price alone.
Review by Julia Widdop
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Review of Awakening Hope by Mary Crocker Cook
By Mary Crocker Cook, licensed therapist and public speaker, is Awakening Hope: A Developmental, Behavioral, and Biological Approach to Codependency Treatment. In the prologue, Cook explains her particular interest in codependency. She briefly tells the story of her personal experience as a codependent, which she refers back to throughout the book. Her purpose for writing this book is her determination to not only fill in the blanks that counselors have missed in attempting to treat codependency, but to also give guidance to codependency sufferers.
Awakening Hope is divided into four parts; in its two parts, Cook breaks down the psychological aspects of codependency, particularly Attachment Theory and codependency symptoms. Cook devotes the entirety of part three to describing the physical consequences of codependency, largely ignored by counselors, and to explaining their connection to what goes on in the mind.
In Part Four, the book comes full circle and ends with the treatment of codependency. Just as Cook discussed the individual symptoms in previous chapters, she returns to this outline and provides methods for recovery. These methods guide the codependent away from the self-destructive patterns in their relationships and give the sufferer a basis for forming healthy relationships. Cook also discusses the treatment of codependency—how it has changed, what has worked, and how codependency should be approached both clinically and by the sufferer.
Through this book, Cook seeks to educate and speak both to the codependent and to the therapist, and she balances this well. Cook relates her own experience and observations, as well as case studies, and matches it with her extensive research of the topic. In her book, Cook proclaims her wish to redefine codependency, and puts herself well on the road to doing so. While it may seem her target audience is mainly other professionals, her sights are set largely on codependency sufferers and giving them the knowledge and guidance to take control of their lives and their recovery.
Awakening Hope is available from Amazon.com in its print edition.
Review by Diana Reed
Awakening Hope is divided into four parts; in its two parts, Cook breaks down the psychological aspects of codependency, particularly Attachment Theory and codependency symptoms. Cook devotes the entirety of part three to describing the physical consequences of codependency, largely ignored by counselors, and to explaining their connection to what goes on in the mind.
In Part Four, the book comes full circle and ends with the treatment of codependency. Just as Cook discussed the individual symptoms in previous chapters, she returns to this outline and provides methods for recovery. These methods guide the codependent away from the self-destructive patterns in their relationships and give the sufferer a basis for forming healthy relationships. Cook also discusses the treatment of codependency—how it has changed, what has worked, and how codependency should be approached both clinically and by the sufferer.
Through this book, Cook seeks to educate and speak both to the codependent and to the therapist, and she balances this well. Cook relates her own experience and observations, as well as case studies, and matches it with her extensive research of the topic. In her book, Cook proclaims her wish to redefine codependency, and puts herself well on the road to doing so. While it may seem her target audience is mainly other professionals, her sights are set largely on codependency sufferers and giving them the knowledge and guidance to take control of their lives and their recovery.
Awakening Hope is available from Amazon.com in its print edition.
Review by Diana Reed
Friday, July 8, 2011
Your Health is Your Responsibility by Roya Wadtley
This densely packed book is so full of health information that it resembles an encyclopedia. The author says that she wrote the book to help others after she discovered that she had diabetes at the young age of 35. It's obvious that she took responsibility for her own health and learned everything she could, not only about her disease of diabetes, but about healthy eating and living in general.
The author discusses in depth the factors such as smoking and lack of exercise that adversely affect your health. She admits she had a tendency to develope diabetes because of her genetic makeup, but she doesn't let herself or her reader off the hook for taking responsibility of their health. The major area where the author calls upon the reader to take responsibility in in the area of food. She looks closely at the American diet and lifestyle choices, and makes recommendations to improve them. She also looks closely at the causes of several of the most common diseases in our world today such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
Available at Amazon Your Health is Your Responsibility is priced at $22.95, which is a bargain for this huge book. This book is one of the books being offered in our subscribers drawings. So subscribe to one of our newsletters at the box on the right and be entered in our twice monthly drawing.
Review by Julia Widdop
The author discusses in depth the factors such as smoking and lack of exercise that adversely affect your health. She admits she had a tendency to develope diabetes because of her genetic makeup, but she doesn't let herself or her reader off the hook for taking responsibility of their health. The major area where the author calls upon the reader to take responsibility in in the area of food. She looks closely at the American diet and lifestyle choices, and makes recommendations to improve them. She also looks closely at the causes of several of the most common diseases in our world today such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
Available at Amazon Your Health is Your Responsibility is priced at $22.95, which is a bargain for this huge book. This book is one of the books being offered in our subscribers drawings. So subscribe to one of our newsletters at the box on the right and be entered in our twice monthly drawing.
Review by Julia Widdop
Monday, June 27, 2011
Review of Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, & Market Your Book by Patrika Vaughn
Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish & Market Your Book couldn't be written by anyone more experienced in the publishing industry than Patrika Vaughn. She has been widely published and has worked as a literary agent and professional writer for over thirty years. Throughout her book, her mission is simple: to set writers up for success.
In this self-proclaimed manual, she addresses both the writing and business side of a book. Her overview is brief but takes on the amount of depth necessary for the reader to start on the path to writing and provides a step-by-step approach to creating a book.
Vaughn begins by walking the reader through the writing process and assisting the reader in creating a vivid story or work of nonfiction. Vaughn provides a more systematic approach to writing; therefore, her method may not work for everyone. However, it is worth reading and is a perfectly adaptable format to any writing style, as she takes into consideration the aforementioned possibility.
As Part I and II are about the process of writing, Part III is about the business—what to do with what you have written. In this part of the book, Vaughn gives a general overview of self-editing, the preparation of manuscripts, and of the various markets that might take the completed work. Following these sections, there are two chapters that focus specifically on self-publishing and marketing the self-published book. Because this book was originally published in 1997, the advice given here should be taken with some caution and the reader should research today's book market for up-to-date information.
The one thing I dislike about this book is that the author tries to cover too much in a small space. Also, its focus is very broad, attempting to cater to both fiction and nonfiction writers when both need different kinds of attention, which limits the book to being a good general overview for the writer just starting out. Though Vaughn's book is geared more towards the beginning writer, any writer should be able to benefit from this information-packed book.
Patrika Vaughn's book, Writer, Publish & Market Your Book, is available from Amazon.com in print and Kindle editions.
Review by Diana Reed
In this self-proclaimed manual, she addresses both the writing and business side of a book. Her overview is brief but takes on the amount of depth necessary for the reader to start on the path to writing and provides a step-by-step approach to creating a book.
Vaughn begins by walking the reader through the writing process and assisting the reader in creating a vivid story or work of nonfiction. Vaughn provides a more systematic approach to writing; therefore, her method may not work for everyone. However, it is worth reading and is a perfectly adaptable format to any writing style, as she takes into consideration the aforementioned possibility.
As Part I and II are about the process of writing, Part III is about the business—what to do with what you have written. In this part of the book, Vaughn gives a general overview of self-editing, the preparation of manuscripts, and of the various markets that might take the completed work. Following these sections, there are two chapters that focus specifically on self-publishing and marketing the self-published book. Because this book was originally published in 1997, the advice given here should be taken with some caution and the reader should research today's book market for up-to-date information.
The one thing I dislike about this book is that the author tries to cover too much in a small space. Also, its focus is very broad, attempting to cater to both fiction and nonfiction writers when both need different kinds of attention, which limits the book to being a good general overview for the writer just starting out. Though Vaughn's book is geared more towards the beginning writer, any writer should be able to benefit from this information-packed book.
Patrika Vaughn's book, Writer, Publish & Market Your Book, is available from Amazon.com in print and Kindle editions.
Review by Diana Reed
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Review of Death with Dignity by Robert Orfali
Author Robert Orfali examines all the intricacies of dying for the terminally ill and structures his arguments in a logical and helpful way. Whenever I had thought of suicide for terminally ill people I had always thought they could use the running car in the closed garage option which I have heard is pretty painless, but the one thing I hadn’t thought of was the dilemma that Orfali addresses head on in this book. What if you want to live as long as possible, but do not want overwhelming pain at the end? Are you going to be able to go to the car, start it, and complete the necessary tasks at that stage? Are you even going to be able to swallow?
Orfali points out that many times people die in ICU while being treated aggressively and painfully to try and prevent that death. He makes a case for belief that this aggressive treatment, in terminal cases, is more like torture than treatment.
Orfali’s perfect (but in most states illegal) solution is to be able to administer either by swallowing or by injection, a fatal dose of Nembatul. Orfali points out that we treat our dying pets better than we do our dying human loved ones. He support his argument with solid data from Oregon where physician-assisted dying is now legal.
The author provides logical arguments in his Great Debate chapter structured as points and counter points. He invites activists to use his book to create a better death options in all states. he says he knows that most people are not highly motivated enough to fight for legal death with dignity, but it hopes that some will. He makes that even easier by pricing the ebook at only 99 cents.
Orfali points out that many times people die in ICU while being treated aggressively and painfully to try and prevent that death. He makes a case for belief that this aggressive treatment, in terminal cases, is more like torture than treatment.
Orfali’s perfect (but in most states illegal) solution is to be able to administer either by swallowing or by injection, a fatal dose of Nembatul. Orfali points out that we treat our dying pets better than we do our dying human loved ones. He support his argument with solid data from Oregon where physician-assisted dying is now legal.
The author provides logical arguments in his Great Debate chapter structured as points and counter points. He invites activists to use his book to create a better death options in all states. he says he knows that most people are not highly motivated enough to fight for legal death with dignity, but it hopes that some will. He makes that even easier by pricing the ebook at only 99 cents.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Review of The Dream Crystal by Mark O'Bannon
In the first book of Mark O'Bannon's The Dream War series, Erin is a student in Seattle studying to be a fashion designer. Her dream is to bring beauty to a broken, saturated world. Piece by piece, her dreams are dismantled: she's kicked out of school, her martial arts mentor banishes her, something malevolent is stalking her, and she discovers she isn't human—she's a Changeling named Aisling, who, as a baby, was traded with the baby of her mortal parents. In other words, she's a Faerie. She enters the Land of Dreams in the midst of a war with the Shadow People, and with the help of friends she fights to rescue her sister, the real Erin, from the Land of Shadows.
The dreams that the title of the series refers to are the dreams inside anyone; not the ones one has while they are asleep, but the ones that come alive when we think of the future before us, the ends we want to meet, our desires. Throughout Aisling's journey, there's much debate inside herself about whether dreams exist and about the nature of freedom, with which those dreams can be exercised. Many different views of freedom and beauty are confronted, as she struggles with her shattered dreams. However, there's no simple answer to Aisling's questions.
There were a few times when the story seemed staged, when the seams that hold the fabric together could be seen; however, O'Bannon's way of writing gives a mystical, dreamlike quality to the story that works very nicely. O'Bannon is able to depict the faeries as potentially lifelike beings in an interesting world, where their magic is fueled by their dreams. The author focuses primarily on Aisling and her development, so the reader may find some of the relationships and personalities of the supporting cast as not nearly as fleshed out as Aisling's. In spite of this, the author brings the characters together well and does well to illuminate on Aisling's inner struggle and how it correlates with her outer struggle. On the other hand, there's also much action, as Aisling battles for her sister, and the reader is presented with a strong female lead.
Although the story may be more appealing to a young adult, any fantasy lover will enjoy this book, especially if they are interested in Irish mythology and folklore.
Mark O'Bannon's The Dream Crystal is available from Amazon in both print and Kindle editions, among other vendors.
Review by Diana Reed
The dreams that the title of the series refers to are the dreams inside anyone; not the ones one has while they are asleep, but the ones that come alive when we think of the future before us, the ends we want to meet, our desires. Throughout Aisling's journey, there's much debate inside herself about whether dreams exist and about the nature of freedom, with which those dreams can be exercised. Many different views of freedom and beauty are confronted, as she struggles with her shattered dreams. However, there's no simple answer to Aisling's questions.
There were a few times when the story seemed staged, when the seams that hold the fabric together could be seen; however, O'Bannon's way of writing gives a mystical, dreamlike quality to the story that works very nicely. O'Bannon is able to depict the faeries as potentially lifelike beings in an interesting world, where their magic is fueled by their dreams. The author focuses primarily on Aisling and her development, so the reader may find some of the relationships and personalities of the supporting cast as not nearly as fleshed out as Aisling's. In spite of this, the author brings the characters together well and does well to illuminate on Aisling's inner struggle and how it correlates with her outer struggle. On the other hand, there's also much action, as Aisling battles for her sister, and the reader is presented with a strong female lead.
Although the story may be more appealing to a young adult, any fantasy lover will enjoy this book, especially if they are interested in Irish mythology and folklore.
Mark O'Bannon's The Dream Crystal is available from Amazon in both print and Kindle editions, among other vendors.
Review by Diana Reed
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Review of Soaring Above Co-Addiction by Lisa Ann Espich
The author Lisa Espich says in her note to the reader that her goal was to inspire the reader and show them that recovery is possible. Espich describes her cycle of co-addiction. "I was living a constant cycle of arguing and crying, driving around late at night looking for my husband, buying back our belongings from pawn shops, putting myself in dangerous situations, feeling alone and confused." Any co-dependent who reads these words knows this is a person who truly understands. When Espich berates herself for not leaving and admits she just wasn't ready, the reader knows this book will have tips she or he can really use -- and it does.
Espich found her way using journaling and after each chapter she has tips for journaling. I was struck by her honest relating a very personal dream she had when her husband was at the depths of his addiction, and how she analyzed the dream and received its message. As Espich worked to take control of her life, her husband began to make positive changes as well. They now enjoy a healthy marriage. However, she makes it clear that she will have to continue on her path regardless of whether or not her husband remains clean.
The book echoed a journey I had taken myself, I wish I had read this book earlier in life, but I can testifiy that it will work and it worked the same way for me.
Review by Julia Widdop
Espich found her way using journaling and after each chapter she has tips for journaling. I was struck by her honest relating a very personal dream she had when her husband was at the depths of his addiction, and how she analyzed the dream and received its message. As Espich worked to take control of her life, her husband began to make positive changes as well. They now enjoy a healthy marriage. However, she makes it clear that she will have to continue on her path regardless of whether or not her husband remains clean.
The book echoed a journey I had taken myself, I wish I had read this book earlier in life, but I can testifiy that it will work and it worked the same way for me.
Review by Julia Widdop
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Review of Shaman Healer Heretic by M. Terry Green
Shaman, Healer, Heretic ISBN number 9780983292500 is a fantasy novel about a group of people who have mutated and have psychic powers. The mutants aren’t that welcome to the world, in fact they are locked up if they are detected, but some of them have learned to pass as normal. In this world of the future, if someone begins to shows signs of being psychic early in life they are taken to work centers where their powers are harnessed and used. Most normal people in the future are fearful and avoid shamans, but many hire them to intervene with the spirits in the upper and lower worlds.
The heroine of the book is a techno-shaman. She has special goggles that allow her to journey to other worlds. The story is the classic struggle between good and evil. Someone has opened Pandora’s box letting out evils spirits and our heroine, Olivia, must put them back in the box. It’s also a coming of age novel because Olivia is just discovering all her powers and how to use them.
The story begins with a giant Kachina doll entering Olivia’s apartment to warn her about the evil that has been unleased. I thought the author did a good job of communicating the essence of the future world as well as the upper, middle and lower worlds of the spirits.
The heroine of the book is a techno-shaman. She has special goggles that allow her to journey to other worlds. The story is the classic struggle between good and evil. Someone has opened Pandora’s box letting out evils spirits and our heroine, Olivia, must put them back in the box. It’s also a coming of age novel because Olivia is just discovering all her powers and how to use them.
The story begins with a giant Kachina doll entering Olivia’s apartment to warn her about the evil that has been unleased. I thought the author did a good job of communicating the essence of the future world as well as the upper, middle and lower worlds of the spirits.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Inkings: Very Short Stories and Other Babies Born of Ink by Aparna Warrier
Aparna Warrier's first book, Inklings: Very Short Stories and Other Babies Born of Ink, is a short anthology of twelve stories, covering several different topics, such as youth, young love, politics, heartbreak, some of which are humorous. Most are brief glimpses into ordinary situations, fleeting moments that might contain the flicker of a revelation or an emotion. Warrier captures the minute feelings, which are many times lost on us with the possible exception of pain.
There is no common thread between the stories, except for its reoccuring themes. The book is simply a compilation of vignettes. Due to its length, it felt more like a sampling, but is an enjoyable book, nonetheless. Warrier's style is simple, light-hearted in her humor and heartfelt when necessary; however, there is room to grow. I'm curious to see how this anthology is followed up and see what Warrier is capable of.
Inklings is available from Smashwords.com.
There is no common thread between the stories, except for its reoccuring themes. The book is simply a compilation of vignettes. Due to its length, it felt more like a sampling, but is an enjoyable book, nonetheless. Warrier's style is simple, light-hearted in her humor and heartfelt when necessary; however, there is room to grow. I'm curious to see how this anthology is followed up and see what Warrier is capable of.
Inklings is available from Smashwords.com.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Get the Best Medical Care – You Can Navigate the Medical Maze by Donna Maldonado-Schullo
When you are in pain and not feeling well you aren’t being your most resourceful self. Get the Best Medical Care – You Can Navigate the Medical Maze by Donna Maldonado-Schullo is a very good guide which outlines a logical and practical way to approach your health care providers. I highly recommend that a patient keep the book handy so they can remember where to go and what to do.
One of the points made by the author early on in the book was how the American Health Care system seems designed for frustration and expense. Americans are pretty isolated from the rest of the world so they do not realize that there are medical systems that work much better and cost much less. She points out that many European nations have universal health care and their taxes are no higher than ours, in fact the systems work to eliminate many of the costly problems with the American system. That said she goes on to explain how to work our system to your best advantage.
For example the author recommends that sick people have a patient advocate; preferably an adult who is educated, tactful, feisty, and unemployed. It’s hard for a patient to be his or her own advocate because it’s hard to be tactful and feisty when you’re sick. It may also be difficult to spend the time required to educate yourself if you are sick, or have a full-time job. She points out that patient safety is related to how well that advocate understands the health care system and procedures.
The book lists out patient responsibilities and rights and lets you know where to go to find out more, or place complaints. This is the best thing about this book. It is loaded with references, email addresses and names of agencies you might need. The author includes long lists of questions to ask doctors about themselves and about procedures. It would be worth buying this book for the lists of questions.
The book is available on Amazon.com.
One of the points made by the author early on in the book was how the American Health Care system seems designed for frustration and expense. Americans are pretty isolated from the rest of the world so they do not realize that there are medical systems that work much better and cost much less. She points out that many European nations have universal health care and their taxes are no higher than ours, in fact the systems work to eliminate many of the costly problems with the American system. That said she goes on to explain how to work our system to your best advantage.
For example the author recommends that sick people have a patient advocate; preferably an adult who is educated, tactful, feisty, and unemployed. It’s hard for a patient to be his or her own advocate because it’s hard to be tactful and feisty when you’re sick. It may also be difficult to spend the time required to educate yourself if you are sick, or have a full-time job. She points out that patient safety is related to how well that advocate understands the health care system and procedures.
The book lists out patient responsibilities and rights and lets you know where to go to find out more, or place complaints. This is the best thing about this book. It is loaded with references, email addresses and names of agencies you might need. The author includes long lists of questions to ask doctors about themselves and about procedures. It would be worth buying this book for the lists of questions.
The book is available on Amazon.com.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A View From a Height by J.E. Murphy
A View From a Height by J.E. Murphy is a fantasy novel—the autobiography of Dawn Bang, a second-generation Chinese immigrant to Hawaii. She has left a manuscript behind that is discovered by a man named Tomas. He translates this manuscript into English and is startled and changed by what he reads. In this manuscript, Bang tells the tale of her death and her awakening, and of a love that is selfless, pure, and with the power to redeem and to change history.
Many years after a car accident nearly takes her life—an experience which helps transform her reckless, self-destructive lifestyle to one of selflessness—she begins to have dreams in which she helps the dead cross over. She is one of those called the Dakini, spirits who go to the dead and the dying and assist them in their transition. These efforts help thousands of spirits assimilate to their new existence; however, in one instance, her role is reversed. She helps a dying man live, and so begins the awakening of a bodhisattva, David Chang, and later, the awakening of Captain Thomas John Boorman.
In this book, there is much exposition and discussion of Buddhist truths: the subject of reincarnation and the remembering of past lives, purpose, and knowing one’s true nature and the true nature of the world. The story is primarily a metaphysical one; any action in the story, while an outward appearance of the spiritual, takes a backseat to this. The book entertains while also teaching the open-minded reader; it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, especially for one on their own spiritual journey. Because the novel takes place largely in China and Tibet, there is also much commentary of the political state of these two countries.
This book is for anyone interested in Buddhism or the metaphysical, or simply wants to read a fascinating story. It is a longer book, tipping the scales at over five and fifty hundred pages, but it is worth getting through.
A View From a Height is available from Smashwords.com and Barnes and Noble, and from Amazon in Kindle or print editions.
Review by Diana Reed
Many years after a car accident nearly takes her life—an experience which helps transform her reckless, self-destructive lifestyle to one of selflessness—she begins to have dreams in which she helps the dead cross over. She is one of those called the Dakini, spirits who go to the dead and the dying and assist them in their transition. These efforts help thousands of spirits assimilate to their new existence; however, in one instance, her role is reversed. She helps a dying man live, and so begins the awakening of a bodhisattva, David Chang, and later, the awakening of Captain Thomas John Boorman.
In this book, there is much exposition and discussion of Buddhist truths: the subject of reincarnation and the remembering of past lives, purpose, and knowing one’s true nature and the true nature of the world. The story is primarily a metaphysical one; any action in the story, while an outward appearance of the spiritual, takes a backseat to this. The book entertains while also teaching the open-minded reader; it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, especially for one on their own spiritual journey. Because the novel takes place largely in China and Tibet, there is also much commentary of the political state of these two countries.
This book is for anyone interested in Buddhism or the metaphysical, or simply wants to read a fascinating story. It is a longer book, tipping the scales at over five and fifty hundred pages, but it is worth getting through.
A View From a Height is available from Smashwords.com and Barnes and Noble, and from Amazon in Kindle or print editions.
Review by Diana Reed
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Grieving a Soulmate: The Love Story Behind "Till Death Do Us Part" by Robert Orfali
Robert Orfali tells a heartbreaking story in his book Grieving a Soulmate: The Love Story Behind "Till Death Do Us Part." In this part survival guide/part memoir, Orfali begins by describing when his wife, Jeri, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999, which marked a turn in their journey, that their time together was coming to an end. He briefly discusses the details of their battle with Jeri's cancer and highlights her strength, courage and her ability to overcome her circumstances, after which he then describes in detail his own battle with the grief he was left when his wife passed.
At one point, Orfali mentions that he wishes he could have read this same book before his wife passed, and so in order to help others, he writes about his experience with grieving the death of his soulmate, Jeri. He writes about how he dealt with his own grief and gives an analytical but heartfelt approach to sorting through the mess death leaves behind—both the emotional aspects and the practical. Through sharing his wife's passing and the grieving that followed, Orfali seeks to provide the reader with the preparation, support, and understanding needed to grieve their lover when death comes. He discusses how to reconstruct one's life, find new meaning as a survivor, and that it is possible to learn to live again and once again be whole.
Orfali's writing style is gentle, but firm, handling the reader with care while guiding them through a difficult topic. There is a section in the book in which he attempts to give a thorough overview of the available "grief theory—" the theories published by psychologists ranging from Sigmund Freud to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and how this research impacted his grieving process, and also acknowledges the various self-help books available and what they did for him.
Because death is inevitable and is always waiting on the doorstep, this book is for lovers of all ages.
Grieving a Soulmate: The Love Story Behind "Till Death Do Us Part" is available from Amazon.com in both print and Kindle editions, and also from Barnes and Noble, Apple, Books a Million, and other vendors.
Review by Diana Reed
At one point, Orfali mentions that he wishes he could have read this same book before his wife passed, and so in order to help others, he writes about his experience with grieving the death of his soulmate, Jeri. He writes about how he dealt with his own grief and gives an analytical but heartfelt approach to sorting through the mess death leaves behind—both the emotional aspects and the practical. Through sharing his wife's passing and the grieving that followed, Orfali seeks to provide the reader with the preparation, support, and understanding needed to grieve their lover when death comes. He discusses how to reconstruct one's life, find new meaning as a survivor, and that it is possible to learn to live again and once again be whole.
Orfali's writing style is gentle, but firm, handling the reader with care while guiding them through a difficult topic. There is a section in the book in which he attempts to give a thorough overview of the available "grief theory—" the theories published by psychologists ranging from Sigmund Freud to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and how this research impacted his grieving process, and also acknowledges the various self-help books available and what they did for him.
Because death is inevitable and is always waiting on the doorstep, this book is for lovers of all ages.
Grieving a Soulmate: The Love Story Behind "Till Death Do Us Part" is available from Amazon.com in both print and Kindle editions, and also from Barnes and Noble, Apple, Books a Million, and other vendors.
Review by Diana Reed
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Review of Recessions End by Michael Everett
Recessions End: Stimulus for the Rest of Us. ISBN 9781453750919 At first I didn’t really want to read a book about the recession and how it has supposedly ended, but gradually as I read Michael Everett’s new book I realized that it was much more than a book about the economics of the recession. It’s really a book about hope and positive thinking and taking action. Everett points out that there has been a recession predictably every 12 years and every time we act like it’s the first time. I thought about it an realized he’s right. This isn’t the first time the economy has crashed. He points out that it’s really a cycle and as soon as you realize that you can begin planning on how to bounce back faster and how to avoid crashing with it next time. The cycle is caused, according to Everett, when the economy heats up above what can be sustained, then the market has to correct. The bubble has to burst. The economy crashes for awhile then it starts back up. The people who are expecting it can avoid going down with it and can ride the wave back up as it goes up.
Everett outlines some of the most positive ways you can take care of yourself to avoid depression and maintain a positive and healthy outlook on life. His suggestions are very practical and down to earth. Stuff like breath, drink water, exercise, protect your mind from negativity and keep on the sunny side of life. Stuff we all know, but we have to hear in a little different way from time to time. For anyone who is depressed at the state of the economy, I think this book is just the subscription you need to pick you up and set your feet back on the road to health and prosperity.
Review by Julia Widdop
Everett outlines some of the most positive ways you can take care of yourself to avoid depression and maintain a positive and healthy outlook on life. His suggestions are very practical and down to earth. Stuff like breath, drink water, exercise, protect your mind from negativity and keep on the sunny side of life. Stuff we all know, but we have to hear in a little different way from time to time. For anyone who is depressed at the state of the economy, I think this book is just the subscription you need to pick you up and set your feet back on the road to health and prosperity.
Review by Julia Widdop
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Review of Zombie Stop Parade by Richard Buzzell
Written as a diary by someone only identified as ZombieStopperUno, ZombieStop Parade spans over ten months and begins not long after a hacker named "Jackal" releases financial records that indicate the illegal activity of some big time corporations. The Jackal releases this information on several websites—one in particular is the nonconformist site ZombieStop. Created by a couple of twelve-year-olds, Corky and ZombieStopperUno—now in their twenties; both are college drop-outs—ZombieStop's goal is to "inspire people to stop acting like zombies" bred by American corporatism and media marketing. After firebombings target two of the financial institutions that the Jackal exposes, ZombieStop receives suspicion from the FBI, the public, and the media as being behind the firebombings because of their opposition to what these institutions stand for and for their call to action against them.
ZombieStopperUno chronicles these events and the reverberations that follow.. He discusses the influence of corporations and the media in American culture and society, the importance of seeing through the corporate mindset and of working to reverse corporatism's largely negative effects. As the diary goes on and there's more speculation about whether ZombieStop may be behind the firebombings, ZombieStopperUno questions Corky's ambitions for the site and the future of ZombieStop as a nonconformist site. Despite Corky's demand for optimism, ZombieStopperUno isn't without the cynicism for the future that this generation has been faced with and expresses his doubts as to whether its even possible to reverse the prominence of the corporatist "mythology."
What I liked most about this book was not only the style but also its balance between social commentary and action. Its social commentary is not melodramatic or didactic; it's a thoughtful evaluation of what our society has become. The book is satirical, humorous, and leaves the reader something to think about, if not another way of viewing American society. The ideas in this book are not new, but challenge the American mindset just the same. ZombieStop Parade is a good read and hard to put down. I recommend it to anyone open to ZombieStop's vision of staying alive and not joining the undead.
ZombieStop Parade by Richard Buzzell is available as a Kindle eBook from Amazon.com.
Review by Diana Reed
ZombieStopperUno chronicles these events and the reverberations that follow.. He discusses the influence of corporations and the media in American culture and society, the importance of seeing through the corporate mindset and of working to reverse corporatism's largely negative effects. As the diary goes on and there's more speculation about whether ZombieStop may be behind the firebombings, ZombieStopperUno questions Corky's ambitions for the site and the future of ZombieStop as a nonconformist site. Despite Corky's demand for optimism, ZombieStopperUno isn't without the cynicism for the future that this generation has been faced with and expresses his doubts as to whether its even possible to reverse the prominence of the corporatist "mythology."
What I liked most about this book was not only the style but also its balance between social commentary and action. Its social commentary is not melodramatic or didactic; it's a thoughtful evaluation of what our society has become. The book is satirical, humorous, and leaves the reader something to think about, if not another way of viewing American society. The ideas in this book are not new, but challenge the American mindset just the same. ZombieStop Parade is a good read and hard to put down. I recommend it to anyone open to ZombieStop's vision of staying alive and not joining the undead.
ZombieStop Parade by Richard Buzzell is available as a Kindle eBook from Amazon.com.
Review by Diana Reed
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
How to Successfully Skew Reality by Shayna Abrams
How to Successfully Skew Reality by Shayna Abrams is one of those books that for me kept saying what I already believed about reality, the nature of God (which she renames the Universal Life Force), and evolution. Her book is available free at Bibliofastic.com. I would encourage the author to do speaking engagements and talk about her experiences going “crazy” which provided her with some very sane insights.
Abrams maintains that there is a greater unexplainable power in the Universe that gives human beings exactly what they need exactly when they need it. Abrams goes on to describe different scenarios that while at first may appear negative, when examined using the belief that the Universe gives you exactly what you need when you need it can be interpreted as positive.
Abrams says her goal with this book is to convince you that life is not black and white and that gray is your new favorite color.
I usually think of the word skew as having negative connotations, but Abrams demonstrates what she means by skewing reality, by asking you to shift your prospective or how you look at a situation. This “skew” or shift in prospective allows you to see the new “gray” of that situation.
This book is simply a different way of describing the concept of having a positive attitude. However as Abrams points out herself ”one sentence in a book that hits you in the right place can be the exact thing you needed to hear at exactly the right time that made enough sense to you that something all of the sudden clicks. That is the “click” everyone who has written a book on this subject hopes for.”
I think the author will find a lot of people who will "click" when reading her book. You can find her book free at: http://bibliotastic.com
Review by Julia Widdop
Abrams maintains that there is a greater unexplainable power in the Universe that gives human beings exactly what they need exactly when they need it. Abrams goes on to describe different scenarios that while at first may appear negative, when examined using the belief that the Universe gives you exactly what you need when you need it can be interpreted as positive.
Abrams says her goal with this book is to convince you that life is not black and white and that gray is your new favorite color.
I usually think of the word skew as having negative connotations, but Abrams demonstrates what she means by skewing reality, by asking you to shift your prospective or how you look at a situation. This “skew” or shift in prospective allows you to see the new “gray” of that situation.
This book is simply a different way of describing the concept of having a positive attitude. However as Abrams points out herself ”one sentence in a book that hits you in the right place can be the exact thing you needed to hear at exactly the right time that made enough sense to you that something all of the sudden clicks. That is the “click” everyone who has written a book on this subject hopes for.”
I think the author will find a lot of people who will "click" when reading her book. You can find her book free at: http://bibliotastic.com
Review by Julia Widdop
Controlling The Emotions of a Serious Illness by Alan Yarbourgh, Ed.D
Controlling The Emotions of a Serious Illness by Alan Yarbourgh, Ed.D is available on a great free ebook site called www.bibliotastic.com. I discovered this website just a couple of weeks ago and it is full of wonderful books – all free. This particular book made me understand the power of the website.I will be providing links to people for this book.
Alan Yarbourgh, who suffers from a serious disease himself, wrote this book to help his own clients. Alan along with his wife had suffered from the shock and pain of receiving a diagnosis of Gehrig's disease, or ALS. Eventually Yarbourgh and his wife used Thought Field Therapy to treat the emotional symptoms of dealing with a serious disease. In this book Yarbourgh explains the therapy which consists of tapping a series of acupressure points while directing your thoughts to an area of anxiety or pain. He explains the therapy system simply with all the detail you need to make it work including the fact that Dr. Callahan who discovered the technique had also discovered that the acupressure points must be tapped in a specific order for whatever symptom you are treating. Yarbourgh not only provides the algorithms from Dr. Callahan, but goes on to describe trouble shooting methods for the times it doesn’t work and explains a simpler technique discovered by a student of Callahan’s, Gary Craig. Using Gary Craig’s method you simply tap on all the points so many times that eventually you have covered all the points so many times that the correct order has been covered. What Yarbourgh describes as the shotgun approach.
As a psychotherapist I had read about these methods before, but in reading this book I discovered one of the advantages of using an ebook. I can print out the directions on plain paper to use as a guide. I don’t have to try and hold the book open while tapping on my own acupressure points. I know I will be referring chronic pain clients to this book and this website.
Review by Julia Widdop, MA
Alan Yarbourgh, who suffers from a serious disease himself, wrote this book to help his own clients. Alan along with his wife had suffered from the shock and pain of receiving a diagnosis of Gehrig's disease, or ALS. Eventually Yarbourgh and his wife used Thought Field Therapy to treat the emotional symptoms of dealing with a serious disease. In this book Yarbourgh explains the therapy which consists of tapping a series of acupressure points while directing your thoughts to an area of anxiety or pain. He explains the therapy system simply with all the detail you need to make it work including the fact that Dr. Callahan who discovered the technique had also discovered that the acupressure points must be tapped in a specific order for whatever symptom you are treating. Yarbourgh not only provides the algorithms from Dr. Callahan, but goes on to describe trouble shooting methods for the times it doesn’t work and explains a simpler technique discovered by a student of Callahan’s, Gary Craig. Using Gary Craig’s method you simply tap on all the points so many times that eventually you have covered all the points so many times that the correct order has been covered. What Yarbourgh describes as the shotgun approach.
As a psychotherapist I had read about these methods before, but in reading this book I discovered one of the advantages of using an ebook. I can print out the directions on plain paper to use as a guide. I don’t have to try and hold the book open while tapping on my own acupressure points. I know I will be referring chronic pain clients to this book and this website.
Review by Julia Widdop, MA
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Review of Rook by JC Andrijeski
A fantasy novel by JC Andrijeski, Rook presents an alternate reality in which there are not only humans but also seers, a second race discovered in Asia at the beginning of the twentieth century. They appear human, but many of their similarities stop here--unlike humans, they contain supernatural powers and have access to another dimension, called the Barrier. The existence of these beings creates new politics, new cultural dynamics, and suspense in a world otherwise like ours
Rook chronicles the story of Allie Taylor, a twenty-eight-year-old San Francisco native. Her life has never been ordinary--there's always been something different about her that transcends the fact she's adopted, having been found under a bridge as a baby. She's also being stalked, but not by another lovestruck loser appearing with flowers and candy. Rather, it’s a seer, and their meeting sends her headfirst into a whole new set of problems that sheds light on her other-than-ordinary life and some recent events otherwise unexplainable. This seer, Revik, tells her that she's a seer also and that she alone has the ability to destroy the earth.
In this book, Andrijeski has created a fascinating world and an action-packed story; a version of the battle of good versus evil ,and also attempts to tackle large concepts that people face daily. Throughout the story, Allie grows and transforms, taking steps on her own hero's journey--from the beginning as any other human being to the end as a trained seer and her taking on her role as the "Bridge." During the first few chapters, there was mild confusion as to certain facts about the world Andrijeski was making an effort to portray, and throughout the book the exposition tended to be clumsy in places. However, if the reader can get past these things, they will find this book a fascinating read. Andrijeski delivers a good, entertaining story, and there are more installments in this series to come.
This book is available from Amazon.com in print and Kindle, from Smashwords.com, and Barnes and Noble. Other vendors can be found on www.whitesunpress.com.
Review by Diana Reed
Rook chronicles the story of Allie Taylor, a twenty-eight-year-old San Francisco native. Her life has never been ordinary--there's always been something different about her that transcends the fact she's adopted, having been found under a bridge as a baby. She's also being stalked, but not by another lovestruck loser appearing with flowers and candy. Rather, it’s a seer, and their meeting sends her headfirst into a whole new set of problems that sheds light on her other-than-ordinary life and some recent events otherwise unexplainable. This seer, Revik, tells her that she's a seer also and that she alone has the ability to destroy the earth.
In this book, Andrijeski has created a fascinating world and an action-packed story; a version of the battle of good versus evil ,and also attempts to tackle large concepts that people face daily. Throughout the story, Allie grows and transforms, taking steps on her own hero's journey--from the beginning as any other human being to the end as a trained seer and her taking on her role as the "Bridge." During the first few chapters, there was mild confusion as to certain facts about the world Andrijeski was making an effort to portray, and throughout the book the exposition tended to be clumsy in places. However, if the reader can get past these things, they will find this book a fascinating read. Andrijeski delivers a good, entertaining story, and there are more installments in this series to come.
This book is available from Amazon.com in print and Kindle, from Smashwords.com, and Barnes and Noble. Other vendors can be found on www.whitesunpress.com.
Review by Diana Reed
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Review of Silver Smoke by Monica Leonelle
The first book in the Seven Halos series, Silver Smoke is a fantasy novel by Monica Leonelle for young adults. Set in Honolulu, Hawaii, a place already fantastical to many mainland readers, we meet the heroine, aggressive and slightly reckless fifteen-year-old Brie van Rossum, in the midst of mourning her mother's death. As she struggles for answers about the strange circumstances regarding her mother's death and being the daughter of a rock star, she must also avoid confrontations with the paparazzi who are waiting to catch a possible breakdown on camera.
One of these confrontations ends miserably in a car accident involving her, her brother Pilot, and his best friend, Rykken Camacho, but Brie sees something she knows isn't right. She sees what she believes is her mother on one of the paparazzo's bikes and soon makes a discovery that changes her life—she's a Hallow, a descendent of archangels with supernatural powers like her mother. She discovers others like herself—girls she has known since her moving to the islands. They begin to train her and under their close eye, she prepares herself to embark on a journey to uncover her mother's potentially fatal secret. However, she isn't without enemies—the New Order, a group of Hallows that wants her family dead and has been hunting and killing them for years. And not too long after the accident, her brother meets a mysterious girl that introduces a whole new set of questions affecting Brie's life as a Hallow.
In her writing, Leonelle has a certain grace about how she develops the story through her use of multiple viewpoints, using them to build on each other and presents them quite easily as intertwined but individual stories. Although when she does finally bring these stories together as a whole, it's at times not with the best of ease, but doing this is difficult for any writer and is an art in itself. While Leonelle's strength lies in expression through dialogue, she does leave a little something to be desired in the area of character development through description in the first part of the book, in places I find it perhaps necessary. However, she makes up for this in the latter part of the story. Also, I find it interesting and enjoyable that instead of using the already well established pantheon of archangels and –demons, she reinvents the pantheon and its mythology, making it new in the minds of those already familiar with the stories. There's also the reoccurring themes of fighting one's roots and one's broken family, betrayal, love, consequence, and vengeance. While the book doesn't necessarily provide answers, it provides something relatable for the reader, chronicling the ups and downs of Brie's new life and her self-discovery—situations not unlike those in "real life," yet magnified by ten. I like where Leonelle takes the book and the point at which she ends the story—it'll be interesting to see where she takes the series.
Review by Diana Reed
One of these confrontations ends miserably in a car accident involving her, her brother Pilot, and his best friend, Rykken Camacho, but Brie sees something she knows isn't right. She sees what she believes is her mother on one of the paparazzo's bikes and soon makes a discovery that changes her life—she's a Hallow, a descendent of archangels with supernatural powers like her mother. She discovers others like herself—girls she has known since her moving to the islands. They begin to train her and under their close eye, she prepares herself to embark on a journey to uncover her mother's potentially fatal secret. However, she isn't without enemies—the New Order, a group of Hallows that wants her family dead and has been hunting and killing them for years. And not too long after the accident, her brother meets a mysterious girl that introduces a whole new set of questions affecting Brie's life as a Hallow.
In her writing, Leonelle has a certain grace about how she develops the story through her use of multiple viewpoints, using them to build on each other and presents them quite easily as intertwined but individual stories. Although when she does finally bring these stories together as a whole, it's at times not with the best of ease, but doing this is difficult for any writer and is an art in itself. While Leonelle's strength lies in expression through dialogue, she does leave a little something to be desired in the area of character development through description in the first part of the book, in places I find it perhaps necessary. However, she makes up for this in the latter part of the story. Also, I find it interesting and enjoyable that instead of using the already well established pantheon of archangels and –demons, she reinvents the pantheon and its mythology, making it new in the minds of those already familiar with the stories. There's also the reoccurring themes of fighting one's roots and one's broken family, betrayal, love, consequence, and vengeance. While the book doesn't necessarily provide answers, it provides something relatable for the reader, chronicling the ups and downs of Brie's new life and her self-discovery—situations not unlike those in "real life," yet magnified by ten. I like where Leonelle takes the book and the point at which she ends the story—it'll be interesting to see where she takes the series.
Review by Diana Reed
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Review of Miraculous Moments by Elissa Al-Chokhachy
Miraculous Moments ISBN 978-0-7387-2122-4 by Elissa Al-Chokhacy is a collection of stories she gathered during her work as a hospice nurse. In her role as a hospice nurse Elissa was often conffrounted with caregivers who desperately needed to know that their terminally ill loved one will live on. Elissa often told grieving individuals the story of an after death visit she received from her cousin, Stefan.
"Physical death," says Elissa, "does not have to mean the end of a loving relationship. Desceased loved ones", she assures us, "Can continue to send us love, just as we send love to them."
Miraculous Moments can't help but be comforting as story after story documents experiences that convince bereaved individuals and health care professionals that life coninutes after death. I found myself crying sometimes as I read this book, but I was tremendously reassured that life and love go on. I think this would be a great book to pass along to anyone you know who is grieving the loss of a love. The book is available at Amazon. Watch for our radio interview with Elissa on March 1 at 3pm MT on DreamtimeRadio.com.
"Physical death," says Elissa, "does not have to mean the end of a loving relationship. Desceased loved ones", she assures us, "Can continue to send us love, just as we send love to them."
Miraculous Moments can't help but be comforting as story after story documents experiences that convince bereaved individuals and health care professionals that life coninutes after death. I found myself crying sometimes as I read this book, but I was tremendously reassured that life and love go on. I think this would be a great book to pass along to anyone you know who is grieving the loss of a love. The book is available at Amazon. Watch for our radio interview with Elissa on March 1 at 3pm MT on DreamtimeRadio.com.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Review of 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More by Stever Robbins
9 Steps to Work Less and Do More by Stever Robbins, ISBN 978-0-312-22621-5 published by St. Martin's Griffin is the type of book I always pick up because I know that even one really good idea will be worth the cost of the book. This book was packed with good tips.
He lists some of the best right on the back cover such as: Speed-Dating your tasks. You can face anything if it's just for three minutes: schedule small, finite periods of time for those tasks that seem too overwhelming to get started. Or his suggestion that you give technology a performance review. Our smart phones, PDAs, and computer Stevers point out often makes less work in one area while making much more in others. He suggests you review your technology to make sure it's delivering on its promise. And my favorite of all his suggestions was to cut out small talk. He doesn't mean you quit talking to people, but that you talk to them about meaningful subjects rather than the weather etc.
A suggestion I implemented immediately was to divide my week into focus days and task days. On a task day I run errands, make calls, do filing, all that little time consuming stuff. Then on my focus days I'm free to really focus on my projects. Another suggestion I loved was sending my to do items to myself by email with the task as the subject line. Since I compulsively check my email this will help keep those tasks in front of me.
I know that this book is one I will keep going back to to see if some of the other suggestions might be just what I need. I'm trying to schedule Stever on Dreamtime Radio for an interview, so watch my schedule at JuliaWiddop.com.
He lists some of the best right on the back cover such as: Speed-Dating your tasks. You can face anything if it's just for three minutes: schedule small, finite periods of time for those tasks that seem too overwhelming to get started. Or his suggestion that you give technology a performance review. Our smart phones, PDAs, and computer Stevers point out often makes less work in one area while making much more in others. He suggests you review your technology to make sure it's delivering on its promise. And my favorite of all his suggestions was to cut out small talk. He doesn't mean you quit talking to people, but that you talk to them about meaningful subjects rather than the weather etc.
A suggestion I implemented immediately was to divide my week into focus days and task days. On a task day I run errands, make calls, do filing, all that little time consuming stuff. Then on my focus days I'm free to really focus on my projects. Another suggestion I loved was sending my to do items to myself by email with the task as the subject line. Since I compulsively check my email this will help keep those tasks in front of me.
I know that this book is one I will keep going back to to see if some of the other suggestions might be just what I need. I'm trying to schedule Stever on Dreamtime Radio for an interview, so watch my schedule at JuliaWiddop.com.
Review of Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within by Sally Marks
Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within, ISBN 1452850771 is self published by authors, Sally Marks and Jacqueline Howard. The book is a practical guide on how to reduce negativity. From meth addicts to multi-millionaires, the book offers powerful experiences of individuals who have faced dramatic challenges, but did not lose hope. Using these compelling biographies, as well as practical advice and simple exercises, the reader is guided on an internal journey toward adopting a more joyful way to live.
The book is full of stories of people who changed their lives around and deveoped a positive atttiude which enabled them to overcome their situations. I found these stories to be inspiring and some made me examine my own negativity.
The book also has exercises and tips to help in this process. Sally assures me it will improve all aspects of your life including your dreams.We will be discussing the book with author Sally Marks on DreamtimeRadio.com on February 10 at 3 pm MT. I hope you will join us and call in with any questions you might have for Sally.
The book is full of stories of people who changed their lives around and deveoped a positive atttiude which enabled them to overcome their situations. I found these stories to be inspiring and some made me examine my own negativity.
The book also has exercises and tips to help in this process. Sally assures me it will improve all aspects of your life including your dreams.We will be discussing the book with author Sally Marks on DreamtimeRadio.com on February 10 at 3 pm MT. I hope you will join us and call in with any questions you might have for Sally.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Review of The Losing of Gordon by Joni Aldrich
The Losing of Gordon by Joni Aldrich was published by Cancer Lifetime Publications in 2009, ISBN 1-4392-6493-7 is a guide for people who have lost a loved one. The author lost her husband to a rare form of cancer in 2006 and wrote this book as a help to others in grief.
A quote from her preface sums up the message of the book. "When a loved one dies, your house is blown apart by circumstances that were out of your control. And this hurricane won't dissipate in mere hours. You have to work to build a new foundation. Uncertainty, insecurity and change are constant companions. You may suffer from depression and stress. Always remember that your destiny is within you, and you are part of God's plan."
The book is a personal message to all who have lost loved ones, but Joni seems to have a special spot in her heart for widows. Interspersed between chapters are Wall of Dedication tributes to special women who have lost their husbands and rebuilt their lives.
Each chapter of the book begins with a letter to Gordon. These letters are poignant and emotionally wrenching, but help the reader to see a way to cope with his or her own grief. More than once I cried when reading the letters to Gordon, but I realized it might help me to write to my lost loved one.
At the end of each chapter is a short coping tip. Sometimes you can't read or concentrate, so just flipping through the pages and reading in short bursts helps. Joni went on to write other books about coping with cancer and grief which I am looking forward to reading.
Please join me at DreamtimeRadio.com February 24 at 3pm Mountain Time when I will be visiting with Joni on air about her books and the rebuilding of her life.
A quote from her preface sums up the message of the book. "When a loved one dies, your house is blown apart by circumstances that were out of your control. And this hurricane won't dissipate in mere hours. You have to work to build a new foundation. Uncertainty, insecurity and change are constant companions. You may suffer from depression and stress. Always remember that your destiny is within you, and you are part of God's plan."
The book is a personal message to all who have lost loved ones, but Joni seems to have a special spot in her heart for widows. Interspersed between chapters are Wall of Dedication tributes to special women who have lost their husbands and rebuilt their lives.
Each chapter of the book begins with a letter to Gordon. These letters are poignant and emotionally wrenching, but help the reader to see a way to cope with his or her own grief. More than once I cried when reading the letters to Gordon, but I realized it might help me to write to my lost loved one.
At the end of each chapter is a short coping tip. Sometimes you can't read or concentrate, so just flipping through the pages and reading in short bursts helps. Joni went on to write other books about coping with cancer and grief which I am looking forward to reading.
Please join me at DreamtimeRadio.com February 24 at 3pm Mountain Time when I will be visiting with Joni on air about her books and the rebuilding of her life.
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