Category: Book news

‘The Vanishing Family’ Review: Robert Kolker’s Powerful Story of FTD and Hope

‘The Vanishing Family’ by Robert Kolker is a moving look at genetics, dementia, and identity. Photo: Penguin Random House

Book Review: The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia

Author: Robert Kolker

Genre: Nonfiction / Narrative Journalism / Science

The Story

The narrative opens with a tense prologue: after years of delaying testing, 41-year-old Barb receives a lab letter that will confirm whether she carries a devastating genetic mutation. She’s currently the same age her mother, Jean, was when symptoms first emerged.

Oliver and Jean lived in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, raising nine children: Kathy, Christy, Sue, Dutch, Mary, Peggy, Scott, Jenny, and Barb. As the older siblings moved out to start their adult lives, Barb remained at home to witness their vibrant mother fall under a dark, gothic spell, transforming into someone withdrawn, neglectful, and entirely unrecognizable.

A Cruel Genetic Mutation

The family carries a rare genetic mutation (V337M) that causes frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with a cruel twist. Striking early, often in a person’s early forties, it causes formerly devoted parents and high-achieving executives to:

  • Lose their jobs unexpectedly
  • Have reckless affairs and take up heavy drinking
  • Shed all social inhibitions and moral responsibility
  • Experience total personality loss, leaving families with strangers

With a 50/50 chance of inheritance, the children face the constant terror of an impending genetic fate.

Alongside this human tragedy, Kolker documents the high-stakes scientific race against neurodegenerative disease. Decades of research into this single family’s rare FTD mutation may ultimately provide the key to preventing and treating all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Pick up your copy of ‘The Vanishing Family!’

Review

The Vanishing Family unfolds like a heartbreaking psychological thriller as the siblings watch the illness strike one by one: first Christy, then Mary, and beyond. Kolker captures the agonizing tension between love and fear, forcing the family to confront profound questions about predetermined fate, obligation, and identity.

Key Themes Explored

  • Identity and Disintegration: The erosion of character when the brain’s frontal lobe declines.
  • Family Resilience and Devotion: How siblings step up to care for one another despite emotional devastation.
  • Medical Discovery and Hope: The scientific journey to turn a family curse into a cure for millions.

The Science Behind the Story

Beyond the personal narrative, Kolker guides readers through the history of neuroscience:

  • Historical Milestones: From the famous 19th-century case of Phineas Gage, whose altered personality after a brain injury proved that specific brain regions govern behavior, to early diagnostic breakthroughs that established dementia as an organic physical disease rather than a mental defect.
  • The Clinical Battle: A clear overview of genetics, clinical trials, and the decades of frustrating dead ends that have challenged medical researchers.

Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 10: Barb has been caring for Christy, the first sibling to display symptoms, when Mary arrives unexpectedly. Seeing the exact same behavioral shifts in Mary, Barb realizes with horror that the disease is genetic and that every sibling is at risk.
  • Chapter 11: A deep dive into neuroscience for readers who want the exact mechanics of FTD, Alzheimer’s, and brain pathology.
  • Chapter 20: A crucial breakdown comparing Alzheimer’s and FTD. While Alzheimer’s primarily destroys memory and cognition, FTD attacks emotional processing. Patients lose the ability to recognize their own physiological responses to emotion, causing drastic changes in personality without self-awareness or shame.

“It’s a conclusion with relevance beyond dementia. We most profoundly lose ourselves, it seems, when we can no longer see, feel, or touch the minds and hearts of others.”

Final Thoughts

Overall, The Vanishing Family is a compelling look at family genetics that balances intimate human drama and medical detective work. It’s deeply tragic without ever feeling hopeless, showing how severe illness can reshape a family while highlighting extraordinary resilience.

Kolker never lets complex science obscure the real people at the center of the narrative. For readers who enjoy family sagas, medical mysteries, or popular science, this is an unforgettable read. It serves as a powerful reminder of how much of our identity is tied to memory, personality, and the people who love us, and how hope remains a force even against inherited fate.

“The tragedy is that because some elements of the person are still detectable, the sense of loss is ongoing – like witnessing a living death.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About The Author

Robert Kolker is a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Hidden Valley Road, named an Oprah’s Book Club Pick, a New York Times Book Review Top 10 book of the year, a GQ Best Book of Literary Journalism of the 21st Century, and a Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century. His first book was Lost Girls, named a New York Times Notable Book and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2013.

** Thank you to Michael Goldsmith and Penguin Random House for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Building a Reliability Culture in the Trades: A Guide by Gerard Wood

‘Only Tradies Improve Reliability’ is Gerard Wood’s new book on effective trades culture. Photo: Amazon

Book Spotlight: Only Tradies Improve Reliability – Effective Trades Culture

By Gerard Wood

In every workshop and on every job site, one truth determines whether equipment thrives or fails: reliability is built by tradies who take pride in their work. But in too many workplaces, that pride is buried under weak culture, rushed decisions, and invisible standards that slowly erode both performance and job satisfaction. (Amazon, 2026)

In Only Tradies Improve Reliability, Gerard Wood, former tradie, maintenance leader, and author of Simplifying Mining Maintenance, reveals the practical, culture-driven routines that transform ordinary maintenance teams into reliability powerhouses. Drawing on four decades of real-world experience, he shows leaders and tradies how to build a culture where quality becomes visible, accountability becomes natural, and reliability improves faster than any technical program could.

What You’ll Discover Inside

  • Spotting the Invisible: Why most failures aren’t caused by tradies who “don’t know” or “don’t care,” but by tradies operating in a culture where they “don’t see,” and how to fix it permanently through simple routines that sharpen the eye for quality.
  • The Leader’s Role: How leaders create the culture, and why no reliability strategy works unless the tradies executing it feel ownership, pride, and trust.
  • Empowering the Trades: How tradies can dramatically improve their satisfaction and impact, even in tough workplaces, by focusing on quality, feedback, and craftsmanship.
  • The Power of Proactive Care: Why proactive maintenance is always cheaper, easier, and more fulfilling than the chaos caused by allowing small defects to become large breakdowns.

Only Tradies Improve Reliability is more than a maintenance book. It’s a blueprint for restoring respect, pride, and craftsmanship in the trades, and for building workplaces where reliability improves quickly, costs fall naturally, and people genuinely want to stay.

Ready to transform your job site’s culture and performance? Grab your copy of Only Tradies Improve Reliability today.

About the Author

During his engineering career, Gerard Wood became passionate about two things: practical asset management and quality work by tradies. After 40 years in maintenance, starting as a tradie, leading asset management across entire businesses, and helping companies sustainably improve reliability, he has seen firsthand what really drives performance. Spoiler alert: it’s not reports, dashboards, or meetings. It’s skilled people doing the right work, the right way. That’s the engine room of reliability.

Through decades of helping sites lift their game, Gerard came to a simple realization: nothing improves reliability faster than quality trades work backed by practical, no-nonsense maintenance leadership. That is the heartbeat of his coaching and his books, Simplifying Mining Maintenance and Only Tradies Improve Reliability. He keeps it sharp, straight-talking, and always shares a few laughs along the way.

Gerard’s mission for this book is ambitious: to positively impact 1 million tradies, helping them gain greater job satisfaction, feel proud to be part of a successful team, and drive better business performance. Realizing that consulting alone has a limited reach, he turned to media, books, and online platforms to share his 40 years of hard-earned experience with a global audience.

‘The Agency Business Blueprint’ by Luca Senatore

‘The Agency Business Blueprint’ is the new book by Luca Senatore on building a profitable agency in the age of AI. Photo: Luca Senatore.

In the age of artificial intelligence, business leadership books have shifted dramatically from traditional management theories to agile frameworks for human-machine collaboration. Modern executives can’t on gut instinct alone or historical data; they must navigate rapid technological disruption and shifting workforce dynamics.

The most impactful books nowadays focus on how leaders can harness AI not just to automate tasks, but to redesign business models and scale smarter. Ultimately, they emphasize that the future belongs to leaders who combine technical fluency with emotional intelligence, turning AI integration into a sustainable competitive advantage.

Today’s book spotlight is by Luca Senatore.

Book Spotlight: The Agency Business Blueprint

Scale smarter. Lead stronger. Stay profitable in the era of AI. Build the agency the next decade demands.

By Luca Senatore

The agency world has changed — permanently.

What worked even five years ago is no longer enough. Margins are tighter. Clients are more demanding. AI is reshaping every service line. And the next 12–24 months will determine whether your agency grows, plateaus, or quietly disappears. (Amazon, 2026)

In The Agency Business Blueprint, agency leader and strategist Luca Senatore delivers a practical, experience-led field guide for building agencies that don’t just survive change, but use it as a competitive advantage.

This is not a book of hacks, trends, or theory. It’s a blueprint built from two decades of real-world experience: building and exiting agencies, leading teams at scale, working inside Google, and coaching hundreds of agency founders across global markets.

Whether you’re running a boutique agency or leading an established team, this book shows you how to build clarity, leadership, and commercial strength in a world defined by uncertainty and AI-driven disruption.

What’s Inside:

  • How to build an agency designed for long-term relevance, not short-term wins
  • Why clarity, positioning, and leadership matter more than tactics
  • How to scale profitably in uncertain markets without burning out your team
  • How AI should power growth, differentiation, and margins, not just save time
  • How modern agencies win business, retain clients, and grow sustainably
  • How to move from “service provider” to trusted business growth partner

This book is structured around three essential phases — Build, Grow, and Scale — giving you a clear roadmap from foundation to future-proofing.

If you want an agency your team is proud of, your clients trust, and your future self thanks you for building, this book is your starting point.

The agency of the future isn’t louder.

It’s clearer. Stronger. Smarter.

About the Author

LUCA SENATORE is a former CEO of an award-winning UK-based agency, the founder of SAM (Secret Agency Mastermind), and a Google leader. Over two decades, Luca has built companies, coached founders, and helped leaders scale with clarity in fast-changing markets.

Outside of the business world, Luca is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and former mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete. He started a successful martial arts academy, which is now run by two of the best BJJ practitioners and multi-time world champion instructors.

‘Ironwood’ Review: Detective Stilwell and Renée Ballard Team Up in Catalina

‘Ironwood’ is the second book in Michael Connelly’s Catalina series featuring Detective Stilwell. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Ironwood: A Catalina Novel
Author: Michael Connelly
Format: Audiobook
Previous Book In Series: Nightshade

The Story

Detective Sergeant Stilwell knows that his posting on Catalina Island is no paradise, but to most residents, it seems blissfully separated by twenty-two miles of ocean from the troubles of Los Angeles County. But now, a threat is coming to his safe haven. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

It begins with Stilwell and his deputies watching a plane land in the middle of the night at the Airport in the Sky, a remote airstrip in the mountains. The operation starts going sideways the moment a duffel bag of drugs is dropped and the deputies move in. Stilwell chases the fleeing pickup man into the mountainside brush, but shots are fired on the runway and the plane flies off.

Because of the internal inquiry that follows, Stilwell is benched until he is cleared of responsibility for the failed operation. Determined to find out who brought deadly violence to his island, he begins a secret investigation into the drug deal gone wrong.

To fill his time while under orders to remain in the sheriff’s substation, he begins organizing the lost-and-found bin. He uncovers a valuable, unclaimed backpack and traces it to a woman who disappeared while hiking on the island four years ago. Why was the pack only recently turned in? This discovery sparks an off-the-books investigation that bridges the mainland and the island, drawing in LAPD Open-Unsolved Unit Detective Renée Ballard.

Stilwell and Ballard work the case from both sides of the channel, soon realizing they are on the trail of a criminal who enjoys taunting the authorities. Frustrated at being shut out of an investigation on his own island, Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the department to pursue a case whose reach is far wider than he ever imagined.

Review

With the second book in the Catalina series, Michael Connelly takes readers away from the familiar streets of Los Angeles and drops them straight onto Catalina Island. In Ironwood, paradise proves to be far more dangerous than it appears.

Detective Sergeant Stilwell is experienced, stubborn, and deeply committed to protecting the island he calls home. His persistence is inspiring, and his willingness to risk his career when he knows something isn’t right makes him a compelling protagonist.

Connelly excels at exploring the illusion of safety. Catalina may be separated from the mainland, but distance cannot keep violence, corruption, or greed at bay. The underlying themes – loyalty, justice, corruption, and the blurry line between following the rules and doing what is right-elevate the story’s suspense.

The introduction of Renée Ballard adds another strong dimension to the narrative. Stilwell is a principled, island-bound lawman fighting to protect his jurisdiction, while Ballard brings the perspective of an experienced mainland cold-case detective. As they unravel the trail left by a cruel criminal, Connelly blends local island logistics with procedural grit.

Overall, Ironwood is a suspenseful, atmospheric mystery packed with complex characters and tight twists. Connelly demonstrates once again why he remains a master of procedural thrillers and cross-jurisdictional dynamics. Rich with realistic detective work, Ironwood is a stellar addition to his universe and a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

“It was as if he liked dropping these hints. That he gets off on it. It’s the I’m-smarter-than-you complex. Most serials have it. It’s the fulfillment of hiding in plain sight.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About the Author

Michael Connelly is the author of forty-one previous novels, including New York Times bestsellers The Proving Ground, Nightshade, and The Waiting. His books. which feature the Harry Bosch, Lincoln Lawyer, Renée Ballard, and Catalina series, have sold more than 92 million copies worldwide. A former newspaper reporter and award-winning journalist, Connelly is also the executive producer of four hit television series: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Ballard.

‘Rewriting the Rules’ by Ron Sosa – A Guide to Neuroinclusive Leadership

‘Rewriting the Rules’ is the new human-centered workplace book by Ron Sosa. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: Rewriting the Rules: A Leadership Model for a Neuroinclusive, Human-Centered Workplace

By Ron Sosa

About the Book

Rewriting the Rules: A Leadership Model for a Neuroinclusive, Human-Centered Workplace is a timely and transformative guide for leaders ready to break free from performative leadership and build workplaces that truly work for everyone. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

For decades, Ronald Sosa excelled in veterinary leadership, constantly striving to meet invisible standards of professionalism. Behind the success, though, was exhaustion, masking, and self-doubt, until late-life diagnoses of ADHD and autism revealed that the problem wasn’t him. It was the system.

Blending personal narrative with practical frameworks, Sosa exposes how traditional leadership models reward charisma over competence, conformity over creativity, and performance over presence. He then introduces his revolutionary four-part model—Reflect, Implement, Sustain, and Elevate (R.I.S.E.)—to help leaders rebuild from the inside out.

Through this model, readers will learn how to:

  • Lead without masks or burnout by grounding leadership in emotional regulation and authentic connection.
  • Build neuroinclusive workplaces that honor difference as a source of strength, not struggle.
  • Redefine professionalism to center humanity, sustainability, and real impact.
  • Shift from performative leadership to purpose-driven, people-centered growth.

“This isn’t another book about managing neurodivergent employees. It’s leadership through neurodiversity.”

Written with honesty, humor, and empathy, Rewriting the Rules invites all leaders, whether neurotypical, neurodivergent, or simply human, to reimagine what leadership looks like when we stop pretending and start connecting.

If you’ve ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or out of place in your own leadership journey, this book offers not just understanding, but transformation. Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, team manager, or emerging professional, you’ll walk away with the clarity, confidence, and courage to lead without performing, and to build a workplace where everyone belongs.

About the Author

Ron Sosa is a neurodivergent life and leadership coach, consultant, and international speaker. Ron’s career has taken him from starting out as a client service representative to practice manager to minority business partner, through collaborations with Dr. Andy Roark and the Uncharted Veterinary Conference, and now into his current role as founder of Syn-APT Neuroinclusive Leadership & Coaching. Ron leads with a passion for systems-thinking, radical empathy, and inclusive design. (Amazon, 2026)

Diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult, Ron brings a deep personal understanding of what it means to lead while unmasking. He founded Syn-APT to transform workplaces into environments where neurodivergent professionals can thrive without compromising who they are. Ron is a Jay Shetty-certified life coach and an unapologetic believer in the power of storytelling, community, and inner work. His leadership philosophy is grounded in curiosity, compassion, courage, and a belief that the best leaders don’t seek to control people, but to co-create systems where everyone can lead.

Dean Koontz’ ‘The City’ Review: A Coming-of-Age Thriller

‘The City’ by Dean Koontz is a poignant combination of music and mystery.

Book Review: The City by Dean Koontz

Synopsis

The City centers around Jonah Kirk, a young piano prodigy whose extraordinary musical talent allows him to recognize the hidden pulse of the metropolis surrounding him. Joined by his brilliant best friend, Malcolm, Jonah embarks on a journey that balances the sheer wonder of creation against profound mortal danger.

His remarkable family, tested by the extremes of evil and bound by the depths of love, is on a collision course with a band of killers about to unleash anarchy. Along the way, he finds two unlikely allies: Mr. Yoshioka, an everyday hero strengthened by his past, and Miss Pearl, a woman of mystery who holds the key to the future.

These are the people of The City—a place where enchantment and malice interweave, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. Their unforgettable story is a riveting, soul-stirring saga that speaks to everyone.

Review

Dean Koontz’s The City is a captivating blend of suspense, fantasy, music, and coming-of-age drama. Some books simply tell a good story, while others take you somewhere and make you feel as though you’ve become part of the characters’ lives. The City is that kind of book.

Jonah is an engaging protagonist because despite his extraordinary musical talent, he’s not invincible. He still feels like a kid trying to understand the complicated world of adults. His friendship with Malcolm and his sister Amalia provide emotional depth and demonstrate the importance of loyalty and companionship.

The narrative is told through Jonah’s first-person point of view as he reflects on his experiences as a young boy and how they shaped his future. The prose is haunting and poetic:

“But fear can lead people to do things they would never contemplate in placid times. Fear can blind us, but so can anger.”

Family is another powerful part the novel. Jonah’s multi-generational family faces unimaginable danger, but their love for one another becomes a primary source of strength. That devotion is put to the ultimate test and the senseless cruelty of Fiona Cassidy and her conspirators contrasts sharply with Jonah’s warmth.

The mysterious Miss Pearl, who moves in and out of Jonah’s life, remains an enigmatic figure. Her knowledge and insights suggest a larger destiny awaiting Jonah, while the city itself functions as a living character, brilliantly illuminated by light and dark magic, where fate, music, and moral choices intersect.

The novel explores timeless themes:

  • Good versus evil and moral choice
  • Courage, sacrifice, and enduring friendship
  • The power of love and discovering your true purpose

The way music is woven into the story stands out in particular; it represents creativity, beauty, and the ability of the human spirit to rise above darkness.

Koontz combines suspense with heart. It’s mysterious, sometimes frightening, but also surprisingly tender. Ultimately, it’s a story about finding courage within yourself and discovering that even in the darkest circumstances, love and hope can still light the way.

Final Thoughts

Overall, The City is a supernatural thriller about growing up, discovering one’s purpose, and finding strength through love and courage. It suggests that the way forward through hardship lies buried deep within the human heart. Readers who appreciate a mix of mystery, suspense, and literary fiction will find it both entertaining and deeply heartwarming.

“Outside the wind blew cold and the sun shone bright. On that bustling street, among those many big trucks and busy people, with the city all around for miles and miles, I felt terribly small, and worse than small. Suddenly I felt alone.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About The Author

Dean Koontz is an American author of suspense thriller that frequently incorporate elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and satire. Many of his books have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list, with fourteen hardcovers and sixteen paperbacks reaching the number-one position. He has published over 105 novels and a number of novellas and collections of short stories, and has sold over 500 million copies of his work. He has been acknowledged as “America’s most popular suspense novelist” by Rolling Stone and as one of today’s most celebrated and successful writers.

‘Bootstrapped Startup Funding Playbook’: How to Build a Tech Company Without VC

‘Bootstrapped Startup Funding Playbook’ is the new book by Muema Lombe. Photo: Amazon

Book Spotlight: Bootstrapped Startup Funding Playbook 10+ Proven Methods, Real Case Studies, and Step-by-Step Action Plans to Launch and Grow a Profitable Tech Company Without Venture Capital By Muema Lombe

What if you could build a serious tech company, generating millions in revenue and life-changing outcomes, without begging investors, burning out, or gambling your future on a single funding round?

Bootstrapped Startup Funding Playbook is a practical, founder-friendly guide to building and scaling a tech startup without relying on venture capital. Instead of theory, it gives you real methods, real examples, and a step-by-step roadmap drawn from how iconic companies actually did it. (Amazon, 2026)

10 Concrete Bootstrapping Methods Inside

Each chapter is built around real companies and decisions, not vague platitudes, so you see exactly how founders used these methods in the wild, what worked, what nearly killed them, and what you can copy (or avoid):

  • Customer-Funded Growth: Reinvesting revenue to scale organically.
  • Consulting-Funded Product: Using service work to bankroll product development.
  • Freemium & Product-Led Growth: Driving acquisition directly through the product.
  • Friends & Family Capital (Done Right): Raising early funds without destroying relationships.
  • Customer Prepayments & Annual Contracts: Securing upfront cash flow before building.
  • Personal Credit & Small Loans: Managing calculated debt responsibly.
  • Side Jobs & Part-Time Entrepreneurship: Derisking the launch phase while keeping a paycheck.
  • Startup Grants: Accessing non-dilutive capital like NSF/SBIR.
  • Lean Operations & Extreme Cost Discipline: Maximizing runway with minimal burn.
  • Crowdfunding & Pre-Order Campaigns: Validating demand before production.

No hype. No “just work harder” nonsense. Just honest trade-offs, battle-tested strategies, and an operating manual you can implement while holding down a job, supporting a family, or running an existing business.

What You’ll Learn

  • 10 Major Bootstrapping Strategies: Clear frameworks on when each approach actually makes sense.
  • Layered Funding Models: How to combine methods, like side jobs, consulting, customer prepayments, and lean ops, into a coherent, low-risk plan.
  • Origin Case Studies: How iconic companies quietly bootstrapped their earliest, riskiest phases before raising rounds or exiting for billions.
  • Risk Mitigation: Practical ways to manage personal risk, protect relationships, and avoid common financial traps.
  • The 30/60/90-Day Execution Plan: A step-by-step roadmap to get from zero to paying users and your first taste of customer-funded growth.

Who Should Read This Book?

  • SaaS & Dev-Tools Founders: Build software on your own terms without VC dependency.
  • Solo Founders & Indie Hackers: Follow a structured, serious path to profitability.
  • Agency Owners & Consultants: Productize your service and spin out scalable software.
  • Deep-Tech & Hardware Founders: Secure non-dilutive, customer-driven funding routes.
  • Undecided Entrepreneurs: Get a clear, nuanced answer when weighing “bootstrap vs. raise.”

About the Author

Muema Lombe is a tech founder and bootstrapping expert who has helped multiple startups launch and scale without traditional venture capital. Through real-world experience and in-depth research, Muema created this practical playbook so other founders can build serious companies on their own terms.

‘A Journey of Insights’ Review: Key Leadership Lessons from Former USC Dean James G. Ellis

‘A Journey of Insights’ is the new book by James G. Ellis. Photo: Simon & Schuster

Book Review: A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

By James G. Ellis

Synopsis

A Journey of Insights draws upon the lessons James G. Ellis learned while a teacher and dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business, as well as those he absorbed during his preceding years at Harvard Business School and in executive leadership. In plotting a roadmap for a successful business life, his stories show illustratively how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is a central theme: listening to the voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices. (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Contents

  • Chapter 1: A Dean’s Story: The Cold Car Hood
  • Chapter 2: Finding Your Wave
  • Chapter 3: The Bill Gates Conundrum: Is Business Education Worth It?
  • Chapter 4: Relationships and Mentors: The Power of Connection
  • Chapter 5: Plotting Your Own Map: Know Thyself
  • Chapter 6: Preparation and Perseverance
  • Chapter 7: Don’t Sell Sales Short
  • Chapter 8: Risk Management and Disappointment
  • Chapter 9: The Fifth Decade: Giving Back

Review

What if one of the most important skills for success isn’t knowing what to say, but knowing when to listen? That simple idea is at the heart of this collection of lessons drawn from a lifetime in business, education, and leadership. Ellis doesn’t offer a rigid formula for success; instead, he shares stories and observations that encourage readers to think differently about their careers and lives.

He weaves in personal stories from people he met along the way and the takeaways from those encounters. For example, Matthew Guglielmo, who started out as a furniture buyer with a Philadelphia department store chain, taught him how to prepare for negotiations by knowing what you want and how to ask for it. Simply put, if you don’t ask for something, you won’t get it.

Of all the notable people he met throughout his life, the one who stands out most is Senator John F. Kennedy, whom Ellis accidentally bumped into at the San Francisco airport in 1959 when he was just 12 years old. That day, he learned the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and the power of a sincere apology. It became a guiding principle for his life: we can learn life lessons, big and small, from everyone around us.

Key topics explored in the book:

  • Leadership & Mentorship
  • Relationships & Connection
  • Preparation & Perseverance
  • Risk-taking & Overcoming Disappointment
  • The Art of Sales
  • The Importance of Giving Back

Each chapter concludes with reflection questions, allowing readers to apply these concepts directly to their own personal and professional journeys.

Ellis repeatedly returns to the value of learning from those around us. Sometimes the best advice isn’t delivered in a formal lecture or board meeting, it comes from simply paying attention. The book serves as a great reminder that success is rarely achieved alone: listening, staying curious, recognizing opportunities, and learning from both successes and failures shape a much richer journey.

Key Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 5: Focuses on the integrity of your word. Ellis learned that protecting your reputation matters throughout your entire life. He also stresses putting yourself in the shoes of those who work around you, recommending that early-career professionals learn a business from the ground up to truly understand every role.
  • Chapter 8: Highlights the necessity of risk-taking and personal accountability. Ellis urges readers to own their actions while giving full credit to others for their accomplishments.

“Sometimes you must take risks to take care of those around you. In doing so, stay humble, as you are one of many.”

Ellis also challenges readers to consider whether traditional business education truly prepares people for the realities of leadership and life. Avoiding generic corporate jargon, he uses a smooth blend of practical business wisdom and personal reflection to deliver his message.

Overall, A Journey of Insights is a thoughtful, engaging reflection on what it takes to build a successful career and a meaningful life. Recommended for students, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and anyone seeking practical wisdom. It’s never too late to learn something new—and if you’re willing to listen, this book has plenty to say.

“Preparation is what gets you ready to do a great job. Perseverance is what you need to see a job through to completion… Each time you leave an achievable goal unachieved, it becomes easier to give up the next time you’re faced with a challenge.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy of A Journey of Insights today!

About the Author

James G. Ellis served as dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California from April 2007 until June 2019, overseeing the education and well-being of over 5,700 graduate and undergraduate students. He held a full-time tenured appointment as Professor of Marketing starting in 1997, retiring in July 2021.

Holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA from the University of New Mexico, Ellis held leadership roles across the corporate world, including President/CEO of Porsche Design and CEO of Port O’Call Pasadena, along with ownership in six other companies. He began his career with Broadway Department Stores in Los Angeles.

** Thank you to Fauzia Burke and FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Valet’ by J.P. Lacrampe: The Whimsical Robot Novel You Didn’t Know You Needed

‘Valet’ is the new novel by J.P. Lacrampe. Photo: Simon & Schuster

Book Spotlight: Valet: A Novel

By J.P. Lacrampe

Synopsis

Cy wants nothing more than to be useful, raise his utility score, and receive the next update for his operating system. But that’s easier said than done when he’s tasked with helping his owner’s thirty-five-year-old son “get out of his funk.” (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Grayson is nothing like his go-getter, CEO sister Charlotte. He didn’t inherit the family robotics company when their dad passed last year, he doesn’t have a master’s degree, and he just can’t seem to figure out the San Francisco dating scene. He’d rather eat synthesized mozzarella sticks and make pottery at his studio, Kilning Time.

When Grayson learns of Charlotte’s plan to sell the company to a tech conglomerate, he panics. It’s not just the family business at stake, it’s all the technology—like Cy—their dad invented over the years. So he does what anyone would do: he steals the flash drive with his father’s most important work stored on it and plans a corporate takeover. If only he knew what that meant.

To make matters worse:

  • A fellow VALET deserts his owner and asks Cy to help him hightail it out of town.
  • Grayson’s first real date—and her dog—keep showing up at inopportune times.
  • The behemoth tech company wants this deal closed yesterday.

Grayson, Cy, and their trusty golden retriever, Sasha III, must go on the lam until they figure out exactly what to do, and whom to trust.

A hilarious, madcap adventure that is as tender as it is insightful, Valet asks not just what it means to be human, but what it means to be family.

Read This If You Love:

  • Vibe: A whimsically speculative ode to Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster.
  • For Fans Of: Kevin Wilson (Nothing to See Here) and Andrew Sean Greer (Less).
  • Core Tropes: A helper robot, his thirty-five-year-old ward, and a madcap adventure to save the fate of a family empire.

“Valet is a hilarious and bracing examination of the near future, where Cy, a techbot servant, must navigate the complexities of humans to maintain his utility score. What makes this such a winning and openhearted novel is that J.P. Lacrampe goes beyond the initial premise by looking at the universal anxiety of family, of being tied to people with whom you will rise and fall, either toward a new update or into obsolescence.” — Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here and Run for the Hills

About the Author

J.P. Lacrampe received his MFA in creative writing from Saint Mary’s College. His short fiction has been published by Glimmer Train, McSweeney’s, Instant City, and in Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit. He is a teaching professor at Santa Clara University, where he teaches courses in composition, fiction, and screenwriting.

‘The Amityville Horror’ Book Review: Classic True Crime Horror

‘The Amityville Horror’ by Jay Anson. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚 Book Review: The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

Synopsis

In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their new home in suburban Long Island. George and Kathleen Lutz knew that one year earlier, Ronald DeFeo had murdered his family in the house, but the property, complete with a boathouse and swimming pool, and the price were too good to pass up.

Twenty-eight days later, the entire Lutz family fled in terror.

Review

The Amityville Horror remains one of the most chilling entries in paranormal literature, chronicling the 28 days George and Kathleen Lutz spent in their dream home. The narrative blurs the line between documentary reporting and visceral horror and the idea that an ordinary suburban house could conceal something horrifying gives the story much of its power.

Character Dynamics

  • George Lutz: Positioned as the pragmatic patriarch, George’s descent from a stable family man to an uncharacteristic, brooding recluse forms the novel’s emotional core. His gradual personality shift highlights the insidious influence of the house.
  • Kathleen Lutz: Serving as the perceptive counterweight, Kathy’s emotional anguish and instinct to protect her three children anchor the story’s human stakes amid chaotic spectral events.
  • Father Mancuso: The troubled priest introduces a theological dimension, acting as a spiritual guide whose physical illness reinforces the dark forces at play.

Anson’s background in documentary writing shapes the book’s character dynamics. Rather than making them over-the-top heroes, George and Kathleen are portrayed as grounded, everyday parents unraveling under inexplicable stress. Their vulnerability makes the escalation, from strange odors and cold spots to severe levitation and demonic infestation, profoundly unsettling. Whether readers accept the events as supernatural or approach them skeptically, the characters create a strong emotional center for the story.

Core Themes

  • The Violation of Domestic Sanctuary: The narrative weaponizes the American Dream, transforming a dream suburban home into a site of claustrophobic dread.
  • Economic Vulnerability: The financial pressure of buying a bargain home amplifies the family’s stress, blending real-world anxieties with the supernatural.
  • Good vs. Evil: A traditional moral conflict underpins the story, questioning whether human faith can withstand an ancient, malicious presence.

Enduring Appeal

Decades after publication, the book retains its hold on readers by capitalizing on journalistic realism and the simple, terrifying prompt: “Based on a true story.” Anson’s clinical, day-by-day structure creates an immersive documentarian tone that keeps true-crime and horror enthusiasts fascinated by its eerie legacy.

Book vs. 1979 Movie Adaptation

While Jay Anson’s 1977 book and Stuart Rosenberg’s 1979 film adaptation share the same core narrative, the Lutz family fleeing their home after 28 days of supernatural terror, the two versions diverge significantly in their storytelling approach, character execution, and thematic emphasis.

FeatureJay Anson’s Book (1977)1979 Film Adaptation
Narrative ToneClinical, investigative, and documentary-style; presents events as a straightforward log of facts.Dramatic, cinematic, and melodramatic; relies on visceral jump scares and atmosphere.
George Lutz’ ArcPortrayed as a fatigued, cold-sensitive man suffering mood swings and physical decline.Features a full transformation into a threatening, axe-wielding figure resembling Ronald DeFeo Jr.
Religious SubplotFather Mancuso suffers from afar after being instructed by the house to “get out.”Expanded into a theatrical battle between Father Delaney (Rod Steiger) and systemic church bureaucracy.
Supernatural ElementsRelies heavily on lingering dread, foul odors, subtle physical coldness, and eerie sounds.Features overt physical manifestations, such as black ooze from toilets and red-eyed demonic pig projections.

Key Plot Differences

The book operates like an eerie non-fiction diary, emphasizing small, increasing stresses, financial burdens, broken locks, and bad weather that wears down the family piece by piece. The film dramatizes these events, escalating George’s hostility much faster and turning his obsession with chopping firewood into an explicit signal of imminent physical danger toward his family. Additionally, the movie gives Father Delaney (renamed from Mancuso) a much larger on screen presence, including scenes where he loses his sight and sanity while attempting to warn the family.

Thematic Shifts

  • Journalistic Realism vs. Cinematic Spectacle: The novel’s power comes from its plain, “true story” journalistic layout. The film abandons this understated documentarian tone in favor of traditional Hollywood tropes, utilizing Lalo Schifrin’s Oscar-nominated score and visual horror cues to drive the narrative.
  • Domestic Ruin vs. Economic Anxiety: While the book focuses heavily on spiritual violation, it’s mostly seen as an exercise in financial anxiety. The movie leans heavily into the terror of the American Dream turning into a financial trap, highlighting unpaid bills, lost money down the drain, and a house that destroys the family’s equity along with their sanity.

Final Book Verdict

I hadn’t read the book previously and opted for the audiobook instead. To my surprise, it’s not as scary as I thought going in, though it does have its occasional jump scares. The final chapters, where the family prepares to leave while the house refuses to let them go, deliver some intense action. The overall day-by-day tone that breaks down the Lutz’ experience in the house is intriguing, and fans of real-crime stories will definitely find it an interesting read.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

“When he flicked the first holy water and uttered the words that accompany the gesture, Father Mancuso heard a masculine voice say with terrible clarity: ‘Get out!’”

Audiobook cover. Photo: Barnes & Noble