Category: Book news

Book review: ‘This Is Going To Hurt: The Truth Always Does’ by Michael Ernest

‘This Is Going To Hurt: The Truth Always Does’ is an informative and insightful book by Michael Ernest. Photo: Michael Ernest, used with permission.

Brother Michael Ernest is a graduate of Lincoln University, formerly known as Ashmun Institute, the first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States, where he earned a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice. Brother Michael continued his educational pursuits and acquired a Master’s Degree from Wilmington University, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. His contributions to join several organizations to promote human welfare include being a proud brother of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated and Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to continue the fight irrespective of race, religion, or political affiliation. Brother Michael has focused his study for many weeks, months, and years to compile an arsenal of knowledge and resources (writings, websites, book referrals, educators) to dispense among all people, various races, and religious groups to help promote the great humanitarian cause. His book “This Is Going To Hurt: The Truth Always Does” brings heated debate topics to the forefront of the “so-called” Black Communities throughout the United States. (Michael Ernest, 2022)

“This Is Going To Hurt: The Truth Always Does” – Written for all levels of literacy to indulge in the conversations, many of the subjects discussed in this book’s purpose are designed to rattle the heads of the afraid, complacent, and oppressed people of these “so-called” Black communities. Black Americans’ time for being apologetic for their misfortunes needs to come to an immediate cease-fire. “This Is Going To Hurt: The Truth Always Does” will do that. In the Preface, the author writes that the purpose of the book is to bring together history, research, and hard truths to Black Americans. The book begins with a conversation between two Black men that ends with the conclusion that their neighborhoods cannot be considered “Black communities” because they do not influence anything that goes on in their communities: from the banking institutions to public offices. From there, he discusses topics that should be addressed more frequently and divides them into four chapters: Chapter 1 Economic Sovereignty, Chapter 2 Child Support Hurts The So-Called “Black Community” More Than It Helps It!, Chapter 3 Black Mothers vs. Breastfeeding, and Chapter 4 The Wrap-Up Breaking The Chains of Servitude Get Conscious. Your People Depend On It!

To make effective change in our lives, first we have to face up to the uncomfortable truths. Or, as James Baldwin wrote in a 1962 essay for The New York Times, “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” With that said, Michael Ernest does an excellent job of touching on subjects that should be addressed head on. His tone is serious but not confrontational and the language, though sometimes slightly advanced, is easy to understand. One highlight is in the Introduction, where he states that it should be up to Black Americans themselves to strengthen the “Black race character, culture, and heritage.” That before, the slave owners were the bad element, but nowadays, it is drug dealers and gangbangers and that “the moral culpability has shifted to ourselves.” Also notable is Chapter 1 Business Sovereignty where he stresses the importance of business diversity in black neighborhoods because it “invites innovation, which ultimately benefits consumers with new and better products and services, helps drive economic growth, and increases living standards.” His advice is meant to enrich peoples lives, like the importance of surrounding ourselves with likeminded individuals and civic engagement. “This Is Going To Hurt: The Truth Always Does” is a small but informative book that should be on everyone’s to read list. It is eye opening and contains well researched topics dealing with urban life as seen through the eyes of a Black man. Even though the target readership is Black Americans, the information presented can apply to everyone, especially when he admonishes readers to “Hold yourself accountable. Don’t pass the buck!” It is recommended for readers who like motivational and self help books and can appreciate being presented with uncomfortable truths.

“Read literature from the scholars who came before you to liberate your mind of centuries of captivity. Only this will kill the roots of those weeds embedded in the dark part of your history, reversing the negative misfortunes that have been done to you and your ancestors.”

* The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

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New children’s book: ‘Kindness is Wonderful’ by Hanna Yameen

‘Kindness is Wonderful’ is the new children’s book by Hanna Yameen. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Hanna Yameen is a creator of high-quality illustration books for elementary-aged children. She is a young aspiring author focused on creating easy-to-use learning resources centered around social skills, values, and difficult discussions for early-age children. Her new book “Kindness is Wonderful: A Children’s Book About Care and Empathy” teaches children the art of kindness. Kindness is powerful. Kindness is magic. It is available on paperback now and the Kindle version will be available on Thursday December 8 but is available for pre-order now. (Hanna Yameen, 2022)

“Kindness is Wonderful” – This preschool illustration book highlights the way kindness creates compassion, care, and empathy in early age children. It is designed for children ages 3 to 7 years old.

This amazing book with beautiful illustrations explains to your child in a simple and interesting way how to be kind and caring.

Guiding through characters and illustrations, the book will help your child:

  • express, empathy, and care for others
  • respect parents, friends, and classmates
  • help elderly people
  • know about nice manners
  • love nature and the environment
  • care for animals

In addition, the book contains an exercise for kids to list the acts of kindness they have done in their daily routines. This beautiful picture book shows preschoolers the way kindness, compassion and empathy help build friendship and community.

Kindness and empathy are traits best learned as young children. “Kindness is Wonderful” is an extraordinary children’s book that not only teaches children the importance of being kind, it gives them examples. It does not just “tell” them to be kind, it gives them scenarios that they may encounter “When I am dog-sitting, I make sure that I feed my little puppy. Kindness is feeding animals.” All these scenarios explain to children the meaning of kindness, like respecting others, sharing, and complimenting a friend. It also teaches them ways to be a responsible citizen, like picking up trash and recycling. The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and professional grade. This holiday season, consider giving books as gifts, especially “Kindness is Wonderful” which helps children understand the importance of being kind with examples and an interactive page at the end where they can list ways that they can express kindness. Most importantly, it stresses the importance of parents setting an example by doing these acts of kindness with their children.

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

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Movie adaptation: ‘Rickshaw Girl’ by Mitali Perkins

The movie adaptation of ‘Rickshaw Girl’ will be out on digital and on demand on December 8, 2022. Photo: Amazon

Mitali Perkins writes novels for young people, including “You Bring the Distant Near,” (nominated for the National Book Award) “Rickshaw Girl,” (NYPL best 100 Book for children in the past 100 years), “Bamboo People,” (ALA Top 10 YA novel) and “Tiger Boy.” (South Asia Book Award winner) Her newest is “The Story of Us,” a picture book from Beaming Books, and a nonfiction book for adults, “Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children’s Novels to Refresh our Tired Souls,” published by Broadleaf. “Rickshaw Girl” is the critically acclaimed story of a young, artistic Bangladeshi girl who bravely defies tradition in order to support her family through hard times. It was adapted into an award-winning film, which will be released in digital and on demand from Filmhub and Sleeperwave Films. Streaming options: Amazon, AppleTV, Hoopla, Vudu, and Kanopy. (Rickshaw Girl, 2022)

“Rickshaw Girl” – A daring Bangladeshi teen-aged girl battles the dangers of the big city when she disguises herself as a boy to earn extra cash for her struggling family. Daring and determined, teenage girl Naima longs to earn money for her poor Bangladeshi family, but her unrivaled artistic talent is of little use. When her father grows gravely ill, Naima feels she has no choice but to leave her small village for the bright lights of Dhaka.

In the big city, Naima finds the same economic, societal, and gender pressures faced by most young girls in Bangladesh. She cleverly disguises herself as a boy and takes the difficult job of a rickshaw puller. When her gender is revealed and her livelihood vanishes, Naima finds an unconventional solution to her problems.

“I was brought up in Dhaka, and from a young age, I traveled by rickshaw. Usually I could never remember the face of the rickshaw puller. Maybe because we usually don’t see their faces but only their backs. I could always see their muscular bodies drenched in sweat, but never understood the meaning of the sweat. As I grew up and my social and economic understanding got better, I realized that our country’s destitute people were oppressed by the upper class. I always wanted to tell a story about them.” director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury.

“I was moved and thrilled when I saw the film version of Naima’s journey. The story is deeper, richer, wider, and more authentically Bangladeshi. Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s direction is genius, and the acting and cinematography are so captivating.” Mitali Perkins

Rickshaw Girl movie poster. Photo: Google
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Genealogy book: ‘The Book of Browns’ by E. Philip Brown

E. Philip Brown is the author of ‘The Book of Browns.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Interest in genealogy has grown in the last few years but doing the research can be daunting. With any luck, there are a variety of books out there to help you in your research. If your last name is Brown, or know anyone with the last name Brown and would like to know more about the history of the surname and all about people who share this surname you might want to take notice of “The Book of Browns: The Story of One Big Extended Family” by E. Philip Brown.

E. Philip Brown is a public historian, author, and educator. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and an MA in Public History from American Public University. Prior to teaching, Phil was in the telecommunication industry for over 22 years working for carriers such as AT&T, Quest, and SBC. He and his wife, Chrisi, have two children and live in Haverhill, MA. He is the author of “The Book of Browns: The Story of One Big Extended Family.” (E. Philip Brown, 2022)

“The Book of Browns” – The Book of Browns looks at the history of the surname Brown and the people who are fortunate to share the same last name. Many famous people from all walks of life have this common surname but that does not mean they are ordinary.

It is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, goodreads, Kobo, and other book retailers.

Author E. Philip Brown. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

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Book of the week: ‘Empire Eternal: Reset’ by Philipp Münzer

‘Empire Eternal: Reset’ is book one in the Empire Eternal series by Philipp Münzer. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Philipp Münzer is living in Berlin, Germany, but he has proper Bavarian roots. His father passed on his love for Science Fiction and Fantasy novels when Philipp was a teenager. Now he writes books himself from his balcony. His book “Empire Eternal: Reset” is book one of six in the Empire Eternal series; a series full of mechs, magic, and aliens. It is an emotional ride for the main character, one filled with dangers and intrigue, as he is plagued by the memories of his future past. The series progresses in a wuxia style as the scope of the conflict becomes bigger and bigger. Follow the author on Twitter and Instagram. (Philip Münzer, 2022)

“Empire Eternal: Reset” – As Korbin stands on the ashes of an Empire, the last battle in the last human world is lost as he fights next to his prince and his friend Lo’Karr. Just as he tries to initiate a magic teleport sequence to flee Britannus, a wave of magical energy hits him and the lights go out. Korbin wakes up in his sixteen-year-old body, his memories lasting back thirty-five years since he last left the Imperial Academy. He faces a serious number of problems. For one, the Empire thinks it is alone in the universe but nothing could be further from the truth. The Vorrans are just around the corner, and Korbin knows that within a week the two races will be at war. And nobody knows that a mage can be much more than a glorified mech suit battery. The Vorrans teach the humans about the Initiations, the technique to advance a mage along the path of Ascension, but the humans never had enough runestone to even contemplate such a thing. But the greatest danger on the horizon are the merciless Reavers. They wiped out the Vorrans. They wiped out the humans. The Reavers are coming! Time is ticking. Korbin needs to grow a pair, restore his powers, grab his best friend, the prince and save the day. God hates a coward, soldier boy. Time to get to work.

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Author Philipp Münzer. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

New book release: ‘Vengeful Strike’ by Jah-Femi Telewa

‘Vengeful Strike’ is the new novel by Jah-Femi Telewa. Photo: Amazon

Jah-Femi Telewa or J.F.T., is a multiple award winning author and multiple award winning composer. His first book titled ‘Somewhere Enchanted’ (under his previous pen name or rather initials J.F.T.) earned 2 awards, one from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Indie Book Awards), the other from Literary Titan and has been widely well accepted. His new book “Vengeful Strike” is a tale of morality. Given the choice between right and wrong, the promise imbued within the sword will see kingdoms rise and fall. (Jah-Femi Telewa, 2022)

“Vengeful Strike” – Given an unexpected gift, one man has the power to save his kingdom, or damn it. Life is thrown into turmoil when a fleet of ships arrive off the shores of the kingdom of Nottaly with the promise of gold and riches. The king eagerly accepts his new guests, proclaiming them friends. It is a decision that will come to shape generations.

Nottaly is a kingdom constantly at war, so when the king’s champion is blessed with a special sword capable of saving the kingdom, the king turns to Killsmani to lead his armies in one campaign after the next. Armed with a powerful sword and a host of new allies at his side, the champion quickly discovers all is not well in the heart of Nottaly. A coup is underway. The righteous will fall. Champions become disgraced. What was once considered a blessing quickly turns to the very instrument capable of ruining lives. Seduced by the lure of power and riches, all Killsmani has to do is pick up his sword.

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Book review: ‘Dissection’ by Cristina LePort, MD

‘Dissection’ is the debut suspense thriller by Cristina LePort, MD. Photo: Amazon

Dr. Cristina LePort was born in Bologna, Italy, where she attended medical school before emigrating to the USA to complete her Internal Medicine residency at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn and her Cardiology fellowship at West Los Angeles VA/UCLA. She has been practicing medicine for more than 30 years as Dr. Cristina Rizza. “Dissection: A Medical and Political Thriller” is her first published novel and a tense thriller with complex characters that combines cutting-edge medical technology with horrific yet still believable terrorist plots.

“Dissection” – DC heart surgeon Dr. Steven Leeds is suddenly overwhelmed by a handful of extremely complicated heart attack and stroke cases, all caused by a rare arterial injury―a dissection. The victims all have one thing in common: they receive harmless-looking cards announcing, “Your heart attack/stroke will arrive within one hour!” It all starts with Dr. Nirula receiving a card warning him of an impending fatal heart attack. At first he dismisses it because he knows his personal odds of such an episode are slim, but then he remembers that 25% of people who have heart attacks have no known risks. His heart starts pounding as his life flashes through his mind, but eventually he moves on. He is the first of many such cases but unfortunately some do not make it. When private detective Kirk Miner and FBI agent Jack Mulville start investigating, they immediately suspect Leeds’ former lover, Dr. Silvana Moretti, a brilliant research scientist who harbors a grudge against all the victims. When important people in the U.S. government begin to receive these same threatening cards and experience similar cardiac emergencies, it falls to the unlikely team of three―the headstrong FBI agent, the gifted private investigator, and the brilliant but conflicted heart surgeon―to find the actual perpetrators and to snuff out a catastrophic plot that only the medically astute can divine.

Dr. Cristina LePort has written an impressive debut novel. Her experience as a medical professional gives it an authentic voice, for example, when she describes a heart attack: “a heavy sickening pressure rose from the center of his chest and spread like an oil spill to reach his jaw.” When doctors themselves get sick, the experience tends to give them a reality check, such as when Dr. Nirula admits that it is not fun being on the other side, being the patient instead of the doctor. The thorough character development makes them relatable, flawed, but overall courageous. With her descriptive language, the author makes the story come alive: “Fear receded like a wave from the shore and crashed into anger.” The political thriller subplot gives it an extra thrill ride during the rush to find the designated survivor to avoid a catastrophe and in case the president does not make it. The chapters are short and the action is mostly dialogue driven. Highlights include Chapter 3: Dissection where Dr. LePort describes Dr. Steven Leeds preparing to perform surgery: he “slid a cap over his thinning black hair, reached for a sponge, and stepped on the pedal to switch on the water” and Chapter 31: Choices when all hell breaks loose and Kirk Miner and Jack Mulville relentlessly pursue the terrorists even though they have both been injured. “Dissection” is a must read suspenseful page turner that combines a fast paced medical thriller with white knuckle political action. It is recommended for readers who appreciate the best of Tom Clancy and Robin Cook.

“She stared at her husband for a long moment as if deciding how to best handle the possible emergency. The man flapped his hand, hurrying her to get ready. A few minutes later, man and wife sat buckled up in their car on their way to Capitol Hospital. The man’s headache and neck pain escalated with the car’s bouncing and swerving. To him, the city street lights appeared blurred. Panic set in.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Book review: ‘You Don’t Need Salvation’ by H. Conradie

‘You Don’t Need Salvation’ by H. Conradie will be available December 1, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

H. Conradie is a former Christian who preached on street corners at the age of 18 and struggled for many years to find the courage to openly say that creation does not align with creation myths. He is the author of “You Don’t Need Salvation: you have no sin,” the book that frees millions of people from the idea that they are sinful and need salvation. (H. Conradie, 2022)

“You Don’t Need Salvation” – Have you ever doubted the existence of the biblical Adam and Eve? Have you ever wondered why a book with so many contradictions should be called the ‘Word of God’? Have you wondered why no trace of Hebrew slaves can be found in any Egyptian records? Billions of people brought up to believe biblical myths have asked the same questions you do and are demanding answers now. The Christian narrative of mankind being ‘lost’ is based upon the myth of ‘Adam and Eve.’ Children brought up in Christian homes are programmed to believe in myths as if they were real and told that they are lost forever except if they believe in the solution offered for a problem that does not exist. The author provides proof that the Bible cannot be the ‘Word’ of a perfect God, as it is historically inaccurate, full of contradictions, scientifically inaccurate, and bases its ‘solution’ on the myth of the ‘first Adam.’ In the Introduction, he welcomes readers brave enough to question what they have been conditioned to believe since childhood. The book is divided into fourteen chapters such as What Is The Bible, Biblical History, and Biblical Contradictions. He invites readers to free themselves from the 2000-year-old lie that they are sinful and in need of salvation.

Anyone who grew up in a church can agree that you are taught that “faith is a one-way street.” You are told to believe that the Bible is the “Word of God” and that is the end of discussion. But what if you were presented with logical data, from a scientific viewpoint, that this may not be the truth. Can you honestly say that you would consider a different perspective? This is what H. Conradie does; he provides a compelling argument regarding the validity of the Bible. By applying the IF, THEN math logic, he investigates and summarizes what the Bible is and is not, whether it is without error, and whether it is considered inspired by God. Highlights include Chapter 7: Biblical Contradictions, where he examines several biblical themes, for example, the order of creation, and shows how it differs from Genesis Chapter 1 and 2; and Chapter 10: The Myth of Sin where he debunks the concept of sin because it is introduced in the creation myth story of Adam and Eve. If this all seems cold and disheartening, it should not be, for as the author points out, “science and spiritual understanding are moving ever closer together.” Concepts such as love, hope, forgiveness, morality, and the afterlife should not be considered the exclusive domain of the religious. His tone is non-confrontational and empathic and the language is down to earth. Aside from the Applying Math section in Chapter 2, which requires careful reading, the material is easy to understand. “You Don’t Need Salvation” is an insightful examination of the Bible and is recommended for readers who appreciate debate on widely accepted religious dogma and can remain open minded when presented with viewpoints that differ from their own.

“Once we acknowledge that no one has all the answers, we are ready to learn. Once we acknowledge that we will never know the whole truth, we are even further prepared for truth and growth.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
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New book release: ‘Hunting Time’ by Jeffery Deaver

‘Hunting Time’ is the new Colter Shaw novel by Jeffery Beaver. Photo: Amazon

Jeffery Deaver is the #1 international bestselling author of more than forty novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, “The Bone Collector,” was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He has received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world, including Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers and the Steel Dagger from the Crime Writers’ Association in the United Kingdom. In 2014, he was the recipient of three lifetime achievement awards. In his new novel “Hunting Time” The New York Times bestselling master of suspense is back with a riveting thriller, as reward seeker Colter Shaw plunges into the woods and races the clock in a case where nothing is quite what it seems. (Amazon, 2022)

“Hunting Time” –
There are two fundamental rules of survival
#1: Never be without a means of escape – Allison Parker is on the run with her teenage daughter, Hannah, and Colter Shaw has been hired by her eccentric boss, entrepreneur Marty Harmon, to find and protect her. Though he’s an expert at tracking missing persons—even those who don’t wish to be found—Shaw has met his match in Allison, who brings all her skills as a brilliant engineer designing revolutionary technology to the game of evading detection.

#2: Never be without access to a weapon – The reason for Allison’s panicked flight is soon apparent. She’s being stalked by her ex-husband, Jon Merritt. Newly released from prison and fueled by blinding rage, Jon is a man whose former profession as a police detective makes him uniquely suited for the hunt. And he’s not alone. Two hitmen are also hot on her heels—an eerie pair of thugs who take delight not only in murder but in the sport of devising clever ways to make bodies disappear forever. Even if Shaw manages to catch up with Allison and her daughter, his troubles will just be beginning.

Shaw is about to discover rule #3 – Never believe anything. As Shaw ventures further into the wilderness, the truth becomes as hard to decipher as the forest’s unmarked trails and peril awaits at every turn.

Excerpt available.

New book release: ‘You Don’t Need Salvation’ by H. Conradie

‘You Don’t Need Salvation’ is available on Amazon. The Kindle version will be available December 1, 2022. Photo: H. Conradie, used with permission.

H. Conradie is the author of “You Don’t Need Salvation: you have no sin,” the book that frees millions of people from the idea that they are sinful and need salvation. (H. Conradie, 2022)

“You Don’t Need Salvation” – Have you ever doubted the existence of the biblical Adam and Eve? Have you ever wondered why a book with so many contradictions should be called the ‘Word of God’? Have you wondered why no trace of Hebrew slaves can be found in any Egyptian records?

You are not alone! Billions of people brought up to believe biblical myths have asked the same questions you do and are demanding answers now. The Christian narrative of mankind being ‘lost’ is based upon the myth of ‘Adam and Eve.’ Children brought up in Christian homes are programmed to believe in myths as if they were real and told that they are lost forever except if they believe in the solution offered for a problem that does not exist.

As a former Christian who preached on street corners at the age of 18, I struggled for many years to find the courage to openly say that creation does not align with creation myths. Find proof in these pages that the Bible cannot be the ‘Word’ of a perfect God, as it is historically inaccurate, full of contradictions, scientifically inaccurate, and bases its ‘solution’ on the myth of the ‘first Adam.’ Free yourself and your loved ones now from the 2000-year-old lie that you are sinful and in need of salvation.

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