Category: Book Reviews

Book review: ‘The Missing Element’ by Debra Silverman

‘The Missing Element’ by Debra Silverman. Photo: amazon

Debra Silverman has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Dance from York University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the past 40 years of professional experience and private practice, she has specialized in helping thousands of individuals achieve emotional health and wisdom based on their unique personality and the four elements: water, air earth, and fire. Her work with families, individuals, and couples has her standing out in a sea of therapists and coaches. She has taught at the internationally renowned Esalen Institute, and her work has taken her around the globe, practicing and lecturing in places like New York, Los Angeles, London, Vancouver, Seattle and Boulder, Colorado, where she now lives. In her book “The Missing Element: Inspiring Compassion for the Human Condition,” Debra Silverman describes human nature in a compassionate and concise way. 

“The Missing Element” begins with a Prologue where Debra Silverman explains that with all the problems going on in the world today, it may seem like an impossible task to try and create change for the better. The best way to do it? “….global change begins at home. We heal one person at a time, and we start with ourselves.” In her opinion, the best way to do this is to become familiar with the Four Elements as they pertain to us and to become an Observer and stand back and make changes by “altering the way you see and live your own story.” She writes that we are all made of four basic elements – Water, Air, Earth, and Fire and when we are in pain, it is because the elements are out of balance. Her goal in writing this book is teach readers about the different elements and how to reflect on their personality to be able to distinguish which parts are out of balance and use the Observer in themselves to experience life without judgement. Most importantly, the author wants everyone to use this knowledge to show more compassion towards other people and understand why they behave a certain way. Once she describes why the earth and humanity is in trouble and what makes up the Observer, the rest of the book is divided into the Four Elements: a description, how to work with each one, and the differences between men and women of each element.

By combining psychology and astrology, Debra Silverman provides readers with a deeper insight into personality traits based on the Four Elements. Her compassion for helping people shines through every page and her use of simple and easy to understand language keeps it all within reach. Even for readers who are not into astrology, her life advice is spot on; for example: her stance on how every time we experience pain, we have the option to either learn our lesson and change or repeat the story again and again. Her teachings come from the vantage point of “The Elders” and her attempts to help others accept themselves along the path of self-improvement. After she describes each element in terms of personality traits (in the first person point of view), she shows readers how to work with each to improve their lives and the lives of others. All this information is based on the Wisdom of the Elders who, based on different cultures, used the Four Directions, the Four Elements, the Four Noble Truths, and the Four Worlds to navigate life. It may not be for everyone, but “The Missing Element” by Debra Silverman is an inspiring guide to getting to know ourselves better and in turn reaching out to others and helping the planet.  It is recommended for readers who appreciate self-help books with a strong foundation on astrology, metaphysics, and psychology.

“The elders of the American Indian and Chinese cultures looked seven generations ahead as they made their decisions. We have neglected such wisdom, living more from what will make us happy today, rather than what will bring peace to our great-great-grandchildren and their grandchildren.”

*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.

Book review: ‘The Bigs’ by Ben Carpenter

‘The Bigs’ by Ben Carpenter. Photo: amazon.

Ben Carpenter began his career as a Commercial Lending Officer at the Bankers Trust Company. Two years later he joined Bankers Trust’s Primary Dealer selling U.S. Treasury bonds. After a brief stop at Morgan Stanley, Ben joined Greenwich Capital which, during his 22 year career there, became one of the most respected and profitable firms on Wall Street. At Greenwich Capital Ben was a salesman, trader, sales manager, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and Co- CEO. Currently Ben is the Vice Chairman of CRT Capital Group, a 300 person institutional broker-dealer located in Stamford, CT. His book “The Bigs: The Secrets Nobody Tells Students and Young Professionals About How to Find a Great Job, Do a Great Job, Be a Leader, Start a Business, Stay Out of Trouble, and Live A Happy Life” is an invaluable guide for all college students, young professionals, and anyone seeking the hard-earned wisdom of a man who has won and lost many battles while winning the war of personal fulfillment.

“The Bigs” begins with a Preface by the author where he explains how this book came about. One day he received an email from his daughter Avery, who had just gotten a job, asking him if it was okay to send an email to her new boss asking if she could start “a week from Monday.” After the panic subsided, he responded with a list of items Avery should consider following at her new job, and afterwards, his friend suggested that he write a book on the topic. After a series of health scares, he seriously gave it more thought because he felt his daughters “could benefit from my experience, knowledge and mistakes even if I wasn’t there to tell them.” The final project turned out to be a combination of a memoir, a how-to book, and a collection of stories he lived through, all meant to dispense advice. It is divided into two parts: Part One, “How to Survive, Thrive, and Have Fun in the Big Leagues,” – teaches readers how to think about the kinds of issues that they will encounter in the real world; and Part Two, “How to Choose, Get, and Do a Great Job” – teaches readers specifically how to accomplish these critically important tasks. Ben Carpenter uses the baseball analogy to get his points across. In baseball, “the bigs” is slang for the big leagues. When you become responsible for yourself, and you are being paid to do a job, you are in “the big leagues.”

For the most part, life consists of lessons learned along the way that help pave the road to happiness and success. These lessons are as varied as humans are, and it is always advantageous to read about other people’s experiences in the hopes of learning something new. Such is the case in “The Bigs,” an American story of one man’s journey through his life and career. He recounts the people he met, the experiences he had, the mistakes he made, and what he learned along the way. Readers will encounter a colorful cast of real-life characters which include Big Hank, Hoops, Sweater Girl, The Zombies, Mr. Nuts, The Cheese, Deep Throat, and The RAT. Their tales stories are followed by a “lessons learned” section. The only downside is that it has too many sports analogies and that might be a turn off for readers who are not into sports. Since the language is easy to understand, it is suitable for all ages, but mostly for young people just starting out on life. One chapter that stands out because it has general advice for any age, is Chapter 5: Living a Happy Life. It contains stories and advice such as: The Secret- happiness is in your hands, Creating a Happy Life– you must create your own happiness but it takes maturity, self-awareness, hard work, and intelligence, and Money and Happiness- be happy with what you have. For example, on The Rude Waiter: he stresses that he is unwilling to ever allow poor service to spoil his dinner. He may not return, but he will not allow a rude waiter or bad service ruin his evening. While the real world can be fun, it is sometimes an uphill battle, and any type of advice should be embraced. “The Bigs” is full of practical advice, amusing stories, and lessons that anyone can use in their daily lives. It is recommended for readers who are sports fans and open to a different perspective on life.

“Most young entrepreneurs make the mistake of asking themselves ‘What product or service do I want to sell?’ More often, the better question is, ‘What product or service do I want to buy that I can’t easily find?’

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

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Book review: ‘The Encyclopedia of Commercial Real Estate Advice’ by Terry Painter

‘The Encyclopedia of Commercial Real Estate Advice’ by Terry Painter is the first encyclopedia of commercial real estate. Photo: amazon

Terry Painter is a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council and is a contributing writer for Forbes Online Magazine. He is the founder of Apartment Loan Store and Business Loan Store – commercial mortgage banking firms that have closed over four billion dollars in commercial loans since 1997. Terry has personally closed hundreds of commercial real estate loans representing just about every type of commercial real estate. As a top producer for Lasalle Bank and Lehman Brothers, he is known for his real estate investment consultations and tactics. For 18 years Terry has spoken nationally to commercial real estate investor groups, real estate brokers, and banks about commercial real estate investing and lending. His book “The Encyclopedia of Commercial Real Estate Advice: How to Add Value When Buying, Selling, Repositioning, Developing, Financing, and Managing” covers everything anyone would ever need to know on the subject from A to Z.

“The Encyclopedia of Commercial Real Estate Advice” begins with a Foreword from Peter Harris, who has worked with Terry Painter in the past and is the author of “Commercial Real Estate Investing For Dummies.” He explains that this book “is a serious, bottom-line book about making and modeling sound business decisions around buying and selling a commercial property.” In the Introduction, the author similarly states that it is full of advice on how to make the right decisions and avoid the setbacks that come with getting invested in commercial real estate, but mostly, it will save the reader time and money. It is divided into eight parts: Smart Strategies for Buying, Smart Strategies for Buyer Due Diligence, Smart Strategies for Raising Investors, Smart Strategies for Sellers, Smart Strategies for Repositioning, Smart Strategies for Developing, Smart Strategies for Financing, and Smart Strategies for Managing and Leasing. Each one starts with informative chapters and is followed by an encyclopedia that contains individual topics pertaining to the subject discussed. These encyclopedia topics serve as future refence material and commercial real estate terms that are in italics are included in this section. Throughout the chapters, there are 136 Time and Money Savings Tips and an Index at the end.

The world of commercial real estate investing can be complicated but Terry Painter does an excellent job of breaking down the subject into chapters and sections that anyone can understand. The result is exactly what the name implies: an encyclopedia of commercial real estate advice. It reads like a textbook and the chapters are divided by topic so that it also serves as a future refence guide. Overall, the language is down to earth, he uses the newly coined term “coronavirus recession” when discussing recessions, and he makes the subject matter easy to comprehend without sounding condescending or patronizing. At the beginning of each chapter, he describes the topics he will be covering and what the reader can expect. Highlights include Chapter 1: Who Are You When Buying a Commercial Property?, section: ‘The lowest-risk property types to choose’ where he lists the major commercial property types in the order of their level of risk during a recession which includes: mobile home parks, senior housing, and medical office buildings; and Chapter 12: Smart Strategies for Managing and Leasing which has important sections on ‘Eleven Ways Property Managers Can Rip You Off’ (and how to remedy each situation) and ‘Seven Essential Property Management Skills’ among those being customer service, problem solving, and negotiating. He makes it a point to stress that “nothing is truly recession-proof” but includes the 10 best recession proofing strategies on page 31. It is a gem among real estate business books. “The Encyclopedia of Commercial Real Estate Advice” is an impressive collection of commercial real estate advice and a must-read for investors of any level. It is recommended for readers who are genuinely interested in commercial real estate investing and need more information as well as those who do not know where to start or how the process works.

“The silver lining for commercial real estate buyers is that recessions turn seller’s markets into buyer’s markets and bring prices down…”

*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.

Book review: ‘Life Is Beautiful’ by James A. Cusumano

‘Life Is Beautiful’ by James A. Cusumano. Photo: amazon

James A. Cusumano is an accomplished leader with successful careers as an entertainer, scientist, corporate executive, and entrepreneur. An inspiring speaker and entertainer, he is the author of “Cosmic Consciousness: A Journey to Well-being, Happiness and Success,” “Balance: The Business-Life Connection,” and co-author of “Freedom from Mid-East Oil.” His book “Life is Beautiful: 12 Universal Rules” is a multi-faceted guide to life-long success and personal fulfillment.

In the Preface, James A. Cusumano explains that “Life is Beautiful” centers around the big question of ‘What is the meaning of life’ and the eventual ‘How can I live a happy life?’ His purpose in life is to share what he has learned in the hopes of making a “positive difference in the lives of others and show that Life is Beautiful.” He discovered the parallels between Eastern thought and modern physics but does now want to present his findings as dogma. Instead, he just wants readers to think of what ‘true’ reality means. The book is divided into two parts: The Reason for Your Existence: 12 Universal Rules of Life and Using The 12 Universal Rules to Create the Life You Dream. The first part contains chapters like Consciousness Is Everything, Consciousness And Reality, and The True Nature of Our Universe – they cover the surface of physics and the definition of the soul. He provides references in the bibliography in case the reader wants to pursue the details of the physics presented. The second part covers The Art and Science of Meditation, Creating Your Dreams, and Finding Lifelong Fulfillment – explanations on the arts of relaxation and meditation to be able to uncover a person’s Life Purpose to create personal and professional fulfillments. Appendix B contains The 12 Universal Rules of Life in one section to make it easier to read.

Admittedly, from the title itself, “Life Is Beautiful” at first seems like a self-help book to help readers improve their everyday lives but it is much more than that. James A Cusumano looks at the bigger picture of who and what we are in regards to the universe and he starts off with the definition of the soul, what he calls Cosmic Consciousness, “an energy field that functions by laws of a science that are well beyond our knowledge of quantum physics.” The first six chapters have heavy science content, specifically physics, but at an intermediate level so it is easy to follow. Chapter Seven: Balancing Masculine-Feminine Energies stands out because it addresses Rule #12 “Addressing complex social and cultural challenges requires an appropriate dynamic balance between masculine and feminine energies.” This basically states that for society to work, the masculine and feminine energies should be balanced and that organized religion has “played a key role in elevating masculine energies most often at the demise of feminine energies” in its never-ending quest for power and wealth, which is why the earth is currently hurting. The topics in Part Two are easier to understand because they include tips on how to relax and meditate to create our own reality. Since it is mostly about Eastern philosophy and physics, “Life is Beautiful” may not be for everyone but it opens the readers eyes to the concept of consciousness and the thought that we are all made of energy. It is recommended for readers who appreciate science and Eastern philosophy and are searching for ways to create a more fulfilling life with purpose.

“Time does not exist in the realm of consciousness. It is a man-made fabrication to manage our lives without chaos.”

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

Book review: ‘The Entrepreneur’s Faces’ by Jonathan Littman and Susanna Camp

‘The Entrepreneur’s Faces’ by Jonathan Littman and Susanna Camp. Photo: google

Jonathan Littman is the author of ten books, including “The Art of Innovation” and “The Ten Faces of Innovation.” His bestselling books have sold 750,000 copies worldwide and have been published in 20 languages. He is an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco where he teaches ‘Innovation, Creativity, and Applied Design.’ Susanna Camp is an editor and journalist specializing in emerging technology and business trends. She is the Editor-in-Chief of SmartUp.life and a consultant for CEOs and others wanting to build their social media footprint. Susanna was an early team leader at Wired magazine, where she led the creation of one of the first online communities. In their new book “The Entrepreneur’s Faces: How Makers, Visionaries and Outsiders Succeed,” the authors take readers through the world of ten authentic entrepreneurs from around the world and show how each gets their edge and how they make their way in the business world in the hopes of inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit in them.

In the Introduction to “The Entrepreneur’s Faces,” Jonathan Littman and Susanna Camp explain their goal in writing this book is to “help you to identify the ten essential entrepreneurial types to propel your professional growth, and better gauge potential partners on the journey.” The ten entrepreneurs showcased throughout this book range from a concert pianist, to a physicist, a Stanford Law student and more. They are divided into ten types of workers: The Maker, The Outsider, The Conductor, The Accidental, The Collaborator, The Guardian, The Leader, The Visionary, The Evangelist, and The Athlete. Even though they all have their own individual journey to travel, they all pass through the same seven essential stages, which the authors call The Arc. These stages include: The Awakening, The Shift, The Place, The Launch, The Money, The Test, and The Scale. Each stage makes up a chapter where they describe how each entrepreneur handles the different stages. In the Epilogue, they stress that getting to identify the different entrepreneurial types is an excellent way to maximize a person’s potential but the types are in no way set in stone. People often exhibit more than one of these characteristics and it is usually necessary to adapt and change to maximize growth.

The world of entrepreneurship, like people, is constantly changing and challenging. Even though Littman and Camp focus on ten types of entrepreneurs, they emphasize that these states of mind are not always static. This book was written during COVID, when the business world is being challenged in ways no one thought possible – “The global pandemic is a huge Test for us all…Taking bold, new steps is never easy.” The stories presented, though inspiring, are merely a guide for entrepreneurs and innovators to help them through the 7 major phases of business growth. One chapter that stands out is ‘3: The Place’ because it brings up how the pandemic has made remote working necessary and “Those who quickly adopted these new skills at creating and collaborating online had an edge.” It brings modern reality into the mix. The chapters are short and the language is not too complicated in terms of business lingo and the authors speak directly to the reader: “At heart, you’ve got to make your own luck.” Business owners can also benefit in the sense that this valuable information can help them better understand themselves and their workers. By focusing on personality traits, this unique approach to business growth and management speaks to the heart of what makes individuals strive to succeed. “The Entrepreneur’s Faces” is an immensely useful business guide for both entrepreneurs and established organizations and is recommended for readers who appreciate business advice focusing on individual personalities and strengths.

“History proves that recessions, downturns, and yes, pandemics, demand that we respond to the threat with tremendous creativity and innovation.”

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

Book review: ‘Death of a Messenger’ by Robert McCaw

‘Death of a Messenger’ is Robert McCaw’s new Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery novel. Photo: amazon

Robert McCaw is an author who grew up in a military family traveling the world. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, served as a U.S. Army lieutenant, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. He was a partner in a major international law firm in Washington, D.C. and New York City, representing major Wall Street clients in complex civil and criminal cases. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw fills his writing of the Islands with his more than 20-year love affair with this Pacific paradise. His new book “Death of a Messenger,” is a prequel and follows “Fire and Vengeance” and “Off the Grid” in McCaw’s Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series. In this new mystery, after an anonymous 911 caller reports a body at Pōhakuloa, the Army’s live-fire training area, Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne, a cop with his own secret criminal past, finds a mutilated corpse bearing all the hallmarks of ancient ritual sacrifice.

“Death of a Messenger” begins as Detective Koa Kāne is aboard an Army helicopter heading towards a crime scene that will haunt him throughout his investigation. Not only does he have another murder to solve, but he is also constantly troubled by a pinched nerve in his neck and no matter where he goes, he has sporadic jolts of pain that only add to his misery. Regardless, he is excited at the prospect of another mystery to solve and this one occurs in an Army live training area between two of the five volcanoes that form the Big Island of Hawaii. There, he finds a mutilated corpse just inside a lava tube and it has all the signs of a ritualistic killing. It might also be an archeological site because the site contains a stone tool, an old fire ring, and some stone chips so Kāne consults with a local archeology expert, Jimmy Hikorea. He is off-putting and rude, but he knows his material and keeps Kāne on his toes and proves to be useful in the investigation. Solving this murder will not be easy due to constant obstacles in Kāne’s way including an incompetent medical examiner, hostility from both Westerners and Hawaiian sovereignty advocates, and one lie after another. The victim turns out to be Keneke Nakano, an astronomer who worked at the local observatory and his death is linked to grave robbing and antiquities theft.

Detective Koa Kāne is back in full force in this prequel to the Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery series. Even though it is Robert McCaw’s newest novel, it is considered a prequel but still a stand-alone novel, like the rest of the series. This highly riveting police procedural mystery has everything: relatable characters, Hawaiian terms and language, all explained, as well as interesting history that involves the murder case. It is easy to read and though the action starts out slow, it picks up, especially at the end when Kāne is pursing the suspects. The author’s love of Hawaii is evident in his writing and through beautiful poetic language, shares that love with his readers: “The giant eyes peered deep into space and backward in time to a younger and more violent universe.” Koa Kāne is a deeply flawed character. He has physical pains and is fighting his own personal demons because he is still being haunted by the fact that he got away with killing a man. Others see him as a brilliant Detective who solves crimes, but in his mind, this case is only a small redemption. According to him, “he had much left to do before, if ever, he deserved to be hanohano [honorable].” The plot twists keep the reader guessing until the shocking end. Hopefully, there will be more Koa Kāne mysteries to come. “Death of a Messenger,” a noteworthy murder mystery that showcases both the beauty and dark side of Hawaii, is recommended for fans of the genre who also appreciate learning about Hawaii’s history and archaeology.

“Later, the two of them walked out of the observatory into perhaps the most stunning sunset in Koa’s memory. Far off to the west, trails of vaporous mist played eerily over the deeply shadowed valley where night had already fallen between the Hawaiian mountains….Hues of red, orange, yellow, and pink glorified the darkening sky. No edges separated the colors. A continuum of subtle shades simply slid softly together in the ever-shifting light of the dying day.”

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

 

Book review: ‘The Blonde’ by Anna Godbersen

‘The Blonde’ by Anna Godbersen

Anna Godbersen is an American writer whose debut novel was the first installment of The New York Times’ bestselling Luxe series for young adults, which includes “The Luxe,” “Rumors,” “Envy,” and Splendor.” She also wrote the Bright Young Things series and “The Blonde,” her first book for grownups. “The Blonde” takes place at the height of the Cold War when Marilyn Monroe was the most infamous woman in the world and poses the question: what if she was also a secret Soviet spy? In 1947, a young, unknown Norma Jeane Baker meets a mysterious man in Los Angeles who transforms her into Marilyn Monroe, the star. Twelve years later he demands payback, and Marilyn is given her first assignment from the KGB: uncover something about John F. Kennedy that no one else knows.

“The Blonde” begins with a Prologue that chronicles Norma Jean’s early years beginning in 1926 when she was born and then jumps to New York in 1959. This fictional account, at the height of her career, has Marilyn Monroe coming across a man named Alexei Lazarev, a Russian, who reminds her that he helped make her famous and now wants her to repay him. He claims to know her real father, that he wants to meet her, and that he can make it happen. All she must do is get close to JFK. From there, the story speculates on what Marilyn and JFK’s relationship might have been like with the added intrigue of Russian spies and the Cold War. It is divided into five parts, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963. The Epilogue shows Marilyn as a guilt-ridden older woman visiting JFK’s gravesite. It is also the story of the Douglass Walls, the FBI agent who spied on Marilyn, told through his point of view.

The real story behind Marilyn Monroe and JFK may never be known but it is always fun to speculate, especially when spies, murder, and double agents are concerned. An easy read, the action flows through the pages and is mostly dialogue driven. The language is simple and down to earth, and at times even poetic: “The air coming off the high desert was over a hundred degrees, the kind of heat that melts the borders of a girl’s body.” It is an interesting insight into how far people are willing to go for power, wealth, status, and love. The line between fact and fiction are blurred and readers get a glimpse into Marilyn’s thoughts and what might have driven her to make the decisions she made. Part romance, part thriller, it is a fun novel that pulls the reader into the the lifestyle of that era. “The Blonde” is recommended for fans of Marilyn Monroe and Cold War era novels who appreciate fictional spins on real people.

“They forget that vulnerability can be itself, and it can also be a shield, and also a knife. Any old thing can be a weapon, so long as you know how to use it right.”

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

 

Book review: ‘Primal Calling’ by Barry Eisenberg

‘Primal Calling’ is Barry Eisenberg’s debut novel about a young man searching for his father. Photo: google

Barry Eisenberg is an associate professor of health care management in the School for Graduate Studies at the State University of New York Empire State College, a health care management consultant, and a former hospital administrator. During the years he has spent in health care, he has met a wide variety of people who have inspired him and helped him to understand how caring and courageous some can be.  Most of his writing has been fiction, with a focus on the future of health care and higher education. “Primal Calling” is his first novel and centers around Jack, a twenty-year old whose search for his father becomes an all-consuming mission.

“Primal Calling” begins as Jack is finishing another day of college. As he drives out of the parking lot, a mysterious car follows him out and the man and woman force him into their car. When Jack questions their motive they tell him that they are taking him to meet his father. From there, the action goes back in time to Jack’s life with his mother Linda. He discovers the truth about his father one day when he is home sick from school and, because he is feeling better but bored, he is rummaging through the attic and finds his birth certificate. Curiosity gets the better of him and he uncovers his father’s name. This goes against what his mother always told him, that his father was an anonymous donor because she claims she was artificially inseminated. Rather than tell his mother and risk her stopping him from digging deeper, he continues on his own. All his probing triggers an FBI alert and it turns out his father, whose real name is Stewart Jacobson, works for the government and has different identities to protect his work and life. Jack persists in his search even though he runs into one obstacle after another. In the end, he gets to know his father and Linda reconnects with Stewart since he never knew he has a son. To protect Stewart, his employer fakes his death and he is given a new identity, but Jack and Linda remain a part of his life.

It is hard to pin down what genre of book “Primal Calling” is because it has touches of everything: a coming-of-age story because in the process of finding his father, Jack finds himself; a love story because of the budding romance between Jack and Cathy, the young lady who is helping him in his search; and an international spy thriller when Stewart’s job is the focus, including a suicide bomber plot twist. In all cases, it is an intriguing debut novel by Barry Eisenberg that has potential for becoming a series. The character development is extensive, so they become familiar and relatable without an obvious villain standing out. In an interesting plot development, before Abdel, Rafiq’s son, who is Stewart’s ally, blows himself up along with others, the reader gets to know the victims. Their description begins with “He never looked at the faces of the people near him.” This is important because it reinforces the fact that actions have consequences, affecting other people who have their own lives and that they are not just objects: “The cafeteria became a cathedral to blood, smoke, death, and chaos. Body parts were strewn about in a catastrophic human mauling.” The language level begins as intermediate: “There was no shortage of pursuits to which his interest could be applied, and, in the meantime, he vowed to savor this indoctrination into the next stage of his life” but becomes easier halfway through, which helps the pacing of the story. It also has its poetic moments: “Trees were frosted with ice, its weight tugging at the branches, creating a vastness of luminescent archways.” A one-of-a-kind novel, “Primal Calling” is recommended for fans of mysteries that are wrapped up in family drama with a touch of international spy intrigue.

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

Book review: ‘Being Boss’ by Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson

‘Being Boss’ by Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson. Photo: amazon

Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson are self-proclaimed “business besties” and hosts of the top-ranked podcast Being Boss, where they talk shop and share their combined expertise with other creative entrepreneurs. In 2009, Emily Thompson founded Indie Shopography, a design and strategy studio for online entrepreneurs. She has worked to help makers, coaches, and designers develop an online business model, strategize, and launch websites, and grow their online business. Kathleen Shannon is the founder of Braid Creative and Consulting, a boutique branding agency and consultancy she co-owns with her sister. Together they have helped thousands of creative entrepreneurs authentically brand and position themselves as creative experts. Kathleen also does creative coaching and is regularly invited to speak on personal branding at design conferences and retreats. Their book “Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work & Live Life On Your Own Terms” is an interactive self-help guide for creative entrepreneurs where they share their best tools and tactics on “being boss” in both business and life.

“Being Boss” begins with the Introduction where the authors describe that their goal in writing this book is to help readers reach their business goals of being an entrepreneur: “We’re here to share our own experience, advice, stories, tactics, and to-dos that will help you make money doing what you love while being who you are 100 percent of the time in work and life.” They do this by sharing stories and tips along with quotes, excerpts and Q&As from experts in the business field. There are exercises, worksheets to fill out such as “Your Dream Day,” “A Tea Ritual,” and “Monthly Income Goals” all meant to help readers and aspiring bosses “dig deep, dream big, and take action.” It is divided into six chapters: Chapter 1: What It Means To Be Boss, Chapter 2: Boss Mindset, Chapter 3: Establishing Boss Boundaries, Chapter 4: Habits and Routines, Chapter 5: Do the Work, and Chapter 6: Live Your Life.

The subject of business and entrepreneurship can be tedious, but in this case, the authors make it easy to understand and follow without using complicated terms. It is a business book for the average person who wishes to get a better sense of what it takes to be a successful business owner. Even for non-entrepreneurs, it has tips and advice on how to be more productive, especially Chapter 4: Habits and Routines. These include taking care of yourself, listening to your body, and being kind to yourself with the overall idea that it is important to have a proper work/life balance.  Highlight is Chapter 5: Do the Work that covers personal branding, a simple business plan, finding your voice, and the importance of being consistent in your business. It is not a book on how to launch your own business, instead, it shows readers how to get in the “boss” mindset to be able to create success, deal with failures, and “take responsibility for creating the life you want to live.” Far from being an intimidating business book, it has inspirational quotes, personal stories, and advice and tips anyone can use. “Being Boss” is an excellent reference guide and is recommended for readers who appreciate advice on how to create a more meaningful work/life experience.

“The core of the boss mindset is your values and your intentions. When your values and intentions are aligned, your work and life will feel efficient, effective, and meaningful.”

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

Book review: ‘Greatest Love’ by Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha

‘Greatest Love’ by Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha with Master Maya Mackie.

Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha is a world-renowned healer, Tao Grandmaster, philanthropist, humanitarian, creator of Tao Calligraphy and an eleven-time The New York Times bestselling author.  In 2016 Master Sha received rare and prestigious appointments as Shu Fa Jia (National Chinese Calligrapher Master) and Yan Jiu Yuan (Honorable Researcher Professor), the highest titles a Chinese calligrapher can receive, by the State Ethnic of Academy of Painting in China.  A Master Teacher personally trained by Master Sha, Master Maya Mackie is dedicated to empowering humanity.  As one of the top trainers at the Tao Academy, Master Maya teaches people how to apply soul power to every aspect of life, including health, relationships, finances, business, pets, and more.  In “Greatest Love: Unblock Your Life in 30 Minutes a Day with the Power of Unconditional Love,” they show readers how to use unconditional love to receive blessings and melt all blockages to enrichen their lives.

“Greatest Love” begins with an Introduction that explains the purpose of the book: “to share with you sacred wisdom and powerful yet simple practices that can empower you to help your loved ones, humanity, and Mother Earth through this challenging period of time.”  These include simple ancient techniques such as chanting powerful mantras and revolutionary new techniques using Tao Source Calligraphies to empower readers to enhance and transform all life. Chapter 1 defines greatest love as unlimited and unconditional.  The top ten qualifies of this love are ‘greatest’: love, forgiveness, compassion, light, humility, harmony, flourishing, gratitude, service, and enlightenment. Chapters include: The Power and Significance of Greatest Love (Da Ai), What is Tao Source Calligraphy?, Apply Tao Source Calligraphy to Enrich and Bless Your Life, and Chant and Trace Tao Calligraphy to Serve Humanity and Mother Earth.

One school of thought states that we create our own karma, whether good or bad, depending on our actions. “Greatest Love” makes that point when describing “Shen,” which includes the soul, heart, and mind, which can become polluted or blocked. Simply put, bad karma blocks the soul, good karma unblocks it: “Karma is the root cause of success and failure in every aspect of life.” This is the underlying message that the authors successfully are putting out there and the exercises, chants and meditation techniques all strive to help create good karma and positive flow to help readers change their lives.  It is a small book, made to be carried everywhere as a source of constant enrichment. The language is simple to understand and whenever necessary, the terms and practices used are defined, since it references spiritualism and Taoist philosophy. “Greatest Love” contains positive messages of self-healing and improvement and is recommended for readers who appreciate alternative methods of self-help and spiritual guidance.

“Currently, Heaven and human beings are not joined as one. They are not in alignment. We believe this is why we are seeing so many natural disasters, economic and political challenges, war, diseases, and more.”

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