Tag: Book news

Mastering Conversations: A Review of ‘The Art of How to Talk to Anyone’

Discover how to unlock the power of effective communication with the new book by Harmony Hart. Photo: Amazon

“The Art of How to Talk to Anyone” by Harmony Hart is a concise and insightful guide to mastering the art of conversation. Hart blends practical advice with psychological insights, making this book a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills.

It begins by emphasizing the importance of listening and understanding others, setting a foundation for effective communication. From there, it moves on to techniques for initiating conversations, keeping them flowing smoothly, and gracefully exiting when necessary. Hart’s approach is straightforward, offering valuable tips that can be applied in various social and professional settings.

Chapters include:
Understand the Basics of Conversation
Essential Social Skills for Everyone
Strategies for Building Rapport
Overcome Common Social Challenges
The Introvert’s Path to Social Confidence
Cultivate Personal Relationships
Cultural Sensitivity and Global Communication
Enhance Communication for Career Advancement
Navigate Digital Communication
Become a Lifelong Communicator

Highlights:
4. Overcome Common Social Challenges
Conquer Imposter Syndrome in Social Situations – stresses the importance of overcoming doubts about your abilities and accomplishments. “This self doubt can create a barrier to forming genuine connections, as you might hold back from engaging fully or authentically with others.”

5.The Introvert’s Path to Social Confidence
Set Healthy Social Boundaries – the importance of setting boundaries to give yourself time to recharge and refocus. “…remember that your boundaries are not barriers but bridges to more authentic and enjoyable connections.”

What I like most is its main focus is on developing empathy and the importance of authenticity. Hart encourages readers to genuinely connect with others by showing interest and empathy, rather than focusing solely on themselves. This approach not only enhances one’s ability to converse but also fosters meaningful relationships.

Overall, “The Art of How to Talk to Anyone” stands out for its practicality and accessibility. Whether you’re an introvert seeking to feel more comfortable in social situations or an extrovert looking to refine your conversational skills, this book offers valuable insights that can help you navigate conversations with confidence and finesse.

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

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Paul Kane’s Travels: A Cultural Odyssey through Indigenous North America

‘Paul Kane’s Travels in Indigenous North America’ by I.S. MacLaren explores the life, times, and challenging legacy of 19th Century Canadian artist Paul Kane. Photo: Amazon

McGill-Queen’s University Press announces the release of the four-volume publication “Paul Kane’s Travels in Indigenous North America: Writings and Art, Life and Times” by I.S. MacLaren, the first comprehensive survey of Paul Kane’s (1810–1871) life and work in more than fifty years. Kane’s field sketches made between 1845 and 1848 constitute the first visual record of Indigenous life all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean by a Non-Indigenous artist. (Bow Bridge Communications, 2024)

Beginning his research three and one-half decades ago, MacLaren, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, provides a singular opportunity to examine the impacts of Kane’s travels in Indigenous North America through his writings, art, life, times, and complex legacy. A meticulous, panoramic examination, “Paul Kane’s Travels in Indigenous North America” also studies the artist’s legacy in terms of his contemporaries’, his technique, and the complicated history of the source of the works. The author examines Kane’s travels and output by focusing on four areas of study: history of the fur trade, book publishing history, art history, and ethnohistory.

Paul Kane, a portraitist based in Toronto, set out from the city in 1845 for Lake Huron and Wisconsin. From 1846 to 1848, he continued to the upper Great Lakes, the Prairies, across the Rockies, down the Columbia River, and through Oregon Territory to Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. MacLaren reconstructs the colonial processes that turned Kane’s unique descriptions and depictions of Indigenous peoples into benighted stereotypes, teaching contemporary readers valuable lessons about what we thought we knew about Kane and his art, how he let himself be turned into a detractor of Native Americans, and how society endowed him with authority that was not always warranted. 

Kane has been called the founding father of Canadian art, and his “Wanderings of an Artist among the Indians of North America” (1859) is considered a classic of Canadian literature, albeit a controversial one if viewed from a contemporary perspective. More recently, he has been vilified as having misrepresented and exploited his subjects.

“Paul Kane’s Travels” features reproductions of nearly all Kane’s sketches—many published for the first time—and many of his studio paintings, as well as transcriptions of his field writings. The writings, which show the artist to have been a curious traveler fascinated by Indigenous lifeways, contain no negative references to Indigenous people. MacLaren’s work also features a transcription of manuscripts not in Kane’s handwriting (by unknown scribes), the text of the first edition of “Wanderings of an Artist,” an updated catalog, and detailed maps of Kane’s routes. Through the author’s in-depth research, the publication offers scholarly and first-hand understandings of the lives and histories of the real people Kane described and depicted while providing an authoritative biographical portrait of the artist. Thanks to family descendants’ support, MacLaren has identified 26 Indigenous people depicted in the portraits.

Publication Specifications
2,408 pages, 9 x 12”, 4-volume set, full color throughout | Cloth 9780228017479
$450 CDN / $375 USD | Available for purchase here.

Book Review: ‘How To Master Your Emotions’ – A Guide to Emotional Resilience

‘How To Master Your Emotions’ by Richard Rokicki is a support system for readers looking to better manage their emotions. Photo: Amazon

“How To Manage Your Emotions” is an essential guide to navigating the complex landscape of human emotions. Through a blend of practical advice and psychological insights, Rokicki offers readers a roadmap to understanding and managing their emotions. He refers to it as a ‘survival guide.’

The author begins by identifying the four main pillars of survival: the physical pillar, the psychological pillar, the social pillar, and the spiritual pillar, which he used in his work as a palliative care psychologist. He divides the book into these 4 parts. He then explores the various strategies for mastering emotions, such as breaking out of BINARY communication, management of toxic personalities, and the importance of forgiveness, not forgetting. By using case studies, he encourages introspection and emotional resilience. He also analyses Near Death Experiences and how they change the people who have experienced them.

Chapters include:
Introduction
The physical pillar
The psychological pillar
The social pillar
The spiritual pillar
General conclusion

Highlights:
The psychological pillar – where he emphasized the importance of putting our negative feelings on paper because it’s how we start to heal. He advised one of his patients to write a letter to her abusers: “There’s no need to pass the letter on to them, as the very act of writing is therapeutic in itself.”

The social pillar – where he describes the different types of toxic personalities, this way we can surround ourselves with the right people and set limits on the wrong ones so they don’t drain our energy. “No one is immune from being an energy vampire for the people they come into contact with.”

The best part about this book is practical approach and accessibility. The language is simple and to the point and avoids complicated jargon. He communicates his ideas clearly and directly, making it easy for readers to apply the principles in their daily lives. He also uses figures to make his point and speaks directly to the readers, calling them ‘survivalists.’

Overall, “How To Master Your Emotions” is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their emotional intelligence and achieve greater emotional well-being. Whether you are grappling with stress, anxiety, or simply seeking personal growth, Richard Rokicki’s insights offer a thoughtful and practical guide to mastering your emotions. It is recommended for readers interested in personal development, counseling, and overall mental health.

“This book aims to give you the answers and methods you need to restore a sense of calm within yourself and regain solid self-confidence.”

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

Rating: 4 out of 5.

‘The Watchers’: Adapting A.M. Shine’s Epic Tale for Film

The movie adaptation of ‘The Watchers’ is in theaters now. Photo: Amazon

Book to movie adaptations bring beloved characters and intricate plots to life, yet often spark debates among fans about the faithfulness to the source material. Directors face the challenge of condensing rich narratives into a cinematic format, risking either losing nuance or gaining new perspectives. Successful adaptations capture the essence of the book while leveraging the unique power of film to enhance emotion and spectacle. These adaptations continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The most current one is “The Watchers” by A.M. Shine; the movie adaptation, produced by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Dakota Fanning, is currently out in movie theaters nationwide. 

A.M. Shine writes in the Gothic horror tradition. Born in Galway, Ireland, he received his Master’s Degree in History there before sharpening his quill and pursuing all things literary and macabre. His stories have won the Word Hut and Bookers Corner prizes and he is a member of the Irish Writers Centre. His debut novel, “The Watchers,” has received critical acclaim. It is a horror adventure set in the remote and sinister forests of Ireland. (Amazon, 2024)

“The Watchers” – You can’t see them. But they can see you.

This forest isn’t charted on any map. Every car breaks down at its treeline. Mina’s is no different. Left stranded, she is forced into the dark woodland only to find a woman shouting, urging Mina to run to a concrete bunker. As the door slams behind her, the building is besieged by screams.

Mina finds herself in a room with a wall of glass, and an electric light that activates at nightfall, when the Watchers come above ground. These creatures emerge to observe their captive humans and terrible things happen to anyone who doesn’t reach the bunker in time.

Afraid and trapped among strangers, Mina is desperate for answers. Who are the Watchers, and why are they keeping the humans imprisoned, keen to watch their every move?

Book to movie adaptation: ‘Mustang Miracle’ by Humberto G Garcia

Based on a true story, the movie adaptation of ‘Mustang Miracle’ will be released nationwide on April 12, 2024. Photo: Amazon

Humberto G. Garcia was born in 1955 and raised in the San Felipe section of the City of Del Rio, Texas. He spent many years as a migrant farm worker before graduating from high school in 1972. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received his BA in Government in 1975  and then received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1978. He returned to Del Rio to practice law for six years and then moved to San Antonio where he has practiced as a litigator of civil cases for over twenty five years. In 2006 he became a professional golfer, playing several qualifiers into the Champions Tour as well as several mini tours. He continues to play golf professionally and is devoting time to writing. (Amazon, 2024)

“Mustang Miracle,” his first published book, is the story of young caddies who are recruited to form the San Felipe High School Golf Team and competed against all-white schools for the Texas State High School Golf Championship. The movie adaptation, which will be released on Friday April 12 under the name The Long Game, is directed by Julio Quintana and stars Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, and Cheech Marin.

“Mustang Miracle” – In 1957, when very few Mexican-Americans were familiar with the game of golf, and even less actually played it, the young caddies are recruited  by two men who loved the game but who had limited access to it. Despite having outdated and inferior equipment, no professional lessons or instructions, four young golfers with self-taught swings from the border city of Del Rio captured the State title. Three of them took the gold, silver and bronze medals for best individual players. This book tells their story from their introduction to the game as caddies to eventually becoming champions.

Movie synopsis: The Long Game tells a true story of the San Felipe Mustangs, a group of Mexican-American youths located in Del Rio, Texas. In 1955, the group sets out to play golf at a white country club in town. Determined to learn how to play they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. Despite prejudice, the Mustangs overcame these obstacles to become the 1957 Texas state champions and broke barriers for many Latino PGA Golfers to come.

The Long Game
Drama
Rated PG for language, racial slurs, thematic material, some violence, and brief rude material.
Run time: 1h 52 min

Photo: Google

Book to series adaptation: ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ by Amor Towles

The series adaptation of ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ will be available on Showtime/Paramount +. Photo: Amazon

Amor Towles is an American novelist who graduated from Yale College and received an M.A. from Stanford University. He is the author of New York Times bestsellers “Rules of Civility,” “A Gentleman in Moscow,” and “The Lincoln Highway,” as well as the short story collection “Table for Two.” His books have collectively sold more than six million copies and have been translated into more than thirty languages. His 2016 novel “A Gentleman in Moscow” was adapted into an 8 episode series and will be available on Showtime/Paramount + starting on March 31, 2024. It stars Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov. (Amazon, 2024)

“A Gentleman in Moscow” is a beautifully transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel.

In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

Book to series adaptation: ‘Shōgun’ by James Clavell

‘Shōgun’ by James Clavell has been adapted into a 10 episode series for FX. Photo: Amazon

If you are a fan of historical drama, this new series is worth checking out. Shōgun is airing on FX and streaming on Hulu and is based on the novel of the same name by James Clavell.

James Clavell was a bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction best known for this epic Asian Saga novels. The son of a Royal Navy family, he was educated in Portsmouth. The Japanese captured him at the Fall of Singapore when he was a young artillery officer. It was on this experience that his bestselling novel “King Rat” was based. He maintained this oriental interest in his other great works: “Tai-Pan,” “Shōgun ,” “Noble House,” and “Gai Jin.” “Shōgun ” is the best selling classic epic novel of feudal Japan that captured the heart of a culture and the imagination of the world. It was previously adapted into a 1980 limited series and has now been adapted to television. The series premiered with the first two episodes on February 27 on Hulu and FX with new episodes of the 10-episode series then releasing weekly. (Amazon, 2024)

“Shōgun ” – After Englishman John Blackthorne is lost at sea, he awakens in a place few Europeans know of and even fewer have seen–Nippon. Thrust into the closed society that is seventeenth-century Japan, a land where the line between life and death is razor-thin, Blackthorne must negotiate not only a foreign people, with unknown customs and language, but also his own definitions of morality, truth, and freedom. As internal political strife and a clash of cultures lead to seemingly inevitable conflict, Blackthorne’s loyalty and strength of character are tested by both passion and loss, and he is torn between two worlds that will each be forever changed.

Powerful and engrossing, capturing both the rich pageantry and stark realities of life in feudal Japan, “Shōgun” is a critically acclaimed powerhouse. The heart-stopping, edge-of-your-seat action combines seamlessly with intricate historical detail and raw human emotion. Endlessly compelling, this sweeping saga captivated the world to become not only one of the best-selling novels of all time but also one of the highest-rated television miniseries, as well as inspiring a nationwide surge of interest in the culture of Japan. Shakespearean in both scope and depth, “Shōgun” provocative, absorbing, and endlessly fascinating, there is only one: Shōgun.

Vinny The Pug mug giveaway

Enter the giveaway to win your own Vinny The Pug mug. Photo: Allen Kimble Jr, used with permission.

Over the past few months, I have been featuring the heartwarming story of Vinny The Pug. When his family had to move in search of a better life from Florida to Arizona after the September 11 attacks, Vinny had to adjust from living in lush and green surroundings to an arid desert. He adapted, of course, and learned to pose atop boulders. You can follow Vinny’s journey in the adorable picture book “The Life And Times of Vinny The Pug” by Allen Yhorst Kimble Jr. This book is perfect for dog lovers everywhere and includes pictures and coloring projects. It is suitable for all ages. (Allen Kimble Jr, 2024)

Now the author has created a beautiful collection of coffee mugs featuring different Vinny and is launching a Free Coffee Mug Giveaway. Here is your chance to own your very own Vinny The Pug mug. Over the next 12 months, he will be giving away one coffee mug every month and winners will be able to choose one of 100 Vinny The Pug designed mugs. On the first day of each month starting April 1, a winner will be chosen from those who’ve signed up over the previous month. If you wish to enter the giveaway, you can register by emailing the author at: vinnythepugmugs@gmail.com. The collection is available to view online at: https://d82713-c7.myshopify.com. The entry must contain your name, email address, and number of the mug you would choose if your name is drawn. Mugs are numbered #001 through #100.

About the author: Allen Yhorst Kimble Jr is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in the mid-1950s. Upon turning a young man, he entered the United States Air Force and served one year in Vietnam, eight years in Asia, and a total of 11 years total service time. While in South East Asia, he picked up photography as a hobby, which he still enjoy today. In 2001, he acquired a little pug in Orlando, Florida and named him Vinny. As a result of the 9-11 Terrorist Attacks, he took the family out west to Phoenix where Vinny learned to climb and pose atop boulders. His book “The Life And Times of Vinny The Pug” is a picture story book of his best friend Vinny.

About the book: “The Life And Times of Vinny The Pug” is a true-life picture book of the life and times of Vinny The Pug. It began on September 12, 2001 following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Florida’s economy was left in shambles after the attacks. Overnight Orlando’s tourism industry ground to a halt, forcing Vinny’s human to move the family. They went out west to Arizona to find better employment opportunities.

When they arrived, Vinny was still just a puppy, not yet one year old. However, he was mature enough to be surprised by what he saw. Arizona was very different from what he remembered back home in Florida. Orlando was lush with greenery; there were trees, vegetation, and lakes everywhere. All at once it hit the little pug; his new home in Phoenix, Arizona was in the desert. This book of photographs shows how the little pug adapted to the harsh realities of living in Arizona. It shows how Vinny The Pug came to appreciate his new home in the the desert. Before a year had passed, he had even launched a challenge to set a new Guinness World Record.

Vinny The Pug’s picture book is an enjoyable experience that will work well in classrooms. It is suitable for all ages from 5 through adults.

It includes:

  • 50 – Color Pictures
  • 87 – Black & White Graphic Arts
  • 5″ x 11″ pages for best viewing
  • Includes coloring projects

Sponsored Post

Book review: ‘A Digest on Cryptocurrency’ by Ansh Verma

‘A Digest on Cryptocurrency’ is the new book by Ansh Verma and an in-depth look at cryptocurrency. Photo: Amazon

Ansh Verma is a researcher + author + philosopher based in Dhanbad, Jharkhand (India). He researches almost everything that can be observed, felt and/or read, including but not limited to technology, politics, divine, war, behavioral, engineering, investing, military, finance and mathematics. Post graduation, Verma has almost 20 years of experience in thinking/making sense of the world. His new book “A Digest on Cryptocurrency” covers a wide range of topics – the history of cryptocurrency, the different types of cryptocurrencies, and cryptocurrency and the future of finance, that provide a comprehensive understanding of cryptocurrency.

“A Digest on Cryptocurrency” – This expanded digest gives readers a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the diverse aspects of cryptocurrency. Newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts will find it equally helpful, as it includes recent developments in the field. Ansh Verma defines cryptocurrency, covers the history behind it, describes the different types of cryptocurrencies, lists the challenges and concerns surrounding it, which include environmental concerns due to its significant energy consumption, and how it can be used in industries such as gaming and space exploration.

He begins in Introduction to Cryptocurrency by defining it “a revolutionary form of digital or virtual currency that operates on the principles of cryptography and blockchain technology.” He explains the concept, how blockchain technology makes it work, and its basic decentralized structure. In History of Cryptocurrency, he gets deep into the history of this digital currency, including the early beginnings of Bitcoin and the background of Satoshi Nakamoto, its creator. For anyone really interested in Blockchain Technology, this chapter goes heavily into how it works, its core features, and how it can be used to ensure security and transparency in cryptocurrency.

The rest of the book is divided as such:
Cryptocurrency Mining
Popular Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Crypto Wallets
Cryptocurrency Investment and Trading
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Cryptocurrency Regulations
Cryptocurrency and the Future of Finance
Cryptocurrency and Environmental Concerns
Cryptocurrency in Everyday Use
Challenges and Opportunities in Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency in the Media and Public Perception
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
Cryptocurrency and Space Exploration
Cryptocurrency and Gaming Economies
Quantum Computing and Cryptocurrency Security

Overall, “A Digest on Cryptocurrency” is an extremely helpful guide to all matters concerning cryptocurrency. From the history of this innovative digital currency, to the wide variety of uses in various industries – as well as its challenges and concerns, readers will no doubt find these topics informative. The chapters are short and structured to make it convenient to re-read those of particular interest at any given time. Ansh Verma has a way of making any topic easy to follow and understand and this one is no different. If you are looking for a book that fully explains all the concepts of cryptocurrency, then this one is a must-read.

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

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Television adaptation: ‘The Never Game’ by Jeffery Deaver

The first season of Tracker is based on ‘The Never Game.’ Photo: Amazon

I always look forward to new shows, especially ones based on books. The first season of the new CBS series Tracker starring Justin Hartley is based on “The Never Game.” It premiered on February 11 and after having seen the first episode, I look forward to more of this exciting new action series. 

Jeffery Deaver is an international number-one bestselling author. His novels have appeared on bestseller lists around the world and are sold in 150 countries and translated into over twenty-five languages. The author of over forty novels, three collections of short stories and a nonfiction law book, and a lyricist of a country-western album, he’s received or been shortlisted for dozens of awards. His book “A Maiden’s Grave” was made into an HBO movie starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin, and his novel “The Bone Collector” was a feature release from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Lifetime aired an adaptation of his “The Devil’s Teardrop.” (Wikipedia, 2024)

“The Never Game” – The son of a survivalist family, Colter Shaw is an expert tracker. Now he makes a living as a “reward seeker,” traveling the country to help police solve crimes and locate missing persons for private citizens. “You’ve been abandoned. Escape if you can. Or die with dignity.” Hired by the father of a young woman who has gone missing in Silicon Valley, Shaw’s search takes him into the dark heart of America’s cutthroat billion-dollar video-game industry. When another person goes missing, Shaw must ask: Is a madman bringing a twisted video game to life? Encountering eccentric designers, trigger-happy gamers, and ruthless tech titans, Shaw soon learns that he isn’t the only one on the hunt: someone is on his trail and closing fast. (Amazon, 2024)

Photo: Google