'A gripping, stay-up-all-night read." - Entertainment Weekly Don't read this in a dark room! More adult content in this book when you compare it to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" jsyk.
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
2011/03/03
Book Review of Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" (43/365)
"Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find wordly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts."
2011/02/05
Review of Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight"
My review of the besterselling paranormal rommance novel "Twilight". The first in a 'saga' of four books. I might get around to reviewing them in near future if I can find the time.
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2010/12/09
Book Review - Your Truest Self - Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be
Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be, by Janice Lynne Lundy, is a lovely new women's spirituality book highlighting twelve diverse contemporary women spiritual teachers and authors. Ms. Lundy is herself an Interfaith Spiritual Director and the longtime Lifestyle writer for Women's Lifestyle magazine. She has authored three previous books, including Coming Home to Ourselves : A Woman's Journey to Wholeness.
Your Truest Self is an interfaith book, focused on twelve principles, or 'Transformational Truths', of the spiritual growth process, not specific to any particular religious denomination. Each of the twelve principles is elucidated through the life story of one spiritual woman, and as a group they represent a variety of spiritual traditions. Some of the women are well-known, such as singer Naomi Judd, who in recent years has become a proponent of mind-body medicine, and Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, New Thought minister and author of five NY Times bestsellers. Others are less well-known (at least to me) such as Joyce Rupp, member of the Catholic order Servants of Mary, and Mari Gayatri Stein, author of The Buddha Smiles: A Collection of Dharmatoons.
Ms. Lundy interviews each of these twelve women, and every single one comes across as someone I'd love to have dinner with (and I'm not that social.) They are down to earth, wise, honest, and, in the hands of Ms. Lundy, very revealing about the joys and challenges of their own spiritual journeys. The intimate experiences they reveal are the best thing about the book, and the most useful, for those of us journeying ourselves. Rev. Vanzant talks about the crises of faith she experienced after the death of her 31-year old daughter, and Ms. Judd discusses her battle with hepatitis C. Many discuss the self-doubt, stress in personal relationships, and fears of social ostracization that they faced as they explored new spiritual paths and practices.
In each chapter, Ms. Lundy takes the major theme of each woman's journey and discusses it in the context of her own spiritual growth. She then presents a set of reflection questions for the reader on that topic, and a 'Peaceful Pause' - a contemplation or meditation exercise corresponding to the chapter's theme. I think most women will enjoy the combination of interviews, personal stories, and prescriptive guidance. The format creates a kind of spiritual 'sampler plate', providing just enough of a sense of each woman to help you decide whether you would like to read more by or about that individual.
One thing to be aware of, however, is that this book is not as linear as many spiritual 'prescriptive' titles out today. It does not present a step-by-step 'self-help' plan, although the themes are progressive from chapter to chapter. Featuring a different teacher in each chapter requires a shift in language and approach that prevents an overall philosophy from developing. Frankly, for me that is a plus, as too often today spirituality is presented like a workout plan or diet, with specific instructions and techniques that end up undermining the very personal and individual nature of the process.
So, if you love reading about other women, and If you think of your spirituality as exploratory rather than prescriptive, this book is for you. You can also read more about the author and the women featured in the book at http://www.awakenedliving.com/.
2010/11/27
Bonfire of the Vanities - Book Review
The author of this book: Thomas Wolfe
Summary of the book: It's the 1980s - a time when Wall Street ruled, Park Avenue was the place to be, and the Bronx was seen as the 'darkest' section of the city. The Bonfire of the Vanities, manages to combine these two vastly different sections of New York with a tale of infidelity, racial and social/class divide, and a justice system that leaves the reader with more questions than answers about the final verdict.
This type of book is good for: Lovers of thrillers, drama (crime), and Thomas Wolfe
I especially liked: The characters. Their stories and lives. One thing about Wolfe is his ability to paint each character in ways that make you either identify with them, or make you 'see' them before you. You are right there in their situations, wanting to see what happens next and how things go from there. The dialogue seems to jump out at you, every injection, accent and emotion is definitely felt.
I did not like: The ending. It almost felt rushed and I was a bit confused as to what really happened to the main character - Sherman McCoy. We see his 'demotion' from Park Avenue/Wall Street son or rather 'Master of the Universe' - to a struggling man trying to escape the clutches of incarceration.
This book made me feel: Enlightened. The setting might have been in the 80s, but some of the issues talked about are still prevalent today. Racial tensions between black and white, the unfairness of the justice system, and the unscrupulous way the press will go for a story...no matter what it takes.
Final comments: As mentioned above, it will show you just how society operates on not just a macro scale, but in your very living room. It takes one into the mindset of the rich and famous, how superficial their lives are - of the black community, run by a man who seems to put his political agenda first than his own people...anything to be popular. Or a district attorney, who only cares about his image and less about his clients - all these elements bring about an explosive story that makes one see how this book could have been a national best seller.
2010/11/05
Book Review - Feeling Good - The New Mood Therapy
I chuckle when I read the words "The New Mood Therapy" because the book on my shelf was published by by Avon Books New York in 1980. Feeling Good by David D. Burns was promoted as "The National Bestseller with over 2 million copies in print!" That was twenty-eight years ago and I am still recommended it to my clients.
The author of this book describes an approach to mood modification that has a self-help component for those who suffer from depression. He cites research data that suggests people can learn to control their mood swings and self-defeating behaviours with principles and techniques which he not only describes in detail but also challenges the reader to master through exercises that are included in the book.
Dr. Burns uses peculiar language and phrases such as "do-Nothingism" and "verbal Judo" to describe dysfunctional thinking that can lead a person into a low mood or prevent them from healing. His theory involves helping the reader develop awareness of the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and then taking active responsibility for identifying automatic thoughts, their distortions and replacing them with a rational response.
Throughout the chapters, Dr. Burns teaches techniques for building self-esteem, handling criticism anger and guilt as well as depression. He also focusses on prevention and personal growth work, skills for coping with stresses of daily living and finally offers advice for handling suicide.
Dr. Burns argues that his theory offers clinically proven drug-free treatment for depression. He also however includes "The Consumer's Guide to Antidepressant Drug Therapy" at the end of the book.
This is a "must-read" for all those who suffer from depression and those who care for and about them.
2010/11/03
Eclipse Book Review
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Best Seller
Point of View: 1st person through Bella's eyes
Pages: 629 pages
Age Recommendations: 16 and up, some material is too adult for younger readers.
Main Characters: Isabella "Bella" Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black
Plot: As Bella nears High School Graduation, Seattle is being ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and has everyone in the small town of forks on edge. As Graduation nears, Bella's best friend, Jacob Black, confesses his undying love for her as Edward is trying to protect her. After graduation, the werewolves and the vampires unite to fight a pack of newly created vampires out for Bella's blood, but there is something more dangerous that is after Bella. While they are waiting for the battle to begin, Jacob tricks Bella into kissing him, and in that one kiss, Bella realizes that she not only loves Jacob Black, but she is in love with him. After the kiss, Jacob runs off the fight with his werewolves and Bella is left to deal with the implications this new knowledge brings. Edward isn't mad she kissed him and only wants her to be happy. Jacob gets injured in the battle and Bella realizes that she has to choose who to be with. As she visits Jacob in La Push she realizes that she can't live without Edward and tells Jacob that she is going to marry Edward and get changed into a vampire.
Impressions: The most pivotal plot development is when Bella realizes what she will really be giving up being with Edward. Meyers does a superb job portraying Bella's inner conflicts between Jacob and Edward. You really see Bella start to mature a little more and think about the consequences of her actions. Eclipse is a pivotal novel in the Twilight series. Definitely worth the time.
Itsagoodday Star Rating: 5 Stars
2010/10/27
Thriller Suspense Novel Book Review - Kellerman Does it Again at the Clinic
Sometimes you just know a suspense thriller is going to live up to its reputation. And often you figure this out on the first chapter, and you are pleasantly surprised, especially considering the price of a new hardback book when it first comes out and hits the New York Times Bestseller List.
Interestingly enough, many books hit the list, but fail to impress, although there are some authors that, well, let's just say everything they write is good, or in this case great. I'd certainly like to recommend a great book to you, as I've described, the book is;
"The Clinic" By Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware Novel); Bantam Books, New York, NY. 1996. ISBN 0-553-08922-6
There are few great thriller suspense novels like this, a book that is riveting and will have you on the edge of your seat and cause you to cancel dates and events so you can find a cozy place to just sit down uninterrupted and finish it. Jonathan Kellerman, and yes, I know you've heard the name, but this like his book; The Web, is a must read. Clinic makes it happen for the reader.
The victim is found dead having been stabbed, but this is not like any regular crime, this is in a very up-scale safe LA Neighborhood. How could this be, and so the story begins, as expert psychologists are brought in along with Milo Sturgis, our trusty famous LA homicide detective to put the pieces in place. What happens next is going to blow your mind. The suspense is incredible, thrilling and one that will keep you up until you've finished. An awesome read indeed.
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2010/10/26
Not What She Seems by Victorine Lieske - A Romantic Suspense Book Review
Not What She Seems is a sweet romantic suspense, appropriate for ages 12 and up. Back blurb: Steven Ashton, a billionaire from New York, and Emily Grant, on the run from the law...and when they meet he can't help falling for her. What he doesn't know is that interfering in her life will put his own life in danger.
Contemporary romantic suspense is my favorite type of book, but I only like it when the plot is complex and unpredictable, and the building tension is balanced out by lighter scenes and/or humorous moments. Victorine Lieske's Not What She Seems scores high in both of these categories for me.
Now, for about the first quarter of the book, I felt disappointed. There were only a few major characters, and I thought I had the whole plot figured out already. But I was wrong. About then, the story underwent the proverbial "plot thickening", like an expertly-made holiday gravy. Many more locations, characters, and plot twists began to unfold, and the seemingly simple storyline turned into a roller coaster ride with no easy exit (I read everything from chapter 2 on, in one 24 hour span). A plethora of potential suspects presented themselves, all with believable motives and reasonable opportunity, such that I was reminded of a lively round of "Clue", where everyone from Miss Scarlett to Colonel Mustard was looking good for the deed.
With all those characters and locations, however, I would have preferred more development of personalities, interrelationships, and setting details. But I may be alone in this; a lot readers prefer the fast-paced, plot-focused novel and find the other elements merely a slow down.
As this is an indie published work, I was not unprepared for formatting and technical issues, but instead, Not What She Seems was as cleanly produced as any traditionally published book I've seen. I only spotted two or three spelling/grammatical errors total. There were a couple minor plot elements that struck me as odd, and I did find the action at the climax scene at Vincent's house a little confusing, but those were minor flaws in an otherwise easily followed story.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, I appreciated Ms. Lieske's moments of humor which helped to soften the otherwise breakneck pace. She made me laugh out loud more than once, memorably at the "Spiderman sheets" comment. If you are a reader who enjoys plentiful action, a complex plot, and prefer to go easy on the life histories and weather reports, your money will not be wasted on Victorine Lieske's Not What She Seems.
Not What She Seems is available for purchase in paper and for the Kindle or Kindle-for-PC (ebook format) from Amazon and Amazon UK.
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2010/10/21
Happy Freelancing For the Writer - A Book Review
Due to the economy and the desire to break free from corporate America I've been reading a lot of business related books. Anything from Twitter Revolution to the Bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad have been thumbed through lately. I've been on my personal quest to find something that can set me free and allow me to control my own destiny. I recently had lunch with a friend who was a former co-worker. Because of some health issues and the need to be a stay at home mom she had started to freelance. She told me how much she was making and about a woman she had met over the internet named Sue LaPointe. We talked about the book she had read that was written by Sue and how it was inspiring. I was interested in knowing more so I went home and did some research right after our yummy Thai food lunch.
Just Do It
I put off buying the book for several weeks because the bills to keep the power and heat on come first. But I did some searching and found some great freelance websites. Just recently I finally ordered the book and just finished reading it earlier this week. I've always said you have to spend a little money if you want to make money.
Freelance Freedom
It's no wonder why Sue is at the top of her game and one of the top writers on Guru.com. She writes in a style that keeps you turning the pages and with a sense of humor tossed in. I now feel like I have the basic knowledge need to start my own freelance writing business or even web design. The book doesn't go into depth but gives you enough information on how to get started. Readers are given a list of freelance websites to check out from Sue's favorite Guru.com to Rent-a-Coder, the popular E-Lance and more.
It's all about getting the Gig
Sue talks about getting your first gig (freelance job), finding local clients, building and updating your portfolio, setting your rates and more. I enjoyed reading about the 8 projects she recommends such as starting a blog. I already can check that one off my list because you're reading this on my blog. Keeping your portfolio up-to-date and building on your work. Her recommendation is to keep your work in PDF format instead of its native format (i.e. Word format). It looks better and most everyone has the ability to view a file in PDF format. The most current version of Office will even convert from Word to PDF on the fly. Recommendation number 5 is advice to visit forums on a regular frequency. Warrior Forum is one that I'm a member of but need to visit and utilize more often. The forum not mentioned that I found a few months ago can be found on the website Freelance Folder. I'll leave the other recommendations for you to discover when you read the book.
Smart Goals
The last thing I want to mention is goal setting because it's SMART (Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). I always try to set small realistic goals so I can attain them. Reading Working Writer Happy Writer was one of my short term goals. Never having to work for a corporation again in my lifetime is my long term goal. What's your short term goal? What are your long term goals? This book gives you lots of information and ideas to make your own goals. It's up to you to seize the moment and decide your future in freelancing.
2010/10/18
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson - Book Review
Extraordinary. Stieg Larsson's thrilling novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo really does deserve the praise it has been given and its place atop the bestseller lists. It is different to any other crime novel I have read.
Larsson tells the story of his main characters Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, along with a great ensemble cast, in almost a clinically detailed fashion, providing the reader a birds-eye view of their lives. While I know some found the detail provided around the financial subject matter and the disclosure of the characters everyday routines laborious - it actually had the opposite effect on me.
I found the subject matter easy to follow and this confrontational open and honest writing style very refreshing (credit also goes to translator Reg Keeland). I was hooked from the moment I began reading, loving sinking my teeth into the detailed and complex storyline, fully aware that this first novel formed the platform for the trilogy.
Larsson builds his characters beautifully - they are complex individuals with both flaws and morals that his audience can identify and empathize with. Yes, there are certainly grisly and violent scenes in this novel. I did not find them overly disturbing though... they were simply part of the story being told. You soon begin to realise that the mystery being solved in the foreground is actually just a mechanism through which Larsson is telling the real story, that being the story of his hero and heroine, Blomkvist and Salander.
I can't wait to read the second novel in the Millennium Trilogy, The Girl Who Played with Fire. Larsson has written a crime thriller that has truly broken the mold - a must read!
2010/10/10
Bestsellers: Popular Fiction Since 1900.(Book Review): An article from: The Modern Language Review
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Bestsellers: Popular Fiction Since 1900.(Book Review): An article from: The Modern Language Review
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Bestsellers: Popular Fiction Since 1900.(Book Review): An article from: The Modern Language Review Overviews
This digital document is an article from The Modern Language Review, published by Modern Humanities Research Association on July 1, 2004. The length of the article is 648 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Bestsellers: Popular Fiction Since 1900.(Book Review)
Author: Faye Hammill
Publication:The Modern Language Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2004
Publisher: Modern Humanities Research Association
Volume: 99 Issue: 3 Page: 758(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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2010/10/09
Think and Grow Rich, Richest Man in Babylon, Millionaire Next Door - Book Review
This is a book review on the bestsellers, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George Clason, and "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas Stanley and William Danko, sponsored by PapaMedia.com. In one of the most popular and most read self-help books in print, Napoleon Hill presents the idea of achieving riches through his techniques. Although the text was originally written during the Great Depression, Hill's words still stand out as meaningful and achievable to any individual. He provides the reader with a grand journey through knowing one's self and possessing self-discipline. Following Hill's thirteen steps, readers can learn how to take on better business skills, become more organized and persistent, and condition our brains to be stations of thought. The remarkable path is one more of insights than of uncovered secrets, and Hill still manages to give the reader an underlying feeling of accomplishment for achieving a richer life through the process. Spiritual growth and good business sense are products of this text. Readers will come away with a wealth of knowledge. THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLING CLASSIC Read by millions, this timeless book holds the key to success-in the secrets of the ancients. Based on the famous "Babylonian principles," it's been hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift and financial planning. ACHIEVE PERSONAL WEALTH... This celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of-and ...
2010/09/23
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich - Book Review
Janet Evanovich has written dozens of novels and has been consistently on the top of the New York Times Best Seller list because of the previous novels in the Stephanie Plum series. Finger Lickin' Fifteen is the fifteenth novel in the series, aside from the novellas and short stories published that are also connected to the Stephanie Plum series.
Finger Lickin' Fifteen won't be released for another month, but speculations and different reactions from readers are already surrounding the best-selling author. It seems that the series has gone a long way since its first publication in 1994. Throughout the years, Janet Evanovich has proven to herself and the public that she could stay relevant and her novels, classic.
Like the previous novels in the series, Finger Lickin' Fifteen contains the romantic adventure plot featuring Stephanie Plum, a lingerie enthusiast-slash-bounty hunter. There could never be any sexier modern protagonist than Plum, and and Evanovich makes sure that every novel is better than the previous one.
Fifteen Lickin' Fifteen is also joined by the previous characters you have come to love like Lula, Mary Lou, Vinnie Plum, and Grandma Mazur. For those who have been waiting for the release of the book, I'm told you're in for a treat. Also, the new book is also a candidate for another New York Times bestseller, and if that isn't enough to get you all excited, maybe Janet Evanovich's long list of best-selling novels will be able to convince you. The scheduled release of Finger Lickin' Fifteen is on June 23, but already a lot of people are making reservations for the hardcover.
2010/08/09
A Review of Amazon's Kindle App For Apple's iPad
Overview:
The Kindle app is designed for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, providing users the ability to read Kindle books in a bright, and crisp color screen. The Kindle store has over 540,000 ebooks including bestsellers and new releases. In addition, books published before 1923 and other classic books are free!
Whether you read your Kindle books on your Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Kindle, and Kindle DX; the Kindle App in conjunction with Whisper sync instantly syncs your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across all of your devices, so you can pick up right where you left off regardless of what device you happen to be reading on.
Kindle iPad App highlights:
* Over 540,000 Kindle books. 105 of 112 NY Times Best Sellers
* Cheap prices for NY Times best sellers starting at $9.99
* Free classic books like Sherlock Holmes and the Bible
* You can read the 1st chapter of very book for free.
* Bright Color Screen
* Customize background color, font, and font color
* Tap either side of the screen to turn page.
* Read in landscape or portrait mode
Fun Features not found on Kindle
* Add comments, highlights, and bookmarks.
* Zoom in and out on images.
* Home Library view
Review:
Installation
Installing the kindle App in your eye pad is easy as apple pie. Simply download the Kindle App for free and log in my signing into your account. If you currently have a physical kindle, you will find all your books in your archive ready to download with a push of a button. The Kindle iPad app will sync up your existing reading library. There's also the ability to drop multiple bookmarks, skip between them, switch animated page turns on or off, and adjust the font and background hue of your digital pages. Downloading is very simple as your books are not organized in a slow and long single page mode of the physical Kindle. You get to see the full-color book cover which you can easily navigate by sliding your fingers along your collection.
Settings
When opening the settings, you are given the choice of reading backgrounds from white, black, and sepia. Sepia gives the most "book" like experience. In addition, text size and color is fully customizable.
Note taking
Simply touch on any word or highlight any section to take notes. The virtual screen pops up. Write what you wish!
Page Turning
You feel like reading a real book since each page turn in animated just like a real book. For those who quickly want to flip through a book, there is also a "Basic Reading Mode" option than turns off the animations.
Purchasing a Book
Assuming you already have an Amazon account. Just tap in your username and password, and you'll be able to choose which Kindle device to send your book too. After you have purchased your book of choice, there's a simple button to take you back the Kindle iPad app and closes Safari.
Reading Experience
We suggest getting an anti-reflective overlay if you are reading a lot with the iPad. Even a simple overhead light will induce a glare. Otherwise, the sharp crisp and colorful screen is far beyond the physical Kindle. You can easily place bookmarks by tapping the screen for the menu bar, then just tap the upper right corner of your screen on the bookmark icon.
Conclusion
Amazon's free app and selection make it a must have if you plan to read books on your iPad. While Apple has it's proprietary iBook app, we anticipate most people will purchase their books through Amazon due to its ability to integrate with multiple devices and the physical Kindle, and mainly because of the lower prices on books as of this writing.
2010/07/20
Book Review of Laurie Viera Rigler's "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" (48/365)
"After nursing a broken engagement with jane Austen novels and Absolut, Courtney Stone wakes up and finds herself not in her Los Angeles bedroom or even in her body, but inside the bedchamber of a women in Regency England. Who but an Austen addict like herself could concoct such a fantasy?" - back cover
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2010/07/18
From Passion Into Profits - A Book Review
We all know that as a team we can do more if those working with this are as passionate as we are. But what happens when you take that level of strength and inner will in an organization and allow it to flourish amongst all the employees? Perhaps, you can turn that into potentially unlimited profits. If this sounds like something you'd like to do in your company, there's a very good book I'd like you to read. The name of the book is;
"The Passionate Organization - Igniting the Fire of Employee Commitment" by James R. Lucas, ANACOM book publishers, New York, NY, 1999, (235 pp); ISBN: 0-8144-0477-4.
So what is Passion anyway? I'm glad you asked because that is the good title of the first chapter in this book, and rightfully so. If you'll recall in a recent interview with Bill Gates and Warren Buffett at the Columbia school of business each of these gentlemen told the graduating MBA students to find something that they were passionate about and not to just chase down the money. They suggested that if you are passionate about what you do and you provide perseverance to it, the profit will be there.
This author suggests you should never underestimate the power of passion, or the destruction of negative passion, or the problem with apathy; or the absence of passion. But how you bring about passion into an organization? The author defines this too and brings forth a number of strategies in part one of this book. Then in part two he explains how to find a passionate people within your organization, and how to recruit more. Lucas then explains how to allow the motion to flourish through the organization.
Lastly, he explains how to build the team using the strength of the inner drive that has been created and how that can rub off on the stakeholders, and the customers to create brand loyalists. Indeed, he also explains how easy it is to lose this edge, and how to get it back when you do. If you run any size company, I recommend this book to you, and to your top employees, managers, and executives. The author obviously knows what he's talking about, and I concur with much of what he said.
Therefore, this book is in my personal business research Library, and it has been there for nearly 10 years. Why not pick up a copy, read it, and think about exactly what he is saying, because some of the richest folks in the world right now are repeating much of his words of wisdom today. Please consider this.
2010/07/12
UltraSimple Diet - Review and Book Information
The UltraSimple Diet is a diet book written by Mark Hyman, M.D. It was published in March of 2007. The author has also written a New York Times bestseller titled "UltraMetabolism." The UltraSimple Diet is a simple but accelerated 7-day weight loss plan for losing weight safely and quickly. The primary attraction of this diet is the possibility of losing up to 10 pounds in 7 days.
The diet entails detailed instructions which leaves no guesswork for the reader. Each day is planned out with instructions on exactly what to eat and what exercise routines to perform. Exercising is also optional on this diet which may be great news for those who hate to exercise. However, if you don't mind the exercise, the routines are suitable for those on a tight schedule.
The diet's goal is for readers to achieve permanent weight loss and deals with what the author feels is the basis of disease and obesity which are toxicity and inflammation. Within the first week of the diet, users will be eliminating toxins such as alcohol, fast food, trans fats, etc. The diet promotes eating whole foods which do not lead to inflammation or toxicity.
The average rating on Amazon's description page is a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers of the book favor the simplicity of the diet, however, there were some complaints about the types of food that are eaten on the diet.
Overall, the UltraSimple Diet has received positive feedback and may work well for those who like step-by-step instructions on what to eat and what to do to lose weight.
2010/07/08
Book Review - Twilight, From the Masculine Side of the Fence
In the world there are now only two kinds of people, those who love Twilight and those who hate it. There seems to be no middle ground with this New York Times Best Seller that can only be described as a phenomenon.
I picked up Twilight after a female friend (of course) recommended it. Now, I am not usually a romance novel kind of guy at all. I usually stick to the swords and sorcery fantasy genre and read books like the Lord of the Rings and the Wheel of Time series. I hadn't heard of Twilight so I started reading it without any preconceived notions or judgements, something I think that as a guy, is very important when reading this book. Obviously you won't enjoy it if you've convinced yourself that it's a "silly romance book for girls".
The protagonist of the story, Isabella Swan, or Bella as she prefers, is a seventeen year old girl that is about to give up her life in sunny Phoenix Arizona to move to her own personal hell in the form of Forks Washington. Forks is a small inconsequential town that is almost always under cloud cover and has the highest rainfall figures in the United States. It's the kind of place that no on ever leaves and where everyone knows your business before you do. Bella grudgingly exiles herself to live with her father in Forks to give her mother space to be with her new boyfriend.
All Bella wants is to see out her self imposed sentence in Forks as quietly and painlessly as possible, but of course, this is not to be. Her father, who happens to be the town's police chief, has eagerly alerted the entire town to her arrival. So much for quiet and painless, much to her dismay. Amid the agonizing first day in the new school, she comes into contact with the Cullen siblings. The inhumanely beautiful siblings don't fit in with the rest of the students at Forks High School and she is instantly fascinated by them, especially Edward Cullen.
Initially Edward seems to despise Bella, although over time this seems to change as he grows more and more intrigued by her. This continues until both their worlds come to a grinding halt as Bella is about to be crushed by a van in front of Edward's eyes. He then has to choose to either save her life and expose that his beauty isn't the only thing inhuman about him, or face her dying. Edward cannot stop himself and intervenes, thereby put his entire family's existence at Bella's mercy. Bella stumbles on to the truth about Edward and his vampire family and while this puts immense pressure on the Cullen family, it brings Edward and Bella closer together. Despite all odds Edward becomes Bella's most unlikely protector as her luck goes from bad to worse.
Firstly and most importantly one has to accept what Twilight isn't. Twilight is not Romeo and Juliet. Twilight is not the most profound literary work of our time and it will not change your life. These are important things to remember, as I have seen varying reviews where people either whine and moan about what the book isn't or blatantly (and I quote) refer to it as the "stupidest book ever". The latter speaks volumes about the people making those remarks.
Twilight is however a charming and gripping novel that proves that Stephenie Meyer is without a doubt, a very talented writer. Her writing style is simple and easy to read, yet it's mature enough that adults don't feel like they are reading a children's book. She brings her characters to life flawlessly, so much so in fact that legions of fanatical fans worldwide have divided into Team Edward and Team Jacob. (As well as the lesser known Team Jasper and so forth). Hell, you can even get Team Edward g-strings, so don't be too surprised if you hear your girlfriend using the words "Edward" and "underwear" in the same sentence. Just as long as she doesn't call you Edward in bed. We've got to draw the line somewhere right?
When reading Twilight one really connects with the characters and their emotions, regardless how much of a macho man you claim to be. I can clearly recall Bella's anxiety regarding Forks and her constant excitement when dealing with Edward (That does not make me gay, get off your high horse tough guy!). On the other side of the coin I could feel Edward's intense animalistic desire for Bella's blood and on the other his utter devotion to protecting her and keeping her safe.
I think that whether they admit it or not, deep down most guys would like to be a knight in shining armour to a girl. You know, protect her from the big bad world and take care of her. Bella's self sacrificing nature, introverted personality and inability to walk more than a few meters without tripping over her own feet definitely have an endearing appeal and call out to that side of your nature. At least, it did to me and I believe Edward also yearns to be that knight in shining armour, except that often he is partly to blame for the dangerous forces in Bella's life.
It's not all doom and gloom though, as Twilight is actually remarkably funny. There are a plethora of inside jokes between the characters that really makes you feel part of what's happening. Apart from the Edward's constant jest at Bella's expense, Emmet Cullen is likely the most amusing character in the book. If you are a guy that started reading Twilight under duress then Emmet will likely be the character you relate to the most.
Twilight is a bit like cocaine, you will be hopelessly addicted and won't want to tell anyone about it unless they share your addiction. On the plus side Twilight is a hell of a lot cheaper than cocaine and will set you back the price of about 3 beers.
Over all I thoroughly enjoyed Twilight and I couldn't put it down. I finished it on the day I bought it. That said, I would highly recommend that you do not read it, under any circumstances. Now I know you're thinking, "But Graeme, you just spent the last thousand words telling us how great Twilight is! Why shouldn't we read it!?".
Well, you may read Twilight and decide that you like it so much that you decide to go out and buy yourself a pink Team Edward G-string to wear to work on casual fridays. You may even realise that by enjoying Twilight you weren't quite the manly man you thought you were and end up crying yourself to to sleep at night which would lead to further questions about your manliness. Hell, you might even spiral into depression because of it. Now I wouldn't want any of that on my conscience would I?
Jokes aside, it is a good read. One you shouldn't dismiss just because of what your friends might say. Keep an eye on my page as I intend to do reviews for the rest of the series, as well as insight into Midnight Sun over the next week.
2010/06/20
Richard Dawkins: The Greatest Show on Earth: Book Review pt1
In "The Greatest Show on Earth The evidence for evolution", Richard Dawkins takes on creationists and intelligent design proponentsists whilst taking the reader on a detective trail of evidence to show why evolution through natural selection is a fact and a theory. Here is my 2 part review on the latest of Richard Dawkins books. Part 2 www.youtube.com Hope you enjoy. DJ Charity details Dprjones BlogTV room: www.blogtv.com The site at which you can make donations is: www.firstgiving.com www.justgiving.com Don't be intimidated by large donations, simply donating what you can spare is appreciated; the small amounts make a big difference. The website for Medicines Sans Frontieres ("MSF"): www.msf.org.uk In the US the charity (it is the same charity) is know as "Doctors without Borders": doctorswithoutborders.org The msfuk youtube site is here: www.youtube.com The eBay auctions have started and will be added to as the show date approaches: tinyurl.com Any questions about the auctions or the items may be directed to YouTube channel. ( www.youtube.com ) Chimp / Xenomorph footage courtesy of turdburglar27 I can't remember where I picked up the images used. sry DJ
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