Alex's bookshelf: all en-US Sun, 30 Mar 2025 04:48:15 -0700 60 Alex's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[Out There: A Scientific Guide to Alien Life, Antimatter, and Human Space Travel (For the Cosmically Curious)]]> 39088976 In the vein of Randall Munroe's What If? meets Brian Green's Elegant Universe, a senior writer from Space. com leads readers on a wild ride of exploration into the final frontier, investigating what's really "out there."

We've all asked ourselves the question. It's impossible to look up at the stars and NOT think about it: Are we alone in the universe? Books, movies and television shows proliferate that attempt to answer this question and explore it. In Out There Space. com senior writer Dr. Michael Wall treats that question as merely the beginning, touching off a wild ride of exploration into the final frontier. He considers, for instance, the myriad of questions that would arise once we do discover life beyond Earth (an eventuality which, top NASA officials told Wall, is only drawing closer).
What would the first aliens we meet look like?
Would they be little green men or mere microbes?
Would they be found on a planet in our own solar system or orbiting a star far, far away?
Would they intend to harm us, and if so, how might they do it?
And might they already have visited?

Out There is arranged in a simple question-and-answer format. The answers are delivered in Dr. Wall's informal but informative style, which mixes in a healthy dose of humor and pop culture to make big ideas easier to swallow. Dr. Wall covers questions far beyond alien life, venturing into astronomy, physics, and the practical realities of what long-term life might be like for we mere humans in outer space, such as the idea of lunar colonies, and even economic implications. Dr. Wall also shares the insights of some of the leading lights in space exploration today, and shows how the next space age might be brighter than ever.]]>
256 Michael Wall 1538729377 Alex 0 to-read 3.72 2018 Out There: A Scientific Guide to Alien Life, Antimatter, and Human Space Travel (For the Cosmically Curious)
author: Michael Wall
name: Alex
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: to-read
review:

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<![CDATA[Conflicts of Fitness: Islam, America, and Evolutionary Psychology]]> 28411970 159 A.S. Amin 1483437167 Alex 4
I liked that the book included history and scientific research. The idea that society shapes how people act in relationships was interesting, even if I didn’t agree with everything. But some topics, like polygyny, feminism, and the differences between the West and Islam, felt exaggerated or missing important details. Islam is deep and complex, and I feel like the book simplified some things too much.

I personally believe that monogamy is the best choice for a Muslim man today, so I didn’t agree with how polygyny was defended. While Islam allows it under strict conditions, it’s not required or even recommended in most cases. I wish the book had given a more balanced view instead of mainly talking about the benefits of polygyny from a biological perspective.

The chapter on feminism was also controversial. It made it seem like feminism only happened because of reproductive strategies, but in reality, it has had a much bigger impact on society. I do think Western feminism and Islamic values have different goals, but the book made it sound too simple.

Overall, the book was well researched and kept me engaged, but I didn’t fully agree with everything. It had good discussion points, but some arguments needed more detail and a more balanced view. I’m giving it 4 stars because it was a unique read, but I think different Muslim readers will have different opinions, especially on polygyny, gender roles, and Islamic traditions.]]>
4.13 2015 Conflicts of Fitness: Islam, America, and Evolutionary Psychology
author: A.S. Amin
name: Alex
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/14
date added: 2025/03/14
shelves:
review:
As a Muslim, I found this book interesting but also a bit controversial. The author gives a unique take on human behavior, Islam, and evolutionary psychology. Some points were well explained and made me think, but others felt too simple or too general.

I liked that the book included history and scientific research. The idea that society shapes how people act in relationships was interesting, even if I didn’t agree with everything. But some topics, like polygyny, feminism, and the differences between the West and Islam, felt exaggerated or missing important details. Islam is deep and complex, and I feel like the book simplified some things too much.

I personally believe that monogamy is the best choice for a Muslim man today, so I didn’t agree with how polygyny was defended. While Islam allows it under strict conditions, it’s not required or even recommended in most cases. I wish the book had given a more balanced view instead of mainly talking about the benefits of polygyny from a biological perspective.

The chapter on feminism was also controversial. It made it seem like feminism only happened because of reproductive strategies, but in reality, it has had a much bigger impact on society. I do think Western feminism and Islamic values have different goals, but the book made it sound too simple.

Overall, the book was well researched and kept me engaged, but I didn’t fully agree with everything. It had good discussion points, but some arguments needed more detail and a more balanced view. I’m giving it 4 stars because it was a unique read, but I think different Muslim readers will have different opinions, especially on polygyny, gender roles, and Islamic traditions.
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<![CDATA[The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket]]> 766869 288 Edgar Allan Poe 0140437487 Alex 0 to-read 3.47 1838 The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket
author: Edgar Allan Poe
name: Alex
average rating: 3.47
book published: 1838
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/14
shelves: to-read
review:

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<![CDATA[Imagined Life: A Speculative Scientific Journey among the Exoplanets in Search of Intelligent Aliens, Ice Creatures, and Supergravity Animals]]> 43508672 The captivating possibilities of extraterrestrial life on exoplanets, based on current scientific knowledge of existing worlds and forms of life

It is now known that we live in a galaxy with more planets than stars. The Milky Way alone encompasses 30 trillion potential home planets. Scientists Trefil and Summers bring readers on a marvelous experimental voyage through the possibilities of life--unlike anything we have experienced so far--that could exist on planets outside our own solar system.

Life could be out there in many forms: on frozen worlds, living in liquid oceans beneath ice and communicating (and even battling) with bubbles; on super-dense planets, where they would have evolved body types capable of dealing with extreme gravity; on tidally locked planets with one side turned eternally toward a star; and even on "rogue worlds," which have no star at all. Yet this is no fictional flight of fancy: the authors take what we know about exoplanets and life on our own world and use that data to hypothesize about how, where, and which sorts of life might develop. Imagined Life is a must-have for anyone wanting to learn how the realities of our universe may turn out to be far stranger than fiction.]]>
240 James Trefil 1588346641 Alex 0 to-read 3.84 2019 Imagined Life: A Speculative Scientific Journey among the Exoplanets in Search of Intelligent Aliens, Ice Creatures, and Supergravity Animals
author: James Trefil
name: Alex
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

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<![CDATA[The Astronomy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (DK Big Ideas)]]> 34350295
From planets and stars to black holes and the Big Bang, take a journey through the wonders of the universe. Featuring topics from the Copernican Revolution to the mind-boggling theories of recent science, The Astronomy Book uses flowcharts, graphics, and illustrations to help clarify hard-to-grasp concepts and explain almost 100 big astronomical ideas. Covering the biographies of key astronomers through the ages such as Ptolemy, Galileo, Newton, Hubble, and Hawking, The Astronomy Book details their theories and discoveries in a user-friendly format to make the information accessible and easy to follow.

Series Overview: Big Ideas Simply Explained series uses creative design and innovative graphics along with straightforward and engaging writing to make complex subjects easier to understand. With over 7 million copies worldwide sold to date, these award-winning books provide just the information needed for students, families, or anyone interested in concise, thought-provoking refreshers on a single subject.]]>
352 Jacqueline Mitton 1465464182 Alex 0 to-read 4.27 2012 The Astronomy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (DK Big Ideas)
author: Jacqueline Mitton
name: Alex
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

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Cosmos 55030
The book also explores spacecraft missions of discovery of the nearby planets, the research in the Library of ancient Alexandria, the human brain, Egyptian hieroglyphics, the origin of life, the death of the Sun, the evolution of galaxies and the origins of matter, suns and worlds.

Sagan retraces the fifteen billion years of cos-mic evolution that have transformed matter into life and consciousness, enabling the Cosmos to wonder about itself. He considers the latest findings on life elsewhere and how we might communicate with the beings of other worlds.

Cosmos is the story of our long journey of discovery and the forces and individuals who helped to shape modern science, including Democritus, Hypatia, Kepler, Newton, Huy-gens, Champollion, Lowell and Humason. Sagan looks at our planet from an extra-terrestrial vantage point and sees a blue jewel-like world, inhabited by a lifeform that is just beginning to discover its own unity and to ven-ture into the vast ocean of space.]]>
384 Carl Sagan 0375508325 Alex 0 to-read 4.39 1980 Cosmos
author: Carl Sagan
name: Alex
average rating: 4.39
book published: 1980
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

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<![CDATA[Oasis in Space: Earth History from the Beginning]]> 5248508 526 Preston Cloud 0393019527 Alex 0 to-read 3.50 1988 Oasis in Space: Earth History from the Beginning
author: Preston Cloud
name: Alex
average rating: 3.50
book published: 1988
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

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The Stranger 49552 The Stranger has long been considered a classic of twentieth-century literature. Le Monde ranks it as number one on its "100 Books of the Century" list. Through this story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on a sundrenched Algerian beach, Camus explores what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd."]]> 123 Albert Camus Alex 4
Unlike many protagonists who are cast as either noble heroes or tragic figures, Meursault is neither. Readers are unlikely to admire or even respect him. However, because the novel is written in the first person, we gain insight into his thought process, making it difficult to completely despise him. My reaction to him was a mix of frustration and reluctant empathy. I found his character unworthy in many ways, yet I couldn’t ignore the role that fate, upbringing, and circumstance may have played in shaping him.

For a relatively short book, The Stranger left a lasting impact on me. It may do the same for you. What struck me most was the unsettling realization that Meursault is not an anomaly. There are likely thousands, if not millions, of people in the world who think and behave as he does. And perhaps, they are not entirely to blame for becoming who they are. Regardless of the cause, the thought that so many people might spend their entire lives as outsiders, disconnected and adrift, is deeply unsettling.]]>
4.04 1942 The Stranger
author: Albert Camus
name: Alex
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1942
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/08
date added: 2025/03/08
shelves:
review:
The Stranger truly lives up to its name. Meursault is an outsider in every sense, disconnected from society, distant from family and friends, indifferent to morality, detached from religion, and seemingly devoid of purpose. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that societies are structured to penalize those who refuse to conform. In this way, Meursault not only remains estranged from those around him but ultimately finds himself alienated from the law as well.

Unlike many protagonists who are cast as either noble heroes or tragic figures, Meursault is neither. Readers are unlikely to admire or even respect him. However, because the novel is written in the first person, we gain insight into his thought process, making it difficult to completely despise him. My reaction to him was a mix of frustration and reluctant empathy. I found his character unworthy in many ways, yet I couldn’t ignore the role that fate, upbringing, and circumstance may have played in shaping him.

For a relatively short book, The Stranger left a lasting impact on me. It may do the same for you. What struck me most was the unsettling realization that Meursault is not an anomaly. There are likely thousands, if not millions, of people in the world who think and behave as he does. And perhaps, they are not entirely to blame for becoming who they are. Regardless of the cause, the thought that so many people might spend their entire lives as outsiders, disconnected and adrift, is deeply unsettling.
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<![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)]]> 2
Harry has had enough. He is beginning to think he must do something, anything, to change his situation, when the summer holidays come to an end in a very dramatic fashion. What Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down...]]>
912 J.K. Rowling Alex 5
This book is darker, more intense, and emotionally gripping compared to the earlier ones in the series. Rowling brilliantly captures Harry’s frustration, isolation, and struggles as he faces skepticism from the wizarding world and the oppressive rule of Dolores Umbridge, arguably one of the most infuriating villains ever written. The rebellion of Dumbledore’s Army, the mystery surrounding the prophecy, and the heartbreaking loss of Sirius Black all make this book a rollercoaster of emotions.

While the movie adaptation did a decent job, the book provides so much more depth, especially in character development, Harry’s internal battles, and the lore of the Wizarding World. The Ministry of Magic subplot and the Department of Mysteries showdown were absolute highlights.

Overall, this was an incredible read, and I can now see why it’s considered one of the greatest books of all time. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out on a truly magical experience!]]>
4.50 2003 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Alex
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/17
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves:
review:
Since this book is ranked #2 on ŷ� Best Books Ever, I figured it was about time I gave it a read. I was originally reading The Wild One by Nick Petrie, but after downloading the Kindle version of Order of the Phoenix, I found myself completely immersed and ended up finishing it first. No regrets!

This book is darker, more intense, and emotionally gripping compared to the earlier ones in the series. Rowling brilliantly captures Harry’s frustration, isolation, and struggles as he faces skepticism from the wizarding world and the oppressive rule of Dolores Umbridge, arguably one of the most infuriating villains ever written. The rebellion of Dumbledore’s Army, the mystery surrounding the prophecy, and the heartbreaking loss of Sirius Black all make this book a rollercoaster of emotions.

While the movie adaptation did a decent job, the book provides so much more depth, especially in character development, Harry’s internal battles, and the lore of the Wizarding World. The Ministry of Magic subplot and the Department of Mysteries showdown were absolute highlights.

Overall, this was an incredible read, and I can now see why it’s considered one of the greatest books of all time. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out on a truly magical experience!
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<![CDATA[The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)]]> 2767052
Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.]]>
374 Suzanne Collins Alex 0 to-read 4.34 2008 The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Alex
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2008
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves: to-read
review:

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The Wild One (Peter Ash, #5) 45186093 War veteran Peter Ash tracks a murderer and his criminal family through the most forbidding and stark landscape he has ever encountered, in the latest thriller from the national bestselling author of The Drifter.

Losing ground in his fight against post-traumatic claustrophobia, war veteran Peter Ash has no intention of getting on an airplane--until a grieving woman asks Peter to find her eight-year-old grandson. The woman's daughter has been murdered. Erik, the dead daughter's husband, is the sole suspect, and he has taken his young son and fled to Iceland for the protection of Erik's lawless family.

Finding the boy becomes more complicated when Peter is met at the airport by a man from the United States Embassy. For reasons both unknown and unofficial, it seems that Peter's own government doesn't want him in Iceland. The police give Peter two days of sightseeing in Reykjavik before he must report back for the first available seat home. . . and when they realize Peter isn't going home until he accomplishes his mission, they start hunting him, too.

From the northernmost European capital to a rustbound fishing vessel to a remote farm a stone's throw from the arctic, Peter must confront his growing PTSD and the most powerful Icelandic snowstorm in a generation to find a killer, save an eight-year-old boy, and keep himself out of an Icelandic prison--or a cold Icelandic grave.]]>
400 Nick Petrie Alex 4
The setting in Iceland is one of the book’s strongest points—it’s cold, desolate, and almost a character in itself. Petrie does a great job making you feel the isolation and danger. The action is non-stop, and Peter Ash is a compelling protagonist. Even without prior background on his character, I could tell he was a resourceful and tough guy, constantly thinking on his feet.

However, since I didn’t read the previous books, I did feel like I was missing some context about Peter’s past and motivations. The story still worked, but I imagine it would’ve been even better if I had that background. Also, the tone is pretty dark, there’s not much relief from the tension, which might not be for everyone.

Overall, The Wild One was a solid read. If you like action-packed thrillers with a strong survival element, it’s worth checking out. But if you prefer to fully understand the main character’s journey, it might be better to start from the beginning of the series.

Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you enjoy gritty, high-stakes thrillers with a strong sense of place.]]>
4.18 2020 The Wild One (Peter Ash, #5)
author: Nick Petrie
name: Alex
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/26
date added: 2025/02/26
shelves:
review:
The Wild One was my first Nick Petrie book, and I jumped in without reading the earlier installments. Despite that, I found it an intense and gripping thriller that kept me hooked from the start.

The setting in Iceland is one of the book’s strongest points—it’s cold, desolate, and almost a character in itself. Petrie does a great job making you feel the isolation and danger. The action is non-stop, and Peter Ash is a compelling protagonist. Even without prior background on his character, I could tell he was a resourceful and tough guy, constantly thinking on his feet.

However, since I didn’t read the previous books, I did feel like I was missing some context about Peter’s past and motivations. The story still worked, but I imagine it would’ve been even better if I had that background. Also, the tone is pretty dark, there’s not much relief from the tension, which might not be for everyone.

Overall, The Wild One was a solid read. If you like action-packed thrillers with a strong survival element, it’s worth checking out. But if you prefer to fully understand the main character’s journey, it might be better to start from the beginning of the series.

Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you enjoy gritty, high-stakes thrillers with a strong sense of place.
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<![CDATA[Hawking Hawking: The Selling of a Scientific Celebrity]]> 54817579 Hawking Hawking, science journalist Charles Seife explores how Stephen Hawking came to be thought of as humanity's greatest genius. Hawking spent his career grappling with deep questions in physics, but his renown didn't rest on his science. He was a master of self-promotion, hosting parties for time travelers, declaring victory over problems he had not solved, and wooing billionaires. In a wheelchair and physically dependent on a cadre of devotees, Hawking still managed to captivate the people around him—and use them for his own purposes.


In this exposé and biography, Hawking Hawking uncovers the authentic Hawking buried underneath the fake. It is the story of a man whose brilliance in physics was matched by his genius for building his own myth.]]>
400 Charles Seife 1541618378 Alex 5 3.58 2021 Hawking Hawking: The Selling of a Scientific Celebrity
author: Charles Seife
name: Alex
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/20
date added: 2024/11/20
shelves:
review:
As someone deeply intrigued by cosmology and the mysteries of the universe, Hawking, Hawking by Charles Seife was an absolutely captivating read for me. The author spends significant time delving into how Stephen Hawking, a groundbreaking cosmologist, transformed into a global icon and leveraged his fame to generate wealth. However, this book is much more than an exploration of Hawking's celebrity status. It is a serious and nuanced biography of a notable scientist, unafraid to delve into the complexities of his personality and work. Seife masterfully balances the intricate scientific concepts with Hawking's human side, even tackling some of the math in an accessible manner. One of the book's strengths is its honest portrayal of Hawking acknowledging his genius while also critiquing his flaws. Importantly, Seife avoids sanctifying Hawking for enduring a debilitating disease, presenting him as a multidimensional figure instead. The reverse chronology, which might seem unconventional at first, is handled deftly and adds an engaging layer to the narrative. While the book isn’t without its minor shortcomings such as not fully exploring Hawking’s political inclinations, it nonetheless provides a rich and fairly comprehensive portrait of both the man and his contributions to science. Seife’s ability to weave together Hawking's scientific achievements, personal life, and cultural impact made this book a standout for me. It’s a must-read for anyone curious about the interplay between science, human ambition, and the nature of fame.
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<![CDATA[The Will To Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding]]> 16089258 Driven, Robert Herjavec, the co-star of CTV’s Shark Tank and former co-star of CBC’s Dragons� Den, urged his readers to embrace risk, take control of their lives and stay true to their visions. Now, Herjavec pushes his readers even further toward greatness.

Known for his honesty, integrity and powers of persuasion, Herjavec never fails to reach for the highest rung on the ladder. In The Will to Win, he shares some of his own secrets for greatness, whether it’s knowing when to be aggressive (and when not to be), when to talk and when to listen, or when and how to ask the right questions. And he reminds us that we all have the same 24 hours a day in which to maximize our future—it’s how we spend those hours that counts.

Whether you are seeking to build the next big communications technology company, become the most respected teacher in your education system or make a lasting impact as an artist in your field, the most important decision you can make, according to Herjavec, is to reject mediocrity. Drawing on anecdotes from his own life and from the lives of celebrity friends such as Oprah, Georges St-Pierre and Celine Dion, he delivers valuable lessons that will guide readers to greater happiness and success.]]>
304 Robert Herjavec 144340988X Alex 5 3.59 2013 The Will To Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding
author: Robert Herjavec
name: Alex
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/30
date added: 2024/10/30
shelves:
review:
The Will to Win" is a compelling mix of autobiography and business advice from Robert Herjavec, my favorite Shark Tank cast member. The book offers a glimpse into his childhood in Croatia and his family’s journey to Canada, which laid the groundwork for his strong work ethic and eventual success in founding a security company and landing a role on Shark Tank. Along the way, he shares invaluable lessons on branding, handling public perception, and the deeper motivations behind making money. Some memorable quotes include “pleasure is an easier sell than pain,� “focus on value, not price,� “don’t ask the customer questions you can answer yourself,� and “meet the right person at the right level.� The list goes on, with each piece of advice grounded in experience and insight. This book is a powerful guide for anyone striving to achieve both professional success and personal fulfillment.
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The Alchemist 18144590 The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.

Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, following our dreams.]]>
182 Paulo Coelho 0062315005 Alex 5
The challenge with this book is figuring out exactly what that "more" is. It continuously hints at deeper lessons, touching on themes of ethics, metaphysics, history, anthropology, post-colonial critique, and even folk tales. There are biblical allusions alongside Islamic teachings about the nature of God, while institutions and mysticism are both evoked and questioned. As you read, there’s always the feeling that something profound is lingering just beneath the surface, but the moment you try to grasp it or put it into words, it seems to slip away.

That, I think, is the point - the message becomes clearer when you stop trying to pin it down. Hold it lightly, and it reveals itself; try to define it too rigidly, and it eludes you. The book works its magic subtly, and by the end, you feel both satisfied with the hero’s journey and yet yearning for something more - perhaps to embark on your own journey. That’s why I love it so much. It doesn’t give up its secrets easily - or maybe it gives them up too easily - leaving you to wonder where your own heart and treasure lie, and what your personal legend might be. In the end, I think the book says more about the reader than the text itself. Once you truly know your own heart and path, perhaps this will remain just a beautiful, passing fairy tale.]]>
4.01 1988 The Alchemist
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Alex
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1988
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/20
date added: 2024/10/20
shelves:
review:
I was reading this book alongside others and, noticing it was short, thought I'd take my time with it. I ended up falling deeply in love with it. It’s one of those stories that operates on multiple levels- at its surface, you have the classic hero's journey: the protagonist embarks on an adventure, learns from a wise mentor, faces challenges, and ultimately discovers that the true treasure lies within himself. If that’s all you take from it, that’s perfectly fine, but there’s more happening beneath the surface.

The challenge with this book is figuring out exactly what that "more" is. It continuously hints at deeper lessons, touching on themes of ethics, metaphysics, history, anthropology, post-colonial critique, and even folk tales. There are biblical allusions alongside Islamic teachings about the nature of God, while institutions and mysticism are both evoked and questioned. As you read, there’s always the feeling that something profound is lingering just beneath the surface, but the moment you try to grasp it or put it into words, it seems to slip away.

That, I think, is the point - the message becomes clearer when you stop trying to pin it down. Hold it lightly, and it reveals itself; try to define it too rigidly, and it eludes you. The book works its magic subtly, and by the end, you feel both satisfied with the hero’s journey and yet yearning for something more - perhaps to embark on your own journey. That’s why I love it so much. It doesn’t give up its secrets easily - or maybe it gives them up too easily - leaving you to wonder where your own heart and treasure lie, and what your personal legend might be. In the end, I think the book says more about the reader than the text itself. Once you truly know your own heart and path, perhaps this will remain just a beautiful, passing fairy tale.
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<![CDATA[A Proud American: The Autobiography of Joe Foss]]> 7543980 432 Foss 0671757466 Alex 5
For me, this book was a reminder of the blessings of freedom, the power of resilience, and the importance of living with integrity. Joe Foss’s life has inspired me to reflect on my own role as an American, and how I can honor the legacy of those who came before me by contributing to the country I love.

Reading this book has strengthened my sense of pride in being an American, and it has reaffirmed my commitment to living a life guided by purpose, humility, and service to others—just like Joe Foss did.]]>
4.21 1993 A Proud American: The Autobiography of Joe Foss
author: Foss
name: Alex
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1993
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/11
date added: 2024/10/11
shelves:
review:
A Proud American: The Autobiography of Joe Foss is more than just an autobiography—it’s an inspiration. It’s a story of true heroism, patriotism, and the kind of values that define America at its core.

For me, this book was a reminder of the blessings of freedom, the power of resilience, and the importance of living with integrity. Joe Foss’s life has inspired me to reflect on my own role as an American, and how I can honor the legacy of those who came before me by contributing to the country I love.

Reading this book has strengthened my sense of pride in being an American, and it has reaffirmed my commitment to living a life guided by purpose, humility, and service to others—just like Joe Foss did.
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<![CDATA[F*ck Your Feelings: Master Your Mind, Accomplish Any Goal, and Become A More Significant Human]]> 38738219
95% of decisions are based on feelings. Not logic. Not rational thought. Feelings. Can you feel the pull of emotions, hunger, guilt, pain, jealously, depression, and everything else weighing on every decision that you make?

Business owners, entrepreneurs, regular people looking to get in shape, anyone with a goal that isn't terrified of tough love - you need to read F*ck Your Feelings - as soon as possible! In this book you'll learn how to use personal mind control techniques to control the way your brain is wired, constantly accomplish your goals, and feel MORE pleasure during the day.

You cannot control your instincts until you understand how they work - PERIOD.

Learn how to apply the fundamentals of emotional control so that you can uplift yourself ON COMMAND, fight through periods of stress and torment, and give yourself long-term satisfaction and peace.

Packed with advice you can put to use right away, you'll learn how to SPOT and

What pragmatic and actionable tactics will you learn?

The one four letter word that practically guarantees you'll fail at whatever you do. The real nature of emotions, and the twenty minute exercise we can take to give ourselves lasting joy throughout the day. Why eating one marshmallow at the wrong time can ruin your relationships and cost you thousands of dollars. Why play, safety, and something called the VAGUS NERVE is critical for your performance in life. The "everything is everything" moment that will separate you from 92% of people - in the entire world. Also the following

How to survive and recover when your brain is HOOKED on dopamine, fear, amusement, and other toxic drugs. The actual, CONTROLLABLE physical property that decides whether you're a dreamer, or a doer! How feeling threatened or insecure can actually make you sluggish, lazy, and TRAPPED in failure. How to interact with your phone, tablet and computer without wrecking your back, eyes, and heart. And so much more! Here's what this book ISN' this isn't a get rich quick scheme, a business plan, or some touchy-feely nonsense about touching your inner self. This is about building the most consistent element in any business - YOURSELF.

How will your business improve?

Be more focused throughout the day. Gain the ability to say NO to temptation when it comes. HACK your brain so that you're always energized and pumped up NEVER be outside your comfort zone or afraid of a challenge. Implement these techniques and watch your profits skyrocket.]]>
333 Ryan Munsey Alex 5
As I read through the book, I appreciated how Munsey backs up his advice with insights from neuroscience and psychology, making it more than just motivational talk. He explains how emotions can trick us into making bad decisions or giving up too soon, and I found his focus on mental toughness and self-discipline particularly useful. It felt like a wake-up call to stop letting feelings dictate my actions and instead commit to what’s necessary for long-term success.

What really stood out to me was how actionable the advice is. Munsey doesn’t just tell you to "get tough"—he provides concrete strategies to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and create habits that lead to real progress. I found myself taking notes and thinking about ways I could apply his lessons in my own life.

That being said, the book’s tough-love approach might not be for everyone. Personally, I enjoyed the directness, but I could see how some people might find the tone a bit harsh or aggressive. If you're someone who prefers a more gentle, supportive style, this book might feel too intense. However, if you're ready to face your excuses head-on and make real changes, Munsey’s straightforward style is incredibly motivating.

Overall, Fck Your Feelings* is a great read if you’re serious about breaking through mental barriers and taking control of your life. It’s not here to comfort you, but if you're looking for practical, tough advice to get you on the right track, this book hits the mark.]]>
3.83 2018 F*ck Your Feelings: Master Your Mind, Accomplish Any Goal, and Become A More Significant Human
author: Ryan Munsey
name: Alex
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/01
date added: 2024/10/01
shelves:
review:
Ryan Munsey really grabbed my attention with its bold title, and it delivered exactly what I expected—a no-nonsense, tough-love approach to self-improvement. Munsey’s message is simple but powerful: feelings can often sabotage our progress, and the key to success is mastering our minds and pushing through discomfort with discipline.

As I read through the book, I appreciated how Munsey backs up his advice with insights from neuroscience and psychology, making it more than just motivational talk. He explains how emotions can trick us into making bad decisions or giving up too soon, and I found his focus on mental toughness and self-discipline particularly useful. It felt like a wake-up call to stop letting feelings dictate my actions and instead commit to what’s necessary for long-term success.

What really stood out to me was how actionable the advice is. Munsey doesn’t just tell you to "get tough"—he provides concrete strategies to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and create habits that lead to real progress. I found myself taking notes and thinking about ways I could apply his lessons in my own life.

That being said, the book’s tough-love approach might not be for everyone. Personally, I enjoyed the directness, but I could see how some people might find the tone a bit harsh or aggressive. If you're someone who prefers a more gentle, supportive style, this book might feel too intense. However, if you're ready to face your excuses head-on and make real changes, Munsey’s straightforward style is incredibly motivating.

Overall, Fck Your Feelings* is a great read if you’re serious about breaking through mental barriers and taking control of your life. It’s not here to comfort you, but if you're looking for practical, tough advice to get you on the right track, this book hits the mark.
]]>
<![CDATA[Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't]]> 76865
The Challenge
Built to Last, the defining management study of the nineties, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.

But what about the company that is not born with great DNA? How can good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies achieve enduring greatness?

The Study
For years, this question preyed on the mind of Jim Collins. Are there companies that defy gravity and convert long-term mediocrity or worse into long-term superiority? And if so, what are the universal distinguishing characteristics that cause a company to go from good to great?

The Standards
Using tough benchmarks, Collins and his research team identified a set of elite companies that made the leap to great results and sustained those results for at least fifteen years. How great? After the leap, the good-to-great companies generated cumulative stock returns that beat the general stock market by an average of seven times in fifteen years, better than twice the results delivered by a composite index of the world's greatest companies, including Coca-Cola, Intel, General Electric, and Merck.

The Comparisons
The research team contrasted the good-to-great companies with a carefully selected set of comparison companies that failed to make the leap from good to great. What was different? Why did one set of companies become truly great performers while the other set remained only good?

The Findings
The findings of the Good to Great study will surprise many readers and shed light on virtually every area of management strategy and practice. The findings include:
Level 5 Leaders: The research team was shocked to discover the type of leadership required to achieve greatness.

The Hedgehog Concept (Simplicity within the Three Circles): To go from good to great requires transcending the curse of competence.

A Culture of Discipline: When you combine a culture of discipline with an ethic of entrepreneurship, you get the magical alchemy of great results. Technology Accelerators: Good-to-great companies think differently about the role of technology.

The Flywheel and the Doom Loop: Those who launch radical change programs and wrenching restructurings will almost certainly fail to make the leap.]]>
300 Jim Collins 0066620996 Alex 4
However, Jim Collins� book shows its age in certain aspects, such as citing Circuit City as an example of a company that went from good to great. While the company may have once thrived, its ultimate failure may lead future readers to question the validity of Collins' concepts. Additionally, Collins warns against over-reliance on technology in running a business. While this advice stemmed from the collapse of Dotcom companies in the early 2000s, today, technology is much more reliable and is now widely seen as a crucial factor in driving improvement and efficiency.

Despite its age, it would be unfair to dismiss the book. The ideas presented remain highly valuable, especially for those new to management and continuous improvement. The book is easy to read and offers clear steps for recognizing when a company has not reached its full potential and how to address those shortcomings.]]>
4.12 2001 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
author: Jim Collins
name: Alex
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/24
date added: 2024/10/01
shelves:
review:
The book Good to Great offers a fresh perspective on why many businesses hit a ceiling, falling into the trap of believing they are "good enough" to fulfill their functions. It focuses on analyzing companies that successfully transitioned from good to great, while also warning about the risks faced by those that fail to break through this threshold. The book presents several valuable concepts, such as the Hedgehog Concept, Level 5 Leadership, and establishing a culture of discipline. Managers are encouraged to adopt these principles within their own organizations to overcome the complacency of being merely good and strive for greatness. Many businesses settle for being good, which prevents them from ever achieving true excellence.

However, Jim Collins� book shows its age in certain aspects, such as citing Circuit City as an example of a company that went from good to great. While the company may have once thrived, its ultimate failure may lead future readers to question the validity of Collins' concepts. Additionally, Collins warns against over-reliance on technology in running a business. While this advice stemmed from the collapse of Dotcom companies in the early 2000s, today, technology is much more reliable and is now widely seen as a crucial factor in driving improvement and efficiency.

Despite its age, it would be unfair to dismiss the book. The ideas presented remain highly valuable, especially for those new to management and continuous improvement. The book is easy to read and offers clear steps for recognizing when a company has not reached its full potential and how to address those shortcomings.
]]>
The Secret History 29044 559 Donna Tartt 1400031702 Alex 4
Tartt’s writing is lush, atmospheric, and richly detailed, creating an immersive reading experience that draws you into the cold, isolated campus setting. Her ability to explore complex themes like guilt, morality, and the consequences of hubris is exceptional. Through the story, she delves into the idea of how intellectual pursuits can be corrupted by arrogance and a sense of superiority, leading the characters to justify their actions—even murder—under the guise of seeking something greater than themselves.

The strength of The Secret History lies not only in its plot but in its deeply flawed and fascinating characters. Each member of the group is distinct and richly developed, particularly Henry, the intellectual leader of the clique, whose cold rationality and obsession with classical ideals set the tone for their tragic downfall. Richard’s journey as a narrator is equally compelling—he’s an outsider trying to fit into this world of wealth and mystery, but his complicity in the group’s actions ultimately challenges his own sense of morality.

The novel is a slow burn, unfolding at a measured pace that allows readers to sink deeply into its chilling atmosphere. The tension builds steadily, and though the murder is revealed early on, the psychological aftermath of the crime becomes the true focus of the narrative. Tartt masterfully examines the consequences of the group's actions and the psychological toll it takes on them as they try to maintain their façade of normalcy.

Overall, The Secret History is a brilliant exploration of the darker sides of intellectual elitism, the seductive allure of beauty and knowledge, and the devastating consequences of moral compromise. Tartt’s prose is elegant, her storytelling is suspenseful, and her characters are unforgettable. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys literary fiction with psychological depth and moral complexity.]]>
4.17 1992 The Secret History
author: Donna Tartt
name: Alex
average rating: 4.17
book published: 1992
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/30
date added: 2024/10/01
shelves:
review:
Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that pulls readers into a world of privilege, intellectual obsession, and moral decay. Set in an elite liberal arts college in Vermont, the story follows a group of eccentric and highly intelligent students studying ancient Greek under the enigmatic professor, Julian Morrow. The protagonist, Richard Papen, arrives at Hampden College from a modest background and quickly becomes fascinated with this elite group, eventually joining their tightly-knit circle. What begins as a pursuit of beauty and knowledge soon spirals into a dark, psychological unraveling, culminating in murder.

Tartt’s writing is lush, atmospheric, and richly detailed, creating an immersive reading experience that draws you into the cold, isolated campus setting. Her ability to explore complex themes like guilt, morality, and the consequences of hubris is exceptional. Through the story, she delves into the idea of how intellectual pursuits can be corrupted by arrogance and a sense of superiority, leading the characters to justify their actions—even murder—under the guise of seeking something greater than themselves.

The strength of The Secret History lies not only in its plot but in its deeply flawed and fascinating characters. Each member of the group is distinct and richly developed, particularly Henry, the intellectual leader of the clique, whose cold rationality and obsession with classical ideals set the tone for their tragic downfall. Richard’s journey as a narrator is equally compelling—he’s an outsider trying to fit into this world of wealth and mystery, but his complicity in the group’s actions ultimately challenges his own sense of morality.

The novel is a slow burn, unfolding at a measured pace that allows readers to sink deeply into its chilling atmosphere. The tension builds steadily, and though the murder is revealed early on, the psychological aftermath of the crime becomes the true focus of the narrative. Tartt masterfully examines the consequences of the group's actions and the psychological toll it takes on them as they try to maintain their façade of normalcy.

Overall, The Secret History is a brilliant exploration of the darker sides of intellectual elitism, the seductive allure of beauty and knowledge, and the devastating consequences of moral compromise. Tartt’s prose is elegant, her storytelling is suspenseful, and her characters are unforgettable. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys literary fiction with psychological depth and moral complexity.
]]>
The Road 6288
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,� are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.]]>
241 Cormac McCarthy 0307265439 Alex 5
One of the things that stands out in The Road is how vividly McCarthy brings the post-apocalyptic world to life. His descriptions are detailed and immersive, pulling the reader into the stark, barren landscape the characters inhabit. McCarthy’s choice to strip away certain punctuation, like quotation marks, adds to the sense of disarray and loss in this world. It’s a subtle but effective way of making the environment feel even more empty and bleak. His craftsmanship is unmatched, and the way he paints such a vivid picture of this grim reality is nothing short of masterful. Readers will find themselves drawn into the story not just by the plot, but by McCarthy’s ability to make this fictional world feel disturbingly real.

Another remarkable aspect of the novel is its capacity to offer an escape from reality. While reading, I often found myself completely absorbed, losing track of time and space as I became fully immersed in the story. This world McCarthy creates is not a fantastical escape, but rather a brutally honest depiction of what life might be like in such a grim future. It’s this raw portrayal of survival in a broken world that makes the novel so captivating. It offers readers a chance to escape their everyday problems by plunging into a reality that feels both distant and eerily possible.

In conclusion, if you’re considering reading The Road, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a gripping tale of survival and a testament to the enduring bond between father and son. McCarthy’s writing is both harrowing and beautiful, and this book will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it. It’s a journey that’s as unforgettable as it is heart-wrenching.]]>
3.99 2006 The Road
author: Cormac McCarthy
name: Alex
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/27
date added: 2024/10/01
shelves:
review:
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road tells a haunting yet compelling story set in a post-apocalyptic world, where a father and his son struggle to survive. The novel follows their journey as they search for a better life in a desolate and hopeless landscape. Along the way, they encounter rare moments of good fortune, such as abandoned houses offering shelter and supplies, or even an untouched can of Coca-Cola—a small treasure in their bleak world. However, these brief glimpses of comfort are vastly outnumbered by the terrifying dangers they face. Menacing groups of people threaten their lives, and the father’s deteriorating health adds to their challenges. Without giving away too much, I will say that at its core, this book is a profound exploration of unconditional love. The father’s devotion to his son is unwavering throughout the novel, and he does everything in his power to provide even the smallest measure of happiness for him. The ending is powerful, deeply moving, and undeniably heartbreaking, but I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoiling it for those who haven’t read it yet.

One of the things that stands out in The Road is how vividly McCarthy brings the post-apocalyptic world to life. His descriptions are detailed and immersive, pulling the reader into the stark, barren landscape the characters inhabit. McCarthy’s choice to strip away certain punctuation, like quotation marks, adds to the sense of disarray and loss in this world. It’s a subtle but effective way of making the environment feel even more empty and bleak. His craftsmanship is unmatched, and the way he paints such a vivid picture of this grim reality is nothing short of masterful. Readers will find themselves drawn into the story not just by the plot, but by McCarthy’s ability to make this fictional world feel disturbingly real.

Another remarkable aspect of the novel is its capacity to offer an escape from reality. While reading, I often found myself completely absorbed, losing track of time and space as I became fully immersed in the story. This world McCarthy creates is not a fantastical escape, but rather a brutally honest depiction of what life might be like in such a grim future. It’s this raw portrayal of survival in a broken world that makes the novel so captivating. It offers readers a chance to escape their everyday problems by plunging into a reality that feels both distant and eerily possible.

In conclusion, if you’re considering reading The Road, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a gripping tale of survival and a testament to the enduring bond between father and son. McCarthy’s writing is both harrowing and beautiful, and this book will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it. It’s a journey that’s as unforgettable as it is heart-wrenching.
]]>
<![CDATA[A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius]]> 4953 A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is the moving memoir of a college senior who, in the space of five weeks, loses both of his parents to cancer and inherits his eight-year-old brother. Here is an exhilarating debut that manages to be simultaneously hilarious and wildly inventive as well as a deeply heartfelt story of the love that holds a family together.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is an instant classic that will be read for decades to come.]]>
530 Dave Eggers 0375725784 Alex 5
This quickly became one of my all-time favorite books. From the very first pages, I was hooked by how conversational Eggers remained with the reader. I really appreciate that, especially I like to be just, where straightforward communication is often terse and formal. Sometimes, the warmest and most engaging conversations are the ones that are long, nuanced, and complex, even if the underlying ideas are simple.

For me, a good book is one that makes me think, not just follow a plot. A great book is one that makes me jot down thoughts in the margins, and this book had me turning entire pages into a notepad. While it tells an interesting story, what made it extraordinary were Eggers� reflections on the world around him. Too many writers simply describe events without sharing their thoughts or feelings about them. Most of us are used to those kinds of books, where the plot keeps us engaged, but the end result feels superficial. Often, I finish such books feeling accomplished, but that excitement quickly fades into dissatisfaction. I never understood why until I read Eggers. He reminded me that an author can offer much more than just an entertaining story. I now believe writers have a responsibility to do so.

Though I’m not a fan of gimmicks and was initially skeptical about the random quirks Eggers included—like the odd copyright page at the beginning or the strange autobiographical note at the end—his self-awareness and humor put me at ease. Few things draw a reader closer to an author than when they can laugh at themselves. The book is filled with moments like that. For instance, Eggers warns early on that the book becomes a bit boring towards the end, and he’s right. But when you reach that part and recall his warning, you're still amazed by how great it is. Maybe it’s because it’s a memoir, or because Eggers draws you into his life, making you feel as though you’ve known him for years. Or maybe it's the desire not to agree with a comment that should, in theory, discourage you from finishing the book. Whatever the reason, even at its slowest points, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius lives up to its title—genius.]]>
3.70 2000 A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
author: Dave Eggers
name: Alex
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at: 2024/02/27
date added: 2024/10/01
shelves:
review:
Someone recommended this book to me with the comment, "This is so you. You're going to love it." They were right—at least about the loving part. I’m not sure if I write, think, or act like Eggers, but if I do, I take it as a compliment.

This quickly became one of my all-time favorite books. From the very first pages, I was hooked by how conversational Eggers remained with the reader. I really appreciate that, especially I like to be just, where straightforward communication is often terse and formal. Sometimes, the warmest and most engaging conversations are the ones that are long, nuanced, and complex, even if the underlying ideas are simple.

For me, a good book is one that makes me think, not just follow a plot. A great book is one that makes me jot down thoughts in the margins, and this book had me turning entire pages into a notepad. While it tells an interesting story, what made it extraordinary were Eggers� reflections on the world around him. Too many writers simply describe events without sharing their thoughts or feelings about them. Most of us are used to those kinds of books, where the plot keeps us engaged, but the end result feels superficial. Often, I finish such books feeling accomplished, but that excitement quickly fades into dissatisfaction. I never understood why until I read Eggers. He reminded me that an author can offer much more than just an entertaining story. I now believe writers have a responsibility to do so.

Though I’m not a fan of gimmicks and was initially skeptical about the random quirks Eggers included—like the odd copyright page at the beginning or the strange autobiographical note at the end—his self-awareness and humor put me at ease. Few things draw a reader closer to an author than when they can laugh at themselves. The book is filled with moments like that. For instance, Eggers warns early on that the book becomes a bit boring towards the end, and he’s right. But when you reach that part and recall his warning, you're still amazed by how great it is. Maybe it’s because it’s a memoir, or because Eggers draws you into his life, making you feel as though you’ve known him for years. Or maybe it's the desire not to agree with a comment that should, in theory, discourage you from finishing the book. Whatever the reason, even at its slowest points, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius lives up to its title—genius.
]]>
<![CDATA[Beowulf: A New Verse Translation]]> 62700291 143 Seamus Heaney Alex 5
Previous translations - like the one I suffered through in Middle School, are stilted and arcane.
(Also did a role playing as well in my English class singing and dancing) They sacrifice narrative flow for a false kind of fidelity to the text. Seamus Heaney's translation dances and sings. The language is lyrical and feels like epic poetry - but the narrative flow is easy and intuitive. With the difficulty of comprehension out of the way the story comes to the fore and what a story it is. This is the real root of Fantasy literature - a misty world of barbaric knights, monsters, magic, blood kinship and blood feud. The tale is familiar to most - the great Great hero comes to the aid of a distant king whose country is beset by a horrible monster; one immune to weapons... Ok, no spoilers. If you are interested in the roots of English literature, or in the culture of the dark ages Anglo Saxon, this book will illuminate like nothing else.]]>
4.17 1000 Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
author: Seamus Heaney
name: Alex
average rating: 4.17
book published: 1000
rating: 5
read at: 1997/08/31
date added: 2024/01/12
shelves:
review:
Literature can be a form of social anthropology. Just as the Iliad can take you into the warlike mindset of the ancient Greeks; Beowulf takes you into the warlike mindset of the Anglo-Saxon invaders of Britain back in the days of Sutton Hoo. Not only is Beowulf a great piece of epic poetry - complete with super hero, fabulous monsters, and a killer dragon; it's also a superb piece of cultural history - complete with great halls ringing with toasts of mead in horn cups and men who sleep fully armored and armed. The big problem with Beowulf in old English is that just as the culture is so remote and alien to be fascinating, the English language at the time is also utterly alien and incomprehensible. This was a quarter millennium before the Norman Conquest - the great fusion of Germanic and romance that would produce our language as we know it.

Previous translations - like the one I suffered through in Middle School, are stilted and arcane.
(Also did a role playing as well in my English class singing and dancing) They sacrifice narrative flow for a false kind of fidelity to the text. Seamus Heaney's translation dances and sings. The language is lyrical and feels like epic poetry - but the narrative flow is easy and intuitive. With the difficulty of comprehension out of the way the story comes to the fore and what a story it is. This is the real root of Fantasy literature - a misty world of barbaric knights, monsters, magic, blood kinship and blood feud. The tale is familiar to most - the great Great hero comes to the aid of a distant king whose country is beset by a horrible monster; one immune to weapons... Ok, no spoilers. If you are interested in the roots of English literature, or in the culture of the dark ages Anglo Saxon, this book will illuminate like nothing else.
]]>
<![CDATA[Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam]]> 52207852 Are you longing to experience a more intimate and loving relationship with the Divine?

Secrets of Divine Love draws upon spiritual secrets of the Qur'an, ancient mystical poetry, and stories from the world's greatest prophets and spiritual masters to help you reignite your faith, overcome your doubts, and deepen your connection with God.

Through the use of scientific evidence, practical exercises, and guided meditations, you will develop the tools and awareness needed to discern and overcome your negative inner critic that prevents you from experiencing God's all-encompassing love.

The passages in this book serve as a compass and guiding light that returns you to the source of divine peace and surrender. Through the principles and practices of Islam, you will learn how to unlock your spiritual potential and unveil your divine purpose. Secrets of Divine Love uses a rational, yet heart-based approach towards the Qur'an that not only enlightens the mind, but inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with God.]]>
387 A. Helwa 1734231203 Alex 5 4.50 Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam
author: A. Helwa
name: Alex
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/22
date added: 2023/10/07
shelves:
review:
You must read this. I cannot stress how highly I suggest this book. I've always loved God, but I've also felt terrible remorse, like I disappointed him out. Naturally, I am aware of God's mercy because "Ar Rahim" is one of his names. The love I believed I had for our Creator, however, was strengthened and multiplied as a result of this book, and whatever guilt I felt was unjustified. My anxiety was quickly reduced. When you truly realize that Allah loves us via the use of straight verses and surahs from the Quran, poetry, and the writings of Rumi, you start to comprehend the essence and beauty of our religion. And once you genuinely comprehend Allah's love, you make an effort to never lack.
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<![CDATA[8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go]]> 62634115 The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Think Like a Monk offers a revelatory guide to every stage of romance, drawing on ancient wisdom and new science.

Nobody sits us down and teaches us how to love. So we’re often thrown into relationships with nothing but romance movies and pop culture to help us muddle through. Until now.

Instead of presenting love as an ethereal concept or a collection of cliches, Jay Shetty lays out specific, actionable steps to help you develop the skills to practice and nurture love better than ever before. He shares insights on how to win or lose together, how to define love, and why you don’t break in a break-up. Inspired by Vedic wisdom and modern science, he tackles the entire relationship cycle, from first dates to moving in together to breaking up and starting over. And he shows us how to avoid falling for false promises and unfulfilling partners.

By living Jay Shetty’s eight rules, we can all love ourselves, our partner, and the world better than we ever thought possible.]]>
352 Jay Shetty 198218308X Alex 5 3.91 2023 8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go
author: Jay Shetty
name: Alex
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/04/16
date added: 2023/04/17
shelves:
review:
After going through a breakup around five months ago, I've just finished reading the Kindle version of this book, and I'm finding it to be incredibly beneficial in terms of using what I've learned to be a better partner going forward, find the appropriate relationship for me, and grow together. I sincerely appreciate the wisdom you provided in your book, Jay, and I can't wait to learn about your upcoming book, which will no doubt contain much more sound counsel.
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<![CDATA[Commentary on the Forty Hadith of Imam Al-Nawawi - Timeless Prophetic Gems of Guidance and Wisdom]]> 33206981 388 Jamal Ahmed Badi 1365293963 Alex 5 4.40 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of Imam Al-Nawawi - Timeless Prophetic Gems of Guidance and Wisdom
author: Jamal Ahmed Badi
name: Alex
average rating: 4.40
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2023/01/02
date added: 2023/01/02
shelves:
review:
This is an excellent and thorough commentary on the Hadith which are the pillars of Islamic principles and ideals. This commentary engages the reader such that he/she can readily apply and benefit from these Prophetic gems in their personal lives, and in light of contemporary times. Numerous classical commentary and relevant Quranic ayaat and Hadith are also quoted to further elaborate on the meaning of these comprehensive hadith.
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The Invocation of God 537403 202 Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya 0946621780 Alex 5 4.76 1998 The Invocation of God
author: Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya
name: Alex
average rating: 4.76
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at: 2023/01/02
date added: 2023/01/02
shelves:
review:
A beautifully written book with good explanation and easy to read layout. Muslim should invest in this book because its very informative and rewarding for the soul.
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<![CDATA[What To Say When You Talk To Your Self]]> 18869094 The international Self-Talk best-seller, updated in this new eBook edition.
Each of us is programmed from birth on, and as much as 75% or more of our programming may be negative or working against us. In this newly updated and revised eBook edition, Shad Helmstetter shows the reader how to erase and replace past mental programs with healthy, new programs that can be positively life-changing. Considered by many to be one of the most important and helpful personal growth books ever written.

About the Author
Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D., is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books in the field of personal growth. His books are published in over 64 countries worldwide. He has appeared on more than 1200 radio and television programs including Oprah Winfrey, and ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN News.
]]>
226 Shad Helmstetter 0983631212 Alex 4 4.31 1986 What To Say When You Talk To Your Self
author: Shad Helmstetter
name: Alex
average rating: 4.31
book published: 1986
rating: 4
read at: 2020/06/20
date added: 2022/08/30
shelves:
review:
After reading a couple of books on self-mastery and mental habits, I found myself unarmed with a practical method for actually creating change in my life. While plenty of books can tell you to live in the present or remove fear from your mind, I struggled with the question of "how". *What To Say When You Talk To Yourself* was my apparent answer -- a book on "how to erase and replace past mental programs with healthy, new programs", a "manual for the human mind". While I can't yet say whether or not the methods have been effective for me, content-wise, the book does deliver on its promise. It provides practical "self-talk" exercises for reprogramming your mind, along with research to back it. One criticism: while I definitely found the content of this book valuable, I felt like a considerable portion of the book was repetitive fluff and self-aggrandizement (eg. at one point the author promotes his own self-talk recordings).
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<![CDATA[The Power of Your Subconscious Mind]]> 68984 The Power of Your Subconscious Mind has been a bestseller since its first publication in 1963, selling many millions of copies since its original publication. It is one of the most brilliant and beloved spiritual self-help works of all time which can help you heal yourself, banish your fears, sleep better, enjoy better relationships and just feel happier. The techniques are simple and results come quickly. You can improve your relationships, your finances, your physical well-being.

Dr. Joseph Murphy explains that life events are actually the result of the workings of your conscious and subconscious minds. He suggests practical techniques through which one can change one's destiny, principally by focusing and redirecting this miraculous energy. Years of research studying the world's major religions convinced him that some Great Power lay behind all spiritual life and that this power is within each of us.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind will open a world of success, happiness, prosperity, and peace for you.

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304 Joseph Murphy 0553583182 Alex 5 4.10 1963 The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
author: Joseph Murphy
name: Alex
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1963
rating: 5
read at: 2013/04/28
date added: 2022/08/30
shelves:
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The book sheds light on many different aspects of life and helps you change your mindset and see things differently. I look at a lot of things differently now and am fully aware of my thoughts, words, actions, and responsibilities as a person because of this book.
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<![CDATA[The Story of the Little Big Horn: Custer's Last Fight]]> 2370386 284 W.A. Graham 0803270267 Alex 3 3.28 1926 The Story of the Little Big Horn: Custer's Last Fight
author: W.A. Graham
name: Alex
average rating: 3.28
book published: 1926
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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Love in the Holy Quran 15709653
‘What the world should understand when it hears the Qur’an.�
—Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Grand Mufti of Egypt

‘A masterwork of scholarship and of inspiration.�
—H.E. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Distinguished Senior Scholar, the Library of Congress

‘Prince Ghazi has produced a definitive study of love in the Qur’an.�
—Professor David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge, U.K.

Love in the Holy Qur’an is bound to become a classic.�
—Tamara Sonn, Kenan Professor of Humanities, College of William and Mary

H.R.H. Prince Ghazi of Jordan is a Professor of Islamic Philosophy, and is well known as an interfaith activist and author. He obtained his BA from Princeton University in 1988 Summa cum laude; his first PhD from Cambridge University, U.K., in 1993, and his second PhD from Al-Azhar University in Cairo. In 1997 he founded the National Park of the Site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ; in 2001 he established the Great Tafsir Project, the largest online project for exegesis of the Holy Quran, and in 2008 he founded the World Islamic Sciences and Education University. He was the author of the historical Open Letter A Common Word Between Us and You in 2007, and the author of the World Interfaith Harmony Week United Nations General Assembly Resolution in October 2010. Love in the Holy Quran is a translation of his Al-Azhar University PhD. During the first year after its publication in Arabic, it was downloaded over 485,000 times on the Internet.]]>
538 Ghazi bin Muhammad 1567449824 Alex 5 4.21 2011 Love in the Holy Quran
author: Ghazi bin Muhammad
name: Alex
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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<![CDATA[Quran, Hadith, and Islam (English and Arabic Edition)]]> 84100 89 Rashad Khalifa 1881893049 Alex 4 3.76 1982 Quran, Hadith, and Islam (English and Arabic Edition)
author: Rashad Khalifa
name: Alex
average rating: 3.76
book published: 1982
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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The Moral Values of the Quran 834311 Book by Harun Yahya 0 Harun Yahya 818757027X Alex 5 4.14 1999 The Moral Values of the Quran
author: Harun Yahya
name: Alex
average rating: 4.14
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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Jesus in the Quran 834349 190 Edward Geoffrey Parrinder 1851680942 Alex 5 3.93 1965 Jesus in the Quran
author: Edward Geoffrey Parrinder
name: Alex
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1965
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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The Magnificence of Quran 20626416 The objective of this book is to reveal to readers certain aspects of Quran’s greatness and magnificence. This book shows readers that Allah (SWT) bestowed a great favor upon the Prophet (PBUH) and the people of his nation by giving them the best and most magnificent of all divinely revealed books. The author warns Muslims not to become heedless of the Noble Quran. For it is every Muslim's duty not just to recite the Quran, but also to understand it, to reflect upon its meanings, and to implement its rulings and teachings. This book also corrects some of the more dangerous misconceptions that people have regarding the Noble Quran.]]> 363 Darussalam Alex 5 4.32 2014 The Magnificence of Quran
author: Darussalam
name: Alex
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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<![CDATA[Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time]]> 49436 349 Greg Mortenson 0143038257 Alex 5 3.66 2006 Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time
author: Greg Mortenson
name: Alex
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/17
date added: 2022/03/28
shelves:
review:
My maternal aunt's husband (Khalo in Urdu) Neseem present me this book. I just cannot express enough gratitude to the author Greg Mortenson for his humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. His accomplishments are a beacon light for humanity. As a Pakistani, I felt so much guilt that we attribute the ills of our country to the inefficiency of the government and the corrupt bureaucracy. It takes an American to teach us the lesson - that even one person can accomplish a lot, provided the intentions are true and sincere. Mortenson went on a course to change the destiny of a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas -a much neglected part of the earth. How he saved money to fulfill a promise to build a school in the remote village of Korphe, makes this story seem surreal. Mortenson's humility, sheer passion, respect for traditions, sincerity and nobility make him more than human. He is the stuff that saints are made of. Mortenson's relentless efforts in the face of utmost hardships are truly inspirational. He was never deterred by the stereotypes and misconceptions about the region that he had ventured into, even after his brush with the fundamentalist elements of the region in the form of `fatwas' and kidnapping. His initial success propelled him on a mission that has expanded in the region and resulted in more than 50 schools. There are countless moments in the book that touched me so deeply that I felt invigorated to do something for this cause immediately. As long as there are people like Greg Mortenson, there is hope in this world. He has shown the world that the path to succeed is one that surpasses the political, ideological, cultural and religious divides. I also admire the courage and sacrifice of Tara Bishop, who shares the same ideals as her great husband.
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Stories of The Quran 13563698
These stories are excellent for both adults and children. By increasing your appreciation for the verses they represent, they will help you to understand and recognize the wisdom and benevolence behind Allah's messages to mankind as revealed in the Holy Quran.]]>
111 Ibn Kathir Alex 5 4.50 Stories of The Quran
author: Ibn Kathir
name: Alex
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/03/28
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<![CDATA[Jerks at Work: How to Deal with People Problems and Problem People]]> 4536706 255 Ken Lloyd 1564143961 Alex 4 3.15 2005 Jerks at Work: How to Deal with People Problems and Problem People
author: Ken Lloyd
name: Alex
average rating: 3.15
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2019/09/26
date added: 2021/09/02
shelves:
review:
Finally, a book that honestly identifies and analyzes that prolific workplace species - the jerk. Organized by situation and topic, Jerks at Work presents the answers to at least 200 jerk-related questions from real-life readers that were originally published in author Ken Lloyd's syndicated On the Job column. The book is psychologically sound, excruciatingly direct, extremely funny and, above all, actually helpful. Lloyd does a splendid job of covering all the bases and every kind of a jerk, from the boardroom to the mailroom. I highly recommend this book to everyone, because every company has at least one jerk.
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<![CDATA[Jerks at Work: How to Deal With People Problems and Problem People]]> 52430827 255 Ken Lloyd 0585203121 Alex 0 0.0 2005 Jerks at Work: How to Deal With People Problems and Problem People
author: Ken Lloyd
name: Alex
average rating: 0.0
book published: 2005
rating: 0
read at: 2019/09/27
date added: 2021/08/06
shelves:
review:

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<![CDATA[Next Person You Meet In Heaven]]> 39782203 Fifteen years ago, in Mitch Albom's beloved novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the world fell in love with Eddie, a grizzled war veteran- turned-amusement park mechanic who died saving the life of a young girl named Annie. Eddie's journey to heaven taught him that every life matters. Now, in this magical sequel, Mitch Albom reveals Annie's story.

The accident that killed Eddie left an indelible mark on Annie. It took her left hand, which needed to be surgically reattached. Injured, scarred, and unable to remember why, Annie's life is forever changed by a guilt-ravaged mother who whisks her away from the world she knew. Bullied by her peers and haunted by something she cannot recall, Annie struggles to find acceptance as she grows. When, as a young woman, she reconnects with Paulo, her childhood love, she believes she has finally found happiness.

As the novel opens, Annie is marrying Paulo. But when her wedding night day ends in an unimaginable accident, Annie finds herself on her own heavenly journey - and an inevitable reunion with Eddie, one of the five people who will show her how her life mattered in ways she could not have fathomed.

Poignant and beautiful, filled with unexpected twists, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven reminds us that not only does every life matter, but that every ending is also a beginning - we only need to open our eyes to see it.

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213 Mitch Albom 075157189X Alex 5
Author Mitch Albom’s sequel, The Next Five People You Meet in Heaven, is even better than the first book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and there’s not many sequels you can say that about and truly mean it. I loved the depth of his concept of heaven and the way he told the story in present and past flashbacks. It’s truly brilliant.

The Next Five People You Meet in Heaven is a story about love—looking for it, finding it, accepting it, and losing it. It’s a story about loss and anger, repentance and forgiveness. It’s a book about understanding. About understanding who you are, understanding your life, and accepting your mistakes—being grateful for what they taught you. It’s a book that will cause you to ponder and reflect on your own life, something Mitch Albom is especially good at. It shows how life is full of joys and sorrows, love and loss, and how ‘endings are just new beginnings.� It’s inspirational!

“At certain moments, when death is close, the veil pulls back between this world and the next. � You can see them awaiting your arrival. And they can see you coming.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven�

“When we build, we build on the shoulders of those who came before us. And when we fall apart, those who came before us help put us back together.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven�

“If you truly love someone, you’ll find a way back.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven”]]>
4.29 2018 Next Person You Meet In Heaven
author: Mitch Albom
name: Alex
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2021/03/18
date added: 2021/03/18
shelves:
review:
“One life touches another and that life touches the next. � All endings are also beginnings, we just don’t know it at the time.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven�

Author Mitch Albom’s sequel, The Next Five People You Meet in Heaven, is even better than the first book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and there’s not many sequels you can say that about and truly mean it. I loved the depth of his concept of heaven and the way he told the story in present and past flashbacks. It’s truly brilliant.

The Next Five People You Meet in Heaven is a story about love—looking for it, finding it, accepting it, and losing it. It’s a story about loss and anger, repentance and forgiveness. It’s a book about understanding. About understanding who you are, understanding your life, and accepting your mistakes—being grateful for what they taught you. It’s a book that will cause you to ponder and reflect on your own life, something Mitch Albom is especially good at. It shows how life is full of joys and sorrows, love and loss, and how ‘endings are just new beginnings.� It’s inspirational!

“At certain moments, when death is close, the veil pulls back between this world and the next. � You can see them awaiting your arrival. And they can see you coming.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven�

“When we build, we build on the shoulders of those who came before us. And when we fall apart, those who came before us help put us back together.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven�

“If you truly love someone, you’ll find a way back.� —Mitch Albom, “The Next Person You Meet in Heaven�
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<![CDATA[The Five People You Meet in Heaven]]> 175343
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie comes a novel that explores unexpected connections and the idea that heaven is more than a place: it's an answer.]]>
196 Mitch Albom Alex 5 3.75 2003 The Five People You Meet in Heaven
author: Mitch Albom
name: Alex
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2021/02/16
date added: 2021/03/18
shelves:
review:
This is an amazing book. Not usually the type of thing I read at all, and I really thought it would be extremely religious-oriented. I'm not sure why I bothered with it, but I'm very glad I did. You will not find anything preachy about it at all. This is an amazing story about how 6 people impacted the lives of others. From those, he didn't know to those he knew only too well. It's a lesson on how we impact others, even when we're not aware of their existence or our crossing with it. I only just recently read it and I want to read it again already. It really makes you think about how you may have impacted others and who are the five people you would meet in the afterlife. I think this really transcends a specific religion and can be applied to most afterlife scenarios.
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<![CDATA[Anxiety: Panicking about Panic: A Powerful, Self-Help Guide for Those Suffering from an Anxiety or Panic Disorder]]> 30809861 Librarian Note: Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN: B00K3NCOWQ.

Anxiety: Panicking about Panic is a revolutionary, self-help book for people who suffer from the various symptoms of anxiety. The book acts as an informative guide and draws from the experiences of author and counsellor, Joshua Fletcher, who lived with anxiety disorder for years before successfully overcoming the condition. The book is tailored for people who are: experiencing panic attacks, feeling abnormally anxious, ruminating about health, anticipating further panic attacks and questioning why anxiety is present in the first place. Anxiety Panicking about Panic provides quick, easy to access advice and practical strategies, which aim to educate the reader to simplify their world of anxiety in order to successfully tackle it.

This book is particularly tailored for people who can associate with the conditions of:

- Anxiety
- Anxiety Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Health Anxiety
- Panicking for no reason
- Panic Attacks (and anxiety about them happening again)]]>
140 Joshua Fletcher Alex 5 3.80 2014 Anxiety: Panicking about Panic: A Powerful, Self-Help Guide for Those Suffering from an Anxiety or Panic Disorder
author: Joshua Fletcher
name: Alex
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2021/01/20
date added: 2021/01/20
shelves:
review:
Wow, this book is fantastic! For a couple of years, I have suffered anxiety and all the feelings it comes with I never really understood what was going on with my mind and body until now!! I have read this on my kindle and it's given me comfort and really helped me when the flutters of anxiety have appeared! Now I understand it's all about rewiring the brain and the thought process. Now I look at anxiety like a Big lion or a tiger that's right behind me in a cage and it's roaring and dying to get out to get me but I am not allowing it! I will not be beaten by this! Reading this book I have now seen off a fair few developing anxiety episodes they have not fully developed at all because I just tell myself it's just a bit of anxiety it's going to be alright it will pass soon and it's going to be okay again. I feel this book has given me some strength to face anxiety rather than fear it. I no longer think I am dying or having a heart attack as Joshua has described all the feelings that come with anxiety and panic! I am now about to download the 2nd of his books Thank you to the author: Joshua Fletcher for helping me understand this...
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Under a Gilded Moon 52128630
Biltmore House, a palatial mansion being built by the Vanderbilts, American “royalty,� is in its final stages of construction in North Carolina. The country’s grandest example of privilege, it symbolizes the aspirations of its owner and the dreams of a girl, just as driven, who lives in its shadow.

Kerry MacGregor’s future is derailed when, after two years in college in New York City, family obligations call her home to the beautiful Appalachians. She is determined to distance herself from the opulence she sees rising in the Blue Ridge Mountains, however close its reach. Her family’s land is among the last pieces required to complete the Biltmore Estate. But something more powerful than an ambitious Vanderbilt heir could change Kerry’s fate as, one by one, more outsiders descend on the changing landscape—a fugitive from Sicily, a reporter chasing a groundbreaking story, a debutante tainted by scandal, and a conservationist prepared to put anyone at risk to stoke the resentment of the locals.

As Kerry finds herself caught in a war between wealth and poverty, innocence and corruption, she must navigate not only her own pride and desperation to survive but also the temptations of fortune and the men who control it.]]>
415 Joy Jordan-Lake 1503958205 Alex 5 3.82 2020 Under a Gilded Moon
author: Joy Jordan-Lake
name: Alex
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2021/01/03
date added: 2021/01/03
shelves:
review:
UNDER A GILDED MOON by Joy Jordan-Lake is a beautifully-written and captivating novel of the extremes of wealth and poverty set in and around the famous Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. The story is set around 1895 when the Biltmore House, the palatial mansion being built by one of the Vanderbilt heirs, is in its final stages of construction. Most of the poverty-stricken neighbors have been forced to sell their land to Vanderbilt to complete the project. One of those neighbors, Kerry MacGregor, was lucky enough to move away and attend an elite college in New York City, but finds herself suddenly called back home because of her father’s poor health. Despite the hard feelings she has harbored toward him, Kerry knows it is her obligation to return. On the train home, she meets several characters that will have a life-changing effect on Kerry and her family. Secrets lie, and a growing wave of clashes between classes and races leads to dangerous and tragic consequences. The author expertly portrays the stories of both the rich and poor and how their lives become interwoven. The description of the setting was so vivid I felt like I was there. I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling and well-researched work of historical fiction and highly recommend it. A GILDED MOON was my First Kindle Reads selection of 2021.
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<![CDATA[Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking]]> 40102 The Tipping Point a classic, Blink changes the way you'll understand every decision you make. Never again will you think about thinking the same way.

Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant - in the blink of an eye - that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work - in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?

In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing" - filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables.]]>
296 Malcolm Gladwell 0316010669 Alex 5 3.97 2005 Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
author: Malcolm Gladwell
name: Alex
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2020/12/20
date added: 2020/12/20
shelves:
review:
I truly enjoyed this book. Malcom Gladwell wrote an intriguing account, analyzing how people think. This book sights several examples and studies conducted by reputable universities and doctors in their respective fields. The novel is centered around the idea that fast decision-making can be equal to cautious thinking when to trust our instincts, and knowing that first impressions can be educated impressions. It is an excellent example of how people affect one another without so much as even consciously knowing it. I would recommend this to anyone interested in human consciousness.
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As a Man Thinketh 81959
Purity of mind leads inevitably to purity of life, to the precious love and understanding that should control our everyday acts and attitudes towards friends and foes.

But where must one look for guidance? How does one achieve purity of mind that alone brings happiness and confidence?

The author offers his clear answers in this book As A Man Thinketh. His words have helped millions for more than a century--and they continue to point the true way to a better life for a troubled humanity.

"Out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body," James Allen writes. "Out of a defiled mind proceeds a defiled life and a corrupt body."

Too many mortals strive to improve only their wordly position--and too few seek spiritual betterment. Such is the problem James Allen faced in his own time. The ideas he found in his inner-most heart after great searching guided him as they will guide you.]]>
80 James Allen 1585425648 Alex 5 4.23 1902 As a Man Thinketh
author: James Allen
name: Alex
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1902
rating: 5
read at: 2020/12/10
date added: 2020/12/10
shelves:
review:
As A Man Thinketh is a great book if you wish to change your ways of thinking and come to the realization that your thoughts govern and produce results within your life (law of attraction/manifestation). I would say that this is a book you would read if you're into meditation. The reason I say that is because being open-minded while reading this book is key to getting the most out of this book. Every word, sentence and paragraph resonated with me and ultimately helped me to understand that I am responsible for my own life and how my thoughts respond to circumstances. What is key to benefitting from this book is to ingrain this philosophy into your daily life so that no matter what events unfold you know that this information is true. For some people, they may be able to read this book and get this message saved within their brains the first time. But if you're analytical like I was... you'll need to practice and literally read this over and over until this knowledge becomes second nature. Yes it's common sense that A person's thoughts inevitably create their life, we just need to find a way to direct and control our thoughts or feelings within our subconscious. What has helped for me is meditation. You would listen to guided meditation and then after you've calmed your mind read this book, then meditate again. When you first meditate it's to clear your mind, when you meditate a second time after reading As A Man Thinketh, it's to integrate this knowledge within your psyche so that you meditate on these truths and they become a part of you. This book is enlightening and it's key that it becomes a part of our subconscious so that we can gradually benefit over and over from it. I highly recommend this book.
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<![CDATA[Negative Self-Talk and How to Change It]]> 45839193 94 Shad Helmstetter 0997086181 Alex 3 4.07 Negative Self-Talk and How to Change It
author: Shad Helmstetter
name: Alex
average rating: 4.07
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/09
date added: 2020/12/10
shelves:
review:
There are excellent points in this book on how to change negative self-talk, that could positively change lives. And it is worth the money and a good read. However, this author coined the term Negative Self-Talk Disorder. Negative self-talk is not a disorder, disease or illness. The author missed an opportunity to explain that the brain is a 'threat detector', designed to keep us alive, survive. That's its primary job. Out of all the info out there, this is what I have learned. So, negative self-talk is a natural function of the brain to protect us from danger (real or imagined). One missing key is to get curious about our negative self-talk, and not label it as a 'disorder'. This is where I think the author did a disservice, by not emphasizing negative self-talk's purpose. It has a purpose. And it would have been extremely helpful to address negative self-talk in the context of our lives and not call it a disease...so to speak.
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Dear Evan Hansen 39088507 From the show's creators comes the groundbreaking novel inspired by the Broadway smash hit Dear Evan Hansen.

Dear Evan Hansen,

Today's going to be an amazing day and here's why...


When a letter that was never meant to be seen by anyone draws high school senior Evan Hansen into a family's grief over the loss of their son, he is given the chance of a lifetime: to belong. He just has to stick to a lie he never meant to tell, that the notoriously troubled Connor Murphy was his secret best friend.

Suddenly, Evan isn't invisible anymore--even to the girl of his dreams. And Connor Murphy's parents, with their beautiful home on the other side of town, have taken him in like he was their own, desperate to know more about their enigmatic son from his closest friend. As Evan gets pulled deeper into their swirl of anger, regret, and confusion, he knows that what he's doing can't be right, but if he's helping people, how wrong can it be?

No longer tangled in his once-incapacitating anxiety, this new Evan has a purpose. And a website. He's confident. He's a viral phenomenon. Every day is amazing. Until everything is in danger of unraveling and he comes face to face with his greatest obstacle: himself.

A simple lie leads to complicated truths in this big-hearted coming-of-age story of grief, authenticity and the struggle to belong in an age of instant connectivity and profound isolation.]]>
368 Val Emmich 0316420239 Alex 5 3.87 2018 Dear Evan Hansen
author: Val Emmich
name: Alex
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2020/11/20
date added: 2020/11/20
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed this book while reading it. The plot was simultaneously outrageous and believable, the narrator was relatable, and I thought it did justice to the topic of mental illness which not all books can pull off well. I was shocked to learn that the book was an adaptation of the musical and not the other way around, it seems like an insanely creative story and I can’t wait to see it as a musical and am curious about how it will be done.
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<![CDATA[The Blackhouse (Lewis Trilogy, #1)]]> 10305247
When a brutal murder on the island bears the hallmarks of a similar slaying in Edinburgh, police detective Fin Macleod is dispatched north to investigate. But since he himself was raised on Lewis, the investigation also represents a journey home and into his past.

Each year the island's men perform the hunting of the gugas, a savage custom no longer necessary for survival, but which they cling to even more fiercely in the face of the demands of modern morality. For Fin the hunt recalls a horrific tragedy, which after all this time may have begun to demand another sacrifice.

The Blackhouse is a crime novel of rare power and vision. Peter May has crafted a page-turning murder mystery that explores the darkness in our souls, and just how difficult it is to escape the past.]]>
386 Peter May 1849163847 Alex 5 4.07 2009 The Blackhouse (Lewis Trilogy, #1)
author: Peter May
name: Alex
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2020/11/01
date added: 2020/11/01
shelves:
review:
When one has finished a perfectly mediocre book it's a profound relief to find the next one a pleasure to read. " The Black House" scores points on many levels and Peter May is an accomplished storyteller. I expected to read a classic murder mystery but this novel is much more than that. In fact, the murder investigation plays second fiddle and is merely there to enable the author to delve into his hero's past. It's a tale full of quiet melancholy as Finn's reminiscences force him to see the child he was and the way fate delivered blows which made him the adult he is. I found the author adept at recreating both the happiness and angst of childhood and the inevitable nostalgia they give rise to, once the character has become a grown-up and has to think back on all the defining moments of his life when he took a path that it might have been better to avoid. The landscape is masterfully depicted and the characters utterly believable. A tale that is both moving and cruel and that won't leave you indifferent.
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<![CDATA[Underland: A Deep Time Journey]]> 53121631 Underland, Robert Macfarlane delivers an epic exploration of the Earth’s underworlds as they exist in myth, literature, memory, and the land itself. Traveling through the dizzying expanse of geologic time—from prehistoric art in Norwegian sea caves, to the blue depths of the Greenland ice cap, to a deep-sunk "hiding place" where nuclear waste will be stored for 100,000 years to come�Underland takes us on an extraordinary journey into our relationship with darkness, burial, and what lies beneath the surface of both place and mind.

Global in its geography and written with great lyricism, Underland speaks powerfully to our present moment. At once ancient and urgent, this is a book that will change the way you see the world.]]>
496 Robert Macfarlane 0393358097 Alex 5 4.23 2019 Underland: A Deep Time Journey
author: Robert Macfarlane
name: Alex
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/29
date added: 2020/08/29
shelves:
review:
This is my first excursion into the worlds Robert MacFarlane shares through his writing. I am appreciating the breadth of material from which he draws from in order to create a picture of the world under the soil. He succeeds in opening the door and drawing the reader into a fascinating world. We as the reader, are taken on a journey through time and space into what lies underground. These worlds are complex and interconnected. MacFarlane is able to create a tapestry that connects homo sapiens to and with the "underland". The images he creates and the story he tells, about us and the earth, in this book will stay with me for a long, long time.
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<![CDATA[The Scientific Deception of the New Atheists]]> 54563931 36 Mohammed Hijab Alex 5 4.07 The Scientific Deception of the New Atheists
author: Mohammed Hijab
name: Alex
average rating: 4.07
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/07
date added: 2020/08/07
shelves:
review:
I have been watching Brother Hijab for many years in the speaker's corners. I have never known about his books until I followed him on Instagram and learn that he has written a couple of books. "The Scientific Deception of the New Atheists" book can save an entire generation. An excellent analysis of the deceptive tactics of new Atheists and their lack of real-world impact on believers. A must-read for Muslims involved in teaching Islam, and for young people experiencing doubts about the faith.
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<![CDATA[Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out]]> 16130724 One of the most provocative entrepreneurs of our time, who started Ecko Unltd out of his parents� garage and turned it into a media empire, Marc Ecko reveals his formula for building an authentic brand or business.

As instructive as it is innovative, Unlabel will empower you to channel your creativity, find the courage to defy convention, and summon the confidence to act and compete in any environment.

This visual blueprint will teach you how to grow both creatively and commercially by testing your personal brand against the principles of the Authenticity Formula.

Marc Ecko shares the bruising mistakes and remarkable triumphs that reveal the truth behind his success, growing from a misfit kid airbrushing T-shirts in his parents� garage to the bold creator of two hugely successful branded platforms—Ecko Unltd. and Complex Media. As Ecko explains, it’s not enough to simply merge your inner artist with business savvy, you must understand the anatomy of a brand, starting with its authentic spine.

With Unlabel, you will learn how to discover your own voice by overcoming fear and taking action, what it means to deliver on your promises, why failure is essential, how to understand how your product or service makes people feel, and how to recognize if your nostalgia for the past is hampering your ability to envision your future.

Unlabel is a bold and honest approach to building an authentic personal brand, growing a bootstrap start-up into a sustainable business.]]>
304 Marc Ecko 1451685300 Alex 5 4.03 2013 Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out
author: Marc Ecko
name: Alex
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2020/07/16
date added: 2020/07/16
shelves:
review:
This is required reading for anyone looking not only to start a business to have a deeper understanding of what moves them. Ecko is honest and open about both his business success and failures and it's really refreshing and inspirational. I've read a ton of business and philosophy books and this is by far one the best books I have read on both topics. Honestly, it's one of the best books I have ever read. This should mandatory reading in high school and or college courses. I'll be sure to have my daughter soon read it and have discussions with her along the way as she progresses through the book. What a great book!! Thanks Marc!!
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<![CDATA[The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose]]> 684383 Once every twenty-five years or so, a book comes along that perfectly identifies our common search and struggle for happiness, and teaches us how to find lasting fulfillment in a changing world. This is that book. Not since M. Scott Peck published The Road Less Traveled have we experienced a voice as refreshing and authentic as Matthew Kelly's.
The Rhythm of Life will help you to bring into focus who you are and why you are here. Through this book Matthew Kelly will help you discover your legitimate needs, deepest desires, and unique talents. He will introduce you to the-best-version-of-yourself and lead you to a life filled with passion and purpose.
Here are just a few of the timeless creeds that he presents in The Rhythm of Life...
"You were born to become the-best-version-of-yourself. This is your essential purpose. Embrace this one solitary truth and it will change your life more than anything you have ever learned. In every situation, ask yourself, Which of the options before me will help me become the-best-version-of-myself?"
"Everything is a choice. This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined. It is a hard lesson because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now."
"The measure of your life will be the measure of your courage. Courage animates us, brings us to life, and makes everything else possible. Fear stops more people from doing something with their lives than lack of ability, contacts, resources, or any other single variable. Fear paralyzes the human spirit. Life takes courage."
"Energy is our most valuable resource, not time. The rhythm of life is a way of life that brings our legitimate needs, our deepest desires, and our unique talents into harmony with each other. The result: passion, purpose, and energy."
Kelly has a way of thinking and writing that cuts through the stifling clutter of our everyday lives and delivers a clarity that is both refreshing and liberating.]]>
320 Matthew Kelly 0743265254 Alex 5
Here is my review on this book:

Matthew Kelly does not need more deserving accolades from me. I give them anyway and for sure this is a five-star book. But there are some lingering questions I have that I think he needs to address. Rather than write volumes of a review I will focus mostly on those questions in a somewhat random manner. On the idea that life is choices, does a three-year-old choose to be molested? Does an infant choose to be decapitated by mentally ill adults set on revenge toward each other (called collateral damage by some)? Regarding the use of the word illusion, this works both ways and the illusion of value from hype artists needs to be addressed in terms of what is their set of values? This is complex as even the author implies that there is a value placed on how we need to be.

On one hand, the author says, “We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose and challenge us to become the-best version-of-ourselves� yet, on the other hand, he talks of we long to be that someone who can listen without trying to fix, change, or move the other person. This dichotomy needs to be clarified. For sure I liked Kelly’s comments on discernment. Discernment is a critical word. In my experience synthetic telepathy interferes with discernment. The author points out how all the bombardment of advertising etc., in a similar way to synthetic telepathy, as interfering with our discernment in living who we are. For sure as Matthew says we cannot make decisions in a vacuum.

When the taxpayer-funded oligarchy occult mind-control puppets say, “I own your soul� this may well in my experience mean, based on Kelly’s thesis, that they own/owned my journey. This taken from Kelly’s slogan, “The Journey of the Soul.�

Loved Matthew’s comments on “being� includes consisting not only of who you are now but also of who you are capable of becoming at any moment in the future. Having said that, I often wondered throughout the book, since all is an illusion, how much of what he presents is his own wishful thinking or illusion? As the author says, “The image is an illusion. The light is the truth.� When the author says, “A person who is completely dedicated to the light is capable of anything� now the question, is that an illusion? The demarcation between what is an illusion and what is not easy to discern.

On the comment “…embrace your God.� This is an interesting statement here because the author has defined God in other sentences. Here is he calling God each person’s ultimate reality as they each see it?

Enough questions, you get five stars and the book is highly recommended.]]>
4.20 1999 The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
author: Matthew Kelly
name: Alex
average rating: 4.20
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at: 2020/06/28
date added: 2020/06/28
shelves:
review:
I do not discriminate any book by its cover or what is written in it. As a Muslim, I don't mind reading non-Islamic books as this book "The Rhythm Of Life" was recommended by my catholic friend, when I give him Qur'an to read because I have schooled him about Bible that he can not eat pork: Those who want to know where it says in the Bible "Leviticus 11:: NIV. You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. ... And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.

Here is my review on this book:

Matthew Kelly does not need more deserving accolades from me. I give them anyway and for sure this is a five-star book. But there are some lingering questions I have that I think he needs to address. Rather than write volumes of a review I will focus mostly on those questions in a somewhat random manner. On the idea that life is choices, does a three-year-old choose to be molested? Does an infant choose to be decapitated by mentally ill adults set on revenge toward each other (called collateral damage by some)? Regarding the use of the word illusion, this works both ways and the illusion of value from hype artists needs to be addressed in terms of what is their set of values? This is complex as even the author implies that there is a value placed on how we need to be.

On one hand, the author says, “We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose and challenge us to become the-best version-of-ourselves� yet, on the other hand, he talks of we long to be that someone who can listen without trying to fix, change, or move the other person. This dichotomy needs to be clarified. For sure I liked Kelly’s comments on discernment. Discernment is a critical word. In my experience synthetic telepathy interferes with discernment. The author points out how all the bombardment of advertising etc., in a similar way to synthetic telepathy, as interfering with our discernment in living who we are. For sure as Matthew says we cannot make decisions in a vacuum.

When the taxpayer-funded oligarchy occult mind-control puppets say, “I own your soul� this may well in my experience mean, based on Kelly’s thesis, that they own/owned my journey. This taken from Kelly’s slogan, “The Journey of the Soul.�

Loved Matthew’s comments on “being� includes consisting not only of who you are now but also of who you are capable of becoming at any moment in the future. Having said that, I often wondered throughout the book, since all is an illusion, how much of what he presents is his own wishful thinking or illusion? As the author says, “The image is an illusion. The light is the truth.� When the author says, “A person who is completely dedicated to the light is capable of anything� now the question, is that an illusion? The demarcation between what is an illusion and what is not easy to discern.

On the comment “…embrace your God.� This is an interesting statement here because the author has defined God in other sentences. Here is he calling God each person’s ultimate reality as they each see it?

Enough questions, you get five stars and the book is highly recommended.
]]>
<![CDATA[Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook's Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg]]> 16146928
Facebook changed the way hundreds of millions communicate, engage, and consume information and products—and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is behind it all. Think Like Zuck answers the questions everyone is asking: What did Mark Zuckerberg do right?

The book explores the critical elements that drive the success of Facebook and businesses like it, such as having passion to change the world, clear vision and higher purpose to execute, extraordinary team-building skills, and a flexible business strategy.]]>
256 Ekaterina Walter 007180949X Alex 0 3.86 2012 Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook's Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg
author: Ekaterina Walter
name: Alex
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at: 2020/06/09
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves:
review:
Great book!! I have to say Mark Zuckerberg has been portrayed so differently from the movie The Social Network. After reading this book one would want to be more like the protagonist, a big thanks, I believe also to the writing style of Ekaterina Walter. It gets a tad bit repetitive at times but never the less a job well done. I highly recommend reading this book for all those who are in business. It's one of those books that's needs more than a one time read to capture and recreate the ideas for one's own self.
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Stallo 16135443
Twenty-five years later, another child goes missing. This time there’s a lead, a single photograph taken by Susso Myren. She has devoted her life to the search for trolls, legendary giants known as stallo who can control human thoughts and assume animal form. Convinced that trolls are real, she follows the trail of missing children to northern Sweden. But humans, some part stallo themselves, have been watching over the creatures for generations, and this hidden society of protectors won’t hesitate to close its deadly ranks.]]>
592 Stefan Spjut 9100131199 Alex 3
25 years later, and back in Laponia, Susso runs a much-maligned web page, one dedicated to searching for creatures whose existence has not yet been proven: the Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot. But Susso has her own obsession, one inherited from her grandfather, the well-known wildlife photographer. When an old woman claims that a small creature has been standing outside her house, observing her and her five-year-old grandson for hours, Susso picks up her camera and leaves for what will become a terrifying adventure.

-----------

Stallo is a large human-like creature in the Sami folklore and since the book is about giants that kidnap children is the title quite logical. What caught my attention to read this novel is because Susso also has a passion for the website, photography, etc so that definitely made me want to read the novel. This book has 600 pages and honestly, I skipped some pages I have never before had the urge to skipped pages, but it was the only way for me to finish the book. Not that it was bad. The story in itself was good. However, it could have easily been cut down around 200-300 pages by just taking away all the tedious uninteresting stuff that had no bearing on the story. For instance, I like board games but am I not that interested to read how some of the characters playing one on Christmas day, blah blah blah

As for the story, I found it intriguing, and I liked how the author manages to connect the story to John Bauer and Sven Jerring. And, the whole Stallo thing with the kidnapping of children reminded me of the Japanese anime series "Attack on Titan" and another reason why I wanted to read this book. I liked this book, I just didn't love this book and that's because the story would have needed to trim down a bit and making it more flowing. So, all and all, not a perfect book, but still interesting to read. Although, I do recommend reading it...]]>
3.52 2012 Stallo
author: Stefan Spjut
name: Alex
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2020/04/25
date added: 2020/04/25
shelves:
review:
So here is the little plot from my side: 1978. A young boy disappears without a trace from a cabin in the woods. His mother claims that he was abducted by a giant. The boy is never found. The previous year, over in a Swedish National Park, a wildlife photographer takes a strange picture from his small airplane, of a bear running over the marshes. On its back sits a creature, which the photographer claims are something extraordinary.

25 years later, and back in Laponia, Susso runs a much-maligned web page, one dedicated to searching for creatures whose existence has not yet been proven: the Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot. But Susso has her own obsession, one inherited from her grandfather, the well-known wildlife photographer. When an old woman claims that a small creature has been standing outside her house, observing her and her five-year-old grandson for hours, Susso picks up her camera and leaves for what will become a terrifying adventure.

-----------

Stallo is a large human-like creature in the Sami folklore and since the book is about giants that kidnap children is the title quite logical. What caught my attention to read this novel is because Susso also has a passion for the website, photography, etc so that definitely made me want to read the novel. This book has 600 pages and honestly, I skipped some pages I have never before had the urge to skipped pages, but it was the only way for me to finish the book. Not that it was bad. The story in itself was good. However, it could have easily been cut down around 200-300 pages by just taking away all the tedious uninteresting stuff that had no bearing on the story. For instance, I like board games but am I not that interested to read how some of the characters playing one on Christmas day, blah blah blah

As for the story, I found it intriguing, and I liked how the author manages to connect the story to John Bauer and Sven Jerring. And, the whole Stallo thing with the kidnapping of children reminded me of the Japanese anime series "Attack on Titan" and another reason why I wanted to read this book. I liked this book, I just didn't love this book and that's because the story would have needed to trim down a bit and making it more flowing. So, all and all, not a perfect book, but still interesting to read. Although, I do recommend reading it...
]]>
Crime and Punishment 7144 671 Fyodor Dostoevsky Alex 5 4.26 1866 Crime and Punishment
author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
name: Alex
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1866
rating: 5
read at: 2020/04/04
date added: 2020/04/04
shelves:
review:
This is a classic translation of a book about a man grappling with his conscience over a crime he committed; what is left for me to write in a review? It’s all been said. I think the fact that I finished this book is a testament to the compelling nature of the story. One thing that was really tough for me was the names. There were so many names for each character I think it took me the whole book to remember who was who without looking it up. So, google the characters and keep it bookmarked. Then settle in for a long, but rewarding read.
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<![CDATA[The Mercy of Snakes (Nameless: Season One, #5)]]> 52219355 A series of suspicious deaths in a retirement home draws Nameless into the confidence of a terrified former resident—and into the dark heart of a shocking conspiracy. In part five of the Nameless series, it’s time to hunt.

Oakshore Park is Michigan’s most exclusive assisted-living community. Presided over by two killer angels of mercy, it’s also the go-to facility in assisted dying. For a cut, they make impatient heirs happy. Nameless must concoct a scheme just as cunning. But righteous retribution stirs disquiet in the avenger as light starts to shine on the black hole of his past. Should he welcome it or keep running?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes The Mercy of Snakes, part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill. Follow him in each story, which can be read or listened to in a single sitting.

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61 Dean Koontz 1542016258 Alex 5 4.18 2019 The Mercy of Snakes (Nameless: Season One, #5)
author: Dean Koontz
name: Alex
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/26
date added: 2020/03/26
shelves:
review:
I love any Dean Koontz book. These small stories are interesting and compelling tales. I wish they were longer, but I think that at the end of all his books! I would highly recommend this and the others in this series.
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<![CDATA[Red Rain (Nameless: Season One, #4)]]> 52220812 In a town where the corrupt are protected, a bereaved mother seeks retribution for an arsonist’s deadly crimes. Only Nameless can help ease the burden of her grief—and satisfy her rage—in part four of this thrilling series.

After a suspicious house fire, Regina Belmont lost her two children, was left disfigured, and was abandoned by her gutless husband. Brokenhearted and bullied into silence by corrupt officials, Regina’s only recourse for truth and justice is Nameless. There’s something about this case that’s breaking Nameless’s heart as well. But can he bear to remember why?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes Red Rain, part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill. Follow him in each story, which can be read or listened to in a single sitting.

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50 Dean Koontz 154201624X Alex 5 4.10 2019 Red Rain (Nameless: Season One, #4)
author: Dean Koontz
name: Alex
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/20
date added: 2020/03/26
shelves:
review:
Nameless once again crusades for justice. He seeks to avenge the death of two children and the disfigurement of their mother from a fire. These were quick read and not as satisfying as previous books in the series. I still like this author and will Nameless once again crusades for justice. He seeks to avenge the death of two children and the disfigurement of their mother from a fire. These were quick read and not as satisfying as previous books in the series. I still like this author and will continue the series continue the series
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<![CDATA[The Praying Mantis Bride (Nameless: Season One, #3)]]> 52224267 A deadly black widow has eliminated three husbands and counting. But Nameless knows her one weakness. To bring truth and its consequences to her crimes, the vigilante must spin a web of his own in part three of the Nameless series.

Lucia—current last name, Rickenbah—has made a fortune by marrying rich men who tend to drop dead. But the superstitious blonde believes in more than money and murder. Nameless’s job is to scare a confession out of Lucia, and as the psychological warfare escalates, even he may be in for a shock.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes The Praying Mantis Bride, part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill. Follow him in each story, which can be read or listened to in a single sitting.

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61 Dean Koontz 1542016231 Alex 4 4.10 2019 The Praying Mantis Bride (Nameless: Season One, #3)
author: Dean Koontz
name: Alex
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2020/03/23
date added: 2020/03/26
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed the first two stories in this series. This third one was not nearly as good. The story plot was interesting, but the enjoyment was lessened by too many euphemisms. Sorry! I am a huge Koontz fan - yet for me this one was a little off the mark!!.
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<![CDATA[Photographing the Dead (Nameless: Season One, #2)]]> 49884639 A self-styled artist is getting away with murder in Death Valley. If all goes well, so will Nameless. In part two of the Nameless series, the relentless avenger is haunted by nightmares of the past and visions of what’s to come.

Palmer Oxenwald’s hunting ground is the Mojave wasteland. His victims are random tourists and hikers. His trophies are cherished photographs of the damage he’s done. His greatest threat is Nameless. Two men with one thing in common: memories of the dead. For a psychopath like Palmer, they’re a clear rush in black and white. For Nameless, they’re visions of violence buried and erased. But for how long?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes Photographing the Dead, part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill. Follow him in each story, which can be read or listened to in a single sitting.

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58 Dean Koontz 1542016223 Alex 5 4.19 2019 Photographing the Dead (Nameless: Season One, #2)
author: Dean Koontz
name: Alex
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/19
date added: 2020/03/26
shelves:
review:
This second in a series of short stories is just as exciting as the first. The ending is outstanding in that it provides an unexpected and ingenious method of rendering justice. Loved it!
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<![CDATA[In the Heart of the Fire (Nameless #1)]]> 49877668 A bloodthirsty sheriff is terrorizing a small Texas town where justice has been buried with his victims. Until Nameless arrives—a vigilante whose past is a mystery and whose future is written in blood.

Anyone who crosses Sheriff Russell Soakes is dead, missing, or warned. One of them is a single mother trying to protect her children but bracing herself for the worst. Nameless fears the outcome. He’s seen it in his visions. Now it’s time to teach the depraved Soakes a lesson in fear. But in turning predators into prey, will Nameless unearth a few secrets of his own?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes In the Heart of the Fire, part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill. Follow him in each story, which can be read or listened to in a single sitting.

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62 Dean Koontz Alex 5 3.97 2019 In the Heart of the Fire (Nameless #1)
author: Dean Koontz
name: Alex
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/16
date added: 2020/03/26
shelves:
review:
The suspense encountered in this book does not let up. It continues throughout and seamlessly moves from each chapter to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. The reader will be left wanting to read the next book installment without any hesitation. Another winning read provided by Dean Koontz!
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<![CDATA[The Precipice (Mike Bowditch, #6)]]> 23014722
When two young female hikers disappear in the Hundred Mile Wilderness—the most remote stretch along the entire two-thousand mile Appalachian Trail—Maine game warden Mike Bowditch joins the search to find them. The police interview everyone they can find who came in contact with the college students and learn that the women were lovers who had been keeping their relationship secret from their Evangelical parents in Georgia.

When two corpses are discovered—the bones picked clean by coyotes—rumors spread that the women were stalked and killed by the increasingly aggressive canines. Faced with a statewide panic, Maine’s governor places an emergency bounty on every dead coyote, and wildlife officials are tasked with collecting the carcasses.

Despite some misgivings, Bowditch does his grisly job. But he finds his complacency challenged by his new girlfriend, the brilliant but volatile biologist Stacey Stevens, who insists coyotes merely scavenged the bodies after the women were murdered. When Stacey herself disappears on the outskirts of the Hundred Mile Wilderness, Bowditch realizes that locating her means he must also discover the truth behind what happened to the two hikers. Were the young women really killed by coyotes or, as Stacey insisted, were they murdered by the most dangerous animal in the North Woods?]]>
322 Paul Doiron 1250063698 Alex 5 4.04 2015 The Precipice (Mike Bowditch, #6)
author: Paul Doiron
name: Alex
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/21
date added: 2020/03/21
shelves:
review:
I've never read this author before, but I am somewhat familiar with the area this book takes place in... It's an accurate depiction of that area and a gripping mystery that makes you not want to put it down. The ending is climactic, but yet not telegraphed in the earlier parts of the book... The pacing is smart and fast. The descriptions of the Maine wilderness are beautiful. Mr. Doiron reminds us that the Nature in general, and the AT in particular, offer challenge, escape, excitement, danger, and solace, but make no moral judgments. It's people who do that. A great read!
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The Devil in America 21408358 43 Kai Ashante Wilson 1466863560 Alex 5 3.98 2014 The Devil in America
author: Kai Ashante Wilson
name: Alex
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2020/03/14
date added: 2020/03/14
shelves:
review:
This is mesmerizing and heart-breaking story and i completely loved it, even though it just ripped me apart as I read it but yet beautifully told. It is a story about the evil of slavery and racism is woven together with magic and family bonds stretching back through generations. This book "The Devil In America" devastated me with it's powerful language, orginal imagination, and bleeding-raw emotion. Wilson's writing is masterful - hinting and suggesting to make you understand so much with his concentrated, suggestive and forceful prose.
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<![CDATA[Green: The Beginning and the End (The Circle, #0)]]> 4789801
But the evil Teeleh bided his time in a Black Forest.

Then, when least expected, a twenty-four year old named Thomas Hunter fell asleep in our world and woke up in that future Black Forest. A gateway was opened for Teeleh to ravage the land. Devastated by the ruin, Thomas Hunter and his Circle swore to fight the dark scourge until their dying breath.

But now The Circle has lost hope. Samuel, Thomas Hunter's cherished son, has turned his back on his father. He gathers the dark forces to wage a final war. Thomas is crushed and desperately seeks a way back to our reality to find the one elusive hope that could save them all.

Enter an apocalyptic story like none you have read. A story with links to our own history so shocking that you will forget you are in another world at all. Welcome to "GREEN." Book Zero.

FOUR NOVELS. TWO WORLDS. ONE STORY.
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392 Ted Dekker 1595542884 Alex 0 4.01 2009 Green: The Beginning and the End (The Circle, #0)
author: Ted Dekker
name: Alex
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at: 2020/01/20
date added: 2020/02/28
shelves:
review:
Loved this book. I really recommend this for sci-fi or fantasy book readers. It really drew me in, can't wait to read Black, Red, and White.
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Bleachers 5347
As Coach Rake's 'boys' sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, still struggling to come to terms with his explosive relationship with the Coach, his dreams of a great career in the NFL, and the choices he made as a young man, the stakes could not be higher.]]>
229 John Grisham Alex 0 3.53 2003 Bleachers
author: John Grisham
name: Alex
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2003
rating: 0
read at: 2020/02/20
date added: 2020/02/20
shelves:
review:
Grisham steps out onto the field and throws a touchdown. A solidly written book, sharply drawn characters. Grisham really knows football. His main character, Neely Crenshaw, comes home to say good-bye to his coach and discovers more about his own character and his life choices and finally let go of the past. A departure from most books since Grisham's protagonist is never directly part of the dialogue. The story is told in vivid flashbacks of games never-forgotten, memories never out of reach and lessons that are kept for a lifetime through Coach Eddie Rake's players. This book will be read in an afternoon and is a nice introduction to Grisham's books that don't have a courtroom involved in the main plot. [But never fear, there is a lawyer in this story as well :D]
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Light in August 10979 Light in August, a novel that contrasts stark tragedy with hopeful perseverance in the face of mortality, which features some of Faulkner’s most memorable characters: guileless, dauntless Lena Grove, in search of the father of her unborn child; Reverend Gail Hightower, a lonely outcast haunted by visions of Confederate glory; and Joe Christmas, a desperate, enigmatic drifter consumed by his mixed ancestry.]]> 507 William Faulkner 0679732268 Alex 5
Set in a rural Mississippi town in the early 1930s and peopled with a variety of characters who will live in my memory forever, the story follows a young and pregnant teenager who is looking for her lover with the hope of marriage. Instead, she meets a hardworking and unattractive man who falls in love with her helps her to find a place to stay. In the meantime, her actual lover and father of her unborn child are selling bootleg whisky and sharing a cabin with a man named Christmas who is part negro and is bedding a wealthy woman who dies when her house is set on fire. There's also a defrocked pastor with problems of his own and the pathetic grandparents of the man named Christmas who is in danger of being lynched.

The book, however, is more than the sum of its parts. It is the worldview that typifies William Faulkner at his finest and even though there are parts of the book that a bit overwrote and confusing, I still give it my highest recommendation and advise readers to not miss the experience of reading this fine author.]]>
3.93 1932 Light in August
author: William Faulkner
name: Alex
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1932
rating: 5
read at: 2019/12/20
date added: 2019/12/20
shelves:
review:
This is the first William Faulkner book I've ever read. It won't bet the last. This man was a genius. He creates word pictures that depict a time and a place and a people with excruciating and artistic realness and paints pictures with his words that will long resonate after the book is finished.

Set in a rural Mississippi town in the early 1930s and peopled with a variety of characters who will live in my memory forever, the story follows a young and pregnant teenager who is looking for her lover with the hope of marriage. Instead, she meets a hardworking and unattractive man who falls in love with her helps her to find a place to stay. In the meantime, her actual lover and father of her unborn child are selling bootleg whisky and sharing a cabin with a man named Christmas who is part negro and is bedding a wealthy woman who dies when her house is set on fire. There's also a defrocked pastor with problems of his own and the pathetic grandparents of the man named Christmas who is in danger of being lynched.

The book, however, is more than the sum of its parts. It is the worldview that typifies William Faulkner at his finest and even though there are parts of the book that a bit overwrote and confusing, I still give it my highest recommendation and advise readers to not miss the experience of reading this fine author.
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The Roadhouse 46157498

The reunion, however, is interrupted when Molly suffers a heart attack. With her mother airlifted out for life-saving surgery, Charlie is left to take the reins of the struggling family business, alongside friends old and new, including the captivating local stockman Mike.

The authorities declare Annabelle to have taken her own life, but when a woman’s body turns up at an abandoned mine site, Charlie begins to wonder what else is being covered up, and why.

Beginning a search for the truth, a perilous bush chase unfolds that threatens her own life, causing Charlie to wonder whether she ever knew Annabelle at all �


From the bestselling author of The Heartwood Hotel comes the suspenseful new outback mystery from Australia’s authentic rural writer and beloved voice of the bush.]]>
0 Kerry McGinnis 0655622292 Alex 5 3.64 The Roadhouse
author: Kerry McGinnis
name: Alex
average rating: 3.64
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2019/11/23
date added: 2019/11/23
shelves:
review:
The Roadhouse is all about family secrets mixed with crime and romance. So the plot goes out like Charli who wants to be an actress doesn't have the talent to be one so she decided to go back home a few hours east of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. When she arrived, she found out that her mom had heartache and airlifted to Adelaide for surgery. So Charli took over the family business however, unexplained incidents were happening at the roadhouse that made Charli thinking about Annabelle's death. The Roadhouse is the first book I had read of Kerry Mcginnis and I really enjoyed reading it. As you see, the plot got my attention to read this book especially after waiting for my favorite author novel to arrive this coming week. I thought this book was fantastic. I love how Kerry portrayal of Charli characters and the way they twine everything together with one another. The book is well written and the readers will learn about how to run a service station in isolated places while learning family values and not to keep secrets and greed which can cause misunderstanding and stress in the families. I totally recommend this book!!
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<![CDATA[Jack and the Giant Killer (Jack Stratton, #4)]]> 23304879 Jack Stratton returns in a new mystery from Christopher Greyson, author of the international bestselling mystery series.
Jack Stratton is back in another action-packed, thrilling adventure. While recovering from a gunshot wound and the loss of his job on the police force, Jack’s romance with feisty Replacement continues to develop. When Replacement gets a seemingly harmless private investigation job—locate the owner of a lost dog—Jack begrudgingly assists. Little do they know that it will place them both into the cross hairs of a merciless serial killer.

This stand-alone novel features rogue hero Jack Stratton. Look for other books in the Jack Stratton Collection including Girl Jacked, Jack Knifed, Jacks are Wild, and now Jack and the Giant Killer. They can be read in any order; however, they are best experienced in sequence.]]>
303 Christopher Greyson 168399051X Alex 0 to-read 4.36 2014 Jack and the Giant Killer (Jack Stratton, #4)
author: Christopher Greyson
name: Alex
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/11/17
shelves: to-read
review:

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The Siege (The Six #2) 28075399 Mission: Sabotage. Adam gave up everything for a new chance at life. Now with a cutting-edge digital mind, he is smarter, faster, better than a normal teen. But this new life isn't free. He's indebted to the US Govt program that funded their robots' creation.

Adam and his teammates, the six Pioneers, swore to defend humanity against Sigma, the most ruthless artificial intelligence program set on world domination. Sigma knows about human weakness. Its new weapon is a mole hidden in the Six.]]>
276 Mark Alpert 1492631701 Alex 4 3.89 2016 The Siege (The Six #2)
author: Mark Alpert
name: Alex
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/03
date added: 2019/11/03
shelves:
review:
This book is kind of hard to review. I am still not sure how I feel about the characters because, well, they're robots. They don't feel things the way most people do and yet, they do. Because all of their memories were implanted in the machines, they are like a weird hybrid of robots and humans. This was so hard to get used to. I didn't really get the romance thing between Adam and Shannon. How can robots even have a relationship? That part was so weird and honestly, I would have liked that part to be explored a little bit more. Shannon does get upset at something Adam does pretty early on and she ends things with him. I wish more of the book would have been spent on exploring that relationship and what it means. But recently I watch the new Terminator movie "Dark Fate" and it kinda helps me analyze this book well sort of. I don't want to spoil it since many of you might not see the new Terminator "Dark Fate" movie yet before 11/3/2019. Anyway, overall great read!
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<![CDATA[Jack Knifed (Jack Stratton, #2)]]> 19400013 Jack felt the familiar burn of shame in his chest.
Why do I keep doing this…thinking about her? It was so long ago, but I can’t get what happened out of my head. I shouldn’t let any of that junk define me, but I still do. I’m driving in circles, caught in some loop that I can’t break out of. I want to know why she abandoned me…but some things, I guess, I’ll never know�

Handsome police officer Jack Stratton is the “hometown hero cop with a heart of gold.� Constant nightmares have forced him to seek answers about his rough childhood and the dark secrets hidden there. With Replacement by his side, Jack travels to Hope Falls to solve a murder that occurred before he was born. Everyone in the small town remembers the unsolved murder of Steven Ritter, but after 27 years, no one thought that someone would look into it—They don’t know Jack.]]>
283 Christopher Greyson 1683990315 Alex 5
This is a really good book I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next one. Who would read it? Anyone who enjoys a good story, but it's not a complicated plot but does have the depth to the story so should keep you interested right to the end. I will be reading next novel name "Jacks are wild" by Mr. Greyson... Thank you to this amazing author, Christopher Greyson for writing an awesome novel series :D]]>
4.28 2013 Jack Knifed (Jack Stratton, #2)
author: Christopher Greyson
name: Alex
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2019/10/19
date added: 2019/10/19
shelves:
review:
I believe you can read the Jack Stratton series in any order but I have this thing that I have to read all the books in order. I already read "Girl Jacked - #1" and today I finished reading "Jack Knifed - #2". You can see my review on "Girl Jacked " on my ŷ profile anyway, Jack Knifed book story starts with a call from a mental hospital where Jack’s mother Patricia Cole is a patient. She wants to see her son. Patty suffers from early Alzheimer’s and according to her doctor has moments of lucid when she remembers. Having Jack visit her, Patty begins to reveal her life and who Jack’s father was. Some of the clues don’t make sense at all. Another mystery for Jack Stratton!!!

This is a really good book I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next one. Who would read it? Anyone who enjoys a good story, but it's not a complicated plot but does have the depth to the story so should keep you interested right to the end. I will be reading next novel name "Jacks are wild" by Mr. Greyson... Thank you to this amazing author, Christopher Greyson for writing an awesome novel series :D
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<![CDATA[Girl Jacked (Jack Stratton, #1)]]> 18277804 "Jack knew pain. They were old friends. He knew only one way to deal with pain. Hunt it down and kill it."

Police Officer Jack Stratton is hiding. Hiding from the world. From pain. From the memories of losing his best friend, Chandler, in Iraq. Suffering from PTSD and isolated from those he cares about, the last thing Jack expects to hear is his foster sister Michelle, Chandler’s sister, is gone. The words cut straight to his core. Although the police think she just took off, he knows Michelle would never leave those she loved behind–like he did. Now he must take action, find Michelle, and bring her home or die trying.

The first novel in the Jack Stratton Collection introduces us to handsome rogue, Jack Stratton. A debt of honor to his dead foster brother drives Jack into a world of deception and lies. As Jack’s walls begin to crumble, he must navigate the quirky characters that seep into the mystery of his foster sister’s disappearance. And in the sleepy community of Darrington, like so many places in this world, nothing is as it appears. The hidden mysteries that often go unnoticed begin to emerge as Jack and his new unpredictable sidekick begin to turn over the rocks. Following a trail that has grown cold, Jack must tread carefully to protect his job, his family, and his life.

This stand-alone novel features rogue hero Jack Stratton. Look for other books in the Jack Stratton Collection including Jack Knifed, Jacks are Wild, and now Jack and the Giant Killer. They can be read in any order, however, they are best experienced in sequence.]]>
264 Christopher Greyson Alex 5
I'm looking forward to other mysteries that Jack and Replacement solve together. ]]>
3.99 2013 Girl Jacked (Jack Stratton, #1)
author: Christopher Greyson
name: Alex
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2019/10/12
date added: 2019/10/12
shelves:
review:
This was a great book. A mystery that gets more and more complicated, interesting characters and great humor. I found myself laughing out loud quite a lot and I rarely do that when reading a book. I think that humor helped balance out the darker parts of the story which made the book even better.

I'm looking forward to other mysteries that Jack and Replacement solve together.
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<![CDATA[Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus]]> 1274
Based on years of successful counseling of couples and individuals, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus has helped millions of couples transform their relationships. Now viewed as a modern classic, this phenomenal book has helped men and women realize how different they really are and how to communicate their needs in such a way that conflict doesn't arise and intimacy is given every chance to grow!!!!]]>
368 John Gray 0060574216 Alex 5 3.59 1992 Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
author: John Gray
name: Alex
average rating: 3.59
book published: 1992
rating: 5
read at: 2019/09/26
date added: 2019/09/26
shelves:
review:
Everyone needs to read this book to improve every relationship. Every page has "That makes sense" points that explain why men and women act the way they do.
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Blue Moon (The Immortals, #2) 6134826 Alyson Noël's bestselling Immortals series has been hailed as "addictive," "beautiful," "haunting," and "mesmerizing." In Blue Moon, Ever has a chance to bring her family back from the dead - but only if she's willing to sacrifice the guy she loves more than life itself.

Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers are increasing, Damen's begin to fade after he is stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.

Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, where she uncovers not only the secrets of Damen's past - the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden - but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them - or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day....]]>
284 Alyson Noel 0312532768 Alex 3 3.63 2009 Blue Moon (The Immortals, #2)
author: Alyson Noel
name: Alex
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2009
rating: 3
read at: 2019/09/08
date added: 2019/09/08
shelves:
review:
I am only giving three stars because the author is my friend's favorite novel author. The story is very chick flick type and very close to Twilight. Tbh, I never like Twilight movies. So needless to say, I am not going to read Book #1 Evermore or the next series Sorry Alyson!
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<![CDATA[How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain: The New Science of Transformation]]> 25938483
In this original and groundbreaking book, Andrew Newberg, M.D., and Mark Robert Waldman turn their attention to the pinnacle of the human enlightenment. Through his brain- scan studies on Brazilian psychic mediums, Sufi mystics, Buddhist meditators, Franciscan nuns, Pentecostals, and participants in secular spirituality rituals, Newberg has discovered the specific neurological mechanisms associated withthe enlightenment experience--and how we might activate those circuits in our own brains.

In his survey of more than one thousand people who have experienced enlightenment, Newberg has also discovered that in the aftermath they have had profound, positive life changes. Enlightenment offers us the possibility to become permanently less stress-prone, to break bad habits, to improve our collaboration and creativity skills, and to lead happier, more satisfying lives. Relaying the story of his own transformational experience as well as including the stories of others who try to describe an event that is truly indescribable, Newberg brings us a new paradigm for deep and lasting change.]]>
288 Andrew B. Newberg 1594633452 Alex 3 There was much more about the enlightenment and what it means to the authors than about brain function when people are having spiritual kind of experiences.

For my objectives I would give it 2 stars, but I am giving it 3 because for most people it might be interesting]]>
3.87 2016 How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain: The New Science of Transformation
author: Andrew B. Newberg
name: Alex
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2019/08/16
date added: 2019/08/18
shelves:
review:
I was very interested in reading a book about brain function before, during, after "enlightenment" activities.While there was some of that, certainly more than in most such books, I was disappointed.
There was much more about the enlightenment and what it means to the authors than about brain function when people are having spiritual kind of experiences.

For my objectives I would give it 2 stars, but I am giving it 3 because for most people it might be interesting
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<![CDATA[Collecting the Dead (Special Tracking Unit #1)]]> 26114361
When the remains of a murdered woman are found, Steps recognizes the shine left by the murderer from another crime scene with a physically similar victim. And he uncovers the signature at both scenes---the mark of a sad face. At the same time, another killer, one Steps has dubbed Leonardo and has been trying to track for over ten years, appears again, taunting Steps. But while Steps tries to find a clue that will lead him to Leonardo, the case of the Sad Face Killer heats up. The team uncovers eleven possible missing women who fit the same pattern. Using his skill and the resources of the Bureau, it is a race against time to find the killer before it's too late.]]>
306 Spencer Kope 1250072875 Alex 5 3.90 2016 Collecting the Dead (Special Tracking Unit #1)
author: Spencer Kope
name: Alex
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2019/07/21
date added: 2019/07/21
shelves:
review:
I just finished reading this intriguing and unusual book. The main character, called Steps for a reason that the reader learns as the story goes along, has a special talent that makes him a human bloodhound. I wasn't sure how this very not mainstream talent would play in the mainstream book at first, but it was almost perfect. The other characters were great too, some eclectic and some pretty normal. I have a feeling we will be learning more about each of the characters as we go along in the series. Well, what I assume will be a series! The writer seems to have a great sense of humor, and that fact that came out, even while tracking a serial killer. It made the pages fly by, instead of slogging slowly. I can't wait to learn more about this trackers "gift", and more about his family and friends. Even the small unimportant characters were interesting to read about... I actually had time to sit and finish this book once I got started, glad I did, I was finding it hard to put down. Highly recommended.
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<![CDATA[Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child (Mayo Clinic Parenting Guides)]]> 43253939
From dealing with picky eaters and addressing classroom bullies, to treating both common childhood illnesses and more complex health care problems, raising a child is no easy task. The path to raising a happy, healthy child is rarely straightforward, and parenthood provides a unique set of dilemmas that can challenge even the most experienced parent.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child is a comprehensive guide that addresses the challenging variety of issues parents face today. Chapter topics range from the everyday matters—like nutrition for growing kids, how to ensure a successful night’s sleep, and preventing common colds and coughs—to the more difficult topics—like coping with learning disorders, prioritizing mental health, and preventing childhood obesity and eating disorders.

The difference between being a good parent and a great parent can depend on having the tools you need to address common childhood concerns. With pages of sage advice from the top pediatric experts in the country, The Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child is a much-needed manual for those navigating the meaningful, challenging, and life-changing preschool and school-age years.]]>
504 Angela C. Mattke 1893005488 Alex 5 4.70 Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child (Mayo Clinic Parenting Guides)
author: Angela C. Mattke
name: Alex
average rating: 4.70
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2019/06/26
date added: 2019/06/26
shelves:
review:
Most new parents adopt the parenting style that their own parents used (or the opposite of that, if it was bad). But you wouldn't use tools from the last century to work on your car, would you? So why would you use outdated tools on your most precious resource, your child? This book is sensitively written, full of useful, current information, and centered always around the best interests of the child.
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Peace Like a River 227571 Peace Like a River, is one such work. His richly evocative novel, narrated by an asthmatic 11-year-old named Reuben Land, is the story of Reuben's unusual family and their journey across the frozen Badlands of the Dakotas in search of his fugitive older brother. Charged with the murder of two locals who terrorized their family, Davy has fled, understanding that the scales of justice will not weigh in his favor. But Reuben, his father, Jeremiah—a man of faith so deep he has been known to produce miracles—and Reuben's little sister, Swede, follow closely behind the fleeing Davy.

Affecting and dynamic, Peace Like a River is at once a tragedy, a romance, and an unflagging exploration into the spirituality and magic possible in the everyday world, and in that of the world awaiting us on the other side of life. In Enger's superb debut effort, we witness a wondrous celebration of family, faith, and spirit, the likes of which we haven't seen in a long, long time—and the birth of a classic work of literature.]]>
312 Leif Enger 0802139256 Alex 5 4.01 2001 Peace Like a River
author: Leif Enger
name: Alex
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2001
rating: 5
read at: 2019/05/19
date added: 2019/05/19
shelves:
review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which was recommended by a friend. I loved the characters and how it was written in the first person, by the main character, a young boy named Reuben. The descriptions of events and the underlying hope that this family has in the face of some horrible events kept me eager to get to the end to see how it would turn out. No spoiler alerts here. If you want a good and well-written novel, then I recommend you to read this book.
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<![CDATA[Memory Power 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Better Learning for Students, Businesspeople, and Seniors]]> 14567788 Dr. Klemm explains the different kinds of memories and how they are stored and accessed in everyday situations. He offers advice on learning how to focus and pay attention so that key pieces of information are more easily used. He talks about the importance of cues and stimuli both when learning and in recall, discusses repressed memories, Freudian slips, the roles of both exercise and sleep in building a better memory, and more. With his advice, you’re bound to improve your memory of names and faces, as well as read and heard information. Keep better track of numbers and places, and even remember where you left your house keys and where you parked your car! Memory Power 101 is a unique book that can help almost anyone be more successful and happier.]]> 304 W.R. Klemm 1616086122 Alex 5 3.53 2012 Memory Power 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Better Learning for Students, Businesspeople, and Seniors
author: W.R. Klemm
name: Alex
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2019/05/15
date added: 2019/05/15
shelves:
review:
There is so much in this book for a first-time memory study and beginning 'practicer' like me that I copied a lot of notes and kept it where I can review the helpful tips frequently. I like this author writing style with a memory myth buster, examples etc.
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<![CDATA[What Would MacGyver Do?: True Stories of Improvised Genius in Everyday Life]]> 325542 In the spirit of the bestselling Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook comes a clever collection of true stories celebrating real-life "MacGyverisms"

You're driving on a deserted road when your car dies. Your cell phone isn't getting service. All you have on hand are a gum wrapper and a wire hanger.

Or maybe you're living in a building without central air conditioning in July. You can't afford an AC; all you have access to are a fan and a bucket of water.

In such times of desperation, many have called upon the symbol of all that is inventive, the hero who awed thousands with his cool, quick wit: What would MacGyver do? they ask..

For anyone who's ever wished they could channel the 1980s action-adventure icon comes this clever collection of forty-five true stories, commemorating the use of improvised genius to solve everyday problems. Inspired by television's Angus MacGyver (played by Richard Dean Anderson), a secret agent who relied on his brains and scientific prowess - not to mention duct tape and a Swiss Army knife'to save the day, the "MacGyverisms" recounted range from the concrete (using Chex Mix to provide traction in an icy parking lot) to the intangible (saving a relationship with the perfect turn of phrase). Edgy, entertaining, and smirk-to-yourself funny, these masterfully told stories reveal that, with a little luck and a lot of ingenuity, you can "MacGyver" yourself out of virtually any predicament.

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208 Brendan Vaughan 1594630240 Alex 1 2.62 2006 What Would MacGyver Do?: True Stories of Improvised Genius in Everyday Life
author: Brendan Vaughan
name: Alex
average rating: 2.62
book published: 2006
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2019/05/09
shelves:
review:
I am so despondent over this book. So little was anywhere close to the type of solutions that MacGyver would do; worst was that he wouldn't have even participated in these stories. Too many stories dealt with morally questionable situations (how do you fake ID's to get haram stuff, what can I do to get inebriated, how to fake out a girlfriend, etc.). Anyone that's ever watched the show AND appreciated it knows that the whole catch to the character was that he would always fix a situation in a way that did NOT compromise his character, morals or ideals; even if it meant exposing himself to more jeopardy or making things harder to do. Best of all, he was a SCIENTIST, a lover of KNOWLEDGE, an environmentalist, and a trustworthy friend. The stories in this book have so little science and require so little imagination that you almost wonder why the authors didn't succumb to Darwin's theory earlier. After about a third of the book, I was so repulsed by the stories that I actually dreaded reading anymore. I did finish, but only because I did indeed pay for the book and hoped that somewhere in the proper spirit of Angus MacGyver, the author would find a solution for the dreck that he calls a book.
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<![CDATA[Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative]]> 13099738 160 Austin Kleon 0761169253 Alex 5
Some of my favorites are:

“You need to find a way to bring your body into your work.� Pg# 54
“If you have two or three real passions, don’t feel like you have to pick and choose between them.� Pg# 68
“When you open up your process and invite people in you learn.� Pg# 81
“Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.� Pg# 94
“If you ever find that you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.� Pg# 104
“Freedom from financial stress also means freedom in your art.� Pg# 123

The list goes on and on. He also mentions at the end of the book that you need to marry well. I can say that beyond a shadow of a doubt, you have to be careful who you marry. This book will provide inspiration, kick in the pants truth, and motivation for wherever you find yourself in life.]]>
3.95 2012 Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
author: Austin Kleon
name: Alex
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2019/04/21
date added: 2019/04/21
shelves:
review:
A fantastic book and it probably took me an hour (tops) to read. For the win. Even though this book is a quick read, the sheer volume of encouraging and inspiring truth bombs makes me feel like it’s one that I could take a much longer time to study in-depth.

Some of my favorites are:

“You need to find a way to bring your body into your work.� Pg# 54
“If you have two or three real passions, don’t feel like you have to pick and choose between them.� Pg# 68
“When you open up your process and invite people in you learn.� Pg# 81
“Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.� Pg# 94
“If you ever find that you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.� Pg# 104
“Freedom from financial stress also means freedom in your art.� Pg# 123

The list goes on and on. He also mentions at the end of the book that you need to marry well. I can say that beyond a shadow of a doubt, you have to be careful who you marry. This book will provide inspiration, kick in the pants truth, and motivation for wherever you find yourself in life.
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<![CDATA[Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery]]> 29947651 400 Scott Kelly 1524731595 Alex 4
I have always been interested to find out about space programs, NASA activities, and in our astronauts. Seeing them taking off sends chills up and down my spine, along with a few prayers for their journey to space and returning back to planet earth. The moonwalk was incredible! What was missing for me was actual knowledge of what really happens in space when they are there.

Scott did an amazing job describing every aspect of being an astronaut, and how dangered involved. The book attracts my attention when I read the summary of the book in the back where it says that he was in space for a year and he provided an excellent description of that.

This story is amazing. More amazing when you remember that it is not science fiction but reality. If you are at all interested in space, this is an absolute must. If you are not interested in space you will still find this fascinating and thrilling. Scott Kelly is not a great narrator. That being said his straight forward reading suits the material and won me over.
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4.16 2017 Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
author: Scott Kelly
name: Alex
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2019/04/20
date added: 2019/04/20
shelves:
review:
Author, as well as astronaut Scott Kelly, has so much to tell, and I enjoyed all of the details of life in space aboard the I.S.S., and life with Russian Cosmonauts and the Russian Space Federations' role in getting pilots up to the I.S.S.

I have always been interested to find out about space programs, NASA activities, and in our astronauts. Seeing them taking off sends chills up and down my spine, along with a few prayers for their journey to space and returning back to planet earth. The moonwalk was incredible! What was missing for me was actual knowledge of what really happens in space when they are there.

Scott did an amazing job describing every aspect of being an astronaut, and how dangered involved. The book attracts my attention when I read the summary of the book in the back where it says that he was in space for a year and he provided an excellent description of that.

This story is amazing. More amazing when you remember that it is not science fiction but reality. If you are at all interested in space, this is an absolute must. If you are not interested in space you will still find this fascinating and thrilling. Scott Kelly is not a great narrator. That being said his straight forward reading suits the material and won me over.

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Animal Farm 170448 Librarian's note: There is an Alternate Cover Edition for this edition of this book here.

A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.
When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh.]]>
141 George Orwell 0451526341 Alex 5 4.07 1945 Animal Farm
author: George Orwell
name: Alex
average rating: 4.07
book published: 1945
rating: 5
read at: 2019/04/15
date added: 2019/04/15
shelves:
review:
Since we find ourselves again in the maras of Presidential politics, a book written 3/4 century ago will open your eyes in a way you simply cannot imagine. History has a funny way of repeating itself and while the powers that held control tried virtually everything to suppress this book, eventually it came to the light of day.
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The Light in the Heart 29359991 174 Roy T. Bennett Alex 5 4.26 2016 The Light in the Heart
author: Roy T. Bennett
name: Alex
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2019/04/13
date added: 2019/04/13
shelves:
review:
I finished reading this book same day I got it. I really like the content a lot in this book. It's a short book but It offers to the point positive thoughts. I did notice a spelling mistake ("wright" instead of "right"...I think Roy meant "right"...sorry if I'm incorrect). Based on the content, this author will learn from that and carry on. That is why I kept my 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone. My favorite part in the book is "Your life is happening right now". This author is also on Twitter and offers frequent positive quotes with amazing art.
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Anger Management for Dummies 404805 362 W. Doyle Gentry 0470037156 Alex 5 3.74 2006 Anger Management for Dummies
author: W. Doyle Gentry
name: Alex
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2018/01/15
date added: 2019/04/07
shelves:
review:
I decided to tackle my anger...which I did not think I had a big problem but my good friends told me it was an issue. I use to let my anger build up and then blow up at the person several weeks later. This book is amazing! It gives you real insight as to where your anger comes from . Then it teaches you how to prevent the anger from building and techniques to use so it does not escalate. I refer back to this book when needed.
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Windows 10 For Dummies 26003789 Get productive with Windows 10 Windows 10 For Dummies is the all-time bestselling computer how-to book--and it's been fully updated for the enhancements coming with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update! Free of confusing jargon and packed with lots of helpful step-by-step explanations, it quickly gets you started with exploring the Start menu, storing files on the Cloud, creating desktop shortcuts, connecting to a printer, using Windows social apps, organizing digital photos, interpreting error messages, and so much more.

Windows 10 keeps your PC or tablet running, organizes your files, and provides a platform to run your important applications. In short, it's the brain and heart of your computer. The simple steps and friendly advice inside help you manage files and applications, connect to the Internet, customize your Windows experience, and make repairs when things go haywire.


Fast answers to Windows 10 questions Steps for customizing your Windows 10 PC Tips for solving common Windows problems Covers using Windows 10 on a tablet If you're new to Windows or upgrading to its new operating system, grab this book to get to know Windows 10 a little better.]]>
404 Andy Rathbone Alex 5 3.75 2015 Windows 10 For Dummies
author: Andy Rathbone
name: Alex
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2019/02/20
date added: 2019/04/07
shelves:
review:
Purchasing Windows 10 for Dummies was a worthwhile investment. I am no stranger to Microsoft Products and Operating Systems but I thought that a "How To" book might come in handy after down-loading Windows 10. The book is written for the Novice, the Casual User and even a Seasoned Veteran. If you want a desktop reference book I highly recommend Windows 10 for Dummies.
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Google SEO for Dummies 31826873 This is because, the big G doesn't want you to know - or master the basics of search engine optimization or truly understand what it takes to be on page 1 of the SERPs.
Naturally, this leads to frustration, especially after you have a well researched article that deserves to be seen by all who search for your content, using your specified keywords.
The feeling can be super frustrating...and missing out on Google also ensures that you also miss out on free traffic that is ready to convert and make you serious money, even when you sleep or take a vacation.
Not anymore...enter -

This book has taken off the guesswork from your neck and importantly, shown you exactly what you need to do in order to rank your website or blog up on Google SERPs.
Particularly, you'll

If you've been struggling with SEO, Google won't simply turn its face towards you or you'll simply appreciate a little more of organic traffic so that you can make more money on autopilot (even when you sleep and snore), this book is for you.
More importantly, the name says it this book is actually written with the NEWBIE in mind. Accordingly, every effort has been expended to make its content as simple and easy as possible.
If you're tired of failing to rank (for your selected keywords) month after month, this is your chance...
Scroll up, look right and click right on the 'BUY' BUTTON to download this simple but exceedingly powerful book.
Please �
You can read this book without a kindle reader. As a matter of fact, the book can be downloaded right to your Amazon cloud reader and read on any device you're using to access this page at the phone, tablet, laptop or PC.]]>
115 Akaahan Terungwa Alex 3 3.50 Google SEO for Dummies
author: Akaahan Terungwa
name: Alex
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2018/11/18
date added: 2019/04/07
shelves:
review:
Rad this ebook from internet from my friend's laptop. Great tips and tricks about SEO. SEO is indeed a great tool to make your website pop up on 1st SERPs. It is not hard to learn but how to implement the tricks is in this ebook.
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What Would Google Do? 5100525 � USA Today “An indispensable guide to the business logic of the networked era.�
—Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes Everybody “A stimulating exercise in thinking really, really big.�
� San Jose Mercury News What Would Google Do? is an indispensable manual for survival and success in today’s internet-driven marketplace. By “reverse engineering the fastest growing company in the history of the world,� author Jeff Jarvis, proprietor of Buzzmachine.com, one of the Web’s most widely respected media blogs, offers indispensible strategies for solving the toughest new problems facing businesses today. With a new afterword from the author, What Would Google Do? is the business book that every leader or potential leader in every industry must read.]]>
426 Jeff Jarvis 0061709719 Alex 4 3.89 2009 What Would Google Do?
author: Jeff Jarvis
name: Alex
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2019/04/07
date added: 2019/04/07
shelves:
review:
Seriously the author Jeff Jarvis is in love with Google like I am but Jeff is more like obsessed with Google. If Google was a person, Jeff will be the stalker. I believe this is a profound book about changes in the business world created by continued advancement of the information age. The book as I read it, really is not about Google, per se. Instead it is a thoughtful discussion as to how all kinds of businesses will be impacted by the forces on which Google has so brilliantly capitalized. Overall, "WWGD?" was a well thought out book that was easy to read. It probably would work best with people high school age and higher. A basic understanding of social media and the internet is necessary to fully appreciate "WWGD?". A complete novice would most likely be a bit lost with some of the terms and phrases used throughout the book. The main takeaway is for companies to join conversations online and develop relationships with their customers. Ultimately, Jeff really just wants businesses to focus on the customers instead of themselves.
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<![CDATA[The Rocksburg Railroad Murders (Mario Balzic Detective Mystery, #1)]]> 1100781
Mario Balzic is the protagonist, an atypical detective for the genre, a Serbo-Italian American cop, middle-aged, unpretentious, a family man who asks questions and uses more sense than force.

As the novel opens, a man familiar to Mario has been found beaten to death with a Coke bottle on the platform of the Rocksburg railroad station. Mario becomes convinced that the man's stepson is the guilty party, but proving it will be a challenge.]]>
196 K.C. Constantine 0879236620 Alex 4 3.70 1972 The Rocksburg Railroad Murders (Mario Balzic Detective Mystery, #1)
author: K.C. Constantine
name: Alex
average rating: 3.70
book published: 1972
rating: 4
read at: 2019/03/26
date added: 2019/03/27
shelves:
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Mario Balzic is the chief of police in a small Pennsylvania town. He's an oddball in that he doesn't even carry a gun, usually. When a senseless murder occurs at the railroad station, and there are no witnesses, Mario must rely on his wits and knowledge of psychology to direct him to the likely killer. Constantine writes very realistic fiction. This is not a glamorous or exciting detective novel, compared to most detective novels. The small-town setting makes it different from most police procedural, also. All the dialogue seems very true-to-life, and the characters are drawn by someone who knows people. The story drew me in further and further as I read. One gets the feeling that Constantine himself must live in a small Pennsylvania town like Rocksburg, just to be able to bring this kind of local flavor to the dish. This is the place to start if you're interested in this series, since it's the first novel in the set.
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<![CDATA[Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival]]> 10941141 210 Brock Lesnar 0062023128 Alex 5 3.51 2011 Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival
author: Brock Lesnar
name: Alex
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2019/03/15
date added: 2019/03/15
shelves:
review:
After done reading the book, I find out why he named his book "Death Clutch". You can learn a lot from Brock who came out from farm in Dakota to Hollywood and become a rock star. I will definitely recommend this book to young youth to learn about his life and how Brock achieved everything what he wanted. When you start reading the book, you carried away and you want to learn everything about the person in the book. This book is that kind, you will not feel bored and you will learn a lot from this guy about life, how you should stick with your family and what you want to achieve in life.
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<![CDATA[Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World]]> 25614523 Originals the author addresses the challenge of improving the world from the perspective of becoming original: choosing to champion novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battle conformity, and buck outdated traditions. How can we originate new ideas, policies, and practices without risking it all?

Using surprising studies and stories spanning business, politics, sports, and entertainment, Grant explores how to recognize a good idea, speak up without getting silenced, build a coalition of allies, choose the right time to act, and manage fear and doubt; how parents and teachers can nurture originality in children; and how leaders can build cultures that welcome dissent. Learn from an entrepreneur who pitches his start-ups by highlighting the reasons not to invest, a woman at Apple who challenged Steve Jobs from three levels below, an analyst who overturned the rule of secrecy at the CIA, a billionaire financial wizard who fires employees for failing to criticize him, and a TV executive who didn’t even work in comedy but saved Seinfeld from the cutting-room floor. The payoff is a set of groundbreaking insights about rejecting conformity and improving the status quo.
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326 Adam M. Grant 0525429565 Alex 4
P.S. Excellent book for IT entrepreneurs. ]]>
3.93 2016 Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
author: Adam M. Grant
name: Alex
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2019/03/14
date added: 2019/03/14
shelves:
review:
Finished the book in two days. Here is a big heads up, you going to read over 1000 times the word "original". Although the book has some great advice and hope to read their other book "Give and Take". The book was very easy to read obviously after I have rad "Absalom, Absalom". Haha Anyway, do I recommend this book? Originally definitely Yes!! especially for some one whose looking into starting a business. Originals will help you, motivate you, inspire you to become successful entrepreneur.

P.S. Excellent book for IT entrepreneurs.
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When Breath Becomes Air 25899336
At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a naïve medical student "possessed," as he wrote, "by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life" into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.

What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to nurture a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles with in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir.

Paul Kalanithi died in March 2015, while working on this book, yet his words live on as a guide and a gift to us all. "I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed nothing and everything," he wrote. "Seven words from Samuel Beckett began to repeat in my head: 'I can't go on. I'll go on.'" When Breath Becomes Air is an unforgettable, life-affirming reflection on the challenge of facing death and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a brilliant writer who became both.]]>
208 Paul Kalanithi 0812988418 Alex 4 4.41 2016 When Breath Becomes Air
author: Paul Kalanithi
name: Alex
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/10/25
date added: 2019/03/12
shelves:
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After finishing this book, i thought of my late father who died with cancer as well back in 2013. Dealing with the fact of death is unsettling. Yet there is no other way to live. This book's tremendous impact comes from the obvious fact that Dr. Kalanithi was such a brilliant polymath. And part comes from the way he conveys what happened to him in the book of his life passionately working and striving, deferring gratification, waiting to live, learning to die - so well. None of it is maudlin. Nothing is exaggerated. As he wrote to a friend: "It's just tragic enough and just imaginable enough." And just important enough to be unmissable.
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Absalom, Absalom! 373755 316 William Faulkner 0679732187 Alex 5
Fun Fact: The Guinness Book of World Records says that the longest sentence in English literature is a 1,287-worder (2 ½ pages long) in Absalom, Absalom!

P.S. I am going to buy a copy of this book]]>
3.98 1936 Absalom, Absalom!
author: William Faulkner
name: Alex
average rating: 3.98
book published: 1936
rating: 5
read at: 2019/03/09
date added: 2019/03/11
shelves:
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This book has got depth and lyricism. Read it for the poetry. If you get more out of it, all the better. My recommendation would be to read this book at least twice, the first time just to get accustomed to Faulkner's use of language, and then another time to concentrate and focus more on the story itself. It can be difficult to get past his use of language and digest his meaning all in one sitting, but many of the scenes, themes and characters will remain in your mind for a long time. Definitely not for everyone, but if you have time, patience, and don't mind being challenged, give this book a shot, you may love it.

Fun Fact: The Guinness Book of World Records says that the longest sentence in English literature is a 1,287-worder (2 ½ pages long) in Absalom, Absalom!

P.S. I am going to buy a copy of this book
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<![CDATA[The Headspace Guide to Meditation & Mindfulness]]> 27414493
Quiet the mind, feel less stressed and less tired, and achieve a new level of calm and fulfillment in just ten minutes a day.

Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, the Voice of Headspace, and the UK's foremost mindfulness expert, is on a mission: to get people to take 10 minutes out of their day to sit in the here and now.

Like his readers and students, Andy began his own meditation practice as a normal, busy person with everyday concerns, and he has since designed a program of mindfulness and guided meditation that fits neatly into a jam-packed daily routine - proving that just 10 minutes a day can make a world of difference.

Accessible and portable, The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness offers simple but powerful meditation techniques that positively impact every area of physical and mental health: from productivity and focus, to stress and anxiety relief, sleep, weight-loss, personal relationships...the benefits are limitless. The result? More headspace, less stress. Andy brings this ancient practice into the modern world, tailor made for the most time starved among us.

Switch off after work
Fall asleep at night
Feel less anxious, sad, or angry
Control your cravings
Find a healthy weight

©2011 Andy Puddicombe (P)2012 Macmillan Audio]]>
224 Andy Puddicombe 1250104904 Alex 5 4.00 2011 The Headspace Guide to Meditation & Mindfulness
author: Andy Puddicombe
name: Alex
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2011
rating: 5
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date added: 2019/02/26
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<![CDATA[Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup]]> 37976541 ومع ذيوعصيت "(ثيرانوس)، بدأت بعض الوقائع بالتكشف عن عدم جهوزية، بل عدم صلاحية، الأجهزة المنتجة، رغم أن إليزابيث قد فتحت قنوات تسويقية كبيرة مع كبيريات الشركات الدوائية (نوفارتيس)، وسلسلة المتاجر الصيدلانية الكبرى (وولغرينز)، ومتاجر الأغذية متعددة الفروع (سيفواي)، ومع تسرب أخبار تؤكد أن الأجهزة مزودة ببرنامج يظهر نتائج عشوائية لعينات الدم، الأمر الذي قد يودي بحيوات أناس كثيرين، وعلى الرغم من أن مجلس إدارة الشركة قد استقطب مجموعة من السياسيين والعسكريين المخضرمين في أعلى هرم السياسة الأمريكية، مثل جورج شولتز وهنري كيسنجر وروبرت مردوخ وجيمس ماتيس، وحتى أوباما، الذي استقبلها في مكتبه البيضاوي- على الرغم من ذلك، وفي حقل مليء بالتهديدات والألغام، بدأت رحلة الصحافي الكبير جون كاريرو في وول ستريت جورنال، إثر معلومة وصلته في ٢٠١٥، في تحري أسرار (ثيرانوس)، من أفواه الشرفاء الذين قدموا استقالاتهم من الشركة، وعلى رأسهم تيلر شولتز، حفيد جورج شولتز، والحصول على الوثائق والأدلة التي تثبت تورط الشركة في أسوأ عملية غش طالت المرضى قبل المستثمرين ومالكي الأسهم في ثيرانوس.
يفضح هذا الكتاب الذي استغرق إنجازه ثلاث سنوات ونصف السنة، رؤوس الفساد في قلب المؤسسة السلطوية الأميركية منجهة، ويشير إلى الظمائر النبيلة التي قدمت الأدلة الدامغة على تورط ثيرانوس من جهة أخرى، الأمر الذي قاد إليزابيث هولمز، السايكوباثية بحسب تعبير كاريرو، مع أزلامها، إلى قاعات المحاكم، لتنتهي أسطورة شركتها التي بلغ رأس مالها تسعة مليارات دولار.]]>
339 John Carreyrou Alex 4 4.38 2018 Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
author: John Carreyrou
name: Alex
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2019/02/26
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<![CDATA[Start With Why: by Simon Sinek | Summary & Analysis]]> 32618686 52 NOT A BOOK 153475606X Alex 3 4.00 Start With Why: by Simon Sinek | Summary & Analysis
author: NOT A BOOK
name: Alex
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 3
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date added: 2019/02/26
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<![CDATA[Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's]]> 498886
But even more interesting than Ray Kroc the business legend is Ray Kroc the man. Not your typical self-made tycoon, Kroc was 52 when he met the McDonald brothers and opened his first franchise.

Now meet Ray Kroc, the man behind the business legend, in his own words. Irrepressible enthusiast, perceptive people-watcher, and born storyteller, he will fascinate and inspire you. You'll never forget Ray Kroc.]]>
256 Ray Kroc 0312929870 Alex 4 3.99 1977 Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's
author: Ray Kroc
name: Alex
average rating: 3.99
book published: 1977
rating: 4
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date added: 2019/02/26
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<![CDATA[Re: Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger: An Open Letter to Maria Shriver]]> 20651900
It is also good reading material for any spouse in a similar situation.


J.E. McDonald delivers again, bringing a strong dose of reality to American culture.]]>
19 J.E. McDonald Alex 4 4.50 2012 Re: Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger: An Open Letter to Maria Shriver
author: J.E. McDonald
name: Alex
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2019/02/26
shelves:
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<![CDATA[The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results]]> 16256798 The One Thing explains the success habit to overcome the six lies that block our success, beat the seven thieves that steal time, and leverage the laws of purpose, priority, and productivity.]]> 240 Gary Keller 1885167776 Alex 3 4.11 2012 The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
author: Gary Keller
name: Alex
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2019/02/26
shelves:
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Kon-Tiki 790171 Kon-Tiki is the record of an astonishing adventure - a journey of 4,300 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean by raft. Intrigued by Polynesian folklore, biologist Thor Heyerdahl suspected that the South Sea Islands had been settled by an ancient race from thousands of miles to the east, led by a mythical hero, Kon-Tiki. He decided to prove his theory by duplicating the legendary voyage.

On April 28, 1947, Heyerdahl and five other adventurers sailed from Peru on a balsa log raft. After three months on the open sea, encountering raging storms, whales, and sharks, they sighted land - the Polynesian island of Puka Puka.

Translated into over sixty languages, Kon-Tiki is a classic, inspiring tale of daring and courage - a magnificent saga of men against the sea.]]>
240 Thor Heyerdahl 0671726528 Alex 4 4.15 1948 Kon-Tiki
author: Thor Heyerdahl
name: Alex
average rating: 4.15
book published: 1948
rating: 4
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date added: 2019/02/26
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<![CDATA[Managing Oneself (Harvard Business Review Classics)]]> 2477223 72 Peter F. Drucker 142212312X Alex 4 3.93 2007 Managing Oneself (Harvard Business Review Classics)
author: Peter F. Drucker
name: Alex
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2019/02/26
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Great Expectations 2623
Pip must discover his true self, and his own set of values and priorities. Whether such values allow one to prosper in the complex world of early Victorian England is the major question posed by Great Expectations, one of Dickens's most fascinating, and disturbing, novels.

This edition includes the original, discarded ending, Dickens's brief working notes, and the serial instalments and chapter divisions in different editions. It also uses the definitive Clarendon text.]]>
544 Charles Dickens 0192833596 Alex 5 3.78 1861 Great Expectations
author: Charles Dickens
name: Alex
average rating: 3.78
book published: 1861
rating: 5
read at: 1997/01/01
date added: 2019/02/26
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We had to read this for 9th grade history. This was difficult as it is about London and Paris and the events leading up to the french revolution. It is a good story line but somewhat confusing for an 8th soon to be 9th grader. If you don't know the story (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times...) - people flee France to go to England. the storming of the Bastille begins the revolution. The main characters return to France in the midst of all of the executions. There is an ultimate sacrifice in the name of love and honor. Overall good read and I got A- in the quiz.
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Moby-Dick or, The Whale 153747 "It is the horrible texture of a fabric that should be woven of ships' cables and hawsers. A Polar wind blows through it, and birds of prey hover over it."

So Melville wrote of his masterpiece, one of the greatest works of imagination in literary history. In part, Moby-Dick is the story of an eerily compelling madman pursuing an unholy war against a creature as vast and dangerous and unknowable as the sea itself. But more than just a novel of adventure, more than an encyclopaedia of whaling lore and legend, the book can be seen as part of its author's lifelong meditation on America. Written with wonderfully redemptive humour, Moby-Dick is also a profound inquiry into character, faith, and the nature of perception.

This edition of Moby-Dick, which reproduces the definitive text of the novel, includes invaluable explanatory notes, along with maps, illustrations, and a glossary of nautical terms.]]>
720 Herman Melville 0142437247 Alex 5 3.53 1851 Moby-Dick or, The Whale
author: Herman Melville
name: Alex
average rating: 3.53
book published: 1851
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/15
date added: 2019/02/26
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Oh, for pity's sake, you know what Moby Dick is about. You hated it in school because somebody made you read it. You're a grownup now so go read it again because you want to. It's wonderfully written and it's fun and it's intensely interesting and you'll meet some real characters, including a scary captain and the guy they named Starbucks after. This time you can skip the boring parts -- there aren't that many boring parts, honest. Based on a real whale, by the way.
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<![CDATA[The End of Summer (Richard, #1)]]> 15795806
Part One introduces us to Rebecca, a beautiful and sexy woman, a wife and a mother of a teen-aged daughter with a troubled marriage. During a summer visit to New York City to spend a few days with her daughter. Rebecca met Richard, a handsome college student and a friend of her daughter. Immediately, Richard and Rebecca fell in love and begin a lustful secret affair. A strike of fate asserted their forbidden relationship. As their love grew so did a late summer storm and it threatened to snuff out the flame of their love.

Part One also takes us through Richard's turbulent past. An exciting adventure through time, something that he kept from Rebecca and the rest of the world. Will revealing his deepest, intimate and emotional secrets with two of his best friends, Lyn & Vanessa, alter the course of his life forever?]]>
196 Alex M. Smith Alex 3 2.94 2012 The End of Summer (Richard, #1)
author: Alex M. Smith
name: Alex
average rating: 2.94
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2019/02/25
shelves:
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