Supernatural Hero

by Eran Gadot

 

This is a heart rending novel that no pre-teen and his or her parents want to miss. Andy, the main character, is at that age where he is neither a child nor an adult. Sometimes he tries to do adult things and is treated like a child. Other times, his parents treat him like a child and his reaction is much closer to an adult’s. Andy is a self-declared nerd and is especially good at math but doesn’t play sports. He lives with his parents and older sister, Lynn who only has rude comments for him. She has no qualms about making fun of her brother in front of her friends. Since both Andy’s parents are busy, Andy mostly relies on his grandfather for moral support. They get along great!

 

Andy is especially keen on winning the heart of Zoe, a classmate. He feels that this is impossible because he is a nerd and she is popular. In the meantime, Andy learns that his grandpa has terminal cancer and dies shortly thereafter. This marks a difficult time for the whole family. Something very peculiar happens to Andy—he can see his grandpa’s spirit and talk to him and his grandpa can talk back to him too. This becomes a big issue for his parents and they want to take him to a therapist. Andy tries not to talk out loud to his grandpa while he’s around other people but he is nevertheless overheard on occasion. Andy’s grandpa continues to give him advice, specifically to ask Zoe out on a date.

 

This book touches my emotions. It takes me back to when I was in the sixth grade and had problems like Andy and I wanted to be more grown up, but couldn’t always. It was translated from another language, but I wouldn’t know that if it weren’t stated at the beginning of the book. It reads like a native English text! I’m also drawn to the supernatural issue. Andy’s grandpa cares about him so much that he lingered around Earth to talk to him and give him guidance. That’s amazing. What a brilliant move by the author!

 

This book should be required reading at school because it is both interesting (I couldn’t put it down) and it teaches core values such as family unity and unconditional support. On that same note, parents should read Supernatural Hero along with their children too because it shows them the hidden things that children don’t always tell their parents for fear they won’t understand. Buy it here!

Unplugged

by P.D. Quaver

Technology is everywhere in our lives today. We are forced to use it on many occasions and on others, we just use it over other activities. This teen novel starts out as a group of teenagers from well-to-do families addicted to technology: cell phones, computers and other devices. At their parents' behest, they all check into a boarding school to cure them of their technology addictions. Although they are definitely sequestered from technology and the outside world as they know it, it soon becomes apparent that the school, The Natural Path, has other designs for them. Dr. Zarkov, the head of the program, turns out to be involved in a kidnapping plot. The kids are flown off to a tropical island far away from home. They interact with each other and learn coping skills and share humor with each other despite the circumstances. I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. A couple of times, I sincerely thought that some of the students would lose their life—for diverse reasons.

 

I found this book to be a pleasant read. It took me back to when I was the characters' age. There was some technology back then — but of course, nothing like now. I found myself engaging with the hostages in my head, pretending to give them advice and laughing along with them. This is something that happens to me when a book is well-written by a skilled author.

 

Whatever stereotypes might have fit the kids at first (rich, nerdy, living outside the law in the case of the hacker) either disappeared or were fleshed out as the story leaped out of bounds on an endless roller coaster. This is something not a few authors neglect to do—describe characters so they are three dimensional and not just flat, cursory descriptions. Yet another talent of P.D, Quaver’s that comes to light.

 

I recommend this book for any teenager who wants to experience an entertaining story and also contemplate their own personal situation. If their parents are so inclined, they can read it too and have another reason to bond with their children. You can purchase it on Amazon and download it to your e-reader in less than a minute!

Things Fall Apart

by Hillary Neiman

All of us have a before and after in our lives. Sometimes this event can be joyous, like before I was a father and after I was a father. Other times, people are not so lucky. I'm speaking of accidents or death of a loved one or any number of things that can befall us. In the case of Hillary Neiman, it was the loss of her freedom and license to practice law. How devastating! I'm not sure I can make it out of something like that. The worst part about it was that Ms. Neiman was not out there looking to commit a crime, but rather in her zeal to help her clients, intended parents, to fulfill their dreams of actually being parents, she overlooked some technicalities—her intentions were always good, of that I am certain. I'll let you read the book to find out what these were and what impact this mistake had on her entire life. The book continues with Ms. Neiman's lessons learned in prison and then in home confinement. Despite being what could be a humiliating and depressing experience, she was able, partly through her undergraduate education in comparative religion, to become a better person and to make friends with some of the inmates.

I feel fortunate to have read this book. It made me value my life for what it is and also live the moment—because you never know what is around the corner. The author has the rare gift of being able to address each and every reader. I felt like she was talking to me personally, that she was right in the room telling her story, holding nothing back. I couldn't put it down. I found myself putting off chores so I could finish it more quickly. Things Fall Apart should be college-level required reading in Philosophy, Law and Criminology courses. Young people, no matter how bright, should learn about the world they are going to enter after graduating from college and put in place checks and balances in their professional activities so that they do not run afoul of the law unknowingly. And anyone else should read this book to appreciate the life they have as well as to overcome any anguish and frustration they may have. Whatever the motivation behind reading this book, you won't be disappointed! Get your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Things-Fall-Apart-Hilary-Neiman/dp/0991547802/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1399234543&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=things+fall+apart+hilary+neiman

The Holistic Weight Loss Guide

by Maha Nasr

Both being overweight and losing weight are two issues that concern a great number of people all over the world. With an overabundance of food in many countries coupled with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, no wonder so many of us (myself included) suffer from this problem. The good news is, with the right information and determination, you don't have to be overweight! 

So you think this book is about dieting? Wrong! The book, written by a holistic nutritionist with a medical background I should add, says, "diets are a temporary fix. Most people think of diets is a temporary solution to their problem. Once the weight has been lost, they go back to their old habits." I can vouch for this because once I got down to a very reasonable weight only to gain back the extra pounds once I went off the diet. That is why this book allows you to eat healthy 90% of the time and less healthy or "free" food 10% of the time. I find that reasonable because what's the point of losing weight if you have to be restricted to eating a certain kind of food? The book also delves into why you are overweight. In other words, this is no fly-by-night quick guide to weight loss; hence the title: The Holistic Weight Loss Guide.

I'm excited about how this book deals with some of the same issues I've been told by medical doctors and nutritionists such as drinking more water and eating several small meals and snacks as well as exercising. And the part I really like is the foods that you're allowed to eat but also keep you satisfied. I've always had problems staying full and since I started following this book's advice, I've been more successful at feeling satisfied without raiding the refrigerator.

My message to the person who wants to lose weight and keep the pounds off is to pick up a copy of this book. It is written by a holistic nutritionist with a medical background who specializes in this field and has a genuine interest in helping you. Imagine how good you will feel once you've lost the weight you've plan to lose. Imagine how good you will look, how healthy you will be and how satisfied you will feel on the inside. Surely the price of this book is a very small one in comparison to all you have to gain (or is it lose?) Get your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Holistic-Weight-Loss-Guide-ebook/dp/B00JOYWJQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398824986&sr=8-1&keywords=the+holistic+guide+to+weight+loss

The Last Hybrid: Bloodline of Angels by Lee Wilson

After five solid days of reading this book, I wanted to write this review right away. However, it left me in such a trance, so affected by its content, such was its power, that I had to wait a few days. The Last Hybrid starts out with Hannah going back to college at age 26. She felt compelled to do so after suffering a car accident in addition to the fact that her job at a fast food joint was taking her nowhere. Since the first time she left school was due to drinking and partying, she was resolute to not let anything get in her way to pursuing a degree. Unfortunately for her studies, her resolve lasted about a day because she met a boy, Daniel, who swept her off her feet. Little did she know what she was getting into. You see, Daniel is not your ordinary human, and Hannah learned this over the months. Daniel was involved with a powerful group called the Council (the good guys), and had to contend with it as well as dark forces.

Lee Wilson, and an accomplished actor has an impeccable understanding of how to build an effective storyline and take the reader into the stratosphere on a dizzying pursuit of adventure. In fact, this book reads like a movie, but no movie I have ever seen, because it has way too much action and romance to last just two hours. When you read this book, you will be reading it for days, but not days of drudgery, days of exhilaration! What I really like about this book is that when Daniel is in trouble, I feel like I'm him — not like I'm reading about what is happening to him. When I am reading about Hannah's ordeals, it's like I am in her shoes. There are not many authors who can pull this off, but Lee Wilson does it with panache.

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in angels, vampires, the supernatural and adventure in general. Don't worry about getting tangled up in a complex plot that may have a few dead ends in it. This book has nothing of that. It is a series of layers of events that are piled up on a solid foundation so that you, as the reader, are guaranteed a straightforward, but not dull, novel that will keep you engaged while you are reading it and asking yourself questions (such as: What will people do to continue their love for someone? and What will people do to get more power?) for days or weeks or months to come. Indeed, you might say that you will have plenty to sink your teeth (fangs) into.

Available at Amazon.