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.

Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox by Sybrina Durant

A necktie symbolizes many things in the Western world. Though it is true that people used to wear a tie more frequently in the past, it is still an article of clothing that boys and men wear proudly. We wear them to work, to school and church as well as on special occasions such as weddings, baptisms or funerals. When we wear them, we are saying, "This is a formal and special occasion and I am showing my utmost respect." People often act more formally and courteously as a result of wearing a tie.

Unless it's a clip-on tie (you can spot them from a mile away), at some point, a boy or young man needs to learn how to tie it, unless he wants to depend on someone else to tie it for him. I remember that this was a tough time for me. On one hand, I didn't like having someone wrestle with the tie knot around my neck, and on the other, I was disappointed by my trial and error method tying a tie myself. It must've taken me six months to get the knot right and the proper length.

Fortunately for those boys and young men just starting out in the world of tiedom, there is a friendly and helpful book written just for them. Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox is a lighthearted, adventuresome illustrated story about the fox chasing a rabbit and explains how this has to do with tying a tie. At the end of the book, there is even a song about this that boys can sing. Tying a tie no longer has to be traumatic or frustrating. And if English is not your first language, you'll be happy to know that you can purchase this book in either Spanish or Tagalog.

With the holidays coming up, what better gift to give in a guide on how to properly tie a tie, something that the recipient will cherish for many years to come? Below are several ways that you can get this book:

Website: http://www.sybrina.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/SybrinaPublishing?ref=hl and https://www.facebook.com/SybrinaSongs

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/102965665530138163417/posts/p/pub

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6455676.Sybrina_Durant

Twittername:  https://twitter.com/Sybrina_spt

Amazon ASAIN #: B009IRSEPO

Amazon Buy print book: http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Tie-Rabbit-Fox-Instructional/dp/0972937218

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sybrina-Durant/e/B009K3WGMS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Youbtube book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiyIoftP2yg

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sybrinad/learn-to-tie-a-tie-with-the-rabbit-and-the-fox/

A New Start by Morris Fenris

After having finished this book in a single day because I could not put it down, I would sum it up with two words: passion and compassion. It consists of two works of fiction, both dealing with coming home for Christmas. The first one is a short story entitled Christmas in King’s Gap and is about a woman fleeing from an abusive husband who seeks refuge in her hometown. The second one is a novella entitled Home for Christmas. It is also about a young woman running away from her abusive husband, except that she has children and the reader gets to learn about the new life she makes once she reaches her childhood home.

 

 

It is easy to get wrapped up in this book and forget about the world around you. Morris Fenris is a master at pitting people’s emotions against each other. Imagine the grief of losing a loved one, the anguish of being persecuted by an ex-husband and on the other hand, the joy of coming back to the place where you grew up and returning to your friends and family–right during the Christmas season which is one of the most memorable times of year. It invariably makes the reader think of his or her own hometown and personal circumstances. That is to say, that even though this is a book to lose yourself in, it is also one that will make you reflect and ponder your own life–for days after you read it.

 

 

Morris Fenris writes in an irresistible style. His sentences are elegant yet simple and I never found myself scratching my head trying to understand what he was writing or getting confused about what was going on in the story. That means that you can sit back and enjoy the book instead of having to pay excessive attention to the details. In fact, these stories are fit to be published in major magazines such as the New Yorker! I’ve read plenty of fiction there that while acceptable, is not as good as what Mr. Fenris has to offer.

 

 

And what better time to read this book than now with the Christmas holidays around the corner? It will certainly put you in the mood to appreciate your friends and loved ones. While you’re at it, why not give this book to someone you love as a Christmas present? He or she will cherish it and you will be able to share your thoughts on it in the coming months. You can purchase it at Amazon. Did I mention it is only $0.99?

Exodus Lost by S.C. Compton

It is amazing how we take so many things for granted, how much we assume about the history of the New World. Before reading Exodus Lost, I was comfortable believing that Columbus had discovered America in 1492 and that maybe, just maybe, Leif Ericsson had landed in Newfoundland a few centuries before. I also knew that the Native Americans were thought to have crossed a land bridge from Asia across what is now the Bering Strait with no mention of Africa. Thanks to Compton’s book, I can say with certainty that the Pre-Columbian world was linked beyond random encounters and coincidences. Through compelling examples backed up by hard facts, including the Bible, he links ancient Egypt with Mesoamerica, dispelling the teachings of traditional history textbooks.

You would expect a book like this to be long-winded and pedantic. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Compton’s prose is succinct and informative, the kind of writing that makes you want to turn the page and see what’s next. Despite having done thorough research, he doesn’t get hung up on quoting and referencing scholarly works and riddling his text with footnotes. Instead, he makes sure to insert 126 beautiful photos, maps and engravings, making Exodus Lost all that more amenable. Each chapter is choc full of information on the ancient world and facts as well as hypotheses that will make you want to jump out of your seat. You will also probably ask yourself a few questions. One of mine was, “Why didn’t they teach me that in school?”

This exquisite combination of informativeness and simplicity means that this book can be read by everyone, from the merely curious to historians and Bible scholars. For those of you who feel more comfortable reading this work in Spanish, you will be delighted to know that there is a Spanish translation, Éxodo Perdido, which I am happy to report is rendered so well in Spanish that I, a professional Spanish-English Translator with twenty years of experience, was unable to notice that it was indeed a translation and not the original work. This speaks well of the author, his choice of translator and reflects his scholarship and the general care invested in Exodus Lost. So I urge you to challenge your traditional textbook knowledge and uncover the mystery of the link between ancient Egypt and the New World and have a wonderful time along the way. Available as an e-book from Amazon.

The Last Train to Zona Verde

by Paul Theroux

One's idea of a country, a people, and most importantly a culture differ from reality. There is no substitute for actually going there and being there — even with the advent of the Internet which Paul Theroux points out. As much as I would like to go to Africa, with all the hardship and danger involved, I'll go with second-best, that is reading a first-hand account of an accomplished writer as he journeys through the Dark Continent.

Theroux starts out in Cape Town, South Africa at the continent's southern tip. He is not content to see the typical tourist sights. As always, he delves into what it means to be the average citizen of a nation. He takes the reader through the townships of Cape Town and describes how people live there. He is bold, and asks questions that people don't always like to answer but prove essential in understanding what makes them tick, what makes their country tick.

He then moves up the Atlantic Coast of Africa, weaving his way through Namibia where he is introduced to the Bushmen and then into the no man's land of Angola, which, he reports has no wild game animals anymore. He even teaches students in southern Angola, something he had done initially in Nyasaland, now Malawi, when he was only 22. I cannot stress how brave Paul Theroux is in taking this trip. Did I mention that at the time of the writing, he was age 70? How he could endure the fatigue of traveling overland in crowded buses on torturous roads and sometimes not eating all day I do not understand. Yet he did it. He pulled it off. It was his farewell to Africa trip.

Whenever I read a book by Paul Theroux, I not only learn about the world in which we live, I learned about myself. You see, Mr. Theroux expresses many opinions, some of which I wholeheartedly agree with and others I strongly disagree with. Sometimes the most enlightening opinions are the ones I disagree with. You see, he does not write them in such a way that he is offending the reader, at least not me. He leaves room for people to disagree with whatever they want to. For example, he mentioned that he hates going to any kind of zoo or viewing wild animals that are kept on farms, such as an elephant park in Botswana. My reply to that is that as long as the animals are well cared for and their people who benefit from and enjoy watching them, then what's the problem? In disagreeing, I strengthen my own position.

One thing I've noticed about Paul Theroux is that he doesn't exactly "go native" when he visits the countries he writes about, but he doesn't act like any American I know. It's like his "first worldness" has rubbed off and we are able to view a person who is a citizen of the world, and far beyond the sense of the cliché. He has a knack for mixing and matching cultures and attitudes and can thus get along with the people he meets on the road, a skill as valuable and laudable as any other. It doesn't matter if it's a bureaucrat, a slum dweller or someone hawking something on the road. He blends in; he takes up little space.

This is not Paul Theroux's best travel book. He harbors a great deal of disappointment. He is disappointed in the state of modern Africa with its countless cities with slums with uneducated, hopeless people. He is disappointed in the politics and terrorism and violence that keep him from traveling as far afield as he had planned. If you choose to read it, be patient. If you are, you will be rewarded by nuggets of knowledge and experience that you can either apply toward your own journey to Africa or general knowledge that will stand you in good stead.

Available at Amazon.com.