Author:James Bright Release Date: 28th September 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Guide, How-to Books, Gardening Format: E-book Pages: 121 Publisher: Heath Publishing Company Blurb: “If I wanted to have a happy garden, I must ally myself with my soil; study and help it to the utmost, untiringly … Always, the soil must come first. — Marion Dudley Cran, the 1st woman gardening broadcaster In Vegetable Garden Soil Science Made Easy, garden fertility and soil science expert James R. Bright draws on many years of cultivating high-yield vegetable gardens to provide you with proven methods that anybody can use to easily set up your garden to grow healthy vegetable crops, even if you have never planted vegetables before, or have limited space and time to grow delicious vegetables, spices, and other gardens delights. As Ms. Cron said in the 1930s, the key to growing a beautiful garden anywhere in the world is maintaining fertile soil, and in this easy-to-understand gardening book, James Bright teaches all gardeners how to understand soil composition, soil testing, PH levels and acidity, soil moisture and soil microbes – and how to manage these vital soil factors each year in your garden, without buying expensive fertilizers or garden tools.
In this straightforward and practical soil maintenance and gardening book, you will learn:
In-depth explanations of all of the most important soil characteristics of high-yielding gardens… and how to optimize your home garden soil to produce the most vegetables with the fewest extra soil additives, fertilizers and chemicals.
Easy step-by-step directions for setting up amazingly productive gardens whether you have a large yard or a limited space, including inexpensive hand-made raised bed gardens and container gardens, as well as how to plant no-dig gardens, the best option for in-ground home gardens.
Seasonal soil maintenance – how to treat soil and your garden after harvest each year to improve soil conditions for the next growing season.
The perfect soil mix for raised bed gardens and container gardens to get the ideal mixture of organic matter for nutrients, moisture retention, and aeration.
Proven soil testing methods to determine the timing and amounts of organic fertilizers, lime, nitrogen, nutrients, or soil microbes to improve soil health and maximize fertility.
How to protect beneficial soil microbes, understand your soil’s ecosystem, and apply this knowledge for bountiful vegetable production.
If you have ever struggled to produce beautiful, healthy fruits and vegetables, the problem is not you – it’s poor soil… and there is a solution. It’s time to start setting up your home garden for success, and years of producing cheap, healthy vegetables, as well providing you with many hours of relaxing outdoor activity and a sense of individual accomplishment, when you save hundreds of dollars in grocery bills and grow your own organic food.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Vegetable Garden Soil Science Made Easy: Create a Soil Base for Abundant Harvests in Your Raised Bed, Container, or No-Dig Garden by James Bright is a marvellous book that teaches about the complicated yet extremely important science of soil in an extremely simple and understandable way.
This book is a practical guide for everyone who likes greenery and wants to grow a vegetable garden in their backyard in small containers, on a terrace garden, or on a farm. This book is an excellent guide for beginners, especially as the author, James Bright, break down complicated concepts into simple-to-understand, bite-sized pieces of information that are not only easily digestible but also very practical to apply and get results.
I’d recommend this book to everyone who wants to have their own vegetable garden, as this book offers a lot of knowledge on the most important element of vegetable gardening: the soil!
Author: John Walker Pattison Release Date: 29th October 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 233 Publisher: – Blurb: Me and My Shadow – Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor is a brutally honest account of one teenager’s struggle to understand and deal with the most feared diagnosis known to society: cancer. At 18 years of age, John Walker Pattison was thrust onto a roller coaster ride of emotional turbulence – his innocence cruelly stripped from him; his fate woven into the tapestry of life. After years of failed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments that ravaged his physical frame and almost destroyed his psychological stability – his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet, today, he is one of the longest surviving cancer patients in the UK.
Eight years after his unexpected recovery, the news that all parents fear, his daughter is diagnosed with terminal leukaemia. Yet like her father, she too would defy the odds and go on to become an international swimmer. Pattison turned his life full circle and became a cancer nurse specialist at the same hospital that made his diagnosis decades earlier. He prescribes chemotherapy and cares for individuals with the same cancers experienced by both him and his daughter. Throughout his journey, Pattison’s inspirations were the space rock legends, Hawkwind. He would get to play on stage with his heroes at the Donnington Festival in 2007. More significantly, he found solace throughout his cancer journey in the history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux Nation. In 2018, he would spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the indigenous people of South Dakota. The same people who, unknowingly, supported him through life’s greatest challenge: cancer.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Me and My Shadow: Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor by John Walker Pattison is a gut-wrenching, eye-opening and heart-melting read from the author who shares his experience of not only living with cancer but also overcoming it, having been through seeing his daughter having it and seeing her overcome it. This book is an emotional roller-coaster of ups and downs that the author had experienced throughout his life, since his teenage years when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
This book serves as s tremendous source of information and inspiration because it has a lot to offer to all its readers. The emotional turmoil in the book conveys the hardships and predicaments that the author had to suffer many times in his life and makes the readers connect with the author on completely another level.
This book would be best for anyone suffering from cancer or any other terminal illness, a survivor of one, or the family member of anyone suffering from a terminal illness or anyone really who wants to read about how it feels to be stuck in such a situation and yet not to lose hope and in fact come out of it stronger. Really, everyone should give this book a read as there are so many takeaways for each reader in this book.
Author: O. Banks Release Date: 5th September 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, How-To, Guide, Animal Care Format: E-book Pages: 156 Publisher: Blurb: If you are yearning for respite from the cumbersome task of probing the undying cause of deteriorating chicken health and seek to learn preventative and integrative healthcare practices that save your gallinaceous pet from embarking upon a punitive expedition… You might want to pique your curious appetite by delving into this book. Do you ever feel as if your indomitable spirit and love for your backyard chickens are being pushed to the brink of collapse by communicable diseases that drive a wedge between your chickens and unblemished health? Consider your exploratory spelunking adventure into the depths of uncertainty to be over! This book weaves the essential healthcare practices into the fabric of raising chicken flocks needed to mitigate the spread of diseases. The process of caring for these inherently inseparable gallinaceous members of the family can be turned into a snag-free greased slide by peering into this book, which encompasses all elements of veterinary care.
Amid the sanctimonious abyss created by multitudes of books with the premise of the argument articulated solely through palliative care, this book enlightens a higher path toward raising a healthy brood through unique management practices that avert the possibility of the brood catching disease. These practices have been corroborated by studies that have glaringly proved that healthy chickens produce healthier eggs and meat. Surrendering to the hearty clasp of this awe-inspiring book is inevitable because this book:
Provides the diagnostic tools required to identify health problems in chickens and the ways through which they can be overcome.
Lays out plans for structuring sanitary and hygienic chicken coops that provide a safe environment for the flock.
Addresses ways of stifling the burgeoning threat of antimicrobial resistance that results from the overuse of antibiotics.
Highlights quintessential brood health maintenance techniques that ameliorate egg-laying problems and maximize yield.
Conveys cost-effective alternative care regimens combined with knowledge of hazardous backyard materials that are detrimental to chickens if ingested.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Beginners Guide to Chicken Health and Care: How to Optimize Your Flock’s Health, Avoid Diseases and Losses by O. Banks is an extremely insightful book about raising chickens and taking good care of them. The author has methodically laid out the plans and strategies needed to provide a safe environment for one’s flock and has provided a lot of useful insights into how to deal with and manage different types of medical conditions in the flock.
This book is a treasure trove of information for anyone looking to raise and maintain a chicken shed/farm or flock in a very systematic and sensible way. The book is well-structured and the author’s writing is very clear, concise and to the point.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get into poultry farming or knows anyone who plans to.
Author:Gina Ross Release Date: 10th August 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help Format: E-book Pages: 123 pages Publisher: – Blurb: HAPPINESS MADE EASY Although there is evidence to show that some people are genetically born happier than others, there is also a mountain of proof that this can be changed and that happiness is, in fact, a choice. In 14 Lessons in Happiness, Gina Ross, a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist, teaches you how to be happier with simple and practical tips and techniques outlined within the following lessons:
LESSON ONE: Maintain a Positive Outlook
LESSON TWO: Pay Attention To Your Breathing
LESSON THREE: Meditate Daily
LESSON FOUR: Practice Mindfulness
LESSON FIVE: Love Yourself
LESSON SIX: Be More Confident
LESSON SEVEN: Pursue Your Dreams
LESSON EIGHT: Be Kind
LESSON NINE: Learn to Deal With Negative Emotions
LESSON TEN: Learn To Deal With Other People’s Negativity
LESSON ELEVEN: Practice Forgiveness
LESSON TWELVE: Learn To Deal With Fear And Anxiety
LESSON THIRTEEN: What To Do When You F**K UP
LESSON FOURTEEN: Dealing With Death
Overall, 14 Lessons in Happiness will give you the tools needed to experience the following:
an increase in inner calm;
an ability to reduce anxiety;
strength to conquer fears and phobias;
an improvement in relationships; and
an overall unleashing of self-love and self-confidence.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
14 Lessons in Happiness: A Guidebook on Improving Your Life by Gina Ross is a new self-help book that teaches the reader to learn to be happy (or be happier) as it is an emotion that can be inculcated through simple daily practices listed in the book.
This book is a treasure trove of advice for anyone seeking to learn how to have a more positive outlook towards themselves, their lives and their surroundings and be a better and happier person overall. The author, who is a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist, has come up with a great set of simple-to-follow practices that the readers can easily practice and perform consistently in their daily busy lives and achieve their goals of living a happier and healthier life.
I’d strongly recommend this book to every self-help book reader as this has a lot to offer and ais a pretty quick read packed with a lot of useful tidbits.
Author:Nick Gray Release Date: 14th June 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Social Skills, Self-Help, How-To Format: E-book Pages: 278 pages Publisher: Lioncrest Publishing Blurb: You know that well-connected friend who only exists in the movies? The one who throws the best parties and can set up any introduction you need? Everyone wants to know someone magical like this who brings people together. The secret is: you can be that person. You should be that person. The 2-Hour Cocktail Party will show you how. Discover a simple formula with step-by-step instructions to host parties that help you meet new people, strengthen your existing relationships, and make you the person everyone wants to know.
You’ll learn which days are the best (probably not the ones you think!) and what to say to the first people who arrive. Read how to ensure your invitations get responses and your guests show up excited to mingle. Plus, get helpful pre-party checklists and a breakdown of activities to encourage new connections. With The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, you’ll make new friends, boost your career, and leave everyone asking, “When’s your next party?” Pick up your copy today!
“An encouraging, upbeat, and useful call to host parties and make friends.”
2022 KIRKUS STAR AWARD
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray is a useful book on hosting parties that would be sure-as-hell engaging and make you the ‘it’ person in town with whom everybody would want to connect with.
This book goes into detail about not just how to host fun and successful parties but also lists the kind-of dos and don’t at the party, ways to make sure your guests accept your invite and actually show up to your party and then have a fantastic experience while at your party.
If you are someone who is not sure about throwing your first or the most amazing cocktail party then this book is definitely for you!
Author: R Luciani Release Date: 4th October 2021 Series: Star Personality Styles (Vol #2) Genre: Christian Non Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 400 pages Publisher: KoHoE Publishing Blurb: Everyone marries with the hope of feeling wedding bliss “until death do us part”. At the time of writing this book, several sources reported that 60% to 85% of marriages are unhappy, and the Divorce Rate (in Canada) is around 38%; this means that 22% to 47% of married couples remain in unhappy marriages until death do they part. Only 7% of conflicts are due to the words of the message; 93% of conflicts are due to the delivery of the message (quality of voice and body language); it is my intent to help people comprehend and resolve conflicts that are due to a simple misunderstanding of different personality styles – before conflict escalation. With the right rules and the right tools, wedding bliss “until death do us part” is possible for every marriage. “STAR Personality Styles” is based on principles from the Holy Bible,but don’t let the source of information turn you away. Almost everyone (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, and even atheists) with whom I have shared the information directly (one-on-one, couples, or small groups) has reported to me that they have benefited from the information contained in this book.
STAR Personality Styles uses principles from the Holy Bible to explain: (1) the Negative, as well as the Positive, Personality Styles; (2) how to deal with people who have Negative Personality Styles; (3) how to overcome Negative Personality Styles within ourselves; (4) Safe, Effective, and Calm Conflict Resolution; (5) a comprehensive set of rules to promote the most satisfying relationship for all Interpersonal Relationships. STAR Personality Styles Complete (Volumes 1 & 2) contains both Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) and Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) in a single book. If you (the reader) are interested in both Personality Styles and Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, the Complete version (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-0-1 available through AMAZON) is the book for you. STAR Personality Styles Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) explains the different Personality Styles: Positive (STAR) and Negative (RATS) and answers how and why the differences can cause unhappy relationships. If you (the reader) are only interested in Personality Styles, Volume 1 (ISBN-13 978-1-7778566-1-8 available through AMAZON) is the book for you. STAR Personality Styles Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) explains how to establish and nourish Love, Joy, Peace, and Harmony in your relationships with different personality styles – of course, success depends on your commitment to the relationship. If you (the reader) are only interested in Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, Volume 2 (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-2-5 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.
This book is a complete package with the first volume providing insights to the readers about the relationship mechanisms and context into how exactly people’s minds work while being in relationships and dealing with them and the second book giving a detailed look into conflict resolution and various solutions related to relationship problems. The author uses examples, anecdotes and teachings from the Bible in order to present his ideas but he has done so in such a way that even if you are not a Christian and have not read the Bible it’ll all make perfect sense to you.
The author’s writing has a beautiful flow and the style of writing resonated with me. I was able to read this book very easily and without any difficulty related to the pacing of the prose.
This combined book is great for anyone looking to understand the “why” behind human psychology of relationships and also the “what to do” in case they find themselves facing a related problem.
Author: Thad R Harshbarger Release Date: 5th April 2022 Series: Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 332 pages Publisher: Blurb: If you have insomnia, you want relief as soon as possible, and you need a path to your own answer. Your Sleep Map will help you link together a series of decisions and actions to identify the sources of your insomnia, and once you do that, you will be better able to make changes to relieve it. The book begins where you are, with symptoms and a history. It moves forward by posing questions about your insomnia. Your answers to those questions will define a path that leads to suggestions for treatment.
Each chapter-map is initiated by a flow chart that organizes its component sections of text. You follow the flow chart, and when you need more information, you read the associated section of text. In that way, you individualize the text to suit your own needs. You actually only read a part of the book – the part that matters to you. This form of organization emphasizes the choices you need to make in order to get better sleep. It fits the book to you, and not you to the book. You use a method or technique that you have chosen because it suits your needs and issues, and you eliminate a lot of techniques that are interesting but irrelevant. For more, look at the Overview, pages 3 to 5, to see how the book is organized. The first map begins on page 6.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Your Sleep Map: Navigating Your Own Path to Relief from Insomnia by Dr. Thad R. Harshbarger is an extensively insightful and practical book that would help the readers not only to explore their insomnia or sleep-related issues in general but also find an effective solution for it. The book is written well with the author using simplified language and explaining difficult technical terms for the reader’s understanding which made reading this book smooth-sailing.
As the author claims in the blurb, this book really is a tailor-made kind of read thanks to its various extensively researched and meticulously figured out flow charts making it a really special and personalised read. I found a lot of helpful information in this book which I am planning to implement in my routine as well as add to my habits in order to improve my sleeping schedule. This book has loads of useful and practical information and I’m glad that I read it!
I would highly recommend this book to everyone as most people suffer from some sort of sleep-related issues, if not exactly insomnia, and this book could actually help you.
Author: R Luciani Release Date: 4th October 2021 Series: Star Personality Styles (Vol #2) Genre: Christian Non Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 270 pages Publisher: KoHoE Publishing Blurb: Everyone marries with the hope of feeling wedding bliss “until death do us part”. At the time of writing this book, several sources reported that 60% to 85% of marriages are unhappy, and the Divorce Rate (in Canada) is around 38%; this means that 22% to 47% of married couples remain in unhappy marriages until death do they part. Only 7% of conflicts are due to the words of the message; 93% of conflicts are due to the delivery of the message (quality of voice and body language); it is my intent to help people comprehend and resolve conflicts that are due to a simple misunderstanding of different personality styles – before conflict escalation. With the right rules and the right tools, wedding bliss “until death do us part” is possible for every marriage. “STAR Personality Styles” is based on principles from the Holy Bible,but don’t let the source of information turn you away. Almost everyone (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, and even atheists) with whom I have shared the information directly (one-on-one, couples, or small groups) has reported to me that they have benefited from the information contained in this book.
STAR Personality Styles uses principles from the Holy Bible to explain: (1) the Negative, as well as the Positive, Personality Styles; (2) how to deal with people who have Negative Personality Styles; (3) how to overcome Negative Personality Styles within ourselves; (4) Safe, Effective, and Calm Conflict Resolution; (5) a comprehensive set of rules to promote the most satisfying relationship for all Interpersonal Relationships. STAR Personality Styles Complete (Volumes 1 & 2) contains both Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) and Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) in a single book. If you (the reader) are interested in both Personality Styles and Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, the Complete version (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-0-1 available through AMAZON) is the book for you. STAR Personality Styles Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) explains the different Personality Styles: Positive (STAR) and Negative (RATS) and answers how and why the differences can cause unhappy relationships. If you (the reader) are only interested in Personality Styles, Volume 1 (ISBN-13 978-1-7778566-1-8 available through AMAZON) is the book for you. STAR Personality Styles Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) explains how to establish and nourish Love, Joy, Peace, and Harmony in your relationships with different personality styles – of course, success depends on your commitment to the relationship. If you (the reader) are only interested in Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, Volume 2 (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-2-5 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
STAR Personality Styles (Vol.2: TOOLS & RULES) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behindby R. Luciani is the second volume to STAR Personality Styles (Vol.1: STARS & RATS) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behind. This book goes further in exploring the relationship dynamics between two people and explains ways to effectively resolve conflicts.
Author R. Luciani again draws largely from the Holy Bible to explain and describe ways in which relationship conflicts can be easily resolved with a little patience and understanding. I found the concepts explained in his book very helpful and feel positive that they would help others greatly too.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is going through a difficult time in their relationship and needs help, advice or is seeking direction in general.
Author:Paul Daniel Release Date: 14th July 2022 Series: Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 269 pages Publisher: Blurb: As children, we were often so happy because it was easy for us to enter the playful mind. The “playful mind” is the mentality of being receptive to engagement with the present moment. As we got older, this playful mind became interfered with, making it more difficult for us to enter this mental state. If we are not mentally receptive to the present moment, it becomes harder for us to engage with it and produce feelings of happiness.
In this book, Paul Daniel identifies what is interfering with the playful mind and how to remove them. Primarily, there are mental frameworks we’ve adopted growing up that inhibit our satisfaction and cause us suffering. Such mental frameworks today preoccupy our thoughts and keep us from engaging with what is happening right in front of us. By dismantling these mental frameworks and removing other sources of interference, we can more easily enter the playful mind again – even as adults. With easier access to the playful mind, you will be able to experience more happiness in each moment.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
The Playful Mind: How to Restore the Happiness We Experienced as Children by Paul Daniel is a very informative book about understanding how the mind works and how we can choose to be more present in the present moment (something like mindfulness but not exactly like it) and be more happy and assertive as a result.
I liked reading this book because it had a lot of information on self-growth and self-development and I found most of it easily understandable and applicable in daily life which I really appreciate. The book is written well and has a good flow. I was able to finish the book pretty quickly so for me it fit in well with my schedule and busy work life.
I’d recommend this book to everyone who likes reading self-development books, especially the ones focused on how the mind works and the various practices that help one achieve better and stress-free living.
Author:Poppy Mortimer Release Date: 10th May 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 276 pages Publisher: Poppy Mortimer Blurb: Poppy Mortimer is hungry for love. Will she find The One, or lose her appetite for men, forever? Smart, attractive, and fueled by wide-eyed optimism, Poppy Mortimer leaves rainy England to start a new life-and find the perfect man-in exotic Australia. Surely somewhere out there, a Chris Hemsworth impersonator is just waiting to whisk her off her feet and show her the real charms of ‘Down Under’. But as Poppy launches into 28 dates, ranging from the outright hysterical to borderline traumatic, it becomes clear she’s going to have to kiss a few frogs-assuming she doesn’t croak first. From the seven-foot giant with a disturbing workout practice, to the exclusive party that turns out to be a lot more than just cocktails and canapes, Poppy starts to wonder if she should sue Disney for giving her false hope.
With gusto, humour, and a lot of heart, Poppy digs deep into her past as a child of divorce, and her ongoing journey as a modern woman and devoted romantic. Through laughter, tears, and characters that are truly stranger than fiction, Poppy won’t stop until she finds true love-or something even greater. Fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Sex and the City (or any person who wants to feel better about their own dating life) will love this book.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir by Poppy Mortimer is a funny account of the author’s troubled yet exciting and often amusing love life. In this book, the author pens down her disastrous dates, the things she learned from each of them, and how she went on to the next, thinking she won’t be making the same mistakes but ending up somehow on another disastrous first date.
I liked how the author used her sense of humour to keep the tone of the book light and made it funny and thus more relatable as well as easily palatable for the readers. The author’s writing style is good and the writing had a good flow which made this book a really easy and fast read.
I’d recommend this book to all readers of humorous non-fiction as I’m sure this book has a lot to offer to all its readers whether they are men or women.
Author: Daniel G. Vintner Release Date: 24th May 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Philosophy Format: E-book Pages: 263 pages Publisher: Boros Dániel Blurb: Darwin’s theory of evolution has been widely regarded as one of the greatest accomplishments of science. Except for a few individuals, most scientists have dismissed the issues that have crept up in the last century related to and in opposition to the theory of evolution. However, developments in molecular biology and genetics have failed to address some of the original concerns with the theory and also exposed even more significant flaws that should not be overlooked. The evolution debate has been raging on the outskirts of academia for two centuries, and the sides have never been further apart than they are now. “Science versus religion” and “evolution versus creationism” was what the audience heard for a long time. In the twentieth century, God was brought down into the fighting pits of scientific society to duke it out with Charles Darwin, and for the longest time, it seemed he had lost the match for good. In recent times, though, God has put his gloves back on and seems to have managed to insert himself back into the debate.
Or has he? Has anything really changed in this debate, which is as old as debates themselves? Did evolution change, or science, or God himself? What is true from the grandiose claims of those who claim to have resurrected God by virtue of their arguments? And what truth is there in the words of the scientists who claim to have buried him?
Some Mistakes of Darwin goes back to the beginning of evolutionary thought and verifies every claim made by Darwin and his successors. Everything is put to the test, and nothing is off limits. No claim is accepted without verification and no argument is beyond questioning. Travel from the birth of genetics and molecular biology, through the advances in software engineering, to the far ends of space and time and beyond. By the last chapter, the book goes full circle and reaches the same conclusion as the philosophers of old have, from the same facts but a different perspective, arguing from science, not from scripture, for a new theory of life.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Some Mistakes of Darwin and a Programmer’s Theory of Life by Daniel G. Vintner is a very interesting book to read that will leave you thinking really hard about the age-old debate of ‘science vs religion.’
This book had a very unique premise and to say that I was intrigued by this book would be a huge understatement. After reading the book I was really impressed by the author’s arguments presented in the book and believed them to be true, finding myself leaning toward his explanations and thus, his side, more than I thought was possible. Without giving away any spoilers, I would just like to say that be prepared to be swayed from your one-sided stand after reading this book because the author might just be able to convince you to agree with his arguments.
I would strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes to explore and read about Darwin’s Theory of evolution.
Author: R Luciani Release Date: 4th October 2021 Series: Star Personality Styles (Vol #1) Genre: Christian Non Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 302 pages Publisher: KoHoE Publishing Blurb: Everyone marries with the hope of feeling wedding bliss “until death do us part”. At the time of writing this book, several sources reported that 60% to 85% of marriages are unhappy, and the Divorce Rate (in Canada) is around 38%; this means that 22% to 47% of married couples remain in unhappy marriages until death do they part. Only 7% of conflicts are due to the words of the message; 93% of conflicts are due to the delivery of the message (quality of voice and body language); it is my intent to help people comprehend and resolve conflicts that are due to a simple misunderstanding of different personality styles – before conflict escalation. With the right rules and the right tools, wedding bliss “until death do us part” is possible for every marriage. “STAR Personality Styles” is based on principles from the Holy Bible,but don’t let the source of information turn you away. Almost everyone (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, and even atheists) with whom I have shared the information directly (one-on-one, couples, or small groups) has reported to me that they have benefited from the information contained in this book.
STAR Personality Styles uses principles from the Holy Bible to explain: (1) the Negative, as well as the Positive, Personality Styles; (2) how to deal with people who have Negative Personality Styles; (3) how to overcome Negative Personality Styles within ourselves; (4) Safe, Effective, and Calm Conflict Resolution; (5) a comprehensive set of rules to promote the most satisfying relationship for all Interpersonal Relationships.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
STAR Personality Styles (Vol.1: STARS And RATS) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behindby R. Luciani is a brilliant and insightful book about the workings of people’s personalities and their relationships. Pastor Ross Luciani has highlighted the types of personalities and the ways to deal with such personalities in his latest 2-volume book series, STAR Personality Styles using his knowledge of the Bible to draw parallels and to define personalities and the ways to handle the negative ones.
I am a firm believer that religious texts are mostly written keeping in mind a common man and how this common man can overcome obstacles in their daily life and live happily. Cementing on this belief, I had the privilege to get the opportunity to read and review books by author R. Luciani who draws heavily from the Holy Bible to explain and describe different kinds of people around us and how their personalities bare an influence on their relationships, especially marriage – the most sacred of all relationships.
I think this book would be helpful to anyone in general, Christian or not (which means it is okay if you have or have not read Bible previously) as this book has a lot of useful information about how people think in general and behave according to how they are and the way they see this world. Reading this book would give a really insightful look into the workings of certain relationships and I am sure you’ll be glad after reading this book and, like me, would want to jump on to the next one to know more about conflict resolution too.
Author: Susan Salenger Release Date: 10th April 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction > Health Format: E-book Pages: 224 pages Publisher: She Writes Press Blurb: DON’T MAKE ANOTHER HEALTHCARE DECISION WITHOUT READING THIS BOOK “If men had cramps, they’d have cured this by now…” “I told my doctor about my pain for years, but he told me it was all in my head…” “My doctor removed my IUD without anesthesia because ‘there aren’t any nerve endings in there.’ Boy, was he wrong!” These and countless other comments from women who’ve suffered at the hands of the healthcare industry are frighteningly common… but they don’t have to be.
Sidelined: How Women Manage & Mismanage Their Health discloses how women have been marginalized and hesitate to take control over their own healthcare. But what’s behind this nationwide medical crisis? Too often, women: · Ignore their symptoms to avoid being “difficult.” · Downplay their suffering out of fear of being branded “hysterical.” · Are reluctant to question their doctors’ assessments, even if they don’t seem right. The end result could be inferior care, which can lead to serious consequences. In Sidelined, writer and researcher Susan Salenger explains why women are misdiagnosed more often than men, and why their symptoms often go unrecognized or even disputed. This book teaches readers how to: · Take charge of their health. · Communicate their medical needs with their doctor. · Make informed decisions about their own healthcare. · Leave their appointments with answers instead of just questions.
Knowing how to advocate for your own healthcare can mean the difference between healthy outcomes and years of needless agony or even death. This important women’s health book equips readers with the knowledge, language, and skill sets they need to overcome the gender bias that is present in the medical industry and get the best healthcare possible.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Sidelined: How Women Manage and Mismanage Their Health by Susan Salengeris a keenly essential and extremely well-researched book on women’s health that should be read by all women and even men so that they can know the challenges and help out and, when required, take better care of their partners, mothers, sisters and friends.
This book simply BLEW my mind as it had so much relevant and essential information that I had not been expecting at all. I mean, of course, I was expecting some information and advice, but this book turned out to be a whole treasure trove of valuable insights, practical examples and experiences, advice on what to do, how to do and what not to do and if to do something then how exactly to do it. This book even covered the misconceptions harboured by doctors themselves and how these could be way more harmful to patients that the disease itself. So ladies, start by choosing the right doctors and gynacs for yourself. No more going for the douche doctors who think period pains are “just in your head.”
To summarise in one sentence, this book is a must-read for all women and even men, who have women in their life whom they really love. I would strongly suggest this book to EVERYONE on this planet! GO, get this book and read it!
Author: June Rousso Release Date: 17th February 2022 Series: Genre: Young-Adult, Non-Fiction, Inspirational Format: E-book Pages: 83 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Building Resilience and Finding Meaning in Life: A Guide for Teens is an interactive book meant to engage readers in learning how to face adversities in life and to find meaning in these experiences. It gives the message that we have a treasure chest of inner resources that can be called upon in the face of adversity. These resources must be discovered and, in some instances, developed to build resilience and find what holds personal meaning. Along with discovering meaning in adversity readers are encouraged to look for meaningful moments in their lives rather than engaging in activities that often lead them to feel empty inside.
The guide also can be read by counselors and educators to help teens cope and live a more meaningful life. The guide was inspired by the teachings of Dr. Viktor Frankl, noted author of Man’s Search for Meaning, and by the research findings on character strengths presented by the VIA Institute on Character.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Building Resilience And Finding Meaning In Life by June Rousso is a very inspirational young-adult book on practical and easy-to-follow strategies and instructions for facing everyday adversities for teens. The main thing that I loved about this book is that it is tailor-made for teenagers, which is pretty rare and also abundantly helpful because the author has especially highlighted problems and solutions faced by teenagers regularly.
The author’s writing is simple, succinct and very undeviating, which I found to be most appropriate, as the author delved directly into the strategies she has to offer without the jargon that spoils most books in this particular genre. So I really appreciate the author’s directness.
This book has a lot of meaningful and practical life lessons for teenagers (and even for adults if you want to read this book being a non-teenage or an adult.) If you have a teenager in your family then you should definitely gift them this book as it will help them tremendously
Author:Otto Bocktopus Release Date: 1st June 2022 Series: Genre: Humor, Fictional Memoir, Corporate Comedy, Self-Help Format: E-book Pages: 142 pages Publisher: Purple Piggybank Press Blurb: You probably never met anyone who thinks like Otto – laugh your way to a new life perspective! People always told Otto that working hard would lead to being more successful and that being more successful would lead to being happy. But that wasn’t true. Shake your head at his antics, giggle at his tales, and come away with a whole new perspective on companies and work and laziness and happiness. At his first job, Otto Bocktopus busted ass and made $3.35/hour. Last year, like most years, he was paid about $700K and he did nothing. He does only what he wants, yet he is always getting paid. How did he get from there to here? And, can you?
If you believe that working hard will lead to being more successful and that being more successful will lead to being happy, and you find yourself planning to work hard your whole life until around the time your body starts to fail, then this book can teach you the fallacy of your thinking and help you find true happiness. Told through the lens of his outrageous work experiences, Otto will make you laugh and make you think. You may shake your head at his antics but you will come away with a whole different way of thinking about companies and business leaders and work and laziness and happiness. Don’t miss out on the hilarious online quizzes at the end of each chapter! Test your understanding of Otto’s perspective and laugh! Check out the quiz on Otto’s website.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Pay Me To Do Nothing! How a Lazy, Broke and Tired Boy Found His Calling by Otto Bocktopus is a funny fictional corporate memoir that has tons of life lessons for its readers.
I loved reading this book, admittedly more than I had been expecting because it had so much to offer. First of all, I loved the way the story (the fictional memoir) was told through the POV of Otto, a character, almost everyone can relate to in some way or another. Secondly, the sheer value of the lessons covered in this book is simply outstanding. In spite of it being a corporate comedy, the lessons from this book can be applied to any area with a little tweaking. And lastly, I loved the humorous undercurrent that ran through the book. I appreciated the author’s clever and subtle sense of humour and it made reading this book feel like a very smooth ride.
I liked the writing style of the author. The characterisation was good and felt apt for the purpose this book was written. I loved the situations that were covered in this book and overall I think this book has a lot to offer to everyone. Therefore, I’d highly recommend it to all readers who’d like to read about a quirky character and learn tons of life lessons in doing so!
Author:David Skiddy Release Date: 15th February 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Productivity Format: E-book Pages: 136 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Beyond Classwork – How to prepare for a successful adult life to achieve your dreams and live life how you want to How prepared are you to leave the nest and start living on your own – away from your parents’ shadows? Are you about to be of age but feel inadequate to move out and run a household on your own? Would you like to understand the 8th wonder of the world – adulthood and everything in between? Adulthood comes with its share of joys and challenges, and age doesn’t always mean that you are ready to live independently. Known as the advent of adulthood, teenage years mark a period where you need to make crucial decisions that will set the pace for your future. It’s the best time to gather all the bricks and building materials you need to transition into adulthood.
Life skills form the foundation of the future you’ve always dreamed of and admired. While learning and developing these skills is a continuous process that never ends, the bulk of it occurs during your teen years. This guide is designed to help equip teenagers with the tools they need to maximize their potential and enjoy a fulfilling life. In Essential Life Skills For Teens, you’ll discover:
Life hacks to help you think more critically and reason your way out of difficult situations
How to become financially savvy by learning how to manage, budget, save, and spend money wisely
Goal-setting strategies that ensure you set practical goals and steps to achieve them
The bittersweet side of social media – how to leverage technology for your own good, stay safe, and avoid losing yourself in the likes and dislikes
How to solve problems like a pro and avoid getting stuck on a challenge for longer than you should
Executive functioning skills you need to make every minute of your day count towards your life’s dreams
20+ innovative ways to make money as a teen using readily available resources no matter where you live
And so much more! There are many essential survival skills you need for successful adulting that aren’t included in the syllabus at school – yet you’ll find them right inside. As you get older and take on more responsibilities, you’ll be equipped to do many of the adult tasks your parents seem to breeze through daily. Filled with practical insights, easy-to-follow tips, and thoughtful guidance, this handbook will empower you to make good choices – both now and in the future. If you want to experience the future you envision and prepare for adult life, then scroll up and click the “Add to Cart” button right now.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Essential Life Skills For Teens by David Skiddy is an informative and important book that will not only teach teens (and even adults) how to navigate through the tricky waters of today’s digital and stressful world but also excel with remarkable results.
This book is written in a simple writing that has a great flow and is easily understandable. The structuring of the book is done well and helps navigate the pages and the advice of the author in a clear way. I took down a lot of notes while reading this book and I feel so glad that I read it because no matter what your age is, it is always great to stumble upon texts of information that have the power to simplify your life.
I would strongly recommend this book to all non-fiction readers and to those who have teens in their homes or families.
Author: C.J. Hudson Release Date: NA Series: The Fairhaven Series (Book #1) Genre: Romantic Memoir Format: E-book Pages: 242 pages Publisher: NA Blurb: Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street is the story of one man’s eight-year journey to get back to the girl next door.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street by C.J. Hudson is a touching memoir about how author found love.
I liked this book because it feels like a very honest book as the author as not shied away from pouring out his heart. The writing is simply yet the flow of it makes reading this book effortless. The concept of this book is beautiful and the emotions are raw and sincere.
This book is an exceptional emotional read and I would definitely recommend it to all the readers of memoirs and romance genre.
Author:Robert Uttaro Release Date: 20th December 2021 Genre: Memoir, Mental Health, Psychology, Non-Fiction Series: Format: E-book Pages: 251 pages Publisher: Blurb: To the Survivors is about one man’s journey as a rape crisis counselor with true stories of sexual violence shared by survivors in their own words. Gently and beautifully constructed, To the Survivors is moving, tender, sharp, and piercingly true all at once. Readers will encounter uncensored written stories, poems, and interviews from women and men who have experienced rape and sexual assault, plus the advocate-author voice that weaves their experiences together. The survivors are diverse in age, gender, and ethnicity, yet each gives a similarity raw and heartfelt account of his or her victimization and recovery. The authenticity and vulnerability with which survivors speak resonates profoundly. But this book is not just for survivors of sexual violence. Robert Uttaro believes anyone can benefit from the words in these pages, rape survivor or not.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
To The Survivors by Robert Uttaro is a heartfelt memoir about rape survivors. Each and every chapter in this book is a different survivor story written by the author, lending it a voice that could be heard by everyone. It wasn’t always easy to read these stories, but I felt that it was important, in some way, to read them all, and to spread awareness about this book because the more the people read this book, the more the victims and survivors will feel heard.
I would recommend this book to every reader, though I would also like to caution them about a plethora of triggers that this book has. So read the blurb carefully before starting this book. If you are okay with the triggers then this book is a beautiful one that will open your eyes to the many things women are subjected to in the world and will help you broaden your perspective when it comes to feminism and why it is needed in the first place among many such misunderstood concepts.
Author: Phoenix Read Release Date: November 2021 Genre: Non-Fiction, Finance Series: Format: E-book Pages: 144 pages Publisher: Blurb: The Teens’ Guide to Personal Finance: How to Save, Invest, Build Your Wealth, and Become Richer than Your Parents
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Making Money For Teenagers by Phoenix Read is a book on managing finances for teenagers.
I liked this book because it has some really good advice for teenagers on how to not only make and save that money but also on how to invest it diligently. I personally think that kids should be taught the investment side of finances from an early age, and this book is exactly that. A lot of people don’t even think about investment until they are well into their 30s and then they end up taking wrong or unyielding decisions. This happens because of a lack of education and experience in investing money from an early age. I loved this book because it focuses on building investment mentality early on in a person’s life which will prove very effective and healthy in the long run.
The writing in this book is simple and can be easily understood by teens. The author has gone to lengths to explain complicated terminologies as well as concepts in very simple way that would definitely help the teen readers to understand them and be able to execute the strategies explained in this book in their lives.
I would highly recommend this book to all teen readers, as well the parents of pre-teen readers so that they can help them understand the concepts of this book better.
Author:Morgan Quaid Release Date: 8th November 2021 Genre: YA, Fantasy, Dystopian Fiction Series: Rust Chronicles (Book #1) Format: E-book Pages: 322 pages Publisher: Markosia Enterprises Blurb: Are you ready to fight? Abducted in the dead of night by a mountainous thug and a ginger-haired dwarf, eighteen-year-old Jack Flint is taken to an underground bunker where he and a group of other teens are forced to fight an implacable enemy in a dream world rife with danger. Whiplash is a fast-paced story set with a rich and intricately detailed fantasy world where nightmarish creatures from the world of dreams threaten the waking world and teens with the ability to lucid dream must fight in a war for humanity’s survival. Above the throng, powerful demigods vie for control while Jack and his companions struggle to find a path out of the madness. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Divergent and Ender’s Game.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Whiplash by Morgan Quaid, the first book in the Rust Chronicles series, is a highly imaginative, original and entertaining story.
After a long time, I’ve finally found a young adult book that was actually as good as the blurb suggested. This book has rich characterisation and a brilliant world-building that made this book a memorable read. I loved to read about each and every character and was able to relate to most. The world-building was explained well and the concept’s execution was done very cleverly creating a strong base for the readers for the next books to come in this series.
I enjoyed this book a lot and would definitely recommend it to all YA, Fantasy and Dystopian fiction readers.
Author: Sam Mansourou Release Date: 20th October 2021 Genre: Non-Fiction, Socio-Political Series: Format: E-book Pages: 50 pages Publisher: Blurb: Author Mansourou ignores the left-right discourse and targets the ruling class as he calls for united civic action against the current paradigm maintained by the elite’s media, politicians and academia.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Oncoming Revolution: Overcoming The Current Paradigm by Sam Mansourou is an essay-esque book about the current socio-political conditions in the world around us. The subject matter and the topics covered in this book by the author are not just confined to a particular country or continent, but is applicable and is relevant to each and every place I can possibly think of in this world.
The author’s writing style is very refined and the ideas presented did not, in the least, sound preachy which seems to be the go-to style for most political writers these days; on the contrary, the author’s views came across in a very graceful and elegant way as he first puts across his thoughts in a neutral form and then goes on to explain why he thinks what he thinks.
I’d recommend this book to readers interested in socio-political conversations and who enjoy reading non-fiction on politics and finding reasonable solutions to the problems faced by the world around us, especially the oligarchy countries.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome author A.M. Grotticelli, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
A.M. Grotticelli
A.M. Grotticelli is a veteran technology trade journalist who resides in suburban New Jersey. After a life of overcoming similar challenges, he is an avid supporter of foster kids aging out of the foster care system at 18 and provides encouragement to all who need it.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I am a technology journalist who has worked for various trade and consumer publications over the past 30 years, writing about cameras, microphones and everything else used to make television shows. In high school I was part of the video production department, so I guess I learned the ropes then.
I have a natural curiosity for many things and try to stay well balanced in my hobbies (from guitar to collecting football trading cards). I also feel that the written word is a powerful thing to leave behind.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The book is a tale about what fostercare does to a person’s emotions. Through it, I hope to bring some attention to the plight of kids that turn 18 and are “aged out” of the system and have to fend for themselves. I also plan to start an online discussion group with foster kids to help them make the difficult transition a bit easier.
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
That foster kids are people too. This book shine a light on what it really feels like to want to be part of a family. Too many people take that for granted today.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
This is a story that needed to be told. I’ve been carrying it around in my head for 30 years and have now decided it’s time to share it with the world.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
Four years (and many rewrites).
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I am a professional writer by trade, so my ambition with this book is to shed light on a social issue that needs more attention.
Are you working on any other book presently?
Yes.
Do you also dabble in Fiction?
Yes, my next book will be fiction and is called Stupid Cupid. It’s about a hopeless romantic who tries to fix everyone’s relationship around him but can’t get his own relationships right. He spends a lot of time in a psychiatrist’s office. It’s a comedy.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way? (feel free to give us your story, we love hearing author stories!)
I have kept a diary or journal for most of my life. Although I wrote often as a small kid, I knew I wanted to a professional writer after reading The Catcher In the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I write every day at different times of the day. I enjoy writing, so I never have a problem making the time. Finding a regimen is important, but there are no right or wrong hours or times of day/night to work. The key for me is to feel like I’m making progress. That could be ten pages or two paragraphs. Both forward my story, so both are helpful to the eventual goal.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
Educated by Tara Westover and To the End of June By Cris Beam.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I don’t call it “writer’s block.” When I feel stuck, it’s time to get up from my desk and think about what I am writing. I call it “refreshing” for the next chapter. It’s not good to fight your manuscript. Sometimes you have to listen to your thoughts. Just listen.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
If you have a story to tell, tell it. I had to write The Bond or I couldn’t live with myself. The story is that important. We live in a world now where there are many ways to publish a book, including just putting it online. Nothing should be holding you back from telling you story. If you are a writer, then you should be writing, not waiting and hoping for a book deal. It’s also a great thing to leave behind for the next generation of your family.
Thank you, Grotticelli, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Bond
The Bond is a powerful memoir that chronicles the strength of the relationships formed among a collection of unrelated siblings who forged a remarkable, separate, and permanent family within a foster home.
Kirkus.com calls it: “A poignant, infuriating, informative, and ultimately triumphant account of an unusual clan.” BookLife.com wrote: “Grotticelli’s unsparing honesty about his birth and foster families will make readers wince and keep them marveling at the indomitability of these children. That the foster siblings were able to forge familial bonds with each other is extraordinary.” OnlineBookClub.com said: “This is a book about real people, real lives and real feelings. It is the story of their triumph over adversity and their struggle to find the kind of family love that many of us take for granted.”
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome author Cathleen Cohenfor an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Cathleen Cohen
Cathleen Cohen was the 2019 Poet Laureate of Montgomery County, PA. A painter and teacher, she founded the We the Poets program at ArtWell, an arts education non-profit in Philadelphia (theartwell.org). Her poems appear in journals such as Apiary, Baltimore Review, Cagibi, East Coast Ink, 6ix, North of Oxford, One Art, Passager, Philadelphia Stories, Rockvale Review and Rogue Agent. Camera Obscura (chapbook, Moonstone Press) appeared in 2017 and Etching the Ghost (Atmosphere Press), 2021. She received the Interfaith Relations Award from the Montgomery County PA Human Rights Commission and the Public Service Award from National Association of Poetry Therapy. Her paintings are on view at Cerulean Arts Gallery (ceruleanarts.com).
You can find author Cohen here: Website | Goodreads| Twitter | Instagram |Facebook
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
I’m a painter, writer and teacher in the Philadelphia area. My family, students, and community have been a big source of inspiration, as has being a painter.
After 9/11, I was galvanized, along with other poets and artists, to create programs for children in our area to express themselves through the creative arts – since few arts programs existed for them. (www.theArtwell.org). There are so many diverse and rich cultures in our area. Teaching has inspired me to write, paint and think deeply about life.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
As the Covid-19 pandemic caused social isolation, I (like many others) couldn’t teach in classrooms. But this gave me more free time to read others’ poetry, ponder and write more of my own poems, to hear my own inner voice. For years I focused on teaching poetry to others, but this project resulted from an enforced personal artist’s retreat.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
All sorts of experiences will happen to us, joys and challenges. Things are broken and need repair. When such brokenness come to us (big and small, including big social upheavals, personal challenges, etc.) we can notice, listen and process things through creative acts, alone or in community. We can reach out to others. This can help.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Sparks and Disperses was inspired by an art project that my daughter-in-law, Tiffany, and our friend, Gila, had begun. They were working on a beautiful ceramic mural outdoors. It was a joy to help them, to stand together for hours, even in the cold with our masks on, clipping ceramics and placing tiles. Neighbors dropped off contributions in the form of old plates and such. It became a communal project. There were neighbors next door who raised chickens in a coop (in the city, which was illegal!) These chickens would keep us company and peck at our feet as we worked. I included them in the poems.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took a few months. A few of the poems are edited versions of writing I had begun years back. It was exciting to revise them and piece them together with new poems for the manuscript. Sparks and Disperses is actually the second book that I wrote during this period of Covid. The first is Etching the Ghost(Atmosphere Press).
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I plan to continue teaching as well as writing poems. Hopefully my own poems will grow richer and deeper over time. So many topics are inspiring: stories of the self and others, issues of community and social justice, the importance of creativity.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I like the lyrical, imagistic properties of poems and how they can resonate on so many levels. They can be a narrative, personal, emotional, a glimpse of a powerful moment. They can reach out to the reader, who bring their own meaning to the poem. How a poet uses the space of the page or between lines and stanzas can be powerful. So much is open and filled with potential. I don’t write much in other genres, but am a painter. My paintings definitely relate to my poems. (www.cathleencohenart.com)
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you to follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
My family moved to a new community when I was about 10 years old. A shy child, I was barely able to raise my hand and speak in my new classroom. But our teacher, Mr. DeFalco, was so creative and loved poetry and art. He took us on many field trips to museums in New York City. I remember making mobiles like Calder’s and painting “snow paintings” as we stood outside at our easels, pelted by snow. We read and wrote poetry every day. I seemed to have a flair for it, which my teacher recognized, and I became the “class poet”. This forced me to speak and join the community. What a gift he gave me.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?And how do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
Often I write in the morning if my schedule allows, and I try to “make an appointment” with myself to write. I like to write on the computer using a voice activated program,
because that keeps up with the speed of my inner language. Sometimes I take a walk and dictate into my cell phone. It probably looks pretty strange, but maybe the neighbors just think I’m on a call!
I edit poems later, anytime of the day.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
When I was young, I wrote longhand in a notebook. Lately if I am outdoors painting landscape and ideas come to me, I will use a notebook. But if I have a real flow of ideas coming and am home, I use the computer and my voice activated program.
Who are your 5 favorite books or authors?
This is a hard and delightful question. My favorites change by the week, depending what I am reading. Some favorite current poets: Ilya Kaminsky, Briget Pegeen Kelly, Eleanor Wilner, Aracelis Girmay, and the late A.V. Christie (who was one of my teachers).
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Sometimes our brains and souls need a rest! When those times come, I try to get more downtime, connect with others, go outside and walk, read, paint, listen to music, hear what others have to tell me. I try to be a better listener.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I would say to read widely, not just others’ poetry, but from a variety of genres. Keep a journal. Listen deeply to others—including those who feel challenging for you. It helps to have a scheduled time to write, (it’s the same for painting.) This helps your subconscious relax, I think. It can be beneficial to participate in workshops (there are so many available lately, especially online.) It’s nice to have a partner or group where you can share your work– but make sure it’s a safe space, not riddled with competition. I once had a great workshop leader who said, “You have to read and critique another person’s poem with love and care, as if it’s your own.” This is great advice.
Thank you, Cathleen, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Sparks And Disperses
The poems in Cathleen Cohen’s Sparks and Disperses reckon with contemporary life through the perspective of visual artists. Drawing on an ancient Kabbalistic myth of the “shattering of vessels,” Cohen explores issues of fracture, healing, and creation; the challenges of poverty, isolation, and the pandemic; and how we can find meaning and joy through artmaking. By building a poetic mural made of cracked ceramics, household items, and glass shards, Cohen promotes healing through continuity and hope.
You can find Sparks And Disperses here: Amazon | Goodreads
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome author Richard R. Becker for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Richard R. Becker
Richard R. Becker is an award-winning American writer. His debut collection of literary, psychological, and speculative fiction began as a project to write one story a week for 50 weeks. He continues to expand many of these stories for inclusion in a second collection, and expects some will evolve into larger works. When he is not writing fiction, Richard works as a creative strategist for Copywrite, Ink., a 30-year-old strategic communication and writing services firm with clients that have included government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. He has also been very active as a community servant, previously taught classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for 20 years, and has been a featured speaker for organizations such as G2E World Gaming Expo, Nevada Recreation and Parks Society, Regis University, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Wizard World Comic Con.
As a journalist, Richard has written hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, with his byline appearing in the Denver Post, Los Angeles Times, and publications for Simon & Schuster and Paramount Communications. He also scripted a documentary produced with PBS and contributed to five books, including “Beyond Generation X: A Practical
Guide for Managers” and the American Ambulance Association’s “Public Relations Handbook.” Aside from his writing, he enjoys a broad range of activities, including travel, hiking, exercise, photography, and illustration. He is married and has two children.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thanks so much for including me on TRB! My name is Richard Becker, and I’m the author of 50 States. Until recently, I was best known as an accredited business communicator and president of Copywrite, Ink., which is a writing services and strategic communication firm based in Las Vegas.
For more than 30 years, I’ve developed campaigns for clients all over the world, including the City of Henderson, Fidelity Investments, McDonald’s, National Emergency Number Association (NENA), U.S. Air Force, and Volkswagen. Concurrently, I’ve worked as a journalist, magazine publisher, and university instructor. I’ve also been very active in my community, helping out on nonprofit and professional organization boards. Right now, for example, I’m serving as a city council-appointed parks commissioner for the City of Las Vegas.
Over the years, I’ve refocused my work with those who aspire to make the world a better place or seek to advance humankind. Along with this, I’m investing more time into writing fiction.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
50 States is an eclectic collection of stories that explore the human condition, filled with characters who face or cope with life-changing moments, both real and surreal.
It’s especially suited for people who enjoy many different genres: literary fiction, psychological fiction, speculative fiction, and historical fiction specifically. One reader described it as a box of chocolates because you never really know what’s next. There is some truth to their description. The diversity of the stories has been called out as one of its greatest strengths.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
As different as the stories are, they are much like life — an infinite series of intersecting stories, paths that cross, divide, and double back again. While it isn’t necessarily apparent in this collection, all of these stories are connected in small or significant ways.
Independently, I hope readers find whatever they want inside each story because I don’t believe in forcing a message. Collectively, however, I hope they find we are more alike than different, all of us experiencing life with our collection of joys and pains, triumphs and tribulations.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
This is a very tough question because there are so many stories, each with its own set of characters. So, for this interview, I think I’ll call out Ellen Williamson from ‘A Beautiful Day.’ The story takes place in Pennsylvania in 1990.
Ellen is an older woman, a grandmother, near the end of her life and resolute in knowing it. She isn’t afraid of death. Instead, she embraces its eventuality, content in her life’s completeness, lighter in what she has let go of, and only mildly remorseful for those she leaves behind.
I identify with Ellen because I was raised by a grandmother very much like this and experienced a similar feeling when I was diagnosed with cancer years ago. Except, in my case, I was fortunate enough to beat it.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I was a storyteller all my life. My grandmother used to tell me that I should be a lawyer because I had a story for everything. It wasn’t until much later in life, in college, that I learned to channel storytelling into writing so I could write other people’s stories.
A couple of years ago, on the advice of a friend, I finally committed to putting my stories first by creating a self-imposed deadline to write one short story a week for 50 weeks. Everything else, the different locations and states of mind, evolved naturally from being immersed in the project.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
The book took 50 weeks to write ‘first look’ drafts that I started sharing on a social network every week in September 2019. Once all of the stories were finished, the collection took a few more months to edit again, on my own and with editors, and put it into production.
I originally slated six months for editing and production, but a family crisis and tragedy postponed publishing the book for another four months. This also made the initial launch a little haphazard, but things are moving along nicely now.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Eventually, I will focus exclusively on writing fiction. I have so many writing projects in the works or waiting in the wings — several collections of short stories and at least five novels. Most of them involve or intersect with characters or locations that exist in 50 States because many of these characters and locales have so much more story to tell. Time will tell how much I can wrap up in the next five years, but I’m hopeful more and more people will enjoy what will become a body of work.
Are you working on any other books presently?
I’m currently working on several projects at once. I’ve written about eight stories that connect with or continue some of the stories in 50 States. I’m working on a much longer story set in Goldfield, Nevada, in the 1950s. And I’ve outlined what I think will be the first novel. So we’ll see how it all shapes up. I treat writing fiction a little bit like someone might garden. I tend to what needed to be tended.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I’m a very eclectic reader, so I suppose it’s only natural to be a very eclectic writer. I write in multiple genres or cross-genres because, for me, I go wherever the stories want to take me.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you to follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I was always a storyteller, but I never expected to become a writer. I was even held back in the third grade because I couldn’t read very well. I wanted to be an artist, and then a psychologist, and then an artist again. My stories were often told with pictures.
When I realized I didn’t want to become a psychologist, I transferred schools with this idea to combine art and psychology so I could find a job in advertising. But when I arrived at my new school, they told me they had an advertising program through their journalism school. So that’s what I did. They taught me how to write, and I built a career as a writer after I graduated. What the challenge became, for me, was never having time to write my own stories. I was a slave to everyone else’s deadline.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?And how do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I wake up early, work out, and settle into writing first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee. I usually read whatever I wrote last, edit a few things, and then find my rhythm to carry it forward. On the best days, I see and feel the stories unfold in my mind’s eye. Then I write what I see and feel.
I might add that working on 50 States with the self-imposed deadline of a new story every week did talk me out of this comfort zone on occasion. Sometimes I would have to thumb the story out on my phone while I was at the softball fields with my daughter.
Who are your 5 favorite books or authors?
Oh, I’ll have to go with authors because it’s too hard to pin down my favorite books.
I always start with Ernest Hemingway and John Updike because they were so very good at writing straight, honest prose about people. After those two, it becomes more of an ever-changing potluck. I love the rawness of Zora Neale Hurston’s work, the poetic descriptiveness of Peter Heller, and, recently, the developing work of S.A. Cosby.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
50 States would have never happened had I not listened to my friend Geoff Livingston. Geoff had a heavy marketing deadline schedule as I do, but he managed to write several books and later transform himself into a photographer. So I asked how he found the time.
He said you have to put your projects first. This really clicked for me a couple of years ago, and I set Monday mornings aside to start a new story every week. I also carved out time to take online classes from writers who are masters of their craft so that I could bridge the gap between commercial writing and fiction writing. This immersion and commitment to the work became its own inspiration. If you want to be a writer, then writing your stories should be the most important thing, not the least important thing like many of us make it (until we don’t).
Thank you, Richard, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
50 States: A Collection Of Short Short Stories
50 States is a debut collection of short stories that reflect on the human condition. The book spans several literary genres, moods, and situations across the American states between 1955 and 2020.
Two runaways cross paths in a Tennessee bus station with only one ticket between them. A middle-aged man in Illinois eyes the daily grind of a young basketball player who never boards the school bus. A family sees looters racing toward their home as they escape an Oregon wildfire.
These and 47 more stories make up the collection. Together, they provide a sampling of the American experience over the last 60 years, similar to the Spoon River Anthology by Edger Less Masters or The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer with more diversity.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author: J. Michael Chamberlain Release Date: 13th April 2019 Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Humor Series: Format: E-book Pages: 202 pages Publisher: Quinn-Hill Publisher Blurb: This wildly entertaining book is laced with wicked concepts, cheap shots and a few bright ideas; a feast of funny words and clever notions without once mentioning vampires or zombies. J. M. Chamberlain created the perfect blend of madcap rants and true life experiences guaranteed to put a never-ending smile on your face. Actually, a never-ending smile might be cause for alarm; if your smile lasts longer than four hours, please call a doctor. In a nutshell, this extraordinary slice of life is almost too good to read, but I suggest reading it anyway. I also suggest telling forty or fifty of your closest friends to read it, because www.peopleneedtolaugh.com(less)
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Tiny Yellow Hat by J. Michael Chamberlain is a witty, heartfelt memoir that is as entertaining to read as it is relatable.
I enjoyed reading this book because, unlike most memoirs, the author uses his amazing sense of humour to lace even the simplest aspects of life and presents them with so much passion that one can’t help but relate to them while at the same time laughing their butts off. The fact that the author covered topics from his life and career that most people can relate to only adds to the appeal of this surprisingly quick read.
For me, the best part is that the author presented some important life lessons and anecdotes in such a light way that the readers can take away a lot from this book without actually feeling burdened by their weight.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading memoirs and enjoys a good dash of humour.
Author:Nicole Bell Release Date: 23rd October 2021 Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Series: Format: E-book Pages: 250 pages Publisher: – Blurb: Russ and Nicole Bell were an upwardly mobile happy couple: two kids, big house, fun hobbies, marvelous life. But something wasn’t quite right—with Russ. He started forgetting things, he got lost, he became enraged, he was harsh with the kids. And he could no longer be trusted with minor responsibilities. They visited doctor after doctor after doctor to try to determine what was wrong, to no avail. “Alzheimer’s,” they were told, but that didn’t make sense. Russ was too young for that. As the formerly brilliant engineer literally lost his mind and his self, the answer finally became clear—but was it in time? In this beautifully written but tragic memoir, Nicole Bell documents their journey through the medical minefield as they searched for answers and treatments. This book will inspire people who are suffering from chronic, symptom-based illnesses to dig deeper, so they can find and treat the root causes of their disease before it’s too late.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
What Lurks In The Woods by Nicole Bell is a heart-wrenching and emotional memoir that is hard to read but even harder to put down.
This book is a very realistic and harsh reminder for the reader about how tragic chronic illness is and how it affects everyone including the patient and the caregiver. The author has bravely shared a deeply personal as well as emotionally taxing and psychologically jarring experience of her husband’s descent into dementia and how they struggled with finding answers that were crucial to their lives, especially to her husband’s health.
This book is very well-written and I would definitely recommend it to everyone because it is a treasure trove of lessons for each and every single reader, no matter what you do, where you are from or who you are.
Author:Jes Averhart, Terresa Zimmerman Release Date: 1st October 2021 Genre: Non-Fiction, Dating, Self-Help Series: Format: E-book Pages: 188 pages Publisher: Stonebrook Publishing Blurb: Oh, Lords! is about two women sharing their dating stories, dating glories, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Oh, Lords! Who We Date, Why We Date Them, and What We’ve Learned is the only book of its kind to discuss dating in the context of archetypes, “Lords”, through the eyes and experience of the authors. You will meet the Lords: Lord Journeyman, Lord Contradiction, Lord FOMO, Lord Layaway, Lord Self-Absorbed, Lord At Your Peril, Lord Good Guy Not My Guy, and Lord My Guy. These are the men, the archetypes, that litter the landscape of the dating world, and when you see them for who they are, you might start making different choices about who you spend your time with. You don’t have to be dating to find the humor, insight, community, and reminders of your own triumphs and turning points.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Oh, Lords! Who We Date, Why We Date Them & What We’ve Learned by Jes Averhart & Terresa Zimmerman is a uniquely fresh and refreshingly witty book about the dating experiences of the authors.
In this book, the authors, Jes and Terresa, talk about their dating history – breaking down men into categorical archetypes called Lords, the lessons they have learned and sharing the wisdom of someone who’d ‘been there, done that.’ The book is full of funny stories, humorous yet relatable comparisons and honest confessions that provide a keen insight into the process (including pre as well as post) dating scenario and situations.
I enjoyed reading his book a lot even though I’ve been out of the dating sphere for over a decade because this book is so shockingly relatable. We all have been there and dating some of the men mentioned in this book (or maybe more than some 😉 ) I’d definitely recommend this book to all women readers because I am sure you will find the content outrageously relatable and will definitely have a good couple of hearty laughs at the least! The single women, though, will definitely find this book very informative and helpful.
Author:O. Banks Release Date: 30th June 2021 Genre: Non-Fiction Series: Format: E-book Pages: Publisher: Blurb: How to raise chickens like a pro — even if you have zero experience with animals! Have you been toying with the idea of becoming more self-sustainable? Are you exploring the option of raising chickens? Do you have absolutely no idea where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place! Doing anything for the first time can be intimidating — and the stakes are even higher when your new hobby involves being responsible for something that’s, well, alive. What’s more, the increasing popularity of self-sustainability practices has led to a plethora of information being available online, much of it completely unreliable and sometimes straight out dangerous. But with decades of poultry growing experience under his belt, and a strong dedication to helping newbies master the techniques, knowledge, and tools they need to become pros in no time, Otis Banks is here to help. Under his guidance, raising chickens will not only become uncomplicated, but also a complete joy. And it’s not just about the delicious eggs you’ll be able to enjoy each morning. You’ll soon find yourself developing a rapport with these delightful birds, and you’ll be amazed at how raising them will transform your life. Spending time with them after work will help you immediately relax and refocus on what truly matters in life. And if you have young kids, you’ll marvel at the beautiful relationships they’ll develop with their feathered friends — and at how much they will learn from them.
In Raising Chickens for Beginners, here’s just a fraction of what you’ll discover:
5+ scenarios you absolutely need to prepare yourself for — and how
A list of all the precautions you need to take before you embark on your exciting adventure, including the laws you need to consider
How to prepare for your flock’s arrival, and which breeds are best for beginners
How to choose the perfect feed for your flock, and how to tell how much you need to feed them and when
Common chicken health problems you need to be aware of, including signs, causes, home-made treatments, and advice on when to seek veterinary help
Why eggs sometimes… disappear — and what you can do about it
Everything you need to know to stay on top of litter management, including how to maintain a coop that’s nasty-smell free
How timing your egg collection can literally make or break your eggs
Tips to keep your chickens warm in the winter and cool in the summer
6 reasons why hens may not lay eggs — and what you can do to help them
And much more! Written with a complete beginner in mind, this easy-to-understand guide will give you the confidence you need to expertly navigate this amazing and unimaginably rewarding world. Accompanying you every step of the way, Otis Banks will help you discover the joys of raising chickens and help you go from an anxious beginner to a seasoned pro, before you even realize it.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Raising Chickens For Beginners by O. Banks is a very insightful and comprehensive book on, as the title clearly mentions, raising chicken for beginners. Right from where to begin, what you’ll need, how much you’ll need of everything to how to develop a rapport with the chickens and not just having them for the sake of it, this book covers everything!
I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is planning to get more insights into raising chickens, especially those who don’t have any idea of what they are dealing with.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome author Deepak Mullick for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Deepak Mullick
Founder and Chief Wealth Strategist, SimplyMutual
Deepak has spent over a quarter of a century in the investments industry, working with the country’s largest wealth creators. His last assignment was a 15-year stint at HDFC Mutual Fund. He was their Business Head for North, South and East India during different parts of his tenure. Having dealt with a large spectrum of investment avenues, Deepak realised that Equity Mutual Funds is where the best balance can be achieved. This belief in the India growth story and its potential to create wealth for decades to come stems from deep experience.
Deepak spent decades in the financial sector witnessing the fast evolution of each constituent of the investments industry — mutual funds, banking, insurance, investment advisors, NBFCs, the regulators, etc. He associated with the country’s top minds in financial and investment planning, attended numerous workshops and conferences, and dived deep into the intricacies of the business.
To come up with the best solutions for investor needs, he constantly drew comparisons between the most popular asset classes, such as equity, debt, real estate, fixed deposits, and gold, and other new asset classes like foreign equity, cryptocurrency, and art. He weighed each option with an exhaustive list of factors such as liquidity, volatility, regulatory environment, transparency, cost of investing, cost of holding and maintenance, convenience, and returns adjusted for risks, taxes, and inflation. This analysis has cemented his belief in the importance of Equity Mutual Funds for individual investors and given him the foundation to create SimplyMutual: The 1% formula to gain financial freedom.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thanks for having me here. My one true passion is to travel the world with my family – my wife and two children. And that is what I have been doing post my early retirement. I took keen interest in financial planning and management very early on in life, and that has led to become what I am today. I am also a firm believer of the fact that knowledge is at its best when its shared and that’s something which I have tried to achieve through my book. And a lot of me is sculpted from my school – La Martinere College, where we were instilled with all the key values, and one of them being discipline. That has made me always approach situations and opportunities methodically.
I have spent over a quarter of a century in the investments industry, working with the country’s largest wealth creators. My last assignment was a 15-year stint at HDFC Mutual Fund. I was their Business Head for North, South, and East India during different parts of my tenure. Having dealt with a large spectrum of investment avenues, I realised that Equity Mutual Funds is where the best balance can be achieved. This belief in the India growth story and its potential to create wealth for decades to come stems from deep experience.
I’ve spent decades in the financial sector witnessing the fast evolution of each constituent of the investments industry — mutual funds, banking, insurance, investment advisors, NBFCs, the regulators, etc. I’ve also associated with the country’s top minds in financial and investment planning, attended numerous workshops and conferences, and dived deep into the intricacies of the business. To come up with the best solutions for investor needs, I constantly drew comparisons between the most popular asset classes, such as equity, debt, real estate, fixed deposits, and gold, and other new asset classes like foreign equity, cryptocurrency, and art. I weighed each option with an exhaustive list of factors such as liquidity, volatility, regulatory environment, transparency, cost of investing, cost of holding and maintenance, convenience, and returns adjusted for risks, taxes, and inflation. This analysis has cemented my belief in the importance of Equity Mutual Funds for individual investors and has given me the foundation to create SimplyMutual: The 1% formula to gain financial freedom.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
It’s fairly simple to put it in a few words – FINANCIAL FREEDOM. This book is your guide to retire early by investing smart and investing early.
In this book I talk about a simple-yet-effective formula to make your money work for you!
Want to escape the rat race, travel the world, or retire in your 40s with comfortable assets under your belt? SimplyMutual is your key to unlocking the 1% formula and gain your financial freedom.
With SimplyMutual you can learn how to:
Retire in your 40s with a sizable corpus that provides you with a salary–pension that supports your lifestyle
Free yourself from financial anxiety, fear, and corporate slavery to live the life you always wanted, now, and in the future
Cultivate wealth-building as a second nature, embedding it into the very core of your psyche
Make financial decisions based on facts, not emotions
Make the most of the India opportunity and invest in equity for long term gains while beating volatility
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
In India, millennials have a very unique opportunity to take advantage of. Corporates and start-ups are on the rise. Globalization has increased the kind of jobs that pay well. There is a rise in different types of careers, that was not the case a decade ago. Income ranges are high and most of the population is working in companies or their own ventures. This, coupled with various investment options available to people right now, a little discipline and monthly investments will help them build a massive corpus that can enable them to live their dreams.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
I have spent a fairly decent amount of time in the Finance Industry and I see that most people ‘save’ their money and don’t ‘invest’. Let me give you an example – if you start investing 10,000 today every month for the next 15 years, you would have a corpus of 1 Cr. With this book, I want to educate people about investing, equity mutual funds and share my experience with them. After quitting my job, I mostly consulted on wealth building and management for my friends and family. But that made me realise that there is lack of equity understanding amongst people at large. And there is a sheer potential for growth through equity investing. So that inspired me to bring out my idea and my formula in a book, as that can reach large set of people.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took me a few months to crystalize the idea and get my thoughts structured. Writing a book is no easy feat, I can tell you that. Although the subject is right up my alley, it took a while to structure the subject and simplify it for it to resonate with readers. Finance is a tricky matter – most people don’t like to read about finance. And hence, once I had the structure in place, I had to work on simplifying it and making it interesting for readers.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
While I am a great planner when it comes to planning for the future, this is one aspect I have not really thought of yet. This particular period has been very overwhelming for me and I would like to take my time to decide what the future is like when it comes to my writing ambitions. But I am more inclined to write my second book.
Are you working on any other books presently?
None as of yet
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
The sole purpose of choosing this genre was to share my story and experiences with the audience in the most lucid way possible – while I understand that how this topic can get too technical for many, I have tried to keep it as simple as possible
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you to follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
Currently approximately 3% of people in India invest in equities. And there is a large potential for growth there. From my experience in equity investment and wealth management, I knew I had insights that are otherwise not easily available. And that’s when I thought, what better vehicle than a book can I use to communicate the idea of achieving financial freedom early. And that caught on very quickly for me and I started penning my thoughts down. Once that happened, I saw myself creating an outline, a structure and the message seemed very interesting and easy to follow. And that’s when I knew that I was ready to be an author. And from there until the time I held the first copy of my book in my hands, the journey has been exhilarating. I have realised that writing a book is not as easy as I thought it would be. There were multiple times, I stopped, had to go back to the drawing board, find a way for my thoughts to flow. Being an author also means that you have to constantly keep your readers in mind. It is not about what you know as an author but what will interest your readers. And putting your knowledge in that perspective is essential and not the easiest part. But not for a second did I doubt the decision of writing the book and it has been a great journey.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?And how do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I like to write at scheduled hours. I am someone who follows a calendar and I have dedicated hours for writing. I put together an outline and then a structure to the story and my flow of thoughts. And then I began writing the book chapter wise.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
After being in the corporate for so many and working on the laptop – writing on a laptop is my go to option.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I read. It helps me get the clutter in my head cleared and my thoughts to flow. But I did not encounter a serious writer’s block while writing Simply Mutual. I was very excited as it was my first book.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I would like to give one simple advice – write what you know and write what you like. If you feel your story/experience can help somebody with your knowledge, don’t hesitate.
Thank you, Deepak, for your thoughtful answers!
About the Book
SimplyMutual : The 1% Formula To Gain Financial Freedom
Everyone wants to be rich, but not everyone is. There is a method and meaning to it that’s more than just numbers. In this book, investment veteran Deepak Mullick takes you on a journey to financial freedom. SimplyMutual isn’t just a guide to make more money, it is about building wealth to live the life of your dreams.
If you’ve ever thought of retiring in your 40s to do what you love, this is THE book for you!
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:Danielle Dayney Release Date: 15th November 2021 Genre: Memoir Series: Format: E-book Pages: 156 pages Publisher: Belle Isle Books Blurb: Hand-me-down pants that don’t quite fit, twilight bike rides down sleepy neighborhood streets, sweaty family camping trips, the things that almost break you, and the things you barely notice-it’s hard to see the shape of your life until you’re looking back on it. In this collection of short essays, Danielle Dayney recounts her experiences as an awkward child in the piecemeal family that raised her. From her biological father’s absence to her mother’s battle with cancer to the birth of her daughter, Dayney’s stories venture beyond anecdote to nest safely among the tangled experiences that shape the people we become. With a keen eye for the pebbles of humor and glimmers of beauty along the rough roads of her life, Dayney has crafted a book that feels as familiar as a home-cooked meal and as exciting as the first night in a new city. When Love Sticks Around is a memoir of love, loss, humor, identity, and above all, family-the one you’re born into and the one you gather along the way. Those are the things worth sticking around for.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
“…it’s hard to see the shape of your life until you’re looking back on it.”
Danielle Dayney
When Love Sticks Around by Danielle Dayney is a beautiful memoir that is an ode to her past life and her beautiful family. This book is in the form of essays that will not only tell you about the author’s life and her experiences but will also make you relieve your own past because her writing is very relatable.
I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read this book because When Love Sticks Around is one of those books that feel less like a story (stories in this case) and more like an experience that is whole in itself. The author’s nostalgic reminiscence of her life, which was so filled with love and sometimes heartbreak, made me deeply connect to her on a level that is hard to explain. And these kind of feelings can only be evoked in a reader when the book is written from the heart and with a lot of love – not to mention with exceptional writing skills.
I would like to congratulate the author on penning down such an emotional journey in such an elegant and relatable way. I would definitely recommend this beautiful memoir to every reader as I am sure this book will speak to each and every one of its readers on some level or another. This is not a book to be missed.
The Reading Bud 