Book Review: 14 Lessons in Happiness: A Guidebook on Improving Your Life by Gina Ross

Book Details:

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.


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Book Review: The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray

Book Details:

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!


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Book Review: Your Sleep Map: Navigating Your Own Path to Relief from Insomnia by Thad R. Harshbarger

Book Details:

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.


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Book Review: The Playful Mind: How to Restore the Happiness We Experienced as Children by Paul Daniel

Book Details:

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.


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Book Review: Building Resilience And Finding Meaning in Life by June Rousso

Book Details:

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


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ARC Review: Pay Me To Do Nothing! How a Lazy, Broke and Tired Boy Found His Calling by Otto Bocktopus 

Book Details:

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!


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Book Review: Essential Life Skills For Teens: 13 Different Ways To Use Your Critical Thinking, Manage Your Time Better, Set Your Smart Goals, And Navigate Social Media Safely by David Skiddy

Book Details:

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.


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ARC Review: Finding Happiness In The Dark by Kenneth Liddane

Book Details:

Author: Kenneth Liddane
Release Date: 19th September 2021
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Development, Self-Help
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 190 pages
Publisher: A Helping Mind
Blurb:
Have you ever said “I WILL BE HAPPY IF…”?
Did you ever achieve that? And if so, what happened next? Are you living happily ever after, or did you set new goals and update your “I will be happy if…” statement? Why does your happiness have to be conditional?
By searching for happiness, we are basically telling ourselves “I am not happy now”, and happiness itself becomes a temporary solution to distract ourselves from how we are actually feeling.
By re-introducing ourselves to our core instincts and drives, we can start to see how we developed unhelpful thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviours. With this insight, these negative aspects of ourselves are no longer “bad”, instead they are logical and justified.
By considering the knowledge, skills and possible supports highlighted in this book, you will see that you no longer need to avoid, suppress or endure any part of your true self. 
By using your full potential, you are better able to face any challenge and life experience, and in doing so, experience, welcome and acknowledge all of the associated feelings and emotions naturally. 
What are you waiting for?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Finding Happiness In The Dark by Kenneth Liddane is a very well-written and well-executed book on helping oneself in times of need when the mind goes into the dark seat and we start to feel alone and unhappy.

This is a book by a very experienced person who is not only equipped with dealing with his own patients for consultations but also has the education and the drive for it. This book had some really great concepts, understandable and relatable answers to some common questions and some brilliant techniques and tricks that can help a person come out of the recesses of depression, anxiety and the com orbit conditions. At least on the surface level. In order to get treated or to know more, you can always consult with the author.

I would recommend this book to everyone who is either going through a dark phase or knows someone who is suffering because of it.


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Book Review: AfterLife: Waking Up From My American Dream by Carlo Pietro P Sanfilippo

Author: Carlo Pietro P Sanfilippo 
Release Date: 19th December 2020
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Self-help
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 158 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:
Are you living on purpose, or are you frustrated that the things you thought you wanted-the house, the furnishings, the yard, the car, the “stuff” and all its required maintenance-are preventing you from having the time and money to live the life you want? When the American Dream becomes an agonizing hamster wheel, perhaps it’s time for a change.

Carlo Sanfilippo followed that prescribed path of marriage, kids, house, stuff. He was living the American Dream, the life he was “supposed” to live; not a life that he wanted, not a life that fulfilled him. Nothing felt authentic. Nothing felt like fun. Nothing felt like his idea. And when faced with some devastating losses, he realized he was living a half-life.
If you’re a person who has a nice life, but aren’t living your dream, join Carlo on this journey of breaking out of a prescribed life to one of discovery, mental and emotional release, spiritual delight, and new mastery.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Afterlife: Waking Up From My American Dream by Carlo Pietro P Sanfilippo is a beautiful book about hope and dreams and finding happiness.

I loved reading this book because the author used a brilliant mix of varying emotional graphs such as loss and grief interlaced with happy and hopeful moments. This book felt very true and spoke to me on a level that I quite I wasn’t expecting. This book has a lot to offer to each of its readers because it is full of moments of despair and anguish that everyone goes through. It often treads the precarious and mostly misunderstood waters of self-love and the entire curve of being able to reach a point where one can identify it as not being selfish. So I would like to commend the author on his brilliant effort into pulling it off. And for touching on so many themes that are universally resonant.

I would definitely recommend this book to each and every one as it has so much to offer!

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