First of all, Elizabeth has written an original poem to start off this month’s column, and to celebrate some upcoming positive changes in her life:
I wake up in the morning feeling sad and blue,
Then I remember I will have an apartment soon…this is true!
All of the frustration, all of the praying,
So, listen to what I’m saying….
The apartment will be mine
Then I will be so happy, thankful and feeling oh, so fine.
I won’t have any furniture, no, not even a bed,
However, more importantly, I will have my very own roof over my head!
So, when I wake up in the morning, feeling sad and blue,
Then I thank our Lord Jesus, because I will have an apartment soon…this is very true!!!!!!
Review of The Seventh Distinction: The Path to Personal Mastery, Leadership and Peak Performance
by Luis E. Romero
The Seventh Distinction: A Path to Personal Mastery, Leadership and Peak Performance, by Luis E. Romero, is a really great self-help book. It talks about how to bring yourself to your “peak performance” through “personal mastery.” In the introduction is a parable by Mr. Romero. I absolutely loved the parable, it really makes you think about how you view the world around you.
I would recommend that one reads this book with highlighter and pen in hand to highlight and underline parts that they want to study and memorize. One can definitely learn a great deal about overcoming any obstacles in one’s life that will keep one from achieving success. I have highlighted sentences and paragraphs on practically every page.
Thank you Mr. Romero for a really great book! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to achieve much more in their life. The Seventh Distinction is definitely “my cup of tea!”
Review of The Darker Side of the Sun, by Nina Wornham
The Darker Side of the Sun is written about the author’s life as she went through a very ugly separation and divorce. Her ex went through an assortment of terror tactics to try to get her to agree on the lowest settlement possible. This book has some very good advice by the author. I feel that The Darker Side of the Sun can help female or male alike when it comes to dealing with vindictive spouses. I highly recommend this book. Ms. Wornham has written a very enlightening book of courage you must read. This book is most definitely “my cup of tea!”
Elizabeth Hughes is a reviewer and animal lover from San Jose, CA.
This month, Elizabeth Hughes starts her ‘Book Periscope’ column with an original poem, highlighting the psychological toll imposed by homelessness.
the poem
from Elizabeth Hughes
While riding the bus, I looked over, and saw a man with his cart piled high,
remembering the days when I too sat on the bus with my cart as well.
Some people would look at me and see a dirty homeless woman- pitiful and sad.
Others would look and say, “She’s homeless because she is horrible and bad.”
Then I almost broke the curse of bad luck with no place to go, getting booted to the curb again with nothing to my name, and with everyone saying, “You’re just one of them- nothing’s different, you’re just the same.”
Then I walked down the streets and stood on the railroad track,
Fully aware that when a train races towards me, that there’s no going back.
No one missed me, no one cared,
I would rather be dead, than homeless and scared!!
Now, here’s a book review, of a memoir from an expatriate engineer:
Review of From Jarrow to Java (on a Beer Scooter) by Joe Writeson
From Jarrow to Java (on a Beer Scooter), by Joe Writeson, is a very humorous book of the author’s life in Java. Joe Writeson leaves his home and just by chance accepts a position to oversee a huge, seemingly doomed construction project in East Java. What ensues when he takes on this monumental task is quite hilarious. Yet, one can feel his frustration in attempting to get the project going and completed. He runs into many obstacles, some of which will have you laughing out loud. One of the most important people he meets in Java is the woman he will marry. This book is very well written, humorous, yet tells of the frustrations and accomplishments in taking on a huge project. This book will capture your interest from the beginning to the end. Thank you Mr. Writeson, for a truly great book. I very highly recommend From Jarrow to Java. It is most definitely “my cup of tea”!!
Luke, by Aaron Cohen, is a great novel about a man who used to be in “The Organization” and wants to take control of all prostitution in Las Vegas and then spread his empire to other cities. I would call it a crime/suspense novel. The characters are strong and the story flows nicely and keeps the reader interested. My favorite character is Charlie, a giant of a man who used to be a chef in Paris until his tongue was removed. His character is strong, powerful and lovable. Although each and every one of the characters are great in Luke. Thank you Mr. Cohen for a great novel. I highly recommend Luke. If you don’t usually read crime/suspense novels, try this one! I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did. Aaron D. Cohen’s Luke is definitely my cup of tea!!
What To Do When You’re Dead, by Sondra Sneed, is a very unique book about her interview with God. It opens up your mind about the true meaning of why we are here on earth and what is expected of us by God. The book tells us what our soul is and what happens to our soul when we die. In her interview with God, He tells of the Grim Reaper and what the Grim Reaper really is. She mentions in the interview how important it is that we live the way God has intended for us to live. Also, if mankind does not change, that mankind will cause destruction not only of the earth in which we live, but, of the destruction of our soul as well. She mentions where our soul goes right after we die, before we cross over. Thank you Sondra for such an insightful and informative book. I highly recommend this book, it is definitely “my cup of tea”!
Sondra Sneed’s What to Do When You’re Dead is available here from Square One Publishers, here: http://www.amazon.com/What-To-When-Youre-Dead/dp/1937907112/This publisher also discovered the famous Conversations with God book years ago and is excited to bring Sondra Sneed’s words to the public.
Divorce: A Survival Guide for Men, by Gary Huerta, has some very amusing parts in it. It may be written for men, however, it has some very good advice that can be used by women also. I enjoyed the book very much. I recommend this book even for females! Thank you Mr. Huerta for an amusing and informative book! This book is definitely “my cup of tea”!
Poland At The Door by Evelyn Posamentier is written in a unique style…which I like very much. Although it is a very short book it carries a very powerful message. The book tells of Poland in war times, how frightening and horrifying it was. I enjoyed reading Ms. Posamentier’s book very much. I highly recommend this unique piece about when Poland was at war. Poland At the Door by Evelyn Posamentier is definitely “my cup of tea”!!
The Adventures of Chi-Chi the Chinchilla, written by Ekaterina Gaidouk, and illustrated by Julio Albelo, is a very cute book. The illustrations are very cute and bright. Ekaterina has written the story so that is is not just a cute children’s book, but also teaches a lesson, so that children can learn from Chi-Chi’s mistakes. The lesson in this book is to avoid greed and procrastination. I think that children will not only love this delightful story of Chi-Chi, but will also learn a valuable life lesson. Ms. Gaidouk, I sincerely hope there will be many more adventures for Chi-Chi the Chinchilla. I very highly recommend this beautifully illustrated and delightful book. The Adventures of Chi-Chi the Chinchilla is definitely “my cup of tea”!!!
Lube of Life, by Mindy Mitchell and Edward Land, is a very humorous and delightful book about two [baby boomer age] people who try out an internet dating site. They become fast friends online and exchange personal contact information. The only problem is the distance between them. They eventually overcome their obstacles, and, what a journey they have! I wish you all the best and many years of happiness Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Land. I highly recommend this book. It is a very delightful read and insight to the world of online dating. Lube of Life by Mindy Mitchell and Edward Land is definitely “my cup of tea”!!
Hood Wolves, by Taquila Thompson, is a book about street gangs, and how they affect one family in particular. The book begins as the father of four-year-old Bryson is arrested and sent to jail, and his mother Tasha has to raise him on her own. She tries to break the cycle of the involvement in street gangs. The book is an insight into this world and how it works. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. There are two lines that I really like in this book, that kind of say it all…”When the grass is cut you see who the real snakes are…” and “He shouldn’t have written a check that his ass wasn’t ready to cash. Thank you Ms. Taquila Thompson for a very good book. Hood Wolves will capture the attention of the reader and not let you down. I very highly recommend Hood Wolves by Taquila Thompson. It is definitely my “cup of tea”!!
Taquila Thompson is editor-in-chief of Nu Urban Lyfe Magazine, a cultural and lifestyle publication discussing family, relationships, books, films, decorating and style. You may read Nu Urban Lyfe at http://www.nuurbanlyfemag.blogspot.com and order Hood Wolves here: http://www.amazon.com/Hood-Wolves-Taquila-Thompson/dp/1484899792
St. Peter’s Choice, by Dean T. Hartwell, is a very amusing book. St. Peter talks to three people who want to get into Heaven, but cannot. They bring up specific points, and debate why others get in whom they feel should not. St. Peter’s Choice is a very amusing book and I enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Mr. Hartwell for a book that is not only entertaining but also makes the reader think.This book is definitely “my cup of tea”.
“A Spy In The Ruins” by Christopher Bernard, is a very complex book. It is not a book that can be read quickly and just scanned through. The book is written well and you will want to sit down, put your feet up and drink a cup of tea or a cup of coffee and read it all the way through. I loved this book and highly recommend it. This book is definitely my cup of tea. Thank you Mr. Bernard for a wonderfully complex and great read!!
‘Bioweapon’ by J.K. Bowden is a brilliant work of science fiction. I loved the book. ‘Bioweapon captured my interest from the start. It kind of makes you wonder how close human kind is to having microchips implanted in the brain and being controlled. The suspense and story flows from page to page, chapter to chapter. The writer captures and holds the interest of the reader to such an extent you don’t want to put the book down. I highly recommend this book. It is definitely’my cup of tea’. Thank you Mr. Bowden for an excellent work of science fiction. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the ‘Bioweapon’ series.
Book Periscope: What’s New in Self-Published and Small Press Books
A column from avid reader Elizabeth Hughes
Note to Self by Alison Nancye
Note to Self by Alison Nancye is a fictional book, but also inspirational. Ms. Nancye had me hooked from the very first paragraph. Her writing is such that it is very hard to put the book down. I think that we all have a little bit of her main character Beth in us. She leaves a job that makes her unhappy and follows her heart to Peru, a country she has never been to, for the adventure of her life. I also loved the “Note to Self” at the end of each chapter. There are inspirational parts throughout the book. I highly recommend this book. This book is definitely my cup of tea.
The Photo Traveler grabbed me in the first page. I absolutely love this book. It is written very well and the story flows along to capture the interest of the reader. I love the idea of being able to travel through photos! How unique that would be…how interesting it would be. Mr. Gonzalez you have made a fan of me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone young or older. This book is definitely my cup of tea!!
Impossibly Glamorous is a memoir by Charles Ayres. The book is very humorous and serious. It is about him realizing that he is gay and growing up in Kansas City. How he became interested in the Japanese culture and learned to speak Japanese. He keeps you reading and interested by his excellent writing. I couldn’t put the book down. I am highly recommending this book. It is definitely my cup of tea!
Impossibly Glamorous can be purchased here: http://www.impossiblyglamorous.com
Voluptua by Jason Martin
Voluptua is about university professor of French literature, Ellen Metran. She has a very vivid dream about going through the Amazon rain forest in Peru. She meets up with Hugo Coffey who comes to hear a lecture. He has been to the Amazon rainforest many times and has worked with Shamans in the past. He meets Ellen and learns of her desire to go there. He introduces her to a substance called ayahuasca which is smoked and brings her to a higher consciousness.She experiences being in different planes and places as if she is really there. The ritual can let the spirits in from other worlds also.
Mr. Martin captures the reader’s interest with this unique book about Shamanism. According to Mr. Martin’s bio, he has been involved in shamanism for over 20 years. What an interesting person Mr. Martin must be! This book is a very good read. Voluptua keeps the reader’s interest with the flow of the story, I highly recommend the book Voluptua. It is definitely ‘my cup of tea’!!
Human Heart and Mind by Tri Sumarti Soetarman is a wonderful collection of poems that she has written from her heart. Some poems are very deep and thoughtful, some are humorous, some are sad and some are even educational. My personal favorites are ‘Give Me God’ which I found very inspirational. ‘Baby Haiku’ is sweet and sad at the same time. I feel as though it is a tribute to the ones who pass so young, as my son did so many years ago. ‘Future Fear’ is a very encouraging poem,especially the last verse. ‘Alzheimers’ and ‘Dementia’ are both sad, but the reader learns a lot about these devastating diseases. ‘Caregiver’ is another poem that is very informational and lets the reader take a look at how hard but rewarding caregiving can be. I have met Tri and she is a very sweet and kind lady. I highly recommend her book of poetry. It will make you smile, laugh and maybe even cry. This book is definitely ‘my cup of tea’!
This collection of poems are very unique, written in both English and Portuguese. The poems flow along and you can ponder on each one. They are deep and thoughtful. I highly recommend Sugar Zone. It is definitely ‘my cup of tea’!
Immersion by Mary Mackey is different than books I have read previously. The writing style is very unique. The story is very good and captures the interest of the reader. I highly recommend Immersion by Mary Mackey. It is definitely ‘my cup of tea’!
Susan K. Maciak’s ‘What Are People Skills Anyway?’
Susan K. Maciak’s book ‘What Are People Skills Anyway?’, is a great book for learning how to communicate and get along with others much better. I truly believe everyone should not just read this book, but memorize it and incorporate the suggestions into their daily interactions with others. The book also has fantastic suggestions for someone who will be interviewing for employment. She also has great suggestions for becoming a better employee, especially if you want to be promoted, land a job or even just have a better marriage and family life. I think that this book should be read by everyone. Thank you Ms. Maciak for a truly great book!! I highly recommend this book be read by all. It is most definitely ‘my cup of tea’!
