Avenue of Spies by Alex Kershaw

Many of us cannot fathom what it was like living during the time of World War II.  The Avenue of Spies brings you within the life of a small family in the middle of Paris as the approaching Germany Army plan to take over Paris.  You are introduced to a Doctor, his wife and son who are now neighbors to the invading German army.  You get to experience their lives firsthand as their city is taken over, the many restrictions they are now forced to live by and the horror of daily arrests and executions.  Knowing any day, they could be caught they continue to help the allied resistance.  Many people are saved by the doctor hiding them in the hospital and in their own home.  Time eventually runs out and they are sent to jail, interrogated, and then send from one concentration camp to another.  As the allies come closer their chances of survival are all but non-existence.  To experience the true situation of the many people that risked their lives to help others during World War II you first need to read this book.  The danger and horror these people endure is amazing but that is overshadowed by the courage and bravely of these men and women.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.  

Secret Language of Dogs by Victoria Stigwell

Few books do I find informational enough to say you should read them before do it.  In the case of the Secret Language of Dogs I think every dog owner would benefits from reading this book.  It is a quick ready but is packed with very good information that can help every dog owner or someone contemplating getting a dog.  The book is full of visual examples of dog behaviors that may or may not have recognized by their owners.  This book addresses many questions as a dog owner we always wonder about like why they roll in stinky things, chase their tails, growl at certain things or excessive barking.  While this book will not answer all your questions it will address many and help to improve your dog’s physical and mental help and along the way it might help you also.  A must read for dog lovers.  

  

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Spaceman by Mike Massimino

Space, Inspiration and the Big Bang Theory.  How could you go wrong?

I have read hundreds of what people call inspirational biographies but this one hit the mark.  A child with a dream, be it unrealistic to many and achievable to most.  The author Astronaut Mike Massimino tells of his struggles from childhood, high school, college and beyond.  In his youth Mike only wanted one thing, to be an Astronaut.  As you grow up many of your dreams disappear never to be rekindled again.  The author's passion is brought back to life after seeing a movie "The Right Stuff".  The main point of the whole biography is accepting failure as a temporary situation but doubling down and trying harder next time.  This biography is about someone with a passion that would not take no for an answer.  He battled scholastically issues, physical issues and emotional struggles but through it all he shares how he overcame each hurtle.  He did not do this with luck or being a genius but hard work, determination and working together with others.  My favorite part of the book was when the author is working with the writers of the Big Bang Theory and then ends up appearing on several of their episodes.

If you like a down to Earth true story of one of us regular Joe’s making it through a life time of struggles, then achieving his dreams then you will want to read this inspirational biography.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Thnik Happy by Karen Salmansohn

If you are not an avid reader or you don’t want to invest a great deal of time reading, then this is your book.  Short, sweet and to the point. My only real issue is I like more meat to my books.  A book that I can read in less than an hour is not worth it for me.  If you look at the content of the book it is actually interesting, thought provoking and helpful in many ways.  I just wished the author had taken time to write a full book rather than a picture book for adults.  I think she would have had something worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

People of the Second Chance by Mike Foster

While the concept of the book interested me and some of the stories I did find very inspirational the overall book I found middle of the road.  Other books on the same subject I found myself compelled to read them right away.  This book I would read in segments mainly because there was nothing new or enlightening that I have not already read thirty times over.  But if you have not read about giving people a second chance and this would be a good starting point.  If you have already read similar book like this I found nothing new or exciting that captured my interest.  Over all I thought I was a good solid introduction about forgiveness and getting your life back on track.  I would recommend it to people that have not explored this type of book before.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Old Age A Beginner's Guide by Michael Kinsley

Based on the author’s history and forewords I thought this was going to be a humorous and inspirational look at growing old but it lacked the humor I was expecting. The attempt at humor was for instance a very old joke the author about Reagan "Mr. President, I have bad news and worse news.  The bad news is that you have cancer." Reagan: "Lay it on me, Doc." The Doctor says, "The bad news is that you have cancer." Reagan: "And the worse news?" Doctor: "You have Alzheimer's." Reagan: "Well, at least I don't have cancer."  When I heard this supposed joke many years ago I didn’t this it was funny then and still don’t.  The author then goes into great detail to talk about the predictions as to how many of the Baby Boomers will get Alzheimer's or dementia. The author predictions that of the 79 million baby boomers 29 million are expected to get some form of the serious disease.  While he might want or try to spin humor around his condition with Parkinson disease that is fine but for me that stopped as soon as Dementia was introduced.  Having experience with several loved one with Alzheimer’ I see little to no humor in this.  The disease for both the individual and the caregivers is traumatic. I was hoping for some inspirational insight to counteract the facts. If it was there then I missed it.  The book does provide several topics to reflect on as you age. Memory loss, health considerations, politics, etc. I just didn't see the cheerful side as forewords stated.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Meditate Your Weight by Tiffany Cruikshank

While I have experienced the benefits of meditation and agreed they are beneficial I did struggle with this book.  While meditation can be beneficial it is not a sliver bullet as the author seems to imply.  The biggest issue I had with this book was thirty-three percent of the book is nothing more than a hard sales job on why meditation is the best thing for you or how you can over-come anything.  Any book that spends that much time in selling you into a process, product or method will lose our interest quickly.  If it works as well as the author claims, then it should not have to push the method so hard.  I do agree there are some of the topics need to be discussed but there is point and time when it becomes counterproductive.  The overall program I can see how you can benefit, if you have the ability to stick to it for twenty-one days.  Studies have shown if we do anything for twenty-one days consistently we can develop a new habit.  I believe that is the intent of the author is if you can follow her instructions you could develop a new habit. While I enjoy disconnecting myself from social media, the phone and retreating to a quiet spot I think I am the minority.  Most people choice to be connected and in today’s technology rarely are we left alone for more than a few seconds.  While I find the topic of meditation interesting I found myself skimming the first third of the book until I could fine the actual instructions of what the author was trying to teach by then I had lost interests and was turned off all together.  

   

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.