Review - The Biggest BUT in the World by Natalie K. Hodge

TITLE:    The Biggest But in the World
AUTHOR:  Natalie K. Hodge
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 108 pages
PUBLISHED:   CreateSpace, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  The biggest BUT in the World is a hilariously insightful self-help book designed to assist readers in their journey to ditch excuses and pursue excellence. Author Natalie K. Hodge not only shares tips and strategies she has acquired working with thousandss of college students and professionals over the years, but also candidly discusses her own BUTS. She asserts that the number one reason people don't achieve the success they desire is because of the excuses they hide behind. 

The strategically written personal development masterpiece uses plain yet colorful language, periodic micro-assessments and tons of real life examples to reach wide audiences of all backgrounds. Natalie even made a conscious decision to limit the page count in an effort to maximize accessibility in a world where blog-style writing rules. The structure supports the highly original content she shares chapter after chapter. Readers will laugh, cry, become frustrated, but absolutely grow as a result of this read. 

MY TAKE:  This book definitely had me laughing at points, as well as stopping to ponder things at other times. The author has a fun way of laying it all out there for the reader. 

It is a quick read, but I think it can definitely be helpful in trying to push past our own procrastinations and "buts". I do love that title!
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Amazon / The Book Depository / Powell's Books

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Creatively Ever After by Alicia Arnold

TITLE:    Creatively Ever After: A Path to Innovation

AUTHOR:    Alicia Arnold
INFO:    Paperback, Non-Fiction, 156 pages
PUBLISHED:   The Cadence Group, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Around the world corporate executives have identified creativity as a key component to success. Creativity breeds innovation. Innovation gets results. There is a call for creativity in the workplace; however, there are few solutions for building deliberate creativity skills. That is, until now. Learn how to consistently bring new thinking to your organization’s toughest challenges by using the proven Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process.


Discover simple ways to: 

• Create new futures
• Develop breakthrough, creative solutions
• Unlock your personal creativity
• Generate more ideas, and better ideas, in a shorter amount of time
• Solve the right organizational problems efficiently and effectively
• Build creative leadership skills

MY TAKE:    Alicia Arnold has found a unique way to share the top-notch technique of using creativity to move forward.  By marrying Creative Problem Solving (CPS) with the tried and true nursery rhyme of "Jack and Jill", she has improvised a tool to help those of us who are stuck in a rut get out.


Her own creativity has come out in full force in this short (156 pages) book that packs quite a punch.  She gives us Jack and Jill's plight as a vehicle to show us how the CPS process can be applied to just about any situation.  As we work alongside Jack and Jill through the steps of identifying, gathering, clarifying, generating, developing and planning; we are creating our own process to solve our own problems.  The illustrations are cute and help convey the light tone the author uses to convey some important messages.


As I was reading this book I was continually finding ways to that I might implement these steps into my own issues.  There were many times when I stopped reading in order to write some notes to myself.  Ms. Arnold was successful in jump starting my own creativity regarding a couple of things I'm dealing with at the moment.  I was impressed that while this book was targeted for a business environment/atmosphere; I could see many instances to implement the process in our everyday dealings.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Copies are available now at:  
Amazon, The Book Depository, Barnes & Noble

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Be Bodacious by Steven D. Wood

TITLE:    Be Bodacious: Put Life in Your Leadership
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Steven D. Wood
INFO:    Paperback, Non-Fiction, 152 pages
PUBLISHED:   White Bay, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-9844777-0-8
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from the Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  Be Bodacious: Put Life in Your Leadership is a different type of leadership guide, for a different type of leader. Illustrated by humorous and motivational stories, Steven teaches three characteristics of a "bodacious leader:" an extraordinary commitment to a dream, unrestrained passion to pursue a dream and bold action to realize a dream.

Presented in an engaging story format, Be Bodacious follows a young man who discovers the secrets of effective leadership through a mentor named "Cowboy," a character who embodies the many leaders that have influenced Steven in his career and personal life. Though their conversations, Cowboy's secrets to "bodacious leadership" are revealed, teaching readers how to become a better role model at home, in the community and at the office.


Corporate audiences have heard Steven's message on "bodacious leadership," and have walked away with the tools to revitalize their business. Now, after decades of working alongside great leaders on the ranch and in corporate America, Wood is ready to pass on his experiences, in a book that will bring out your own bodacious leader - both in and out of the office.

MY TAKE:   I thought this book was a very simple, straight-forward approach to turning yourself into a better, more successful person in all aspects of your life.  There were some funny stories shared that help illustrate the author's point.

This book didn't reveal anything earth-shattering or really all that new, but it was put forth in such a manner that it was an enjoyable read.  It helps remind a person what they should be doing to move forward in life.
   
MY RATING:    3/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:  Amazon, IndieBound, The Book Depository

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - 101 Ways to Meditate by Linda A. Lavid

101 Ways to Meditate: Discover Your True Self

TITLE: 101 Ways to Meditate: Discover Your True Self

AUTHOR/EDITOR: Linda A. Lavid
INFO: Paperback, Self-Help, 144 pages
PUBLISHED: Full Court Press, 2010
ISBN#: 978-0-9817070-2-0
HOW'D I GET IT: Received it from the author/Goodreads for review

FROM THE COVER/PUBLISHER:  101 Ways to Meditate:  Discover Your True Self is a primer to illuminate the landscapes within and beyond.  Easily explained and specific, 101 Ways to Meditate supplies a wide selection of Processing, Imagery, Release, and Inspirational meditations to make meditative practice life-affirming, insightful and fun.  Whether to explore metaphysical questions, experience higher awareness, or come to terms with the mystery within, meditation serves. 

MY TAKE:  I found this to be a small book with a lot of punch.  The author really does provide the 101 ways to meditate!  She writes in a very conversational tone that makes it easy to understand and easy to follow.  The last part of the book is a meditation journal with helpful quotations and space to write thoughts or doodle pictures.  The author appears to be quite knowledgeable on the subject and this makes for a book that is a great resource for those interested in meditation styles and techniques.

MY RATING: 3/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:   101 Ways to Meditate: Discover Your True Self

Happy Reading!