Review: Devil in the White City

Erik Larson

"Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spell-binding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.  Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction."

My Take:

The organization of this book was very much Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The Dr. Jekyll part of the book was when the story focused on the mild mannered and genius designer of the World's Fair, and the Mr. Hyde chapters were when the book focused on the serial killer H.H. Holmes. The Mr. Hyde aspect is based on a man that I am utterly shocked isn't ensconced in pop culture as thoroughly as others such as Jack the Ripper.  Seriously, Wikipedia this guy, you'll be shocked too.  Talk about maniacal!  This man built an entire business park/hotel/boarding house around his desire to maim, murder and torture women.  He had secret "disposal" chutes built in, secret passageways, secret body burning furnaces, secret anything a building dubbed "murder castle" would require.    I found these chapters absolutely fascinating.  I felt the author did a fabulous job of getting into his head.  When the book would shift focus from the building of the fair to Holmes, an eerie atmosphere would envelop you and totally creep you out.  I loved it.

As far as the Dr. Jekyll parts, dedicated to the great Architect of the Chicago World's Fair, well.....it was just okay.  At the beginning it was fine, but I quickly realized that his story just wasn't up my alley.  I'm not all that interested in reading about architecture.  Looking at beautiful buildings, yes, but reading about their construction? Not so much.  Dr. Jekyll just didn't hold my attention and about a third the way through, I started skimming those sections, and about two thirds through, I began skipping them altogether.  I felt like the two interweaving stories were for two entirely different sets of readers.  

I have to say that altogether this book was pretty good.  It was impeccably researched and crafted in such a way that it read like fiction.  There is no denying that this author is flat out fantastic.  His writing is wonderful, it's just that half of the subject matter wasn't for me.  When a coworker told me about this book, I was very intrigued by his description. He told me that "juxtaposing of the master builder and the master destroyer was riveting."  I don't think it quite lived up to that description, but I do think the author's telling of the absolute horror that was H. H. Holmes shoots this book up to the top of my ratings list.  I'm going to rate this book a 2, Borders with a Coupon.  It's definitely worth a read, especially if you are a fan of true crime.

Tell me what you think!  

Have you read this book, or anything else by Erik Larson?  

Do you think I am totally off base in my review?  

What do you think of the cover?

Hit the comments and let me know!

If the Devil in the White City was a movie, it would likely be rated a very mild PG-13.  This is only for the subject matter at hand: a serial killer.  The details of the slayings aren't' really discussed throughout the book, but I think the subject matter is enough (barely) to warrant a PG-13. 

***FTC Disclosure:  Devil in the White City was borrowed from a friend.  No compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

Better Book Titles: Round 2

A few months back, I did a post on an awesomely irreverent blog called Better Book Titles.  Basically the blog takes reader submissions on names that they feel suit the book better than the original.  It is hilarious!  As I stated in my Better Book Titles: Round 1, the original blog is not family friendly, strong language and sexually charged titles are not uncommon, but don't worry, my favorites that I've selected for Round 2 here on The Book Buff are family friendly :)  Read on intrepid Book Buffs!

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

I'd be willing to bet that anyone who read this book in high-school still takes a second thought when eating prepackaged food.  I find myself completely unable to even think about what is in that ubiquitous cereal dust at the the bottom of every cereal bag.

The Princess and the Pea

I have to say, I've never really cared for this story.  Even as a little kid I often wondered why the prince would want such a whiner for a wife.  I'm sorry, but speaking as a person who has born children, I cannot understand why a man would choose a woman who can't even sleep due to a pea, as the mother of his children.  Just sayin...

Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce

Yup.  That about sums up my experience with the book.  Has anyone reading this ever finished the book?  I'm dying to know a.) how you managed to muddle through and b.) what did you think of it?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This one basically made me spray my drink all over the place.  Having a reference to the uber secret "terrible awful" thing mentioned only in whispers throughout the entire book right there on the cover was priceless.  Hilarious!

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

I'm not poking fun at the belief, just at that prophet that keeps making all of the doomsday predictions, and that people keep believing him.  I understand the first time, but fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...well, you know :)

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

I have a funny story to tell you guys about a certain guy I'm married to having a certain club where they did stupid guy stuff back in high-school, but of course, I can't tell you said story, because it would be breaking rule #1. Y'all know what I'm sayin' *wink*wink*elbow*elbow*

 The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

Great book, but as pointed out here, a misleading title indeed.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Best.  Books.  Ever.  (tied with Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Pride and Prejudice, and Hunger Games but shhhhhhhh!  don't tell my favorites that they share the #1 spot, I don't want them to think I'm cheating on them!)

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sadly, the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer was better than the Demi Moore's version of The Scarlett Letter.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

And still, with all the musical numbers and dancing gangs, I still found West Side Story to be twice as sad.

Beauty and the Beast

Arnold Arluke and Robert Bogdan

From fairy tales to photography, nowhere is the complexity of human-
animal relationships more apparent than in the creative arts. Art illuminates the nature and significance of animals in modern, Western thought, capturing the complicated union that has long existed between the animal kingdom and us. In Beauty and the Beast, authors Arluke and Bogdan explore this relationship through the unique lens of photo postcards. This visual medium offers an enormous and relatively untapped archive to document their subject compellingly.
 

The importance of photo postcards goes beyond their abundance. Recognized as the people s photography, photo postcards were typically taken by photographers who were part of the community they were photographing. Their intimacy with the people and places they captured resulted in a vernacular record of the life and times of the period unavailable in other kinds of photography. Arluke and Bogdan use these postcards to tell the story of human-animal relations in the United States from approximately 1905 to 1935. During these years, Americans experienced profound changes that altered their connection with animals and influenced perceptions and treatment of them today. Wide-ranging in scope, Beauty and the Beast looks at the variety of roles animals played in society, from pets and laborers to symbols and prey. The authors discuss the contradictions, dualisms, and paradoxes of our relationship to animals, illustrating how animals were distanced and embraced, commoditized and anthropomorphized. With over 350 illustrations, this book presents a vivid chronicle of the deep cultural ambivalence that characterized human-animal relations in the early twentieth century and that continues today.

My Take:

Describe Beauty and the Beast in one word you ask?  Thorough.  Well, maybe you didn't ask, but too bad, I told you anyway.  I was very surprised by this book, I was expecting some cool pictures with a tad bit of social commentary and bam!  Done.  Well, no, it was much more...well...thorough, than that.  The authors chose a specific period of time (1905-1935) in which to study photographs of human/animal relations in specific categories such as pets, mascots, workers, food, vermin, and symbols.  The writing, though very involved, was very interesting.  It is not what one would consider light reading, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  While I did enjoy the written analysis of the photos, the photos themselves were my favorite part.  They displayed a wonderful cross section of animal interaction, some beautiful, some funny, some sad.  This book is very straightforward, which makes it very easy to asses a person's interest.  If you enjoy old photographs, are interested in the subject matter, and aren't afraid of some heavy reading, you'll enjoy this book.  I know I did.  2, Borders with a Coupon

I want to know what you think: Does this sound like a book you'd enjoy?  Are you interested in historic photographs and art?  If so, what is your favorite time period and why?  Hit the comments!

The images in this book are rated PG.  There is a picture of breeding horses and gutted animals hanging up in  slaughterhouses

***FTC Disclosure:  This e-book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Beauty and the Beast, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

The Affluenza Antidote

James V. D'Amico 

Can affluent parents resist the pressures to make their children's lives too easy -- thereby ruining their work ethic? This book says "yes" -- but it's not easy. Read about a few wealthy families who are bucking the tide to raise the kind of purposeful young citizens our society so desperately needs. Learn what psychologists, educators, researchers and wealth counselors say about the traditional practices and values that help bolster a family's immunity to our society's destructive obsessions. The Affluenza Antidote is intended to stimulate awareness of the damaging effects of too much money and too little tough love, and to encourage younger parents to help restore the values that made previous generations great. A portion of proceeds from the sales of this book will benefit not-for-profit organizations that support families and children.

My Take:

I can only wish that my current financial situation made this book 100% applicable to my life in the here and now, but alas, I'm broke, so I don't need this book--yet.  But I'm hopeful :)  Anyway, I really enjoyed reading through this book, because, all joking aside, I think this book actually can be used for any parent wanting their child to grow up unspoiled and instilled with strong values.  So many teenagers, both wealthy and not, have a complete sense of entitlement, and this book can give you tools to knock sense into them!  The author draws insight from many experts on the subject, and puts all the info together into a compact and straightforward book.  The author discusses the importance of simple family rituals and setting an example, as well as the hows and whys of creating a strong work ethic within your child.  That is really, I think, the biggest message in the book.  Teach your kids to work, even if they will get a huge inheritance, even if they won't, they're lives will absolutely not be fulfilling if they don't learn to work.  My final word on this book is the honesty in which it discusses the reality in which you find yourself.  This book isn't saying that if you read it and follow it, your kids will be perfect.  There is a section toward the back called "No Magic Bullets".  It talks about how there is no foolproof recipe for success, external influences, societal pressures, tragedy, trauma, DNA and birth order all have influence in each child's life, there is no escaping it.  The Affluenza Antidote is merely trying to provide the reader with as much info on the topic as possible so that you as a parent glean from it what you will and do your best.  I really enjoyed this honest and straightforward book,  3 Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review, do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

The Affluenza Antidote is rated G, appropriate for all audiences 

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own*** 

If you are interested in purchasing The Affluenza Antidote, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Operation Beautiful

Caitlin Boyle

Transforming the way you see yourself one Post-it note at a time...

Tired of watching women pick themselves apart in front of the mirror, Caitlin Boyle scribbled a note on a Post-it--"YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!"--and slapped it on the mirror of a public bathroom.  With this one small act, she kick-started a movement.  In a matter of days, women were undertaking their own feats of resistance, by posting uplifting notes on gym lockers, diet shakes in supermarkets, and anywhere else a nagging voice of self-criticism might lurk.

Operation Beautiful showcases the notes women have posted around the world and the stories behind them.  Interlaced between interviews, revealing research findings, and tips for improving one's outlook on life, each Post-it offers an inspiring message.  

Blending heartfelt confessions with gutsy observations about redefining beauty, Operation Beautiful empowers women to trust, respect, and love themselves just the way they are.

My Take:

I've always been very lucky with the role models in my life.  My mom always taught me to appreciate myself, to know that I am a nice, smart and beautiful person, and to always remember it is what is on the inside that counts.  So while I, like everyone else, had my bouts of self doubt (especially during puberty--eesh!)  overall I was very blessed to know that even if I didn't look perfect, I was still pretty great.  Unfortunately, for one reason or another there are about a zillion women out there who don't like themselves, and this is the book for those women, and even ones like me who, while I know I am far from supermodel status, know they are beautiful.  This book was very important to me, because I wanted everyone to have the security I was lucky enough to grow up with, I wanted to help other women like themselves.  This book is full of stories of how women began leaving post its for other women about how they should feel beautiful, and this in turn made them feel better about themselves.  This book is all about paying it forward and I think that is great, because nothing makes you feel better about yourself than helping others.  The book challenges you as the reader to leave these notes wherever you can, and at first I thought it would be a little cheesy.  I thought it was all well and good for others to do it, but I'd feel silly.  After thinking about it some more, I felt like I'd be doing a disservice to the book to not at least attempt to get the full experience.  So I decided to give it a go.  I oh so stealthily left funny notes in fashion magazines that said things like "They are AIRBRUSHED!  Now quit beating yourself up!" or "Don't stress about looking like this model, SHE doesn't even look like her!"  and of course, the more sappy ones like "Would you tell your best friend she is ugly/fat/stupid?  Then why are you saying it to yourself?"  I must say I felt goofy at first, but then it got to be pretty dang fun.  There were so many women in the book who felt as if someone actually cared about them enough to leave a note, and it was way fun to be part of the experience.  If you decide to participate in this movement, just be sure to leave operationbeautiful.com on the note, so women can visit the site and learn more so they can pass it on themselves.  This book is really a collection of stories, in their own words, about how these women have changed lives or whose lives have been changed, I feel weird assigning a number rating to the these stories.  So as a Book Buff first (gasp!), I won't be assigning a number rating to a book.  It is an amazing book, I highly recommend getting it, or at least checking out the website involved.

http://www.operationbeautiful.com

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own

If you are interested in purchasing Operation Beautiful, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head

Dr. Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan

True stories are more bizarre than any fiction, and Dr. Gary Small knows this best. After thirty distinguished years of psychiatry and groundbreaking research on the human brain, Dr. Small has seen it all—now he is ready to open his office doors for the first time and tell all about the most mysterious, intriguing, and bizarre patients of his career. 

The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head is a spellbinding record of the doctor's most bewildering cases, from naked headstands and hysterical blindness to fainting schoolgirls and self-amputations. It is an illuminating journey into the mind of a practicing psychiatrist and his life in medicine as it evolves over time—a behind-the-scenes look at the field and a variety of mental diseases as they've never been seen or diagnosed before. You'll find yourself exploring the puzzling eccentricities that make us human. 

Often funny, sometimes tragic, and always compelling, Dr. Small takes you on a tour of his career that moves from the halls of a crowded inner-city Boston emergency room to the multimillion-dollar ski lodges of the nation's elite. In between, Dr. Small introduces a strange cast of true-life characters and conditions, while dealing with mysterious hysterical blindness, a man convinced that his penis is shrinking, secret double lives, and frighteningly psychotic romantic desires. His career and personal life come full circle when his own mentor becomes his patient, making Small realize that no one is beyond mental exploration—not even himself.

My Take:

The name of this book really catches your eye, doesn't it?  Well, judging by the name, I thought this book was going to be a funny, albeit, irreverent look at some of the more bizarre goings on in the world of psychotherapy.  What I read were definitely bizarre stories, but they were told in a more caring and insightful way than I expected.  I loved it.  The book started out a bit slow talking about the author's background, and I was anxious because I wanted to hear the crazy stories!  So maybe it just appeared slow because I tend to be an impatient person (my husband will get a kick out of me admitting that) but once it got into the stories, I loved the take it slow and discuss all aspects feel.  The author is not making fun of the patients he had that were bizarre, instead, he illustrated how even people who do the craziest things are regular people too.  The naked lady standing on her head story kind of freaked me out, because the reason behind the naked yoga pose could easily happen to me, or anyone! (except I don't know Yoga, so instead, I'll just be the naked lady sitting on a gurney, not something cool like standing on my head :)  I really enjoyed the fact that the author wasn't afraid to talk about where he thought he might have been wrong in treating patients early on, I always love a person who doesn't always have to be right.  If you are interested in learning more about this world, you'll love the book, it is interesting, thoughtful and funny. 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for language and some sexual references.

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are considering purchasing The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Hollywood Stories

Stephen Schochet

Short, entertaining Anecdotes about the stars and legends of the movies!

My Take:

I had SO much fun reading this book!  There were about a zillion stories about everything and everyone from old old Hollywood to recent blockbusters like Harry Potter.  The stories are separated into different categories, so that you can easily jump around and read only what you are interested in, and there is also an index if you are looking for info on a specific person or movie.  Some of my favorite categories were Leading Men and Leading Ladies Lore, Great Hollywood Anecdotes, Walt Disney Stories and Great Hollywood Comedians.  If you are a movie buff like me (yes, I am both a Book Buff and Movie Buff, though books trump movies for me :) you will get a kick out of this must read.  Basically, I absolutely loved this book, and don't have much more to say about it, so I think I'll end my review with some fun "Didja Know?"s I gleaned from the book.  Didja know that Sean Connery once avoided jail in Morocco by shouting "I'm 007!  I'm 007!" after having left his passport on set?  Didja know that the real Maria von Trapp greeted Christopher Plummer, the actor portraying her husband, with a big kiss on the lips exclaiming "My Heavens, darling, I wished my real husband had looked as good as you!"?  Didja know that Walt Disney's daughter once asked him for an autograph while saying "Daddy, you never told me you were that Walt Disney!"? 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated a light PG-13 for references to antics of the stars.  Light references to sex drugs, violence etc.

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for n honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Hollywood Stories, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!














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Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

Gino Wickman

DO YOU HAVE A GRIP ON YOUR BUSINESS, OR DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE A GRIP ON YOU?

Don't let common problems and frustrations run your business.  Get a grip and gain control with the Entrepreneurial Operating System.

Inside Traction, you'll learn the secrets of strengthening the Six Key Components of your business.  You'll discover small yet powerful ways to run your company that will give you and your leadership team more focus. more growth, and more enjoyment.

Based on years of real-world implementation in over 100 companies. the Entrepreneurial Operating System is a practical method for achieving the business success you have always envisioned.  Successful organizations are applying it every day to run profitable, frustration-free businesses--and you can too.

My Take:

I really enjoyed reading through this book because my husband and I hope to run a business someday.  Traction gave great practical advice in six clear areas of focus: People, Vision, Data, Process, Traction and Issues.  Each of these important components is discussed in length and the reader is given real world application tips.  I really hate those abstract business books that give you cliche advice such as "visualize and actualize the growth of your business", "failure to plan is a plan for failure" or "be proactive, not reactive."  Yes, all those things are true, but I like solid practicalities.  This book has a ton of quizzes, checklists and company scorecards to give you a feel for the areas your business needs work  Also, many questions are asked of you as the business owner, to get you thinking and to get a clear vision of where you want your business to go, because if it isn't clear to you, it won't be clear to anyone else.  Another neat feature is the index in the back, so that you don't have to read the entire book over again looking for specifics you need to read about in the moment.  I loved this innovative book, the author is really putting his extensive experience to good use.  If you have a business, this book is a must read.  1, Pay Full Price.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If you are interested in purchasing Traction, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Body Parts: A Collection of Poems About Aging

Janet Cameron Hoult

My Take:

Yay yay yay!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  I have been so disappointed with poetry lately and I finally found some I enjoyed!  So often do poets take themselves WAAAAY too seriously, and this poet certainly does not.  I am in my early 20s, but I have to say that I found these poems to be hilarious, even though I am obviously not the intended age group.  One of my favorite things about these little ditties is the rhythm.  I am a big believer in not sacrificing rhythm for rhyme.  The following excerpt is a perfect example that you can have the best of both worlds:

What's that, what did you say?
I really haven't got all day.
Just speak up now, have no fear,
Repeat it dear, I couldn't hear.

The 3rd and 4th line especially have just a great flow and rhythm.  I won't go deep into the theory behind stressed and unstressed syllables because it is pretty snooze-tastic for uninterested parties, but let me tell you, this lady really nailed it.  She also borrows a bit from some great poets such as (a personal favorite) Edgar Allen Poe.  I'll tell you that man was whackadoo crazy as can be, but he sure was a genius.  Anyway, if you are familiar with his poem The Bells, you will certainly appreciate The Pills.  Here is an little bit for you:

Oh the

pills, pills, pills

All the never ending pills

Now that we have passed our prime

And we spend a lot of time

Taking

pills, pills, pills, pills.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of humorous poetry, or as a funny gift for over the hill type birthdays.  1, Pay Full Price.  I think it only fitting that I end my review with this lovely little gem of a poem:

Kegels and exercise
Don't do the trick.
So, I'm off to the doctor
To get myself fixed.

A snip and a tug,
A mend of a tear.
My doctor has done it.
She's made a repair!

So tell me a joke
Something funny and rare.
I don't leak anymore
I can laugh without care!

 Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel! 

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  No other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Body Parts, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!














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Living Well: Making a Difference

Andy Anderson

In Living Well...Making a Difference, author Andy Andersen makes a bold mark on modern thought. His philosophy is breathtakingly simple and wonderfully awe-inspired. His goal, which stems from his vast experience as a career Navy man, community leader, husband and father, is to coach readers in doing for others before they do for themselves. It is mankind’s grace that will positively impact one another’s lives and, in turn, our own.

In twenty-two succinct and life-changing chapters, with titles such as “Money and Materialism,” “What Can I do?,” and “Random Acts of Kindness,” Andy weaves lessons about patriotism, prejudice, forgiveness, and decency with affable humor that will lead to self reflection. These illuminating vignettes can be read as separate pieces of non-fiction and should be considered a naval aviator’s checklist for life. A serviceman’s call to servant hood, these inspirational missives shoot from the hip and celebrate a life of duty — our service to others; it is what makes the world go round.

My Take:

I absolutely loved this book!  It is absolutely full of hilarious advice that is both honest and practical.  I didn';t necessarily learn a ton from this book, because I don't really have a problem with spending more than I make and I am pretty responsible with my money.  But I think the advice given in this book would be indispensable for others.  The author gives some great advice on a number of topics such as living within one's means, money and materialism, listening and communicating, simplicity, forgiveness, positive relationships, and patriotism.  Some of his advice is what I call "facepalm" advice.  Something that seems so obvious that when one hears it, they put their face in their palm and shake their head.  Things like not buying a car that you can't afford, not buying a house with unnecessary upgrades that double the cost of the house you already can't afford, not building up credit card debt that equals your yearly salary.  Things that even kids know you shouldn't do, yet people keep on doing it!!!  The book has a great sense of humor about it, here is one of my favorite quotes, this one came from a section dealing with relationships:

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported on an experiment in which 276 people were voluntarily injected with cold viruses.  The people who were generally happy and were in healthy relationships were 4 times better at fighting colds.  Evidently, meaner people truly are 'snottier' people.

 The author really knows what he is talking about, he's been on the lecture circuit forever, but he doesn't take himself too seriously.  He cracks a lot of jokes to ease away from the heavy topics discussed in the book.  I think this is a great read for someone who just needs to hear some good advice on how to live well, hence the title of the book, Living Well.   I almost gave this book a top rating, but the pacing was a little off, so it gets a 2, Borders with a Coupon.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Living Well, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Missing Andy: The Journey from Grief to Joy

Lori A. Moore

"In her latest book, Missing Andy: The Journey from Grief to Joy, author Lori A. Moore shows us how to look at the loss of a loved one not as a final event but rather as a celebration that our loved one is with the Lord.  Her story will take you on that trip from inconsolable sadness to the joy that can only be found through Christ Jesus."

My Take:

This was an incredibly inspirational book!  It follows the author's journey after losing her ex-husband/best friend in an unexpected surgical complication from pain to happiness.  The book is written plainly and honestly, there is no pretense, no preaching.  Lori A. Moore is simply and beautifully attempting to help others through similar situations, and the result is a wonderful book.  Aside from a wonderful message, the writing itself is solid and simple, so as not to distract from the intent of the book.  This is one of those books that is tough to rate because its purpose is not entertainment, but rather inspiration.  If you are looking to recover from the loss of a loved one with the help of some non-denominational Christian wisdom, this is a book for you. This was a very short book, and while it was sweet and inspirational, I'm not sure if there is enough material there to warrant the top score, and therefore I rate this book a 2, Use a Coupon at Borders.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

This book is rated PG because the book revolves around a theme of death, which may be too much for very young audiences

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Where There is No Comfort: Seven Days in Ethiopia

Juliann Troi

 When Pat Bradley, president of International Crisis Aid (ICA), asked Juliann Troi to write an article to promote awareness of the life-saving work his nonprofit organization was doing in Ethiopia, Troi realized it couldn't be done from her office; first-hand experience was needed.  Knowing that Pat's work focused mostly on life-and-death situations in places where no one could easily go, guaranteed a difficult trip.  Gathering her courage, she left her family and comfortable home to embark on a journey that forever changed her and the way she saw the world.

Troi spent a week in and around Angacha, a small village south of Ethiopia's capital, bringing hope to a desperate land Where There is No Comfort.  During that time, she helped ICA's team feed the starving, heal the sick, and reach out to young girls recently freed from sex slavery.

Troi found millions of Ethiopians suffer unspeakable hardships, yet exhibit an amazing resilience and strength of character as they struggle to survive. This inspirational snapshot of life in Ethiopia will open your eyes and touch your heart.

My Take:

I was a little nervous to read this book because I thought that if I didn't like it it, it would be difficult to write anything negative about a book that chronicles a relief worker's trip to Ethiopia, it would be cruel!  Thankfully, I didn't have to deal with that problem.  The book was engaging, interesting and haunting.  The reader is easily transported into the author's shoes, feeling the same feelings of nervousness and compassion.  The book has several pages of pictures, which were absolutely heart rending.  I wanted to jump right on a plane, get over there and give each of the people featured in the book a big hug and a full meal!  This is the sort of book that really makes you appreciate what you have, because even the poorest people in America live better than most of the people the author encountered.  The journey the author went on is well chronicled in the book, and you truly feel for the people she went to Ethiopia to help.  I really think this book can inspire people to get out and help others, and I personally was very inspired by this book.  Now, my financial situation would not allow me to do something drastic, such as fly across the world, but I have been more inclined to help people on a daily basis.  Where There is No Comfort is a very important book, and if it looks like something you may be interested in, I recommend 1, Pay Full Price.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

Rated PG-13 for images containing nudity (not in a sexual way, but to demonstrate what a truly starving body looks like) and some of the images of hardship may be inappropriate for children

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Looking Like You: A Step-By-Step Guide for Medical Hair Replacement

Barry Hendrickson

"Barry Hendrickson and his staff are like guardian angels." 

-New York Times

"I myself and top NYC stylists refer our clients to Barry Hendrickson for superior service, and the ultimate in quality and style."  

-Edward Tricomi of Warren & Tricomi Salon

My Take:

Looking Like You is a wonderful resource for any woman that is about to embark upon the journey through chemotherapy.  The book discusses the realities of what will happen to your hair during the chemo process in a positive and constructive way.  The visual styling of the book is bright and fun.  The author understands women in this position need something uplifting and happy.  Many of the pages are devoted to great pictures of wig styles, showing how awesome a properly styled wig can look.  Looking Like You is also chalk full of practical advice about choosing a wig, caring for the wig, and keeping yourself healthy.  The author, Barry Hendrickson, is one of the top wig stylists in the world.  He is highly recommended by top stylist, Edward Tricomi (whom you may know as the stylist who does the makeovers on America's Next Top Model) and is sought after by the heavy hitters of the entertainment business.  Basically, this guy knows what he is talking about.  He offers great advice gleaned from actually caring about, and listening to his clients over many years.  If you find yourself in a situation where you would benefit from a book on medical hair replacement, this book is top notch.  I rate this book a 1, Pay Full Price.  

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

This book is appropriate for all ages.

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Looking Like You, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Giving You the Wow and the How

Sharmen Lane
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Giving You the Wow and the How is written by a woman who has been where you might be right now.  Sharmen Lane not only shares her story of success and how to achieve great things, because she has personally done it, but also she gives you the simple tools to do it yourself and shows you how to use them.  If you want to change your life, if you want to go from now to wow, Sharmen Lane will show you the how.  She personally went from being a high school dropout manicurist, to a millionaire and college graduate by using the tools, tips and strategies she shares with you in this step by step inspirational book.  Sharmen Lane gives you the wow and the how, starting right now!

My Take: 

Giving You the Wow and the How is one of the more entertaining Self Help books I've read.  The themes and ideas discussed in the book are very much the same as other books of the same genre.  Find out what you love to do, knock out negativity, write down your goals, etc.  What sets this book apart, however, is the readability of the book.  The author is a good story teller, and accompanies all of her tips with applicable and interesting stories from her own life experience.  She has a lot of passion for the message she is trying to convey, and you can definitely see her passion come through the book.  This is a great book for people who have found themselves in a rut and just need a little motivation.  This book is filled with practical exorcises that help bolster a person's drive.  One of the qualities I most enjoyed, was how unpretentious the author was.  So many Self Help authors are painfully uppity that I can't bear to read their books.  Sharmen Lane is just regular woman who worked hard and found a way to achieve success, she isn't looking to spout off about how great she is for all of her accomplishments.  If you aren't a Self Help fan, this book probably won't convert you, but if you are looking for something to kick your behind and get you moving, this is one to check out!  As far as Self Help books go, this is one of the better ones, and as such I am giving it a rating of 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

This book is acceptable for all audiences

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Giving You the Wow and How, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Adult Children of Divorce: Confused Love Seekers

Geraldine K. Piorkowski

Making wise partner choices--finding and keeping romantic love--is not magic, nor is the storybook love the stuff of real life.  Romantic love is often an elusive, fragile, and tenuous state, difficult to maintain across years.  The rates of divorce, re-divorce, relationship violence, and abuse today attest to the fact that Americans are failing at romantic love.  For teenaged and adult children of divorce, romantic love is especially elusive.  Because they have no road map of a satisfying, stable romantic relationship derived from their own parents, they are confused about what love is and tend to make poor partner choices.  Borrowing heavily from popular culture for the unrealistic standards regarding love, they become disillusioned when their all-too-ordinary lovers don't measure up.  Especially vulnerable to the problems their parents had, they tend to overreact in a similarly negative fashion and are all too ready to consider divorce when unhappiness strikes.  In trying to halt intergenerational transmission of divorce, psychologist Piorkowski points out how American popular culture presents an over sexualized, explosive, and superficial version of romantic love that can't last.  With this book, adult children of divorce can begin to recognize how they have been affected by familial experiences and develop a new, realistic map to provide directions for more fulfilling and enduring romantic relationships.

**This was difficult book for me to review, as I am not an adult child of divorce, my parents have been happily married for 35 years.  In order to gain a better perspective on the book, I had a dear friend of mine, and also an adult child of divorce, write a guest review.  The review of this book will include both of our perspectives***

My Take: 

I had a tough time with this book.  The author has obviously devoted a lot of time and research on this topic, and I think some of her insights are quite valid, however, some of her core beliefs, I question.  For example I think she significantly over demonized fairy tale romance, almost as if she is saying that a romantic relationship to have any romance or magic at all is totally and completely unrealistic.  Again, I was lucky to have a great example of what marriage should be, and I think this is why my opinion on the book just doesn't cut it because I am not the intended audience whatsoever.  With this in mind, let's hear from a person who is the intended audience, my friend, Jessie...

Jessie's Take:

Dr. Piorkowski addresses this book to the adult children of divorce as a way to shed light on why they have a difficult time finding a satisfying love relationship. However, in reading the text, this book should have been written for all men and women seeking such a relationship. She spends several sections of the book addressing “romantic love,” which she often uses interchangeably with “love.” However, as she also clearly states, these two terms are very different. She addresses the problem adult children of divorce have with looking at love as it is in the movies, overly romanticized and unrealistic. I feel that this is a problem that all of society has, not just a problem that adult children of divorce have. Her biggest problem in her book is that all of her arguments for adult children of divorce being unable to find a satisfying love are arguments that could easily refer to the rest of the world, even those with happily married parents. In fact, some could argue that those with divorced parents could choose a life partner easier and with more satisfaction that one with happily married parents because they know and have observed how love and marriage is a fragile thing and without work it can fall apart. Those with married parents have only seen it work and possibly take that connection for granted and not realize how much work their parents put into their marriage to continue to make it last. One factor I wish Dr. Piorkowski would have addressed in all of her statistics and theories is how different it is for these adult children of divorce to find a satisfying love when abstaining from having sex until after marriage. Do they find their partner and marriage to be more fulfilling than those who did not wait? I think that is a major factor that should have been addressed, especially with the amount of time she spent writing about lack of intimacy. Another issue that I had was that the entire contents of the book was summarized by chapter in the introduction, making it difficult for one to want to continue to read the rest of the book. Overall, Dr. Piorkowski’s Adult Children of Divorce: Confused Love Seekers is a very intelligently written book (possibly more so than the average person would like) but her research seems a little contradictory and is obviously skewed to address her topic.  After reading this book, I would rate it a 4, Borrow from a Friend. 

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I am totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

Rated PG-13 more for the fact of who the intended audience is rather than actual content

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own (and in this case Jessie's own too)***

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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How to Help Parents and Kids Get Over the Fear of Math

Saundra Carter

In my family, I am the brains behind English, History, and Writing.  My hubby is the brains behind math, science and computers.  I always figured he'd be the one helping our kids with their math homework when the time came, and I'd help them with their essays.  Well, after reading this book, I'm still totally intimidated by math, but I feel like with the help of this book, I'll be more able to muddle through and help the kids.  Its broken down into useful sections such as Time Saving Techniques, Areas that Give Math Students the Most Difficulty, and also Careers in Mathematics.  I found this last section to be really great.  She goes into detail about jobs such as Actuary, Statistician, Economist, Geoscientist, and Surveyor.  As you can see from my blog, I'm a books and words kind of person, so you'd probably have to pay me triple to work any of those jobs, but I showed my nephew those pages (he LOVES math) and he was really interested and really excited to see the opportunities in pursuing math.  I also let my sister, who is a former elementary school teacher, current homeschooling SAHM, borrow the book to get a good look at it.  As a former teacher and mom of kids the age appropriate for the book (my daughter is 3, we don't need the book for her quite yet :)  I was anxious to get her opinion.   She and her home school group have found it to be a great book to have on hand in class to help students get through tough spots. Coming up with the right rating for this book was tough, I found this book to be a really great resource, and if is something you think you'd be able to use, then 1, Pay Full Price. However, if you are just fine in math and don't need the additional help, 5, Don't Even Bother. 

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

This book is rated G for all audiences

Now a few words with the author, Saundra Carter:

The Book Buff: When and why did you begin writing?

Saundra Carter: After tutoring young people in math for more than 15 years, I noticed that many of my students forgot their math lessons over summer break or after long absences. Writing the book provided a permanent record of our sessions together that they carry with them to college and in life to help their own children with math.

TBB: What was the hardest part of writing How to Help Parents and Kids Get Over the Fear of Math?

SC: The most difficult part of writing the book was knowing when to finish. There are so many more math concepts that cause young people to struggle.  I did not want to re-write a text book, but an inspirational, educational, and entertaining book for parents and their children.

TBB: Is this book inspired by events in your own life?

SC: By sharing my own struggles with math as  a youth, I can let people know that they can move from fear to ferocity in math.

TBB: Is there a specific message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

SC: There is nothing to fear about math, but fear itself.

If you are interested in learning more about Saundra Carter, or her books and upcoming projects, check out the following link: http://www.math1on1.net

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

It Happened in Chicago

Scotti Cohn

 True Tales from the Windy City's Past

From the building of the first permanent settlement on the site of present-day Chicago in 1779 to Oprah Winfrey's television debut in 1984, It Happened in Chicago tells the stories of intriguing people and events from the history of the Windy City.  

Find out how the 1893 Chicago World's Fair turned out to be a glorious emblem of late-nineteenth-century American progress, despite predictions by some New Yorkers that it would be little more than a "cattle show."  Read all about America's first automobile race, which set out from Chicago in 1895.  Learn how the paths of two very different Hoffmans--federal judge Julius Hoffman and Yippie leader Abbie Hoffman--collided in 1969.  And discover that there really isn't much that didn't happen in Chicago!

My Take:

Reading It Happened in Chicago felt more than a bit like reading a textbook.  Interesting, mind you, but a distinct aura of textbookiness surrounded it.  It is full to bursting with names, dates, and facts, making it an excellent research reference.  For me, as a person with no connections to Chicago, (other than the fact that Ferris Beuller's Day off is one of my favorite movies ever) I just didn't connect personally with the book.  It was interesting to me but not essential.  This is all a matter of personal taste, if you hail from Chicago, I think you'll likely love this book.  The stories are quite engaging, and though a smidge dry at time, the writing is totally solid.  A feature I enjoyed in It Happened in Chicago, was the last few pages with bullet-pointed trivia, which included things like the city's nicknames and famous Chicagoans.  I love random trivia, again a personal preference. (but hey, isn't this blog all about my personal preferences?)  Anyway, this book was tough to rate, if you are interested in American History and/or Chicago history, this book is a 2, Borders with a Coupon, if not, it is a 4, Borrow from a Friend.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated PG

A few words with the author, Scotti Cohn:

The Book Buff: When did you begin writing?

Scotti Cohn: I can't remember a time when I wasn't writing. I started writing poems and stories in elementary school.

TBB: Do you have a specific writing style?

SC: For my nonfiction books (like It Happened in Chicago), I like to think my style is straightforward and conversational. My goal is to engage the reader and draw him or her into the story. I adjust my style based on my intended audience and the type of book I'm writing.

TBB: What book are you reading now?

SC: I usually read more than one book at a time. Right now, I'm reading179 Ways to Save a Novel by Peter Selgin and Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire.

TBB: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

SC: I have many favorite authors, including Ray Bradbury, Madeleine L'Engle, Susan Cooper, Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix, Philip Pullman, Cornelia Funke, Stephen King, and others. The authors I enjoy the most are those who take me into a world of mystery and supernatural events, whose writing is evocative and original.

TBB: Do you have any advice for other writers?

SC: A good foundation for any writer is to abide by the Four Ps: Pages, Professionalism, Patience, and Perseverance. By "Pages" I mean putting words on paper. In other words, write. You can't be a writer if you don't write. "Professionalism" includes taking a professional approach to the craft of writing, as well as to revision, submission, and marketing. "Patience" includes being patient with yourself as you learn and refine the craft. "Perseverance" means to keep trying -- whether that involves submitting a manuscript to many publishers or revising a manuscript as often as necessary to get it where it needs to be.

If you are interested in learning more about Scotti Cohn, It Happened in Chicago, or any of her other projects, please click here: http://scotti.cohn.tripod.com/new_site_2/index2.html

***FTC Disclosure:  A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing It Happened in Chicago, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life

Andrew J. Eaton

Andrew J. Eaton has encapsulated life’s ups and downs and, from his soulspeak, created a poetic and beautiful rendering in Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life. This anthology of poetry explores the territories of the human psyche -- love, loss, joy, grief and forgiveness.

Gleaning inspiration from his own personal life lessons, Eaton gets to the core of human emotion -- how pain can be a path toward healing, how losing love can inspire one to love him or herself, how music, works of art, films and everyday happenings can inspire us to take a leap of faith, and how the humanness in others can make us realize how we are all the same -- we want to be loved, listened to, and feel a connection to the world.

My Take:

Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life is some of the better poetry I've read lately.  While the poems that centered around love began to feel a bit cookie cutter from one to the next, I really enjoyed the more individually themed poems.  The more individual poems seemed to be the ones focused on a particular person, such as the author's mom, a lost friend, or a forgotten soldier.  The love poems felt like filler, but there were a few shining stars.  One poem, A Loss Not Forgotten, had particular resonance.  It isn't a life changer by any means, but you know the author really feels the loss he's describing, the following is an excerpt:

A soul mate to one

A mother of three

A small gift from heaven

Given to us all

More than a wife 

More than a mother

More than a sister

Always a friend

We all needed her

But heaven needs her more

Memories of the good times

Will help fill the void

Not seeing her or hearing hr voice

Will always leave us a little empty

Knowing she is with loved ones

Helps heal this unbearable pain

We all share together

We love you and will always miss you

Not Keats or Shelley, but these are simple words with true feeling behind them.  The poetry doesn't feel pretentious to me at all.  Again, the poems with truth and passion behind them stood out amidst the sea of "love is greater than money" "love conquers all" centric pieces.  If you don't particularly enjoy poetry, in all honesty, this compilation will not likely make you a convert.  But if you do enjoy poetry, I rate Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life a 3, Find a Used Book Store.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

Now a few words with the author, Andrew Eaton:

The Book Buff: When did you begin writing?  

Andrew Eaton: About 4 years ago. It was a way of self-therapy

TBB: What inspired you to write Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life?   

AE: Many negative and hardships had entered my life that I was trying to get a grip on.  A birthday card poem lead to another to another and so on.  Blessings came from above in many different forms of expression.

TBB: How did you come up with the title?   

AE: We are all poetry in motion, written by a higher power.  The intent is beautiful, the result is up to us as individuals.  Some embrace the speedbumps of life with grace, as others stumble.

TBB: How much of your work is based in reality?     

AE: All of It.  My exploration into people and music, or life itself to help me understand

TBB: What was the hardest part of writing Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life?    

AE: Having the guts to offer it to others.  Passion is never hard to express, but always to convey to others to enjoy and get something or anything from it.

TBB: What books have most influenced your life most?    

AE: I think Mr. Robert Frost, among others.  He reminded me of the simple things in childhood that meant so much.  The fond memories of my grandparents, and time spent and lost with them.

TBB: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?     

AE: Use my poetry or others to help understand Life.  I've written a poem from a single word in a song or a person in need to inspire me.  Helpless, only means you have to try harder as you give more to others without it.  Belief is such a powerful word.  Always believe in yourself and your ability to give without asking.  It all comes back in time.  If you bless me, in reading my book, Thank You!  Always

If you are interested in learning more about Andrew Eaton's work, please check out http://www.eloquentbooks.com/PoetryInMotionOrSpeedbumpsOfLife.html

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Poetry in Motion or Speedbumps of Life, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!