HumanITy: Connecting Humans and Technology the Way It Was Always Meant to Be

 HumanITy: Connecting Humans and Technology the Way It Was Always Meant to Be, Yarrow 
Diamond, 2024

 

The world seems to be changing at lightning speed over the past few years. Young people can navigate 
the new technological world like it’s nothing, while the older generation struggles to not get left behind. This book may be able to help.

It starts with a disturbing statistic, courtesy of IBM: in the next decade, over 1.4 billion people will have to retrain or adapt themselves to survive in this new economy. AI is not the first technology with the 
potential to put a lot of people out of work; think back to the Industrial Revolution.

As a corporate leader, do not go to your IT head and say, “Give me software that automates everything.” That is a recipe for disaster. Many questions have to be answered first: What part of your business is 
to be automated? Custom software or off-the-shelf software? Cloud storage or on-site storage? How many employees will use it? Will they be only at headquarters or at all offices? What is the cost and timeline?

There is also a chapter on “geek speak,” basic technology terms explained for nongeeks. It is essential
 that there be constant feedback between Corporate and IT, so that both groups totally understand each other.

There are many pros and cons to technology. On one hand, it has become very easy for people all over 
the world to take real college courses for a very reduce cost, or for free. On the other hand, technology has contributed to a huge rise in obesity and diabetes 
among young people and even children. What is happening on their cellphones seems to be more important than getting any type of physical activity.

Here is an excellent and easy-to read book about the coming world of technology. It is very much worth reading, even for non-geeks.

Ethiopian Bible in English Complete: Amplified Edition

 Ethiopian Bible in English Complete: Amplified Edition, Eddie Helton Brooks, 2024, ISBN 979-8-33791-891-4

This contains 150 religious books. It starts with many of the Books of the Christian Bible, including Genesis, Exodus, Job, Proverbs, Acts, the 4 Gospels and the Book of Revelation.

It is followed by several deuterocanonical Books, like Judith, Additions to Esther, Prayer of Manasseh and 1-4 Maccabees. It also contains Extra-Canonical and Apocryphal Books, like The Vision of Isaiah, Psalm 151, The Psalms of Solomon, The Testament of Abraham and The Sibylline Oracles.

The comes some examples of Christian Apocrypha. These include The Epistle of Barnabas, The Gospel of Mary, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, The Acts of Paul and Thecla, The Gospel of Judas, The Gospel of Truth and The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs.

My only criticism of this book is that some sort of explanation of what an Ethiopian Bible is (even just a couple of paragraphs on the back cover) would have helped a lot. For those who are already familiar with an Ethiopian Bible, this book is very much worth picking up and reading at any point for a few minutes a day. 

The Complete Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners

The Complete Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners, Terry Stover, 2024

Did you receive a crock pot as a gift, and don't know what to do with it? Would you like to have dinner ready after a hard day at work? This book may be able to help.

A crock pot can help a person to, for instance, use more affordable cuts of meat, and turn them into flavorful and healthy meals. It also means less time spent in the kitchen. With a little bit of preparation, just add the ingredients, and turn on the crock pot. Leave it on for a couple of hours, and your meal will be hot and juicy.

A person can cook a lot more than just chili or pot roast in a crock pot. Other recipes in this book are: huevos rancheros, peach French toast bake, rice and turkey crock pot bake, sesame pork ribs, potluck beef barbecue, Coca-Cola ham, Thai chicken, garlic tilapia, Tuscan bean soup with herbs, buffalo wing dip, brownie chocolate cake and Mexican shredded beef wraps.  

It's quite acceptable to alter these recipes to suit your preferences. This is a very good cookbook to explore a new way of cooking. If you have a crock pot, this is well worth the money.  

Empowering Voters

 Empowering Voters, Maggy MacNikol, 2024

This book looks at ways for the average voter to feel like they really can change things, Locally or nationally.

Part of this book takes place in the fictional town of Greeneville. Bianca, the new mayor, realizes that the education system is very uneven. What can be done to help those in the underserved part of town? She can't impose a solution from above; no one will go along. She organizes a series of town halls, bringing together everyone, including students, parents, teachers and local businesses. People will care a lot more if they have a hand in crafting the solution. Deciding on the right answers is half the battle; implementing them is much harder. Every town has multiple "issues;" just do one at a time.

There are bigger issues; the book gives the example of a proposed high-speed train between two cities in Europe. Some are opposed for environmental reasons; the proposed route will go through a pristine mountain valley. Others are in favor because of the jobs it will provide. It will also take all those cars off the road, which will help the environment. This is where civil society organizations (CSO) and non-governmental organizations (NGO) come in. They can help find a middle ground that everyone can accept. Also very helpful are advocacy groups and lobbying organizations.

This book is recommended for everyone who has the passion to change things, but is less sure about just how to do it.

101 Mediterranean Recipes Everyone Craves to Cook

 101 Mediterranean Recipes Everyone Craves to Cook, Alicia Read, 2024

For anyone who has never heard of the Mediterranean Diet, it is all about foods from countries on the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Italy and Greece. It is plant-based, with small amounts of fish and lean meat. Olive oil should be the main source of fat, and fresh fruits should be consumed for dessert. Trans fats, processed food and refined grains (the typical American diet) are to be avoided.

Among the dishes in this book are: summer fruit salad, classic basil pesto, pan-seared cod fillets, feta and shrimp macaroni, classic Italian chicken piccata, lamb stew with figs and lemon amaretto almond bars. It is probably a good thing that there are no pictures in this book. What comes out of the oven rarely looks anything like the picture.

For anyone interested in trying the Mediterranean Diet, or just trying something different in the kitchen, this book is a very good place to start. Cook just one recipe, and, if you like it, try a second recipe. Yes, this book is the money.

Gambling Lion

 Gambling Lion, Antoinette George, Brangwyn Press, 2021

 

Set in Western Europe of the Napoleonic Era, this novel is about Nicholas de Bresancourt, a French duke whose lands were confiscated by the French authorities. Working for the British (in their war against France) as a courier and spy, he spends a few days in London, waiting for his next assignment. He catches up with his adoptive family, and visits Mayfair's hottest gaming club, Le Lion D'Or.

 

Run by a masked woman who calls herself La Lionesse, she invites him upstairs, where they can be alone, all night. She turns up the seduction "dial" as high as it will go. This goes on for several nights; Nicky would be very angry if he saw her face.

 

Meantime, he is given a new and secret assignment. He is to find a notorious French agent who has been causing a lot of trouble for the British in Spain. This Frenchman will not hesitate to torture, and then kill, Nicholas if he is discovered.

 

This is an excellent start to a series. It has adventure, high society, danger and lots of seduction. There is also a lot of good storytelling. It is very much worth reading.

LMSW Exam Prep 2024-2025

 LMSW Exam Prep 2024-2025, Ariadne Blaine, 2023

 

Do you want to become a licensed social worker? This book is here to help.

 

Be very sure of the requirements to become a social worker in your state. Every state has different requirements. Taking the ASWB exam is a good idea, but not mandatory. Be aware that it is reputed to be a very difficult exam; nearly half of all test takers fail the exam. If you fail, you have to wait six months to take it again, and pay the several hundred dollar test fee.

 

This book covers areas like human growth and development, self-care and burnout prevention, assessment and intervention planning and advanced ethical dilemmas. There are practice tests in the back of the book (with answers and explanations).

 

Knowing nothing about the social worker field, this book feels very comprehensive and straightforward. For anyone looking to become a social worker, this book is very much worth the time (and money).

Wall Pilates Workouts For Women

 Wall Pilates Workouts for Women, Madison Gray, 2023

 

Are you looking for an easy exercise plan that does not involve buying expensive equipment, or going to a gym? Welcome to wall pilates. All you need are loose workout clothes and a wall.

 

The exercises in this book will not just tone your physique and sculpt your muscles. They can also improve your mental clarity, raise your endurance and vitality and reduce your levels of stress and anxiety. There is a complete description of each exercise, along with clear illustrations (to remove any thought that you might be doing it wrong).

 

Whether you are a novice or veteran exerciser, this book is very much recommended. If you can do only a few of these exercises, it is still worth the time and money.

NHA Phlebotomy Study Guide 2024-2025

 NHA Phlebotomy Study Guide 2024-2025, Robert Cliven, 2023

 

Have you ever had someone take a sample of your blood while you are at your doctor's office or an urgent care clinic? That person is a phlebotomist.

 

There is a lot to keep in mind as a phlebotomist. It starts with finding a usable vein, usually in the crook of the elbow, and inserting the needle at the right angle and depth. The patient may be apprehensive or have a fear of needles, so being able to answer all questions from the patient is important. After the sample is taken, it must be properly labeled. Mislabeling a blood sample can lead to the patient not getting appropriate health care. A phlebotomist must also safeguard a person's private health information, and ensure that it stays private.

 

This book explores each of these areas, and answers many FAQ questions about phlebotomy. It also has a sample test, with answers and explanations. Experience as a phlebotomist is necessary to be qualified to take this test. This book feels very comprehensive and easy to understand. For those who want to become a certified phlebotomist, this is an excellent place to start.

I Spy Animal Book for Kids

 I Spy Animal Book for Kids, DreamWorld Press, 2023, ISBN 9798398245394

 

This coloring book will help young children learn the alphabet and the names of animals that start with a particular letter. Each letter is on a separate page, with pictures of five animals. The next page has the correct animal, plus a fact about it. The pages are nice and thick, so seepage from markers will not be a problem.

 

This book is recommended to begin a child's education on the alphabet. It is also good for downtime at home, and to keep the child occupied during those long car rides to Grandma's house.

Postal Exam Study Guide 2024-2025

 Postal Exam Study Guide 2024-2025, Talon Redwood, 2023

 

There is a lot more to the US Post Office than just mail carriers.

 

Especially at the larger mail sorting facilities, it is vital that those sorting machines and conveyor belts be kept operating. The maintenance staff needs more knowledge than the average person about electronics and mechanical issues. There is a standardized exam just for that category. Of course, there is a standardized exam for mail carriers, who, for most people, are the "face" of the post office. Postal workers, those who run those sorting machines and conveyor belts, have their own exam. Last, but not least, there is a separate exam for customer service clerks. They are the people who deal with the public every day, selling stamps and accepting packages.

 

There are many questions and answers, and a practice test, for each category. For anyone interested in a job with the US Post Office, this book is well worth adding to your list of study materials. It feels very complete, and is worth the money.

The Deadly Samaritan: Good Intentions, Tragic Results

 The Deadly Samaritan: Good Intentions, Tragic Results, Michael Geczi, 2023

 

Morristown, New Jersey is being menaced by a serial killer, but this is not your average serial killer. Drew McLogan is a former TV producer in Manhattan. He is visiting Stan Kaminsky, Morristown's Chief of Police (the two are old friends). After another body is found, and Kaminsky dies from a sudden heart attack, McLogan decides to stick around, and get involved.

 

Not everyone in town is happy that McLogan is playing amateur detective. Does he attract the attention of the killer/killers? Is there someone or something else behind the murders? Who is still alive at the end of the story?

 

This is an excellent psychological murder mystery. It has plenty of twists and good writing. It will easily keep the reader interested.