The Whorehouse

 The Whorehouse, Njoki Kamanda, 2021

Set in present-day Africa (Kenya?), this book is about your average whorehouse, though the name over the door says "Bar and Grill."

The first ten "employees" who show up to the whorehouse for work each afternoon (it's open all night) get the opportunity to pole dance to make some extra money. The rest have to hustle whatever they can from whatever customers come that night.

In this book, there is a suicide (or is it?), there is a murder (plus burying the body), and there is a catfight, with blood, between two of the women over the attention of Ngazi, the owner (a very unpleasant person). Ngazi attempts to rekindle his relationship with Teresa, his estranged wife. Ultimately, things do not end well.

Set in a different part of the world, this is a very good story. There is enough raw grittiness of life for anyone. This will keep the readers' attention, and easily gets four stars, maybe even four-and-a-half stars.

Social Networking Essentials

 Social Networking Essentials (The Complete MBA Course Work Series), Hicham and Mohamed Ibnalkadi, 2021

This book is part 7 of a series that attempts to provide an affordable MBA education. These days, it is tempting to think that the online business networking that matters takes place online. This book looks mostly at offline social networking.

Consider joining appropriate trade organizations. Attend conferences and trade shows. Attend networking events sponsored by local organizations. Make use of your university's alumni association. Make sure that have an online presence; start with LinkedIn. Start your own network of co-workers inside your workplace.

You have to give value, before your get value. Help others in your network, with introductions or references, for instance, before you ask for help. Perfect your "elevator pitch."

For entrepreneurs, help out others, use every opportunity to meet new people, go to networking events alone, so that you are forced to talk to people, meet people from other industries, and bring plenty of business cards. If you are looking for a new job, tell your network. How can they help you with names and phone numbers of people to contact, if you don't tell them? It's also possible to network at a new job; start with those sitting near you.

This is a short book (less than 50 pages) and is very easy to read. It is recommended for everyone, from MBA students to small business owners to employees at large companies. Not all networking happens online.