Tree of Redemption

 Tree of Redemption, Jim Davidson, 2022

Chris Harrison travels from suburban Virginia to Laredo, Texas, because Armando, his dear friend and father figure, has died. Armando's family is a very well-respected, and very old, family (maybe going back to the Mayan Indians).

While staying at the family estate, Chris is told that Armando was murdered. There is no chance of Chris going back to Virginia, and forgetting about it. His first stop is at the local police station; they are no help. He learns later that that was a very bad idea. The police are totally corrupt. If they weren't involved in Armando's murder, they probably know who did it and aren't interested in justice.

There are people in Laredo who don't like questions about Armando's murder, and it's only a matter of time before they fight back. Chris has a couple of people on his side, including his estranged father. These are people who know how to get things done. Does Chris find out the truth about Armando's murder? How far does the coverup go? Who is still alive at the end of the story?

This is a gem of a story. Mystery/suspense stories are not limited to New York City or Washington DC; they can happen anywhere. Here is a tale that will very much keep the reader's attention. 

Easy-Peasy Drawing Book

 Easy-Peasy Drawing Book, Amelia Benton, 2023, ISBN 9798850263393

This book shows an easy way for young girls to gain a love of drawing.

On the left-hand page, there are step-by-step picture instructions for drawing, for instance, a cute crab, a happy sun, delicious pizza, a cute clock or a carrot cake. On the facing, right-hand, page is space for the child to re-create the drawing on the left-hand page.

This is recommended for all young girls, especially if they have shown any interest in drawing. Who knows, you may just start a life-long interest in art, and create the next Rembrandt or Banksy. Yes, this is very much worth it.

Winners' Guide to Advanced GMAT Math

 Winners' Guide to Advanced Math, Jay John, 2023, ISBN 9798369907900

This is another in a series of books that will help students prepare for the Graduate Management Admissions Test, an important part of any graduate education. This book deals with advanced math topics. 

Among the topics that are covered are: least common multiple, quadratic equations, solving linear inequalities in one unknown, permutations and combinations, probability and statistics. Each concept is explained with example equations that are solved step-by-step. There are many problems, with explained answers, on which to teat your new knowledge. As with other books in this series, if a certain concept is not in the Test, it is not in this book.

This is very much recommended for any student taking the GMAT. It is equally recommended for any student, high school or college, who is ready for advanced math.

Left Astray

 Left Astray, Nathan Ewbank, 2023

Dahlia, the cat, leads a pampered life. Travelling around the Mediterranean on a sailboat with her owners, she eats fresh fish every day (no canned food for this feline). When they want to explore a port town, Dahlia rides in the bicycle basket, and gets to see all sorts of interesting things. There is plenty of snuggling and cuddling whenever Dahlia is interested. Life is good. That is, until the day that Dahlia is eating fresh fish at the dock, while her owners sail away on their sailboat. Dahlia has been abandoned.

The fact that Dahlia is pregnant, and will give birth in a few days, probably has something to do with it. She runs into other cats, including Calix and Nyke, who are part of feline society, watching out for each other, and getting whatever food they can get from the humans.

A very safe place has to be found for Dahlia to have her kittens. When it comes to animal smells, a cat giving birth is like a beacon to Ajax and Elemax. They are two big dogs who live nearby, and have no problem with killing any cat who is unlucky enough to be cornered by them. The fact that a big storm is coming is no help. 

Does Dahlia successfully have her kittens? Do the other cats find a way to distract the killer dogs, or otherwise point them in a different direction? Does Dahlia become an actual member of this feline society?

This is a really good teen/young adult story; I am not as sure if this will work for younger readers. The author does a first-rate job throughout. It's easy to read and understand, and is very much worth the time.

Winners' Guide to GMAT Grammar and Sentence Correction

 Winners' Guide to Grammar and Sentence Correction, Jay John, 2023, ISBN 9798361827954

This book explores the sentence correction section of the Graduate Management Admission Test, an important part of any graduate education. If a certain concept is not in the Test, it is not in this book.

The book starts with the basics of English, looking at nouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositions and interjections. It then explores the sort of errors commonly found in the Test, like subject-verb errors, misplaced modifier errors and errors in tense.

It then moves on to more specific sentence correction problems to avoid. They include that/which, these/those, can/could, was/were, loose participles, more/most, rise/raise, summon/summons and in/into. Of course, there are many example sentences to test what you have learned, along with answers and explanations.

This is a very concise and well done study guide. It is not just recommended for those taking the GMAT, but for all students in high school and college. For any student who needs extra help in grammar, or advanced students who want to skip ahead, start here. 

Ketogenic Diet on a Budget

 Ketogenic Diet on a Budget, Alina Palmer, 2022

 

These days, nearly everyone has heard of the Keto Diet. It is based on consuming lots of healthy fats (the human body needs a certain amount of fat every day) and very little carbohydrates. The idea is that the body will burn fat for energy, which is a good thing, after it runs out of carbs.

This book gives an introduction to the Keto Diet. It talks about the possible health benefits, it lists foods to eat (and avoid), and it talks about the "keto flu," possible side effects from your change in diet. There are ways to follow the diet without going broke, and the book lists kitchen gadgets that might be needed. Then there are the recipes.

There is one recipe per page, with a color picture of the dish. There are ingredients and instructions for each dish, along with nutrition information, and prep/cook time. The recipes include: Ham and Egg Pies, Coconut Granola, Salmon with Lemon Butter, Keto French Onion Soup, Cauliflower Fried Rice, Keto Beef Tacos and Keto Chocolate Cake.

This feels like a very complete book about the Keto Diet. Try cooking just one dish in this book. If you like it, then try another dish. Eating healthier, even just a little bit, is a very good thing. Before you know it, your eating habits have totally changed. This book is very much worth the time.

Guide to Traveling on a Budget

 Guide to Traveling On a Budget, Liz Fe Lifestyle, 2021

 

Is it possible to vacation in other countries without maxing out your credit cards or taking out a personal loan? According to this book, the answer is Yes.

 

Start saving money today. Cut that daily Starbucks coffee down to weekly. Do you really use all of those monthly subscriptions on your credit card bill? Are there ways to shrink your electric bill? If you have extra stuff around the house, sell it online or have a tag sale. Put all of that saved money into your Vacation Account.

 

Visit airline websites every day. They may have a special today that is gone tomorrow. Be Flexible. You may want a non-stop flight from America to Rome, for instance. You may also find that flying to Rome, via Amsterdam, is cheaper than flying non-stop.

 

Do lots of research on your destination country. Are there museums or cultural landmarks with free, or reduced-price, admission? What is available in hostels or inexpensive hotels? Is there a decent public transportation system? You really should try some street food, at least once. Be Flexible. Don't set your itinerary in stone, because it is going to change. Consider traveling in the spring or autumn, when fewer tourists will be there with you.

 

This book also includes a look at budget traveling in countries like Guatemala, Morocco and Fiji. It is an excellent introduction to the world of inexpensive vacations. Maybe it will inspire you to start planning that overseas vacation that has been in the back of your mind for years.

Un-Monkey Your Busy Mind: Reduce Stress and Anxiety

 Un-Monkey Your Busy Mind: Reduce Stress and Anxiety, P.R. Gallant

 

Occasional stress and anxiety is normal, and part of everyday life. Constant stress and anxiety is not normal, and can be a big problem. That's what this book is all about.

 

When you feel the anxiety level rising, stop and take a deep breath. Look at the source of the anxiety. Are you worried about something that may (or may not) happen? Is a friend not talking to you because you are suddenly convinced that they hate you? In the longer term, consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a licensed therapist. It might help you get to the root of your constant anxiety.

 

Next comes meditation. Find some quiet place to sit, or lay down, and concentrate on your breath (breathe in, breathe out). If you want, you can chant something like "Om." Can you spare just three minutes a day? It will take practice to reduce the "volume" on all that stress and anxiety in your head. If sitting, and doing nothing, is not working for you, consider easy exercises like yoga or tai chi.

 

This book is very easy to understand. If it can reduce the anxiety, and the constantly chattering monkeys, in your head by just a little bit, it will have done its job. It is well worth reading. 

The Half-Life: What Matters Most When You're Running Out of Time

 The Half-Life: What Matters Most When You're Running Out of Time, Ryan Lindner

 

Suffering two heart attacks in your 30's, despite being in excellent health, can really change a person's outlook on life. That's what happened to the author of this book.

 

For some people, life is all about getting honors and accolades, and being able to put letters after their name. Is that all there is? Is it more important than being a decent and considerate person? After you are dead, will people remember your awards, or will they remember what sort of person you were?

 

Are you waiting for the "perfect time" to start working on a personal goal? There is no "perfect time," there is only "now." As with any goal, make it specific, measurable and achievable. Put a time limit on it, and break it up into smaller pieces. Every day, resolve to do at least one goal-oriented thing. Start tomorrow.

 

This book covers a lot of areas. It may require more than one reading to "get" this book, but it is time very well spent. Perhaps this will help you to get out of your emotional "rut."

ChatGPT for Book Outlines

 ChatGPT for Book Outlines, Mark Silver

 

You are sitting at your laptop, ready to write a book. Should it be fiction or non-fiction? Murder mystery or self-help? What book subjects are always popular? Consider asking ChatGPT for help.

 

Here are some actual prompts that a would-be writer can send to ChatGPT (the book also includes its answers). Which topics are considered timeless and have a lasting appeal? What are some examples of helpful tips and strategies for a book on (topic)? Explain the steps involved in creating an engaging outline for a mystery novel. What is a unique and engaging angle for a book on personal finance aimed at young adults? What is the best way to structure chapters in a book on (topic)? Is there any redundant information in my outline that I should remove?

 

This book is my first exposure to ChatGPT's abilities, and I was shocked. It can do practically everything, short of actually writing the book (give it time, that will come, too). Some sort of AI regulation is needed; the sooner, the better. Until then, this book is recommended for all writers and would-be writers.

Home Is Within You

 Home is Within You: A Memoir of Recovery & Redemption, Nadia Davis, 2023

 

This is the story of one person's journey from addiction, discrimination and mental health struggles to healing and redemption.

 

A native of Southern California, the author was the youngest of seven children. All of her siblings looked European, while she looked Hispanic (Mom was German, while Dad was Hispanic and Native American). She received the "usual" anti-Hispanic discrimination while growing up. She also got it from other Hispanics, who felt that her last name, Davis, was not Hispanic enough.

 

On a whim, she applied to UCLA (instead of going to a less-expensive state school), and they said Yes. She got interested in Sociology and Criminal Justice, with an emphasis on helping others. Davis got involved in a lawsuit that forced the local school district to provide tests in Spanish, and not, automatically, put Hispanic students in the "slow" class.

 

As life went on, and after getting her law degree, the author battled addiction, a serious auto accident, public shaming and more than enough personal trauma for any one person. She also shows how she got through each of these "storms," and came out the other end recovered and healed.

 

This is a very inspirational book. No matter what personal trauma has been in your life, the author has probably been there. It is very much recommended for everyone.