Allbooks Review International: August 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Allbooks Review International September 2012 Newsletter

Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service.Great coverage for your book for twelve months +.Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50.U.S Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us. Success Stories Volume 2 of Write Like the Wind is out! Aaron Lazar This writing guide is a collection of articles I wrote over the past seven years for fiction writers of all levels. Whenever I stumbled across something in the writing process, whether it was new-to-me technical skills or promotional methods, I wanted to share them with my network of writing pals. I was driven to help new writers just as my mentors helped me in the beginning of my career. Sort of like paying it forward, you know? Now available on Amazon.com For Keeps by Aaron Lazar is now available on Amazon.com The dates of the free Kindle giveaway of FOR KEEPS are Sept 14, 15, 16 and Oct 12, 13 at this Amazon address: http://www.amazon.com/For-Keeps-Moore-mystery-ebook/dp/B008OXZLR2/ref=cm_rdp_product TIPS Tip: Media Exposure. There's a lesson here that can be applied by anyone seeking media exposure. First, identify your expertise - the special knowledge, insight and educated opinion that can serve as valuable content for journalists. Then: 1. Follow the news. Look for issues, trends and breaking news relevant to your topic that you can comment on as an expert. 2. Develop a message that offers something of value to the public. If you can help solve a problem, offer insight or depth, or clarify a complicated issue, you're providing valuable information. 3. Identify the local or national media venues that are a good match for your message. Read the columnists, watch and listen to the talk shows. Before you approach the journalists, know what their format is and the types of topics that interest them. 4. Never, ever pitch your company, product or service when contacting journalists. Offer yourself as an expert with solutions to problems their audience is concerned about. Otherwise, you'll be invited to buy an ad or commercial time. 5. Understand who their audience is so you can engage the editor or host. Don't overwhelm them with details, but make sure to give them the information they need to make a decision. FEATURE: How To Balance A Family, Your Writing Job, And Your Stresses By: Stan Popovich In can be difficult for adults to have to take care of their families and manage their writing careers. This can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. As a result, here are a few steps in how to do take care of your family and your writing career without getting stressed. Try to set goals for yourself when you manage your family or writing career. When you go to work each day, try to set some goals for you to accomplish. For instance, let’s say your goal for today is to finish the report that your boss wants. At the end of the day, you will feel better about yourself knowing that you were able to finish that report. When you accomplish these smaller goals, you will feel happier, more confident, and less stressed. Delegate part of your responsibilities. When taking care of the family, get your spouse to help out. If your kids are older, get them to assist you. If you are at work, only take on what you can handle. Don’t try to do everything all at once. Learn to delegate and work with other people. If you try to do everything, you will get stressed and anxious. A person can only do so much in a given day. Do not everything. Learn to manage your responsibilities. If you feel like your doing too much, then take a break and evaluate your situation. Try to do things in terms of their importance. Let’s say that you have to clean the living room, go to the supermarket, and wash the dishes. Go to the supermarket since this is the most important thing that needs done. Do the other two tasks later on. Determine what needs done right now and do those particular tasks in order of importance. Managing your family and career does not have to very stressful. Learn to budget your time and manage your tasks. Eventually, you will be able to balance your career and family. If you still have trouble, then talk to a professional who can give you additional advice. Biography: Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com. Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Jan Musil Austin, Texas, USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Welcome to Sarnia Self-Published Tell us about yourself: As to who I am, US Navy veteran, disenchanted ex-corporate middle manager and long time entrepreneur covers the ground fairly well. I owned a pair of Southwestern Gift and Jewelry stores here in Austin, Texas for many years. Since then I assisted in getting a pair of high tech start up companies up and functioning. In 2008, as I was wrapping up my portion of the latest new venture I realized that a previous idea for a computer game would make an excellent starting place for a book. Living in Austin and associating with all the programmers in town it is easy to get enthused and say, hey we can do better than those guys did. Which may or may not be true, but finding adequate money to actually do so is a far from trivial challenge. Developing the idea as a book was not though and pursuing the project would allow me to exercise my storytelling skills. And yes, while I might not have a million of them, I can share lots of stories. A lifetime of practice so to speak. Once embarked on the project it quickly became clear that I could not do justice to the ideas underlying life on Sarnia in a single book. After a few more months of work there was enough outlined material to do five books. As I progressed in writing the tale the material eventually became the seven book, two saga total listed for the series concerning life on Sarnia. When was the book released? Ebook March 2012 Hardback and Paperback July 2012 Give us an overview of your book. I think the blurb for the book (see below) provides an accurate description of the starting point for the Planet Sarnia series. ‘Welcome to Sarnia’ is quite literally an entertaining welcome, or introduction for the reader, to the planet Sarnia. The Planet Sarnia series details my effort to explore the many interactions between seven intelligent species living on Sarnia after the Terrans have lost their gamble. In their desire to expand Terrans decided that the risks involved in capturing and colonizing the planet known as Sarnia were well worth incurring. A mere forty years on they lost that gamble. Big time. 136 years later, many things have changed. Some never do. Putting this another way, the Planet Sarnia series of books allows me to compare and contrast Terrans/Humans with half-a-dozen intelligent alien species, all within a large, dangerous and interesting alien environment. And while I was writing, I discovered myself asking of the characters on Sarnia, and taking a stab at providing an answer to, a question. Why do we value courage so much? What inspired you to write this book? In the summer of 2008 I realized that an idea of mine that had originally been inspired by an ‘I can think up a better MMORPG moment than this game’ would serve far better as inspiration for a book than a computer game. A book idea that quickly became a trilogy and within a year had grown to a series. How is your book different from other books in this genre? I believe Planet Sarnia will stand up very well as an independent creation of universe building. In addition, the level of engagement of the reader with the character is far more up close and personal than most books that tackle universe building. As an author, I am trying to put the reader ‘in the characters space’ and allowing them to make what they will of what they have read. I am not trying to write a ‘big idea’ book, at least not directly. I much prefer to allow the reader to chose his or her own moments of enjoyment, laughter, or thought as appreciated by each individual. I would like to add, that I have gotten a lot of enjoyment from the tale as I have been writing it. Hopefully readers of ‘Welcome to Sarnia’ will find multiple opportunities to experience the same enjoyment. Where can people buy your book? The ebook is available at Amazon, including Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble, the itunes bookstore, Smashwords and Lulu. The physical books are available from Amazon, Lulu and bookstores utilizing Lulu’s Global Reach program to produce a copy of a book at the bookstore. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? Yes, I am a long ways along on the second book of the series, ‘Through The Hills’, and intend to publish it sometime in 2013. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Be persistent. Lots and lots of persistence is a necessity to deal with the many little snags that arise. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? As a beginner to the process I am not sure I have any pearls of wisdom to share yet. Perhaps a year from now. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? Independent Author Network Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The cost of Allbooks Reviews was a very pleasant surprise. I will be better able to answer the second question next year, after having gotten some experience under my belt. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. www.allboooksreviewint.com

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

INTERVIEW with author Linda Lee Greene

Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: posted on site Please state your name and location. (City and State or Province, Country) Linda Lee Greene, Columbus, Ohio, USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS, published by Saga Books Tell us about yourself: I am the divorced mother of Frank and Elizabeth, as well as grandmother of Alixander and Noah. I work for a firm in Columbus as an interior designer. I am also an award-winning artist, and a best-selling author. Much of my artwork can be viewed at www.gallery-llgreene.com. In early 1992, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease and because of it, I was often bedridden for months at a time. Five months prior to the surgery in January, 2001 that saved my life and put the disease in remission, while homebound again with the illness, I wrote the original draft of my first book, the historical/suspense novel, Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, a book that ultimately was a co-authorship with Debra Shiveley Welch. Although in the distant past both Debra and I had done some work-related public relations and newspaper writing, at the time that I approached Debra about working with me on Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams we could only have been characterized as possessing intuitive, yet inexperienced, writing talent. Both of us worked very hard at honing our craft during our four-year collaboration on the manuscript, and as a result we produced not only the first book that either Debra or I had ever written, but also an Amazon best-seller upon its release in 2006. While Debra continued to pursue a literary career, I was dealing with a diagnosis of macular degeneration, a situation that made it necessary for me to concentrate on my art career while my eyesight was still able to withstand an energetic painting schedule. Consequently, I devoted myself to executing enough artwork to support my agenda of yearly art shows, as well as my art web site and the print sales it generates. When taking breathers from the painting, I conducted the extensive research required for GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS and its sequel that will be published in the future, and wrote the first draft of both of them, as well as my two sequels to Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams. However, I withheld submitting any of my manuscripts to my publisher until I was able to allocate the necessary time to promoting my books. In February, 2011, I made the transition to full-time writer and occasional painter. It was then that I sent GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS to my publisher. Since the day that I wrote the opening sentence of Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, my greatest, and most precious dream, has been to be an author whose books are anticipated and loved by innumerable readers. I knew that I was taking a tremendous risk in never realizing my dream when I put my literary career on hold for so long, but my heart told me that in so doing I was on the right side of my fate, and that somehow, and in some way, it would prove beneficial for me. This year I will reach my 69th birthday. There could not a better birthday gift for me than to have GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS bring joy to a multitude of readers this year, and for countless years to come. When was the book released?: GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS was released in May, 2012. Give us an overview of your book. Through faith in God, love for one another and inherent optimism, in this novel that “will truly exhaust your heart and play with your feelings,” as described by a reviewer, two American families find joy and purpose in living despite the personal tragedies and limited opportunities that beset them during the Great Depression and World War II. Inspired by a true story and interwoven with descriptive and heartwarming authentic personal letters written to one another by the book’s characters, GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS is said by a reviewer to be like “discovering an old chest in an attic, filled with the treasured pieces of a family’s history.” A reviewer also states that “…the walk through the years in the old letters and Greene’s superb and powerful depiction of historical events of the 1930s and 1940s make this book an engaging historical treasure.” What inspired you to write this book? The book is based on the colorful and captivating overlapping oral and written histories of my maternal and paternal families of origin. However, I wrote it as fiction to accomplish a broader range of characterizations and topics than is to be found in the family record. My parents grew up during the Great Depression, and I was born during the Second World War, therefore I have always been drawn to the histories of those eras. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Threaded among the pages of the book are transcriptions of authentic letters dating from 1936 to 1941 that were written to one another by the book’s characters, “immediately making the novel more intriguing and private to read,” states a reviewer. In many ways this book carries on the tradition of Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation and Tim Russert’s Wisdom of Our Fathers in that it is replete with authentic stories and documents of the times. GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS is different in that its storyline and the old letters included in it are seamlessly drawn together to create a cohesive unit. Although it is mainly categorized as Historical Fiction, I am told that it is also such a captivating Family Saga that people forget they are reading history. In addition, the entire cover of the book is executed from my painting of a grove of trees in Southern Ohio where the story takes place. Great Ohio woodlands of the type are an important ingredient of the story. GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS is the perfect gift for lovers of tender and delightful family stories as well as for history buffs. Through the pages of this book, our grandparents, parents and others who experienced firsthand the momentous years of the Great Depression and World War II will be transported back to those times, as well. Where can people buy your book? Paperback and eBooks versions are available at www.amazon.com. Paperbacks can be purchased at www.barnes&noble.com, www.SagaBooks.com and at other online booksellers. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am currently working on the sequel to GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS, a book of non-fiction to be released in 2014. The title of the book is “I Received Your Letter…” and it comprises authentic letters written by members of my family for the duration of World War II. Woven among the letters is my chronological commentary on the war, as well as old photos and other historical documents amassed by my family during that era. I have recently penned a small book for young readers titled Bussy Gaffin and His Champion Roosters. It is a story inspired by an excerpt from GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS. Integral to the story will be several illustrations. At this point, its publication date depends on the efficient execution of the artwork. I have written two sequels to Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams under my own signature. The manuscripts are currently in queue with my publisher and scheduled for release sometime in 2013. The titles of the books are “My ‘Aumakua” [In Hawaiian, “A Guardian Spirit”] which is a murder mystery, and Garden of the Spirits of the Pots, a book about an expat-American who finds new meaning in life, as well as love, during a spiritual odyssey in Australia. Information about my current and future books, as well as excerpts from them, can be read at my web site: booksbylindaleegreene.gallery-llgreene.com. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Although self publishing is growing in popularity among writers, I doubt that I will ever try it. I am not good at multi-tasking, and it seems to me that one must possess this quality in abundance to be successful at self publishing. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: I find the business side of being a successful author to be troublesome, as well as detrimental to my creative processes. I prefer to focus on the writing and to delegate as much of the business side of it as possible. Traditional publishing helps me in this regard. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? Even though GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS has only been available for three months, it is inspiring a dynamic word-of-mouth following. A daily web presence in as many places as possible is essential. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found Allbooks Reviews through Saga Books publishers and I am tremendously happy with the wonderful review that Iris Park of Allbooks Reviews did for GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS. I am so impressed with the organization that I am preparing to sign on for one of its affordable advertising campaigns. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost is definitely a relief to my pocketbook. I am a new consumer of these kinds of products, but I am grateful to have found Allbooks Reviews for I am confident it will open up new worlds to me in the art of bookselling. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. Your good wishes are greatly appreciated. Thank you for this opportunity. I also want to express my deep gratitude to the readers who embrace my stories. I will try my best to continue to earn, and to justify, their loyalty to me. Reader comments are extremely important to me and they can be submitted at lindaleegreene.author.artist@gmail.com. I can also be reached at the same email address to make arrangements for interviews, talks with book clubs and other organizations, as well as participation in book fairs, book signings and special events. In addition, people can check in with me at my blog: http://Ingoodcompanyohio.blogspot.com

Monday, August 13, 2012

Interview with Tony Samara author of Shaman's Wisdom:

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Tony Samara, London, UK Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Shaman’s Wisdom: Reclaim Your Lost Connection with the Universe, 2012 by Balboa Press Tell us about yourself: “I believe that we live at a very crucial moment in humanity's transformation and I want you to move beyond the old paradigm and discover your power, your freedom. I believe we are at a point of such transformation that we can no longer wait for someone else, or something else. I believe that we are creators and that everyone here is equal and part of that creation. I believe that God doesn't live somewhere outside, that the Divine, meaning intelligence, freedom, is everywhere. You, me, we are connected. I believe that we have to put things into practice. We can’t just sit and watch television or watch life, or watch a relationship and hope it gets better or wait for it to change. I challenge you to step away from the sofa, where it is comfortable to watch TV, and to participate. It is a wonderful thing when we realize that we have this power, which is not of the ego, but is wisdom.” Tony Samara Tony Samara, author of ‘Shaman’s Wisdom,’ ‘From the Heart,’ ‘Different Yet the Same,’ and ‘Deeper than Words’ was born in England, grew up in Egypt and also in Norway where he discovered the “Zen Buddhist philosophy”. This discovery eventually led him to the “Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, USA” where he learned the spiritual teachings of “Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.” He had curiosity to explore further the essence of spirituality and thus went to live and learn with shamanic communities around the globe including a period of time spent with some highly influential shamans in the Amazon River region and the Andes Mountains. Now people from all over the world visit Tony Samara to take spiritual guidance and experience being in his presence.  His main countries of activity are in Europe yet with the assistance of the Internet is attracting a Global audience through frequent online interviews and live satsangs. His function is as a Spiritual Teacher who encourages all to lead their lives actively in a noble way in order to realize the evolution of human consciousness. Tony Samara is a mirror of what is possible, a shining reminder of the continuous possibility of being human. The completely natural state of joy and wisdom experienced as the heart opens to life is the remarkable path he expounds. The path that is free for everyone to experience. Verbal dialogue is not the essence of his teachings, but he explains in a direct and simple way that everyone can understand how each individual can practically integrate greater acceptance, peace and joy into their daily lives. Tony teaches with humour, humility and with infinite patience, empowering the individual with courage, trust and inner strength to continue on this journey back into wholeness, a path that leads towards real freedom. Like many spiritual teachers, Tony Samara is concerned with practical inner work and liberation. He teaches by personal example and instruction, guiding the seeker to realise bliss here and now, through growing spiritual awareness rather than mental effort. Part of Tony's teachings remind us that food and eating are fundamental to our inner well being, as well as to our physical health. He explains in his many programmes that the body is our temple and that the food we eat helps us to create a strong foundation that allows inner work and transformation to take place. He also explains that food is not just a physical substance which nourishes the body but that it also contains spiritual and emotional energy. Hence the importance of being conscious and taking the time to be present when we are eating and to become more sensitive to what will nourish our body, our temple rather than eat only what we feel like eating. Tony also encourages a balanced vegetarian diet which includes organic products that are full of life force. When was the book released?: Second Edition (current) - January 2012 as a amazon Kindle eBook and April 2012 as paperback and eBook with Balboa Press First Edition - 2009 by Findhorn Press Give us an overview of your book. “SHAMAN’S WISDOM” presents in a simple and practical way, universal shamanic knowledge that Tony Samara learned and experienced throughout his path to initiation. From the consumption of food to working with dreams, the four elements and the cardinal points, the presentation of some respiratory and physical exercises which support spiritual development, as well as many other topics, this book reminds us of positive ancestral wisdoms, more useful than ever in today’s world. Help yourself to change your life for the better. What inspired you to write this book? As I truly feel that knowledge and wisdom come from a deep space of knowing and experience I feel it is truly valuable for everyone to receive this knowledge in the form of this interesting book so as to be able to bring more harmony and happiness into their everyday lives. For me writting this book is a way of me being of service and a way to give rather than to always wanting. I feel it is an amazing gift and adds true value to ones life. By writting I hope to impart wisdom and knowledge that comes from the heart and that is deeper than words. A direct transmission of a totally natural experience connected to universal wisdom. How is your book different from other books in this genre? This book is unique as it is written by a Spiritual Master who is still alive today. In practice and philosophically this book clarifies the mysteries that have been asked throughout the ages in a simple yet profound way that engages the reader to betterment of the self thus helping the betterment of humanity. At this time when there is so much information available to people that can sometimes create an information overload it is refreshing to find the simplicity and honesty that is portrayed in this book. Initial feedback about the manuscript is that beyond being engaging it seems to touch the heart and answer many questions directly related to issues that we are all facing today. Where can people buy your book? At the moment only on the several amazon website and soon in many other places as Balboa Press is going to distribute the book and eBook worldwide. http://www.amazon.com/Shamans-Wisdom-Connection-Universe-ebook/dp/B006XTFUZM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330772477&sr=1-1 Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? Yes, in the end of 2012/beginning of 2013. ‘From The Heart’ and ‘Deeper Than Words’ are two other books that I have written and which are available on all amazon websites: 'Deeper Than Words' - in all amazon websites: UK | Germany | USA | France | Italy | Spain | Japan | Canada 'From The Heart' - in all amazon websites: UK | Germany | USA | France | Italy | Spain | Japan | Canada If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Make sure you know your audience and write not for fame or gain but rather to reach the right people who will truly enjoy your gift of writting. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: Shaman’s Wisdom’s first edition was published by Findhorn Press in 2009 plus many of my books have been published by major publishing houses in many different countries. Findhorn Press opened the English markets in the USA and the UK for my work. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? ‘Shaman’s Wisdom’ eBook lauched in January 2012 reached #1 on amazon.de and amazon.fr under the category of Shamanism in the first week of its launch. It is currently in the top #100 books on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk under the category of Shamanism and Personal Transformation. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I have received an email from Allbooks Reviews offering their services. I thought to give it a try and applied to have a review created for ‘Shaman’s Wisdom’. I liked the review and the service very much and hence applied for reviews on two other books I have written: ‘From The Heart’ and ‘Deeper Than Words’. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The cost was an intersting amount to create a book review with a company that I did not know anything about. Self published authors are always seeking for easy ways to market their books so perhaps having a step by step guide on how to market self published books would be a great idea. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Review of The Furnace by Tim S. Johnston

The Furnace is a book about a homicide investigator named Lieutenant Kyle Tanner. He is one of the best at what he does and can make difficult captures that others couldn’t. SOLEX One is where his next case will be. SOLEX is a power-generating station that is dangerously close to the sun. Someone on the station is a murderer who cuts the head and hands off of his victims and it’s up to Lieutenant Tanner to find out who. To Tanner’s surprise he learns that this case is different than any other case he has ever had. This case seems to have no motive, no connection between the people dead. This case turns out to be bigger than Tanner ever imagined and if he doesn’t solve it, the whole human race could be in danger. The Furnace is an intense locked-room murder mystery that is definitely a page turner. The story is very well written and keeps a reader on their toes and wondering who the possible killer could be. There is never a dull moment where the story drags on, the story is always moving forward and surprising a reader. A reader will be taken into the future and feel like they are right there along side Lieutenant Tanner trying to figure out the mystery. All of the characters are well-developed and the story is written well with many turns of events that keep a reader constantly worried for Lieutenant Tanner’s life. Timothy S. Johnston definitely keeps a reader’s attention with this mystery/thriller plus it has a little romance on the side. I would highly recommend this book to anyone into upbeat mystery/thriller stories. This book is a great read and is definitely not one to be missed. I will be looking forward to more great stories from Timothy S. Johnston. Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Chaselyn Kenney, Allbooks Review. www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: The Furnace Author: Timothy S. Johnston Publisher: CreateSpace Price: $13.49 paperback Pages: 351 ISBN: 1466276657 Date of review: February 2012

Monday, August 6, 2012

Review of FUN WITH STUFF by BRUCE A. SMITH

The texting generation has a term that would aptly describe this collection of hilarious humor columns: LOL. (For texting Bozos such as myself, that means: “laugh out loud”.) Seriously. This man is beyond talented! In fact, since Dave Barry retired, Bruce A. Smith could be the heir-apparent. He’s that good. And guess what? In FUN WITH STUFF, we get treated to FIFTY (count ‘em!) of his columns. I took them one at a time, savoring the special, ingeniously edgy wit. Like the best humorists, Mr. Smith pokes fun at himself and everyday situations even while he regales us with a peppering of what the book jacket calls the “disorienting and bizarre”. I could add refreshingly goofy. Cool, heady stuff. This is where I’m supposed to present a short, one-paragraph synopsis. Summarize FIFTY columns of different situations in one paragraph? Yeah, right. Okay, well, let’s start with golf. Golf is one of his subjects. Why, there are probably more jokes about golf than any other sport, but the author gives it his special creative and original twist and it’s beyond summarization. Only forty-nine more? Right. Here goes: the columns I enjoyed most involved the follies of RV’ing (I, myself, did that for 10 years), the complexities of picking a wedding dress, house maintenance woes, “hair that looked like a cat sucked on it”, tax frustration in a box, kids that make you grateful for a vasectomy, smelling odorless deodorant, the running toilet handle jiggle fix, some nutrition system food that smells like something died, mile-long cash register receipts, and most of all: a quip about the author dating himself. Oh yeah, and a mind-bending thingie about “Plan-B”. Whew! But wait, there’s more! Did I forget to mention the brilliant silliness of ordering a patty melt in a Der Weinersnitzel? Hiding Starburst candy from a shark? Analyzing fossilized dinosaur poo? How about some profundities on the meaning of life, such as “if life’s a joke then why not laugh.” The book jacket info tells me that Bruce A. Smith has been writing humor for over thirty years. I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment. Not easy, being continuously funny for that long. His columns have been featured in a passel of publications and locations- However, he admits that many of his jokes are stolen from his wife, who lives with him in southern California. Highly Recommended, reviewer: Jan Evan Whitford, Allbooks Reviews, 22 January 2012 Published by: iUniverse copyright ©2009 by Bruce A. Smith ISBN: 978-1-4401-9644-7 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-4401-9645-4 (ebk) Trade paperback, 195 pages, U.S. $17.95 For more info: www.bruceAsmith.com Jan 2012

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Review of The Idiot – I Was A Lunatic From A Geordie Grangetown by D. Poulter

Many psychiatrists and psychologists have written books on what it is like to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia, offering their wisdom and social commentary of the effects the disease on those unfortunate enough to have it. The thing is though, wouldn’t it be better for someone who has been living with the disease a long time to tell the story from their point of view rather than just listen to someone who has read about the disease do it? David Poulter’s The Idiot – I was a Lunatic From A Geordie Grangetown is that story. The Idiot is an autobiographical memoir that charts the growing up and adult life of a man who has voices in his head but a will to continue to live his life no matter what is thrown at him. From his roots in the North-East of England, Poulter charts a story of despair, triumph, loss, discovery and a determination to not let the problems and pitfalls of life bring him down, even though he suffers a lot to bring him down. For a story with so much trauma and depressive states of mind, you would be forgiven for thinking that this book could be one to avoid unless you like to read something that is the written equivalent of Eastenders, full of doom and gloom. The book actually manages to maintain an uplifting overtone throughout the bad times as Poulter takes the read from England, to Wales, to Ireland and on to Taiwan, through careers working with the soil and becoming an English teacher out in Taiwan. Through all of these changes of location, the constant in his life is the voices in his head, voices that are both good and bad. The way this internal menace is dealt with exudes strength of character that is not often put across in depictions of people with paranoid schizophrenia, and acts as a very good example of how whatever life throws at you, there are always ways to cope and deal with it. The book reads with ease, and at only 118 pages isn’t a marathon run of repeated prose and unnecessary padding. It tells the story that is has to tell in a succinct yet in depth way without resorting to being patronising, languid or getting bogged down in wallowing self-pity which it so easily could have. Certainly a book worth reading, whether you have an interest in how someone with schizophrenia manages to live their life as normally as possible, or whether you’re just looking for a book that will draw you in for a few hours. Definitely one I would recommend. Reviewer: Anthony Lund Allbooks Review Int www.allbooksreviewint.com Title – The Idiot – I Was A Lunatic From A Geordie Grangetown Author – David Poulter Publisher – Chipmunkapublishing ISBN : 978-18499-12105 Price : £10.00

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