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Recommend this book:
Leadership DNA
Shaping A Thriving Business Culture
Alinka Rutkowska
2025 Finalist
176 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Leadership DNA: Shaping A Thriving Business Culture is a business anthology, edited by Alinka Rutkowska, that delivers impeccable lessons on leadership, combining the unique experiences of thought leaders with time-tested lessons on leadership. You’ll find insights from authors across different industries. The book explains important topics such as authentic leadership, the importance of grit, the place of ethical decision-making, and the continuous development of leadership skills. The book highlights the fact that leaders are not born but created through learning, adaptability, and a process of self-awareness. It teaches readers how to build trust, promote a culture of inclusivity, and drive collective growth in their organizations.
What got me fully engaged were the stories shared by the authors and how well the ideas were articulated. The voices are unique and distinct, and while the experiences shared are different, there is a common theme of leadership that is approached from the different perspectives, each as spot-on as the next. Alinka Rutkowska explores transformational leadership as a catalyst for change and discusses the power of vision, inspiration, and adaptability with clarity. Darius Ross tells his story and shares the lessons he learned from his struggles. His work illustrates that grit and strategic thinking are two ingredients that build leadership skills. Fred Zirkle underlines the significance of values-driven leadership, stressing integrity, collaboration, and the impact of organizational culture rooted in core principles. Leadership DNA is a well-crafted anthology with the wisdom that aspiring leaders need. The writing is crisp, and the concepts are conveyed in accessible language.
Leadership DNA: Shaping A Thriving Business Culture is a business anthology, edited by Alinka Rutkowska, that delivers impeccable lessons on leadership, combining the unique experiences of thought leaders with time-tested lessons on leadership. You’ll find insights from authors across different industries. The book explains important topics such as authentic leadership, the importance of grit, the place of ethical decision-making, and the continuous development of leadership skills. The book highlights the fact that leaders are not born but created through learning, adaptability, and a process of self-awareness. It teaches readers how to build trust, promote a culture of inclusivity, and drive collective growth in their organizations.
What got me fully engaged were the stories shared by the authors and how well the ideas were articulated. The voices are unique and distinct, and while the experiences shared are different, there is a common theme of leadership that is approached from the different perspectives, each as spot-on as the next. Alinka Rutkowska explores transformational leadership as a catalyst for change and discusses the power of vision, inspiration, and adaptability with clarity. Darius Ross tells his story and shares the lessons he learned from his struggles. His work illustrates that grit and strategic thinking are two ingredients that build leadership skills. Fred Zirkle underlines the significance of values-driven leadership, stressing integrity, collaboration, and the impact of organizational culture rooted in core principles. Leadership DNA is a well-crafted anthology with the wisdom that aspiring leaders need. The writing is crisp, and the concepts are conveyed in accessible language.
Recommend this book:
Tales of Courage
WWII Heroes You've Never Heard Of
JD Jackson
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Many heroic individuals quietly defied and resisted the Nazi regime during World War II, people whose names aren't as widely known as perhaps they should be. Author JD Jackson honors those heroes with this enthralling collection of true stories in Tales of Courage: WWII Heroes You've Never Heard Of. Gunnar Sønsteby carried out multiple missions of sabotage and smuggled intelligence to the Norwegian Resistance while evading the Gestapo. Frank Foley, a Passport Control Officer at the British Embassy in Berlin, was actually an MI6 agent who helped about 10000 Jews escape the Nazi regime. At the age of just fourteen, Freddie Oversteegen became a trained assassin, spy, and saboteur for the Dutch Resistance. Simone Segouin, a teenage member of the French Communist-aligned resistance group, helped ambush German patrols and once led the capture of 25 German soldiers.
Tales of Courage shows how much ordinary people from all over Western Europe sacrificed, putting their own lives in danger, to save others and fight against the all-powerful Nazi regime at its height during World War II. Author JD Jackson covers all the heroic and momentous events in these people's lives, illustrating their courage, will, and resilience to protect the vulnerable and oppressed. These narratives provide brief snippets of the heroes' early lives and recount their role in the fight against Nazism and what happened to them after the war, offering a clear distinction between legend and facts. I had never even heard about most of the names featured in this book. However, I was thoroughly captivated by this book and found the stories of these heroes truly inspirational. If you love to read about history or influential historical figures, I highly recommend this collection.
Many heroic individuals quietly defied and resisted the Nazi regime during World War II, people whose names aren't as widely known as perhaps they should be. Author JD Jackson honors those heroes with this enthralling collection of true stories in Tales of Courage: WWII Heroes You've Never Heard Of. Gunnar Sønsteby carried out multiple missions of sabotage and smuggled intelligence to the Norwegian Resistance while evading the Gestapo. Frank Foley, a Passport Control Officer at the British Embassy in Berlin, was actually an MI6 agent who helped about 10000 Jews escape the Nazi regime. At the age of just fourteen, Freddie Oversteegen became a trained assassin, spy, and saboteur for the Dutch Resistance. Simone Segouin, a teenage member of the French Communist-aligned resistance group, helped ambush German patrols and once led the capture of 25 German soldiers.
Tales of Courage shows how much ordinary people from all over Western Europe sacrificed, putting their own lives in danger, to save others and fight against the all-powerful Nazi regime at its height during World War II. Author JD Jackson covers all the heroic and momentous events in these people's lives, illustrating their courage, will, and resilience to protect the vulnerable and oppressed. These narratives provide brief snippets of the heroes' early lives and recount their role in the fight against Nazism and what happened to them after the war, offering a clear distinction between legend and facts. I had never even heard about most of the names featured in this book. However, I was thoroughly captivated by this book and found the stories of these heroes truly inspirational. If you love to read about history or influential historical figures, I highly recommend this collection.
Recommend this book:
God's Good Works
Stories to Treasure and Tales to Ponder
Lorilyn Roberts
2025 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
God's Good Works: Stories to Treasure and Tales to Ponder is a work of non-fiction in the current events, Christian theology, and anthology subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Lorilyn Roberts. The author offers a collection of inspirational devotionals with a focus on the Kingdom of God and the imminent return of Jesus. These stories span over a decade and provide readers with messages of faith, hope, and spiritual reflection. The book is divided into two parts, with the second half exploring the concept of the Kingdom of Darkness in the context of current events and scripture. The author delves into pandemic and post-pandemic events, raising questions about their significance in relation to the return of Jesus and the emergence of a New World Order.
Author Lorilyn Roberts has crafted a work that offers big-picture thinking about the state of the world from a Christian viewpoint but also relates this to her own personal challenges and her own journey to walk with Jesus. Roberts shares her personal struggles, including a bitter divorce, infertility, and breast cancer, and these experiences become the backdrop for her reflections on faith and gratitude. The narrative style is passionate but friendly, like a faithful friend on the sidelines who encourages readers to embrace a more selfless and spiritually focused mindset. The essays are varied, well-organized, and offer a thought-provoking viewpoint on contemporary events, with a perspective on current happenings from an eschatological viewpoint that will certainly engage the devout from cover to cover. Overall, God's Good Works is a powerful and accessible read for those seeking to understand the intersection of faith, current events, and personal growth from a deeper perspective.
God's Good Works: Stories to Treasure and Tales to Ponder is a work of non-fiction in the current events, Christian theology, and anthology subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Lorilyn Roberts. The author offers a collection of inspirational devotionals with a focus on the Kingdom of God and the imminent return of Jesus. These stories span over a decade and provide readers with messages of faith, hope, and spiritual reflection. The book is divided into two parts, with the second half exploring the concept of the Kingdom of Darkness in the context of current events and scripture. The author delves into pandemic and post-pandemic events, raising questions about their significance in relation to the return of Jesus and the emergence of a New World Order.
Author Lorilyn Roberts has crafted a work that offers big-picture thinking about the state of the world from a Christian viewpoint but also relates this to her own personal challenges and her own journey to walk with Jesus. Roberts shares her personal struggles, including a bitter divorce, infertility, and breast cancer, and these experiences become the backdrop for her reflections on faith and gratitude. The narrative style is passionate but friendly, like a faithful friend on the sidelines who encourages readers to embrace a more selfless and spiritually focused mindset. The essays are varied, well-organized, and offer a thought-provoking viewpoint on contemporary events, with a perspective on current happenings from an eschatological viewpoint that will certainly engage the devout from cover to cover. Overall, God's Good Works is a powerful and accessible read for those seeking to understand the intersection of faith, current events, and personal growth from a deeper perspective.
Recommend this book:
Granny's Got A Fart Gun
Hilarious And Heartwarming Tales From The Nursing Home
Stephen Davies, Cory Greer
2025 Silver Medal
112 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Granny’s Got a Fart Gun: Hilarious and Heartwarming Tales from the Nursing Home by Stephen “Stevie D” Davies is a delightful romp through the unpredictable world of nursing home life. This collection of stories, while uproariously funny, also captures touching moments that highlight the vibrant personalities of its residents. Davies establishes a candid and humorous tone in the introduction, offering readers a glimpse into the daily lives of nursing home residents and their staff. Each story is a standalone narrative, allowing readers to explore it easily at their convenience; however, it isn’t easy to put this book down.
Stephen “Stevie D” Davies creates a hilarious anthology that dismantles the stereotype of nursing home activity rooms as mere bingo halls, capturing with humor and skill the vibrant lives of seniors beyond the usual B-4 call. The titular story, Granny’s Got a Fart Gun, turns an ordinary gift of a toy fart gun into a source of endless laughter and unexpected bonds among the residents. Davies’ storytelling shines, featuring perfectly timed humor and a warm undertone highlighting the communal joy such simple moments can create. The book’s appeal lies in its humor and ability to humanize and bring dignity to its subjects—often marginalized in society due to age and health. Davies reminds us that humor, mischief, and the longing for connection do not diminish with age. Granny’s Got a Fart Gun is a heartwarming read that offers a fresh perspective on life in nursing homes, filled with laughter, love, and the occasional prank. It is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to grasp the lighter side of aging and the significance of maintaining a sense of humor. I give it the most shining stars.
Granny’s Got a Fart Gun: Hilarious and Heartwarming Tales from the Nursing Home by Stephen “Stevie D” Davies is a delightful romp through the unpredictable world of nursing home life. This collection of stories, while uproariously funny, also captures touching moments that highlight the vibrant personalities of its residents. Davies establishes a candid and humorous tone in the introduction, offering readers a glimpse into the daily lives of nursing home residents and their staff. Each story is a standalone narrative, allowing readers to explore it easily at their convenience; however, it isn’t easy to put this book down.
Stephen “Stevie D” Davies creates a hilarious anthology that dismantles the stereotype of nursing home activity rooms as mere bingo halls, capturing with humor and skill the vibrant lives of seniors beyond the usual B-4 call. The titular story, Granny’s Got a Fart Gun, turns an ordinary gift of a toy fart gun into a source of endless laughter and unexpected bonds among the residents. Davies’ storytelling shines, featuring perfectly timed humor and a warm undertone highlighting the communal joy such simple moments can create. The book’s appeal lies in its humor and ability to humanize and bring dignity to its subjects—often marginalized in society due to age and health. Davies reminds us that humor, mischief, and the longing for connection do not diminish with age. Granny’s Got a Fart Gun is a heartwarming read that offers a fresh perspective on life in nursing homes, filled with laughter, love, and the occasional prank. It is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to grasp the lighter side of aging and the significance of maintaining a sense of humor. I give it the most shining stars.
Recommend this book:
Tales2Inspire
The Diamond Collection Series II
Lois W. Stern
2024 Finalist
237 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Tales2Inspire: The Diamond Collection Series II is created by Lois W. Stern is a riveting collection of nonfiction short stories by award-winning authors. Each story inspires consciousness, empathy, and appreciation for the little things we take for granted. The book is divided into two sections. The first part focuses on stories of compassion while the second one is about timeless memories. In one story, we see how training dogs helps in teaching dropouts to be responsible. Another story reveals the effect of the horrors of the Holocaust on a survivor. An assistant DA shares the values he stands by while relating an encounter with some good-looking burglars. As these stories are told, each author is introduced with an "about the author" page that follows their brilliant contribution. We experience their amazing stories and connect with their important memories, as well as the life-changing messages they hold.
I found several parts of the book quite relatable, especially being judged by a lover's parent for having different hair. Additionally, I loved that each story doesn't have too many characters or themes but maintains a concise structure that allows for quick assimilation and deep intrigue. The collection includes themes of family, loss, health challenges, pets, sports, mental illness, and romance. Apart from the stories, readers are engaged with the book's other fantastic features, including book club discussion questions, pictures of protagonists and authors, and an "about" section. I loved all the tales so much that I am now convinced that everyone should tell their story. Like the authors in Tales2Inspire: The Diamond Collection Series II, everyone has a profound experience of life that sheds light on what truly matters. All nonfiction short story fans will be happy to read this beautiful, heartwarming book by Lois W. Stern.
Tales2Inspire: The Diamond Collection Series II is created by Lois W. Stern is a riveting collection of nonfiction short stories by award-winning authors. Each story inspires consciousness, empathy, and appreciation for the little things we take for granted. The book is divided into two sections. The first part focuses on stories of compassion while the second one is about timeless memories. In one story, we see how training dogs helps in teaching dropouts to be responsible. Another story reveals the effect of the horrors of the Holocaust on a survivor. An assistant DA shares the values he stands by while relating an encounter with some good-looking burglars. As these stories are told, each author is introduced with an "about the author" page that follows their brilliant contribution. We experience their amazing stories and connect with their important memories, as well as the life-changing messages they hold.
I found several parts of the book quite relatable, especially being judged by a lover's parent for having different hair. Additionally, I loved that each story doesn't have too many characters or themes but maintains a concise structure that allows for quick assimilation and deep intrigue. The collection includes themes of family, loss, health challenges, pets, sports, mental illness, and romance. Apart from the stories, readers are engaged with the book's other fantastic features, including book club discussion questions, pictures of protagonists and authors, and an "about" section. I loved all the tales so much that I am now convinced that everyone should tell their story. Like the authors in Tales2Inspire: The Diamond Collection Series II, everyone has a profound experience of life that sheds light on what truly matters. All nonfiction short story fans will be happy to read this beautiful, heartwarming book by Lois W. Stern.
Recommend this book:
They Sing To Our Souls
The Animals Speak
Naomi McDonald
2024 Honorable Mention
140 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite
They Sing to Our Souls: The Animals Speak by Naomi McDonald is a fascinating read. I love animals and all of nature. While this book may seem different to many readers, I suggest you approach it with an open mind. Naomi has learned to communicate with animals. She explains how quantum physics links all material and non-material entities. Naomi communicates with animals and then shares the information with their human owners. She refers to herself as a pet psychic. Each chapter in this book tells the story of a different animal and related human that she has helped. The stories are touching and humorous. Many may think her approach to life is New Age, but quantum physics is not new. She also believes in reincarnation.
Communication through invisible waves of energy with different frequencies would explain Naomi McDonald’s method of connecting with animals. She can obtain information to make their lives more satisfying by communicating with them. Her gift is clairaudience (hearing). Others have the gift of clairvoyance (seeing) or clairsentience (feeling). Our words begin with thoughts, and thoughts have invisible energetic impulses. A person’s imagination aids in the manifestation of the material. In They Sing to Our Souls, you will learn how chakras, ancient healing traditions, reincarnation, and shamanic practices all work together. Every creation has a purpose for existing. Naomi emphatically states, “we are not of the Earth; we are the Earth.” Everything emits energy, and that energy connects all that is, whether it be material or non-material. Even after death, animals and people continue to emit their particular vibrational frequency and can connect with those who have developed their intuitive ability. Read this book and learn new ways of thinking.
They Sing to Our Souls: The Animals Speak by Naomi McDonald is a fascinating read. I love animals and all of nature. While this book may seem different to many readers, I suggest you approach it with an open mind. Naomi has learned to communicate with animals. She explains how quantum physics links all material and non-material entities. Naomi communicates with animals and then shares the information with their human owners. She refers to herself as a pet psychic. Each chapter in this book tells the story of a different animal and related human that she has helped. The stories are touching and humorous. Many may think her approach to life is New Age, but quantum physics is not new. She also believes in reincarnation.
Communication through invisible waves of energy with different frequencies would explain Naomi McDonald’s method of connecting with animals. She can obtain information to make their lives more satisfying by communicating with them. Her gift is clairaudience (hearing). Others have the gift of clairvoyance (seeing) or clairsentience (feeling). Our words begin with thoughts, and thoughts have invisible energetic impulses. A person’s imagination aids in the manifestation of the material. In They Sing to Our Souls, you will learn how chakras, ancient healing traditions, reincarnation, and shamanic practices all work together. Every creation has a purpose for existing. Naomi emphatically states, “we are not of the Earth; we are the Earth.” Everything emits energy, and that energy connects all that is, whether it be material or non-material. Even after death, animals and people continue to emit their particular vibrational frequency and can connect with those who have developed their intuitive ability. Read this book and learn new ways of thinking.
Recommend this book:
CCNY Made
Profiles in Grit
Ronnyjane Goldsmith
2024 Silver Medal
192 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite
CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit is an anthology by Dr. Ronnyjane Goldsmith. It features biographies of twenty-eight actual and four fictional alumni who attended the City College of New York in their rise to professional success and eminence in the fields of art and design, business and education, government and international affairs, literature and screenwriting, music and the performing arts, and science and technology. The anthology is dedicated to the author’s father, a CCNY alumnus who immigrated to the United States as a child, attended CCNY and law school at night so he could work in the daytime, and became a lawyer and FBI Special Agent after serving as an aide to General Patton in WWII. An appendix and bibliography provide additional content and references.
If you aren’t sure what the word “grit” means, you won’t be in any doubt after reading CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit by Ronnyjane Goldsmith. I was utterly inspired by the unbelievable courage and resolve described on page after page of this impressive and well-written collection of biographical profiles. Being unfamiliar with the history and mission of CCNY, I was surprised to find so many notables whose names or achievements were familiar but about whose lives I was ignorant. These are people who rose above the social, economic, and educational challenges and obstacles they faced and persevered to live the American Dream and impact our world in so many positive ways. If I could make CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit required reading in every American high school, I would.
CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit is an anthology by Dr. Ronnyjane Goldsmith. It features biographies of twenty-eight actual and four fictional alumni who attended the City College of New York in their rise to professional success and eminence in the fields of art and design, business and education, government and international affairs, literature and screenwriting, music and the performing arts, and science and technology. The anthology is dedicated to the author’s father, a CCNY alumnus who immigrated to the United States as a child, attended CCNY and law school at night so he could work in the daytime, and became a lawyer and FBI Special Agent after serving as an aide to General Patton in WWII. An appendix and bibliography provide additional content and references.
If you aren’t sure what the word “grit” means, you won’t be in any doubt after reading CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit by Ronnyjane Goldsmith. I was utterly inspired by the unbelievable courage and resolve described on page after page of this impressive and well-written collection of biographical profiles. Being unfamiliar with the history and mission of CCNY, I was surprised to find so many notables whose names or achievements were familiar but about whose lives I was ignorant. These are people who rose above the social, economic, and educational challenges and obstacles they faced and persevered to live the American Dream and impact our world in so many positive ways. If I could make CCNY Made: Profiles in Grit required reading in every American high school, I would.
Recommend this book:
Our Mothers, Our Daughters
Divas That Care Collection
Candace Gish
2023 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Our Mothers, Our Daughters by Candace Gish reminds us that the relationship shared between mother and daughter is deep. It’s not always positive, but it defines the identity of both mother and daughter and the way that the world sees them. We grow together and learn together and, for better or worse, we create ourselves in the image of the other. It’s like a road trip, one that takes many dips and turns and leads us, hopefully, to a positive and pre-destined place. As Jacqueline Biollo writes in her story, Alethea, “Metaphorically, road trips, like relationships, can be expensive. They take time and energy to foster. But with some planning, we can successfully navigate the road ahead and avoid some bumps along the way. Relationships can be adventurous and advantageous to exploring new things, building confidence, and making memories.” Simply put, life and relationships are journeys we must take that will lead us to places unknown.
Candace Gish’s book, Our Mothers, Our Daughters, is an anthology of stories honoring the mother-daughter dynamic. This book is part of the Divas That Care Collection, bringing together the positive and the negative (and the most loving and challenging) connections that define who we are. The stories feature three distinct themes: Connection, Inner Self, and Unconditional Love. The accounts are meant to inspire all of us mothers and daughters as we embark on the mission of bonding and love (or, sadly, the lack thereof). Some of the stories may spark a similar memory in the reader’s mother-daughter relationship. The narratives are accompanied by prompts and suggestions to further strengthen, or at least comprehend, the complexity that makes up our own stories. Through the words of other mothers and daughters, this anthology will both inspire and encourage all of us to look deeper into our emotions as we make that poignant, sometimes difficult, journey.
Our Mothers, Our Daughters by Candace Gish reminds us that the relationship shared between mother and daughter is deep. It’s not always positive, but it defines the identity of both mother and daughter and the way that the world sees them. We grow together and learn together and, for better or worse, we create ourselves in the image of the other. It’s like a road trip, one that takes many dips and turns and leads us, hopefully, to a positive and pre-destined place. As Jacqueline Biollo writes in her story, Alethea, “Metaphorically, road trips, like relationships, can be expensive. They take time and energy to foster. But with some planning, we can successfully navigate the road ahead and avoid some bumps along the way. Relationships can be adventurous and advantageous to exploring new things, building confidence, and making memories.” Simply put, life and relationships are journeys we must take that will lead us to places unknown.
Candace Gish’s book, Our Mothers, Our Daughters, is an anthology of stories honoring the mother-daughter dynamic. This book is part of the Divas That Care Collection, bringing together the positive and the negative (and the most loving and challenging) connections that define who we are. The stories feature three distinct themes: Connection, Inner Self, and Unconditional Love. The accounts are meant to inspire all of us mothers and daughters as we embark on the mission of bonding and love (or, sadly, the lack thereof). Some of the stories may spark a similar memory in the reader’s mother-daughter relationship. The narratives are accompanied by prompts and suggestions to further strengthen, or at least comprehend, the complexity that makes up our own stories. Through the words of other mothers and daughters, this anthology will both inspire and encourage all of us to look deeper into our emotions as we make that poignant, sometimes difficult, journey.
Recommend this book:
Tales2Inspire
The Diamond Collection Series V
Lois W. Stern
2023 Bronze Medal
223 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
“Change is the current that drives our lives.” Janet Rice wrote these poignant words in her creative nonfiction story, Bygone Brooklyn. Change is also what makes our stories so empowering, so sensitive and compassionate, and so important. Life is all about stories; it’s what defines us as humans. Stories reveal our history, but stories also heal, nourish, and make us whole, make us complete, like the protective powers of the moonstone. Stories like a father hearing for the first time from an adult daughter he never knew existed; a woman who explores her connection to Holocaust survivors after attending a talk given at her grandson’s school; a child who blends in well with children of different races and doesn’t experience her own sense of alienation until her comfort zone, her home, changes; a teacher struggling with the pandemic-infused new teaching format and, stressed to the limits of endurance, seeks another path to follow. Powerful stories and there are many, many more that will open your hearts and minds to the depth of the human spirit and the strength to survive against all odds.
Lois W. Stern’s book, Tales2Inspire – The Diamond Collection Series V, is a compendium of stories from two previous books of the Moonstone Collection anthologies. The stories collected cover a number of topics, from grief to love, from family tragedies to triumphs, and so much more. The binding theme of these stories is the ability of the author of each story to overcome the trials, the challenges, and to find another way forward, to accommodate the change that life presented. Like the heartwarming stories of Chicken Soup for the Soul and many others like Trisha Faye. These stories will have you laughing and crying and often cheering on the author, as we all can relate to these life-changing, challenging moments. Coupled with photographs, these stories are meant to be savored and enjoyed, one at a time.
“Change is the current that drives our lives.” Janet Rice wrote these poignant words in her creative nonfiction story, Bygone Brooklyn. Change is also what makes our stories so empowering, so sensitive and compassionate, and so important. Life is all about stories; it’s what defines us as humans. Stories reveal our history, but stories also heal, nourish, and make us whole, make us complete, like the protective powers of the moonstone. Stories like a father hearing for the first time from an adult daughter he never knew existed; a woman who explores her connection to Holocaust survivors after attending a talk given at her grandson’s school; a child who blends in well with children of different races and doesn’t experience her own sense of alienation until her comfort zone, her home, changes; a teacher struggling with the pandemic-infused new teaching format and, stressed to the limits of endurance, seeks another path to follow. Powerful stories and there are many, many more that will open your hearts and minds to the depth of the human spirit and the strength to survive against all odds.
Lois W. Stern’s book, Tales2Inspire – The Diamond Collection Series V, is a compendium of stories from two previous books of the Moonstone Collection anthologies. The stories collected cover a number of topics, from grief to love, from family tragedies to triumphs, and so much more. The binding theme of these stories is the ability of the author of each story to overcome the trials, the challenges, and to find another way forward, to accommodate the change that life presented. Like the heartwarming stories of Chicken Soup for the Soul and many others like Trisha Faye. These stories will have you laughing and crying and often cheering on the author, as we all can relate to these life-changing, challenging moments. Coupled with photographs, these stories are meant to be savored and enjoyed, one at a time.
Recommend this book:
Healing Visions
Randall Brown
2023 Gold Medal
224 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Anthology
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Randall Brown collates the writing of multiple authors and fine art photography in his anthology Healing Visions. The stories are broken down into either fiction or 'creative non-fiction' but are not separated from each other, and the similarity between one author to another comes down only to the way Brown has placed intentional parameters around them. One photograph. One story. One hundred words, precisely. There are fifty-two authors, all of them women, and one photographer, Meg Boscov, who is responsible for the beautiful full-color photographs that do more than complement the one-hundred-word story; they incite them. The book's backmatter has individual profiles of each author and I admit they are almost as entertaining as the book itself.
I love being a woman. I love women. I love anything that lifts women up, gives women hope, and lets women know that there are other women who think, feel, and experience what we do. It will come as no surprise then when I say that I love Healing Visions by Randall Brown. Brown's one-hundred-word charter forces both the author and reader to attach themselves quickly in a whirlwind of speed dates. It is a fleeting relationship that has the dizzying exhilaration of an affair and the warmth of a momentary hug. Beth Kephart shares her kinship with Berries, Molly Gaudry remembers the human connection that defied isolation with Neighbors, and Nancy Stohlman harnesses the eventual return to soil in Born Again. Healing Visions is truly a work of art. Very highly recommended.
Randall Brown collates the writing of multiple authors and fine art photography in his anthology Healing Visions. The stories are broken down into either fiction or 'creative non-fiction' but are not separated from each other, and the similarity between one author to another comes down only to the way Brown has placed intentional parameters around them. One photograph. One story. One hundred words, precisely. There are fifty-two authors, all of them women, and one photographer, Meg Boscov, who is responsible for the beautiful full-color photographs that do more than complement the one-hundred-word story; they incite them. The book's backmatter has individual profiles of each author and I admit they are almost as entertaining as the book itself.
I love being a woman. I love women. I love anything that lifts women up, gives women hope, and lets women know that there are other women who think, feel, and experience what we do. It will come as no surprise then when I say that I love Healing Visions by Randall Brown. Brown's one-hundred-word charter forces both the author and reader to attach themselves quickly in a whirlwind of speed dates. It is a fleeting relationship that has the dizzying exhilaration of an affair and the warmth of a momentary hug. Beth Kephart shares her kinship with Berries, Molly Gaudry remembers the human connection that defied isolation with Neighbors, and Nancy Stohlman harnesses the eventual return to soil in Born Again. Healing Visions is truly a work of art. Very highly recommended.
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