Reviewed by Tina A. for Readers' Favorite

Dean, the main character in Leading Team Alpha, finds himself dealing with some tough business decisions and decides to reach out to a former professor for leadership advice. Unlike other business books, this is a fictional novel but is filled with leadership principles. DiGirolamo takes the reader through Dean's decision making, his relationship with his team, and dealing with difficult workers. The key concepts covered in the book include selecting team members, motivating them, ensuring their work aligns with the organization, remaining goal focused, and job satisfaction.

When I started this book, I was drawn into it immediately because of the easy-to-read novel format. I could relate to Dean and some of the challenges he came across. Readers can easily identify with this main character and recognize very quickly who the difficult characters will be in the story. DiGirolamo has good descriptive dialogue so readers can quickly pick up on the communication techniques used and apply them in their own business settings.

I had some trouble buying into a story toward the end of the novel because it was a complicated situation that was resolved relatively quickly. I also felt a section about a work trip did get a bit off-track. There were so many dynamics happening just within the office that DiGirolamo could have kept the story there. One thing that may have helped readers grasp the core principles a bit better would be to have a 'takeaways' section at the end of each chapter. Overall though, I thought it was a good book about leadership and a light read for a business book.

Reviewed by Bernadette Acocella for Readers' Favorite

Why the heck isn't this book a bestseller? Al Lewis doesn't believe that the government should continue doing things that don't work simply because that's the way things have always been done. Lewis has written a smart, hilarious book that says exactly this, and includes ideas from his blog about how to improve the economy. His use of the term "Methadone economy" to describe an economy which is dependent on government spending to increase growth is one of the unique ways he helps readers understand his "out of the box" ideas. Tired of solutions to our economic woes that involve stimulus checks and government subsidies, Lewis has twelve suggestions that might just change the way Americans do business and handle their money. Topics like tax refunds, mortgages, gasoline, and healthcare are what you might expect to find in an economics book, but not the way Lewis discusses them. Nor would you ever guess what he has to say about the penny. Such ideas are creative, clever, and worth some serious investigation by our lawmakers.

This is one of the only books I have ever read that was both laugh out loud funny and extremely thought-provoking. Even if you are like me and have absolutely no background in economics, you will still understand and enjoy this book. I found myself completely engrossed in it and wondering what would come next. Lewis will draw you in with his hilarious introduction, and then surprise you with his thoughtful, logical suggestions for encouraging economic growth. His humorous way of boiling down complex ideas into words I could actually understand made me laugh and seriously ask why these common sense suggestions have not been implemented. His writing is clear and thankfully you won't find a lot of jargon that might normally dissuade the average reader from a book about economics. Included at the end of each chapter are responses from Lewis to positive and negative comments that bloggers posted about each of the ideas he outlines, another helpful aspect of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is curious about economics, open to new ideas, or just likes to laugh.

Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite

It is very important to get in the habit of laying aside money from each paycheck to pay yourself. The thesis of this book is on percentage of paychecks. The style is easy to read and understand.

Jannelle L. White's book, Easiest Short/Long Term Plan for Saving Money, is very practical for everyone considering our current economy. White shares tips, plans, and examples to help the reader make wise choices and obtainable goals in regards to saving money. The worksheets provided at the end of the book are useful.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

You've just graduated from college and have very little job experience, and yet they have high hopes of landing the perfect job, so does every other college graduate. How do you make yourself stand out in the crowd of job applicants? Brenda Bence has the answer. Bence is an expert on Branding and Marketing. She has a systematic approach to landing that perfect job.

Everyday companies try to convince you that you need their product, and that it is the best product on the market. Bence insists you look at yourself in the same manner. You must brand and market yourself.

This book is divided into three sections:

1) Define it: know who you are, define your talents, compare yourself to other applicants, and define why an employer should hire you.

2) Communicate it: Review your actions, reactions and look throughout the interview process.

3) Avoid damaging it: 20 brand busters or things not to do.

This book is organized in a logical manner. It is simple, easy to read and understand. This would make a great gift for your college grad.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

There is a proven correlation between joy in the workplace and productivity. "Joy Rules! 30 Lessons To Help Leaders Harness heart Power At Work" is an exciting read for all leaders. Dr. Filomena D. Warihay, Ph. D. writes in a perceptive, energetic, sensible and humorous manner. She offers 30 insightful and inspiring lessons. Among the lessons you will learn: Leaders should be self confident, willing to laugh at his/herself and inspire workers. A leader should not be afraid to put his/herself on the same level as other workers. It is much easier to get workers to produce by offering rewards than threats. As a leader you should have specific goals. If you don’t know what you are working toward, how will your employees? A leader also allows employees to be creative. A leader listens to the individual.

This book is well organized. It is easy to understand. You do not have to have a Master’s degree to get the point. The book is actually a pleasure to read. I suggest this book for anyone that supervises or leads others. I can even see this working in church environments.

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Ms. Siegel provides the reader with an up-to-date and concise understanding of current credit and mortgage practices. The book is useful for both the first-time and the experienced potential home buyer.

The book is beautifully organized into concise and practical information which is comprehensible and current. The author provides step-by-step information on the understanding and improvement of one's credit score, as well as practical information related to gift and tax laws, as they apply to home ownership. Types of refinancing and mortgages are explained so that the reader has an honest and firm understanding of the process.

This is a superb book of practical information written by someone who writes knowledgeably in her field of expertise.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Jill DeSena-Shook offers readers an honest and humorous look at the job seeker, employers, and recently hired employees. She stresses the need to be prepared before the interview. Research the company. Collect business cards and social network. Be willing to gain experience, you weren’t born knowing how to walk and talk. DeSena-Shook discusses the pros and cons of a recruiter.

A resume is important, but it has to be the right resume. She offers examples. How you look and dress can get you the right job or lose the right job. Look neat and professional, no wrinkles, no loud jewelry, no blue and purple hair. Jill offers examples of what not to do. She also discusses accents. That one got me. I have a very strong Kentucky accent. I can certainly understand what she is saying but I’m not sure how to lose the accent. My favorite suggestion was be positive. Attitude is everything.

It is easy to recommend this book. Jill has covered the topic of getting and keeping a job from A to Z. She brings experience and expertise to her book. It is written in an easy to read and understand manner. I found it both entertaining and informative.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Almost everyone can relate to the tyrant boss. My husband had a supervisor that screamed and yelled obscenities at the people under him. Eventually, the corporation realized why people refused to take the positions directly under him. He was forced into a new position where he no longer supervised anyone. I left a job I loved because I could no longer stand to work with a tyrant. A bad boss can make a pleasant job unbearable. I wish I had read this book a few years ago I would probably have stayed with my last job.

Your relationship with your boss should “energize and heighten” your job performance. A boss should be offering “praise and recognition.” The examples throughout Tangling with Tyrants: Managing the Balance of Power at Work make this book a success. The examples help the reader to relate to the situations discussed. At the end of each chapter is an exercise to assist the reader. This book like most self-help books is based on a positive attitude. Tony Deblauwe includes a “Do I Work For A Tyrant?” test in the introduction. Throughout Tangling with Tyrants: Managing the Balance of Power at Work the reader will find tools for taking “control and turning the relationship with your boss around.” Deblauwe explains why and how our emotions are linked to our job.

A Tyrant Boss brings out great emotion. When a boss berates you, it is natural to get angry, sad, and depressed. We also must remember that the boss has emotions. Unfortunately, he/she may have brought them into the relationship with you. There is even a chapter on facial expressions.

Tony Deblauwe’s Tangling with Tyrants: Managing the Balance of Power at Work is written in an easy to read and understand manner. The information shared within the pages can be an invaluable tool. I strongly recommend this book for all HR departments, employees, and bosses. Perhaps the boss will recognize his/her own traits. Perhaps the employee will learn to control the situation. Overall, this is an excellent read and a great tool.