Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Wrong Side of the Room: A Life in Music Theater by Norman Mathews is an autobiography chronicling the author's life as he transitions from a confusing and often abusive childhood, born in a sleet of uncertainty (literally, as it turns out). Masked by imagination and written with a humor that most would not be able to apply to such situations, Mathews is able to harness this creativity and hitch it to his own ambitions as a rising star. When an injury threatens to derail an ascent that defies all odds, Mathews is forced to reinvent and reignite himself once more, and does so amid a whole host of personal and professional turmoil, scandal, and the kind of stories that are all the more shocking – and inspiring – because they are actually true.

Norman Mathews delivers a riveting memoir with The Wrong Side of the Room that opens with a contentious genesis and powerfully surges through to its finale. This is the ultimate tale of a man who is knocked down seven times and gets up eight, except in this case our tenacious narrator is struck to the ground far more than that. But he does continue to rise and appears to have carved out a genuine niche for himself until, “I woke up one morning with a strange pain in my back and running down my right leg. In a few days, it got much worse, and I began limping.” With the support of his partner Todd, he buys a Steinway, dives into formal education, and...well, at first that all implodes too. But Mathews is the consummate phoenix and, much like he displays in the writing of this book, skillfully maneuvers the trajectory of his life's own narrative into a story that we are fortunate enough to have shared in The Wrong Side of the Room.

Reviewed by Java Davis for Readers' Favorite

When beginning a review of an autobiography, there is a fuzzy area that must be managed. Are you reviewing the book itself, or are you judging the life of the author? Susan Shumsky’s autobiography, Maharishi and Me: Seeking Enlightenment with the Beatles' Guru, makes me ask myself this question in every chapter. This is the author’s story of her lifetime devotion to Transcendental Meditation and her guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In the 1960s and '70s, young people were feeling rebellious toward ordinary lives and a lack of spiritual guidance. They were asking themselves profound questions, and they wanted answers. The stars aligned for an Indian guru named Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who claimed to have the answers. Over time, he amassed a great following throughout the U.S. and Europe. Among them was 17-year-old Susan Shumsky, who went so far as to move to India to be near him. On the days when he smiled at her or gave her a kind word, there was triumph. On days when he frowned or said something mean, it was devastating. But Susan’s bliss was to live in Maharishi’s inner circle, being as near to him as a woman could hope to be, as opposed to the men who had easier access to the guru.

The book is well written, well organized, and has plenty of photographs. In that regard, I give high marks to Maharishi and Me. But I confess that I didn’t like the young, insecure Susan the Artist, as she was known, with her obsessive groveling and eagerness to please. I loathed the self-absorbed, narcissistic, and sometimes cruel Maharishi. But I can’t dismiss him, because some people found his simple platitudes to be mystical and profound, and stuck with him and with Transcendental Meditation throughout their lives. He had an enormous following of Westerners, his silent spirituality touching them deeply. He built a financial empire of classes, teacher training, and Transcendental Meditation centers, which he could not have accomplished without both volunteer labor and financial backing. Eventually, Susan the Artist grew to be Dr. Susan Shumsky, a confident sojourner and a truly spiritual teacher of a different kind of meditation. Divine Revelation shows people how to create a direct pipeline to Spirit. Reading the description of Divine Revelation has made me examine my own lackluster connection. I may have to start reading more of Dr. Shumsky’s books.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Music to My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes is a nonfiction memoir as told by Artie Kane to Marian Blue and JoAnn Kane. Artie Kane was a musical prodigy who began taking piano lessons when he was three and a half years old. He was born Aaron Cohen to Nathan and Sarah, both emigrants. Sarah and her family hailed from Belarus, and retelling the story of how Aaron’s great uncle Leib Zager spearheaded the family’s drive to move to the United States was a family tradition and part of their family lore. Artie’s dad died when he was only three, but his Uncle Joe was to be a most inspirational father figure. Uncle Joe gave him music, encouraging the musical skills he had inherited from his father’s side of the family, and being a supportive presence in an often overwhelming family household comprised of five adults and him as the sole child.

Aaron’s mom had high expectations for her talented son and made those dreams the guiding practice of her life. She would sacrifice to get him the best lessons and opportunities, at one point moving with him to New York City to enable him to study with a gifted teacher, but her need to control every aspect of his social life led to some friction between the mother and son. Opportunities, such as the job he got playing at a local radio station, helped him establish some necessary distance from her and gain a modicum of independence. Aaron’s growing interest in jazz and non-classical genres was a disappointment to his diminutive powerhouse of a mother, but as his musical taste expanded, his skills would be increasingly honed and harnessed to crafting more music and living his dream. Following advice given some years earlier, Aaron Cohen legally changed his name to Artie Kane, a name which has become synonymous with the scores composed and played for dozens of Hollywood movies and television shows.

Music to My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes is a beautifully written autobiographical work that spans Kane’s fifty years working in the music and movie industry. His stories come complete with archival photographs showing him at work and play with music’s and Hollywood’s legendary figures --people like Henry Mancini, Jack Benny and Quincy Jones. Kane’s descriptions of his eight marriages, three children and the palimony suit that capped a hellish relationship are frankly and acerbically shared. Artie has realized throughout his life that his social skills were not quite on a par with his musical talents, not by a long shot, but as his story shows, his effort to improve them has made some impact.

When the reader gets to wife number eight, there’s a sense of shared jubilation and relief that one can’t help but feel; that this guy you’ve come to admire finally gets the right girl. It’s like a plot from a movie at that point; the place where everything comes together and authors and readers are on the same, marvelous page. I learned so much about Artie Kane; about the music which makes so many movies and shows work so well; and the composers and musicians behind those efforts. I loved seeing those photographs and the way the Kanes and co-author Marian Blue make Hollywood in the latter part of the twentieth century come to life, complete with the frivolity and the social climbing, but more so the dedication of the people working behind the scenes. Music to My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes is a big beautiful work of art that just happens to be a memoir as well. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Commercial Directing Voodoo: Filmmaking Spells and Production Potions is written and illustrated by Jordan Brady. Brady is a commercial filmmaker and director who has written and directed full-length movies. He’s also the creator of and genius behind the Commercial Directing Bootcamp. Commercial directors are next in line after the client and the ad agency get together to discuss an advertising campaign. Who they pick, and whether they’ll be happy with what he does with their idea depends on the director and where he’s coming from. Brady’s first reaction when receiving a storyboard is to instantly fall in love with it. Each prospective job offers new creative challenges and avenues to expand his knowledge and experience. No matter how many jobs he has tackled, there are so many new focal points to explore, solutions to choose from and, best of all, opportunities to add to his reel.

While Brady loves the creative energy output that is an intrinsic part of commercial directing, he has come to rely upon his past experience and acquired knowledge in almost every aspect of the directing process. He suggests printing out a new script or storyboard before reading it, noting that he likes to settle in with scrap paper and pen and start scribbling out ideas and story-pictures based on that important first impression. He builds up the world envisioned by the script using stick figures, and runs with the story as he reads and sees where it goes. While his imagined finale may be quite different from that envisioned by the ad agency, there’s something dynamic happening as he first sees that script, something that’s magical. As I began reading Jordan Brady’s Commercial Directing Voodoo: Filmmaking Spells and Production Potions, I wondered at the impressive sorcerer’s skills that would enable this author to successfully mentor me in a field I knew literally nothing about. Granted, we’ve all seen commercials and remember ads that astounded, surprised and delighted us no matter how many times we’ve seen them. But how to get from that storyboard or script to the finished magical product?

I was most agreeably surprised to find that Brady’s technique for imparting his knowledge is painless, sensible and often quite enjoyable. His ideas make sense in a real world sort of way. As a quick example: watching how a child star behaves outside of an audition makes a whole lot of sense, considering the amount of time one might have to spend with him, and getting a kid’s part taken care of early in the day, before boredom and fatigue set in, is also brilliant. Likewise, the simple trick of setting up an upstairs bedroom in a downstairs room saves effort and time. Many of these ideas seem so logical and matter of fact, but the magic is that there are so many of them, that the lessons learned from the thousands of commercials Brady’s directed are presented in an easily digestible and entertaining format. And while I’m still fairly certain I won’t be starting a new career in commercial directing, I doubt I’ll ever look at a commercial in the same way again. Commercial Directing Voodoo: Filmmaking Spells and Production Potions is a fascinating book that should be required reading for anyone who wants to get into directing, and should be on the to-read list of anyone who’s ever wondered how they make those great commercials. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Halloween Horror Nights Unofficial: The Story & Guide 2017 by Christopher Ripley is a colorful story, constructed around the historic and highly attended Horror Night (Halloween Party) in Orlando. And this is not fiction, neither is it your run-of-the-mill Halloween story. It is a powerful guide to one of the most attended events in the history of Orlando, a guide that offers a vivid and engaging history of the event, looking back at its twenty-seven-year history. This book is written for fans of Halloween Parties, especially those who are keen on witnessing the goriest, scariest, bloodiest, and most thrilling experiences of the most horrific night of the year. In this book, the author walks readers through the significant moments of the event, including the scare zones in HHN history, back stories of icons of the event, survival tips, maps, graphs and a lot more.

From the very first page, the reader knows they are not dealing with an amateur. Christopher Ripley writes in an excellent and professional style and the words flow with the confidence of someone who knows the subject matter intimately. The book is punctuated with entertaining illustrations and images, and readers will also enjoy the references that are so neatly integrated into the narrative. Halloween Horror Nights Unofficial: The Story & Guide 2017 had me intrigued and mesmerized. Apart from the author’s storytelling skills, he has a knack for arresting the reader’s attention with his popular, conversational style. This book is as entertaining as it is informative and after you’re done reading, you’ll want to be part of the exciting event.

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Create a deeper connection with yourself, your partner, and your friends by learning the Salsa in the book, Salsafy Your Life (Dancing Solutions To Change Your Life An A-Z Guide) by Claus Franz Overbeck. Discover the healing power of the Salsa and feel your worries, troubles, and cares wash away as you dance to its rhythmic beat. Enjoy the music, follow the flow, and become one with your partner as you awaken your Kundalini, activating your chakras, and becoming mindful and focused on the moment. Learn how the Salsa can be used as a meditative dance, how you can awaken your authentic self, and become more open to new and exciting experiences; all through the creative energy of the spicy Salsa dance. Become your most vibrant self while balancing your feminine with your masculine and explore love in its purest form. What are you waiting for? Let's dance!

I loved this book. Salsafy Your Life (Dancing Solutions To Change Your Life An A-Z Guide) by Claus Franz Overbeck is a delightful, upbeat look into the Salsa as a dance, and as a therapy. I loved how the author starts by introducing the Salsa and its various forms, then instructs the reader on the basic steps, with links to more instructions and videos. After the reader learns the Salsa, they are guided through the many ways that the Salsa can improve their health, even citing a psychological study on the positive effects dancing has on depression. The beautiful blend of spirituality and dancing makes this book a must-read for the beginner and advanced dancer alike. If you are looking for a fun and inexpensive way to enhance your life, then this book is for you. Open yourself to the beauty and creativity of the Salsa and then dance like no one is watching!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Outback Musician's Survival Guide is a non-fiction autobiographical account by author Phil Circle, described as ‘One Guy's Story of Surviving as an Independent Musician’. The book is compiled as a series of stories, some in a storyteller, fictionalized style whilst others are more anecdotal and directly addressing the audience. There is a common thread of the development of a very creative individual throughout them, and Circle always returns to the music and influences that his past and present life have on his work. The tales of struggle are certainly not watered down, but there’s a great sense of hope for aspiring indie musicians and advice to be taken from a strong voice of experience.

As an independent creative myself, I really appreciate the candor with which Phil Circle writes. It’s no easy business pursuing your craft when you don’t have (or want) the backing of the big machines which rule creative industries nowadays, and that struggle to get your voice heard is really prevalent in Circle’s work. The Outback Musician's Survival Guide, however, does what it says in its title, giving helpful insight and a clear reality check to those attempting to follow Phil Circle’s path. I particularly loved his message of passion and pursuing your art for the love of it first, then taking any success beyond that as a bonus. We tend to think this is only reserved for artistic people, but I believe Circle’s candid writings expand this metaphor as a way of living in general, and it’s an important message that everyone should hear.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Over the course of three months, Jonathan Givens trekked across the United States with a Canon camera in his trusty van, The Mighty Buford - and got in a few flyer miles as well, but only because one can't drive to Hawaii. The mission was to photograph dancers within each state. The end result is the sublimely rich and brilliantly executed book, Dance Across the USA. Amid its glossy pages are 163 dancers forever captured in both space and time, suspended within beautiful choreography that's matched only by the stunning backdrops of some of the United States' most intriguing landscapes. Some of the photography is so surreal that it feels as if it must have been filtered and Photoshopped. Not so, Givens promises, which undoubtedly cements this photographer's masterpiece in photojournalism a place among some of the best coffee table books a reader can find.

The first thing I thought when I came across the first photo was "Woah." It took a bit of time for me to absorb it in its entirety, as each photo is striking in its own way. My favorite was of twenty-four-year-old dancer Maryann Payne, transfixed in a one-armed handstand, elegant and lithe against the backdrop of The Alamo at sunrise. The strength of the dancer is the human embodiment of fortitude, consistent in representing the spirit of the famous San Antonio mission. Next to each photograph is a description of the location, the number of miles traveled, and a synopsis of how Givens accomplished the shot. All in all, this book is a must-have for all lovers of dance, travel, photography, and art.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Heresies of Music: An A-Z Diagnostic Guide by Patrick Brislan is a book that will appeal to music aficionados. It’s a hilarious book that dissects facts about the traditions of music, great musical figures, singers and composers, concepts, and a lot of what people have come to believe in the music culture. From ideas on the treatment of Lisztomania to Drog’s prophecy about Electronic Music, the author lifts the veil to reveal his own truths about the institutions and traditions of music. This is the kind of book that will be disturbing to some, entertaining to others, and revealing to the many with very little knowledge about what goes on behind the music scenes.

Patrick Brislan is a master entertainer who seems to have invested a lot of time in researching this book, but what makes it hilarious is the wit and the humor that are blended together to create an interesting read. I found Heresies of Music: An A-Z Diagnostic Guide to be more than a work of entertainment because it informs the reader on a variety of topics in the music industry. Organized in an alphabetical order, the book contains powerful commentaries, anecdotes, and a critique of the many traditions in the music world. In the introduction, the author writes: “Despite the pejorative connotations of its name — and hence its reputation — heresy in fact serves some worthwhile purposes. Heresy challenges, and thereby threatens, orthodoxy. It hastens the decay of myths, lifts veils from mysteries, and provides some alternate clothing for naked emperors.” And this is what this book is all about: heresies of music. Readers will enjoy the terse tone, the excellent writing, and the unbridled humor.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Secrets of a Mariachi Violinist by D.R. Ransdell is an engaging memoir that chronicles the life of a classical violinist and how she becomes a mariachi violinist. The author speaks about her direct experiences of playing in a mariachi group, about her life in Durango, Mexico, and her struggles to better herself as a violinist. Readers get to see her passion for violin and mariachi as they read her story and how she considered it to be her life. The book also educates readers about living in another country and learning its culture through the author’s experiences, as she takes up a job as an English speaking teacher in Durango. The author’s passion for music is tangible as the book progresses and takes readers into a world of something that is beautiful, rich, and valuable.

It is a fascinating book for all music lovers, especially those who are passionate about violin and mariachi. The author’s determination to pursue her passion while living in another country is encouraging to everyone as it not only speaks about her teaching, but also about adjusting to another culture and reinventing her music. The book throws light on mariachi music and gives us a lot of information about that style of music. The personal stories, experiences, and anecdotes shared by the author are helpful in drawing readers closer to her, her music, and her life in Durango. I found the book interesting as it not only educates us about a new style of music, but also shows how to adjust and adapt to a new culture in a good way.