Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

V.I.P.E.R. Improvement: Fire/EMS Department Leadership and Management by Dr. David Hupp introduces a specialized framework for solving problems in fire and EMS departments, addressing gaps in standardized approaches to leadership challenges. This model covers strategic planning, root cause analysis, and risk management with tools specifically tailored to emergency services. Leaders, officers, and aspiring members are guided to improve performance, motivation, and resilience within their teams, ensuring sustainable, positive changes in operations.

Dr. David Hupp's structured approach to problem-solving is both innovative and practical, making complex leadership strategies accessible to first responders with confident and inspiring language. His ability to translate business management techniques to fit the unique culture of fire and EMS services shows insight and adaptability to different situations, and I found the V.I.P.E.R. model easy to understand despite it not being an area I was familiar with at all. It's easy to see how the model would create a lasting, positive impact in emergency services, going beyond temporary solutions to make real change in ways that people can action from the earliest moments of reading this book. Hupp's clear, direct writing style enhances the book's usability as both a guide and a reference for leaders at all levels. Overall, V.I.P.E.R. Improvement: Fire/EMS Department Leadership and Management is a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their department's operations and foster a culture of resilience, and I would certainly recommend it.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Work It! How to Rock Your Career Intentionally by Maria Kyriakos is a practical, self-guided roadmap for professionals seeking to take intentional control of their careers. The book introduces a three-pillar model—Reflect & Synthesize, Reclaim & Engage, and Receive & Express—that shows how to build self-awareness, strengthen professional connections, and master influential communication. The author provides a seven-step process to redesign one’s résumé with clarity and impact, align their LinkedIn profiles, set meaningful career goals, and continuously evolve through reflection and action. The book underlines the importance of courage, confidence, and lifelong learning in navigating today’s dynamic job market.

This is one of those books you wish you had read at the start of your career. It is packed with insights and wisdom for career development and growth. Maria Kyriakos explores themes such as personal branding, strategic networking, and effective communication with real-world examples and actionable steps. The exercises are engaging and practical—from crafting a Career Story Impact Statement to practicing mock interviews and developing succinct expression skills. These tools empower readers not only to articulate their value but also to confidently face career transitions. The author’s emphasis on “wash, rinse, repeat” reinforces the idea that career management is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time task. This book will appeal to fans of Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. I loved its structured, leadership-focused approach tailored for modern professionals at any career stage. Work It! gave me more than the coaching I received over ten years of working in a corporate environment. The author forces you to think and to work on your skills with the cleverly designed exercises.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Growing up on the north side of Omaha, Brandon D. Cox always had an entrepreneurial mindset and outlook toward life. His parents and extended family instilled the values of hard work, street smarts, and grit in him from an early age. Later, when he found himself on the wrong side of the law, Brandon never gave up and continued to be productive behind prison walls, eventually opening Omaha's largest streetwear brand, Crookd Crown Clothier. It also became a platform for him to share his story and advocate for justice reform. In Hustle Reimagined, the author shows how one can rise above life's challenges by adapting to a new mindset. Identify transferable skills, learn to listen, stay ahead of trends, and be patient. The book also offers tips for AI usage in creating content and marketing.

Hustle Reimagined is a practical guide for anyone who refuses to let the trials and tribulations of everyday life bog them down and strives to find success on their terms. Brandon D. Cox gives an unflinching account of his life, sharing both the good and the bad, and demonstrates the importance of developing a resilient mindset. He also underlines the significance of AI in his business endeavors and offers valuable strategies and insights, showing how to utilize AI tools to start a business. According to the author, understanding marketing strategies and SEO to master social media algorithms goes a long way in promoting a product in today's market. Cox has an engaging writing style, and he presents the content in an accessible manner for a wide range of readers. I found the book very informative and inspirational. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

It's a fact that if you enjoy any activity you're doing, it improves the quality of your work and makes you more productive. With Your Grass Is Greener, founder, entrepreneur, public speaker, and instructor Jason Silver seeks to help you change how you approach your work and life. Use your strengths to overcome challenges and maximize your inner potential. Learn to do five days of work in four by avoiding miscommunication, quickening the decision-making process, and effective time management. Furthermore, you will discover the tools to enjoy your everyday work, utilize imposter syndrome, unlock your joy at your job, make better decisions, use positive feedback to accelerate growth, recognize and take advantage of your opportunities, face your fears head-on, change the way you work banking on skills you already have, and more.

After suffering a personal tragedy, Jason Silver was forced to look inward and enact changes in his life. In this book, Silver draws from his personal experiences and shares stories and insights to help readers discover joy in their work and life. Your Grass Is Greener is a transformative guide that focuses on relying on the already-existing tools in your arsenal to navigate the everyday challenges of life. The author's personable writing style makes the book such an engaging read. In addition, the principles discussed in the book are practically applicable in real-life scenarios. It's an informative and motivational guide, and I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers. If you're struggling with your work-life balance, this book is for you. I found it very illuminating. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Stewart Brian for Readers' Favorite

The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization by Maureen Dunne is an insightful book that offers practical tips, actionable frameworks, and tools that redefine organizational and workplace inclusion. While using the Flatland metaphor and the results of a study by ZenBusiness, Maureen defines the premise of this book and highlights the statistics of Generation Z members who identify under the neurodiversity umbrella. Maureen further divides this book into three parts. The first part discusses why organizations should be interested in authentic neuroinclusion. The second part explores the pyramid of neuroinclusion as an actionable framework for a durable and authentic culture of neurodiversity inclusion in an organization. The third part explains how an organization can achieve the objectives outlined in the Pyramid of Neuroinclusion through effective strategies and tactics.

The author's approach to crucial topics often overlooked in organizational discussions impressed me. After reading this book, my perspective on neurodivergent people changed for the better. I love the illustrations, figures, pyramid, and more as they made the writing more engaging and enhanced my comprehension. The writing was exceptionally detailed, well paced, and straightforward. I also appreciated the key takeaway section at the end of each chapter, which helped summarize the discussions and kept them fresh in my mind. The level of research and statistical analysis in this book is commendable, as it adds an intense level of authenticity to the writing. I recommend The Neurodiversity Edge by Maureen Dunne to all business owners, healthcare workers, organizational leaders, and anyone who wishes to gain a better perspective of the concept of neurodiversity.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Hiring Veterans: How To Leverage Military Talent for Organizational Growth by Matthew J. Louis, Mark Elliott, and Dr. Anthony R. Garcia Sr. is an inspiring and timely guide to recognizing and utilizing one of America's most valuable resources: veterans. From the ground up, these authors plan to hire and maximize veterans in the workforce and community. One key point the book covers is how veterans can transition from military to civilian work. If this happens smoothly, hiring and retaining them will be more successful. It would be to the business sector's advantage to hire someone with military service as part of their work experience, and many companies are doing this through their hiring programs. Veterans bring skills and a proven track record that can't be found elsewhere, and they are brought into a company with a selection process that can include assessment, shadowing, and other training strategies if needed.

If you think about the qualities and experience most veterans bring to the table, hiring veterans makes a lot of sense. This ready and willing population could boost your productivity and profits. You don't have to run a big corporation to benefit. Small businesses are taking advantage of this opportunity to grow. Other issues addressed in this book include finding and recruiting veterans for your workforce, how to keep them once hired, how to access and implement the financial incentives that come with hiring veterans, and much more. Some of the skills veterans offer include leadership, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work in high-pressure situations. I like that this book is more than a theory. It's grounded in research, offers practical tips, contains real-world examples via case studies, and is a guide you can use today. Hiring Veterans by Matthew J. Louis, Mark Elliott, and Dr. Anthony R. Garcia Sr. is a must-read if you are looking for that competitive edge in business and community.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Inspiring Work Anniversaries by Rick Joi is a guide that explains how to use work anniversaries to enhance the employee experience and strengthen workplace culture. While people spend most of their time at work, they tend to put more effort into celebrating non-work-related milestones like birthdays and religious and patriotic holidays. The author emphasizes the importance of work anniversaries and the role each employee can play in creating a great anniversary experience. The book also explains how such celebrations contribute to the workplace culture. Finally, it provides tips and recommendations that can help make work anniversaries special and memorable. You can implement these innovative ideas in your organization at any time.

Inspiring Work Anniversaries is a well-written book that highlights the benefits of work anniversaries and a plan of action on how you can make them part of your company's traditions. I enjoyed reading this book because it covers a unique and often overlooked topic. Rick Joi gives statistics and uses graphs and charts to make it easy for readers to understand the main points. His consistent use of a casual tone also makes the book easy to follow. The principles outlined can apply to a large or small organization, and some can be utilized in your daily life. Work anniversaries give each organization member a sense of belonging, a purpose, and support they can rely on. The book is clearly organized, with each section and chapter having bold titles and appendices that contain relevant information. I particularly liked the comparison between birthdays and work anniversaries because it can help people implement the author's ideas using a familiar activity. I recommend this book because it can help you make a positive difference in your workplace by using work anniversaries.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Penned by author team Paulette Ashlin and John Kello, Ph.D., 5 Actions of Positive Accountability: Strategies for Highly Effective Leaders to Influence a Positive Workplace Culture is a work of non-fiction in the business, leadership, and self-improvement subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience. This talented team presents a comprehensive guide for leaders facing challenges such as high employee turnover and low productivity. Drawing from their extensive research and consulting experience, the authors identify a lack of accountability as a core issue in many organizations. Through practical strategies and insights, they empower leaders to foster a culture of positive accountability, driving peak results, reducing turnover, and creating a positive workplace environment. The book offers actionable steps for developing effective leadership skills, improving talent retention, and cultivating engaged teams, supported by interviews with leaders across industries and sports.

Author duo Paulette Ashlin and John Kello have crafted a highly motivating work with an approachable writing style and tons of practical advice. Their no-nonsense, jargon-free approach makes the interconnected concepts of positive accountability accessible and actionable, and I enjoyed the organization of the work to slowly build on concepts and complexity. The emphasis on integrating positive psychology with organizational culture is a refreshing approach to leadership, highlighting the importance of fostering a supportive and accountable work environment that puts people first. Including real-world examples and interviews with industry leaders adds relevance to the discussions. It allows readers to imagine the principles in practice easily. The work offers such hope in its atmosphere that it makes you want to start implementing the practical advice right away. Overall, 5 Actions of Positive Accountability serves as a valuable resource for leaders seeking to drive positive change in their organizations, offering a roadmap that anyone interested in bettering their leadership skills is sure to find helpful and easy to read.

Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite

The Aspiring Agent: From Overworked Rookie to Real Estate Rockstar by Martha Melendez and Steve Stark is an indispensable guide for newcomers to the real estate industry. Drawing on Martha's extensive 18+ years of experience, the book offers practical insights and strategies to transform rookies into top performers. Readers will discover invaluable tips on generating business, maximizing efficiency, and nurturing client relationships. From choosing the right brokerage to managing transactions with finesse, Martha and Steve cover every aspect of succeeding in real estate. With its wealth of insider knowledge and expert guidance, The Aspiring Agent equips readers with the tools they need to thrive in the industry, making it essential reading for anyone looking to carve out a lucrative career in real estate. Its emphasis on efficiency, client relationships, and practicality ensures that readers not only learn what to do but also how to do it effectively, setting them on the path to real estate excellence.

The Aspiring Agent's actionable advice and real-world examples make it a standout among other books on real estate. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, this is a must-have resource for achieving success in the competitive world of real estate. What sets The Aspiring Agent apart are its standout features and the unique approach it takes to real estate success. Unlike other books in the genre, it doesn't just offer generic advice—it provides specific, actionable strategies backed by Martha's extensive expertise. Martha Melendez and Steve Stark teach readers how to streamline their processes and maximize their time, allowing them to achieve more in less time. Additionally, the focus is on client relationships. Martha and Steve stress the importance of building strong connections with clients and becoming their trusted advisors, which is crucial for long-term success in real estate.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Few success stories read like this one. From a shaky start in life as a member of a biker gang that was rough company and had brushes with the law, Dale Arenson turned his life around to follow his passion for aviation. The Lucky One: From Outlaw Biker to Airline Pilot and Beyond, Book 2 continues the theme that began with his first memoir, Outlaw Biker, describing how he quit his dead-end job in 1979, shrugged off a failed marriage, rejected suicide as an option, and returned to biking for a short time. The author takes readers through the difficult path to becoming a qualified airline pilot, starting at the most basic level before obtaining an instructor’s rating to earn pocket money. From then on, it was an increasingly steep learning curve to achieve commercial and multi-engine ratings, while building up flying hours by doing charter and ferry work and fire control spotting. Flying can be dangerous unless you have situational awareness and focus. Fire fighting from the air poses additional challenges in the form of dangerous conditions such as unpredictable air currents, as well as rugged terrain and mechanical failures. As implied by the title, luck can play a role. Commercial airlines only recruit experienced pilots, but the rewards are considerable once that level is attained.

The book is inspirational, not only for aspirant airline pilots but also for those who need to face difficult life choices to achieve their dreams. The account is refreshingly honest, strikes a positive tone throughout, and does not apportion blame to others. The Lucky One is filled with incidents, accidents, near-misses, and anecdotes involving the author and the interesting array of characters that the industry attracts. It describes flying everything from single-engine light aircraft, through vintage piston engine machines, to jet-powered executive transports and airliners. The story brings readers up to 1986 when Dale Arenson applied to join a major airline – his original goal. It takes time, effort, skill, and money to reach the required standard, but Arenson looks beyond financial reward to satisfy his driving ambition. This book will appeal to all aviation enthusiasts, as well as those looking for motivation outside the conventional self-help mold. The book is rounded off with a comprehensive glossary. It is highly recommended and the author is set to continue his journey with a third volume.