Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Almost two thousand years after his ministry on earth ended, the life and teachings of Jesus continue to fascinate and inspire. Sharon Williams takes readers back to biblical times, following the path of Jesus from Old Testament prophecy, his birth, baptism, travels, parables, miracle healings, and wisdom to his execution. It touches on the appointment of the apostles and their role, which is a sharp contrast to those who were jealous, resentful, and wished Jesus harm. The book highlights the abuse of power, deceit, and corruption of those distant times - undesirable human attributes that endure today. The deep divisions within the Jewish community itself and the animosity between Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans formed a backdrop to the enlightened principles of love, reconciliation, and tolerance taught by Jesus. All Because He Loved Us includes an interesting reflection on the “I AM” teachings that are attracting renewed attention from modern biblical scholars. This harks back to the time of Moses, and Jesus regularly used the words.

Sharon Williams has adopted a traditional approach, following the biblical account and quoting from several versions of the Bible. The texts selected are chosen well and paint a refreshingly new perspective of Jesus and what he embodied. The teachings have stood the test of time and remain relevant, providing guidelines for everyday living. What emerges is the re-telling of the story of Jesus in contemporary language that is easy to read and flows harmoniously. It distills the gospels into one cohesive chronological account, providing insightful commentary and clarity. The divinity of Jesus was not always appreciated, but shone above the humanity of his followers, and the status quo who saw him as a threat. Each chapter ends with a section that offers further food for thought. Fittingly, the book concludes with quotations from Jesus concerning the end times, without attempting to unravel the complex and controversial book of Revelation. All Because He Loved Us makes the words of Jesus relatable to a wide audience that extends far beyond the Christian faith. It is beautifully illustrated and will bring illumination and inspiration to readers. It is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

Anxiety, stress, and depression plague modern society. We struggle to find true friends despite the opportunities offered by social media. We often feel lonely, isolated, and misunderstood. The lavish lifestyles advertised on TV and the internet are not affordable for everyone. As a result, we perceive ourselves as unaccomplished. How can we break the vicious circle of self-doubt and constant pressure? The philosophy of Stoicism has the answers to many burning questions of our time. Stoic principles have been helping people overcome difficulties since the distant past. So, let us develop the virtues of courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance to make our lives better. Motivational and self-help literature fans will enjoy Stoic Solutions by Ross Taosaka.

In Stoic Solutions, Ross Taosaka explains the ancient philosophy in simple terms. The author brilliantly conveys the main principles of Stoicism without overwhelming readers. Taosaka offers a survey of the history of Stoicism and shares fascinating facts about such prominent historical figures as Zeno, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. The author offers convincing examples of contemporaries using the Stoic principles, like the award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey or Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos. While the virtuous way of life seems hard and demanding, Taosaka allows us to see its undeniable benefits. The book inspires us to rethink our approach to adversity and gives hope to those dealing with fears and anxiety. Taosaka helps bring reason back to our decision-making process and motivates us to improve our outlook on life. Geoffrey Adams Clark adds his meaningful illustrations to the thought-provoking text. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

For Our Friends the Animals by Robert Echols is a thought-provoking read that emphasizes the reverence for all life. The author draws from the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ and the philosophy of reverence for life by Albert Schweitzer. The book aims to inspire readers to transform their relationship with animals and all living things from one of exploitation and abuse into one of compassion and care. The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on preparation, where readers lay a mental and spiritual foundation for the changes to come. It covers lessons on mercy, celebrating the gift of life, and offering prayers of petition for all living things. The last part challenges readers to take action, with prayer and having a loving and kind heart like Jesus, taking each animal as our brother or sister, and becoming stewards of the Earth.

In For Our Friends the Animals, Robert Echols highlights the importance of life, particularly animal life, through a spiritual lens. The lessons in this book prompt readers to view various environmental issues from a new perspective, making the issues feel personal and encouraging a deeper awareness of our interconnectedness with all creatures. The book illustrates that everything is part of God's creation and deserves respect and kindness. It is disheartening to realize that humans have caused the extinction of animals, subjected them to experiments, and tortured them for amusement. The book includes a list detailing how animals are mistreated, which was eye-opening. I appreciate that the author also offers potential solutions to help restore harmony between humans and animals, aligning with God's original plan for coexistence. This is an engaging and compelling read with a powerful message. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of our ethical responsibilities toward animals and the environment.

Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

In Between Will and Abandonment, Robert Letters offers an exploration of spirituality, encouraging readers to adopt an independent practice rooted in introspection and growth. Inspired by a parable in the Gospel of Mark, Letters links the balance between exerting your will and surrendering preconceived thoughts to embrace the spiritual unknown. Letters acknowledges that his ideas build on the works of others, compiling the book from his personal journey. He shares this work with readers, addressing topics like religious affiliation, spiritual connection, and the interplay between human will and divine guidance. With practical insights into following spiritual guidance, independent practice, and mindful daily behavior, Letters provides readers with a framework to navigate the "mystery" of the universe.

Robert Letters's succinct chapters make this work easily digestible for even the busiest individuals, while its structure, including four dimensions for daily practice and five foundational principles, inspires spiritual action. Raised in Catholicism but not confined by it, Letters invites readers to actively focus their will, release control, and allow divine energy to work through them. The author provides a framework of five principles that he describes in an inspiring way, guiding you into spiritual action. After reading this book, you will be motivated to practice the structure he provides and allow the "mystery" to work through you. The author emphasizes aligning thoughts and actions to better serve a higher purpose, and I was inspired to start my own "gathering of flowers" as I read the text. My most important takeaway from the book will help me align my thoughts and actions to better serve the Lord. If you're ready to focus on spiritual development, you will benefit from reading Between Will and Abandonment.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Raz Mihal weaves the theme of divine love into his contemplations in Just Love Her: A Poetic and Inspirational Journey into Love's Divine Essence. It is a tale of unrequited love, a story of a heart that yearns and a flame of love that never dies. The author explores divine love through his experiences with an enigmatic and at times ethereal soul that he refers to as “Her”, who remains beyond his reach. He pursues his yearnings through meditations and visits South Korea to explore a past spiritual connection. While his quest may form the subject matter, there is so much more. The book explores love, the nature of our being, and what love means to us. It separates earthly and thus romantic love from the divine, spiritual love that transcends time and space. As many readers will know, popular culture distorts romantic love and it can often be fickle. This gives rise to false expectations and possible disappointment or rejection that can leave deep emotional scars. Conversely, divine love is the connection between two souls and elevates love to the level of Godliness. It opens the door to spiritual enlightenment and is a feeling that can and should be embodied. The author cautions that not everybody is ready for that experience. Ultimately, it leads to a love of all creation.

Just Love Her contains so many lessons, and Raz Mihal asks searching questions about who we are, what we believe in, and how we perceive love. Do we let love govern our being to the exclusion of reason and the point of unhealthy obsession? Do we seek in others what we lack in ourselves? The author reflects on his constant struggle between the mind, emotions, and the soul. “Her” takes on many forms that flow over into past lives. She comes to represent divine love, the feminine divine, and the goddess. As the title suggests, we should simply love unconditionally, together or apart, and not intellectualize the process or ask too many questions. The writing is eloquent, poetic, and charming. It encapsulates life lessons, philosophical concepts, and spiritual growth. There are so many other aspects that they cannot all be mentioned. The book should be read mindfully and slowly, looking for the deeper meanings. Readers will enjoy sharing the author’s wistful and at times troubled journey. It contrasts joy and sorrow, love and hope. Sometimes we have to let go. In the end, like the author, we will be left with the experience. As he sagely observes, we learn from suffering. Hopefully, this will bring insight and ultimately inspiration. The book is most suitable for those familiar with the esoteric topics covered. It is a deeply profound work and highly recommended. A thought-provoking work with a unique approach.

Reviewed by Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite

True Stories of the Philosophical Theater by S. Yerucham chronicles one man’s quest for meaning in a world seemingly defined by contradiction. Yerucham’s sweeping narrative conveys readers across the globe, from Indiana to India, Israel, Thailand (to name a few), and, ultimately, to post-hippie San Francisco, where he at last reconciles his restless questioning mind and his wanderlust with his longing for home and family. This memoir is deeply personal and yet truly universal, with familiar themes such as fatherhood, homesickness, and the struggle inherent in adhering to one’s religious practices and beliefs while immersed in foreign cultures. These are all woven into the narrative with deft precision for clarity, purpose, and reader engagement.

S. Yerucham is a kind of modern-day Everyman, posing eternal questions and finding possible answers in the most unlikely of places. Add into the mix Yerucham’s masterfully inventive use of language and prodigious vocabulary and the result is a rare and singularly appealing literary memoir. Readers will be astonished at how quickly its pages breeze by, with every new horizon offering pure delights and new mysteries to ponder. Yerucham has a marvelously wry, self-deprecating sense of humor which adds a wonderful tongue-in-cheek quality to the text, making the reader feel part of the epic goings-on as the author transitions from a wide-eyed eighteen-year-old self-professed chameleonic shape-shifter to a homeowner and family man. Along the way, Yerucham quotes many of the world’s greatest books and takes us on an armchair tour of a number of the most appealing and exotic locales. It is hard to imagine a literary memoir with more to offer readers than S. Yerucham’s True Stories of the Philosophical Theater.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Secret Practice: Eighteen Years on the Dark Side of Yoga by Joelle Tamraz is an intriguing and harrowing memoir that sheds light on the darker aspects of spiritual pursuit and manipulation. Tamraz's candid narrative takes readers on a journey from vulnerability to empowerment, offering a gripping exposé of the dangers lurking behind the facade of enlightenment. Tamraz's story begins innocently enough, with a quest for spiritual enlightenment leading her to Rishikesh, the renowned home of yoga. However, her encounter with Swami Arun, an enigmatic and manipulative figure, sets off a chain of events defining the next eighteen years of her life. Through Tamraz's vivid storytelling, readers are immersed in the world of deception, control, and abuse orchestrated by Arun. On the surface, Tamraz’s spiritual guide is lovable, but his intentions are far from pure. For how long will she allow him to manipulate her?

The Secret Practice: Eighteen Years on the Dark Side of Yoga is told with unflinching honesty. From the opening chapters, readers learn about the author’s clandestine marriage, juxtaposed with her initial hopes and dreams of a lifetime of love and companionship. The secrecy in her relationship already hints at trouble. The contrast between her longing for familial approval and her mother's unexpected melancholy underscores the challenges of navigating cultural expectations and familial dynamics. The unease is palpable, and readers see someone longing for inner freedom. Her spiritual journey toward freedom thrust her into a form of spiritual slavery, and despite the warning signs, it takes a long time for her to break the cycle. While this is an enthralling memoir, it is also a cautionary tale showing readers how pseudo-spiritual leaders can prey on people and exploit their longing for enlightenment for personal gain. The book offers valuable lessons for readers.

Reviewed by Samantha Dewitt (Rivera) for Readers' Favorite

In 1992, British record holder Derek Redmond showed a relentless drive and refused to give up. On 9/11/2001, New York's finest stood strong in the face of the worst terrorist attack most of us have ever known. The 2010 Arab Spring cost tens of thousands of lives. Each of these major world events showcased a value that can be applied in life to help anyone make the most of it. These are only a few of the events and situations that Scott Freidheim has experienced throughout his life. In Code of Conduct, readers will be pulled directly into the varied situations that have shaped who he is and helped him create his own personal code of conduct.

Scott Freidheim has 32 principles and values that he finds most important in life, which make up his personal code of conduct. He encourages the reader to create their own code of conduct by sharing where his code comes from. Each story in Code of Conduct paints a picture that places the reader right in the middle of a specific situation with action and characters. The fact that those characters are real people who lived through real events makes many of the stories themselves seem even more astounding. For example, reading about the way Freidheim experienced 9/11 and some of the effects of the Holocaust firsthand really makes the reader think hard about their own life and experiences. Each story moves along at a brisk pace, getting to the point quickly and sharing the most relevant details. The themes throughout Code of Conduct are varied, including those related to human nature, self-improvement, and helping others and the world around us. Code of Conduct helps the reader decide what’s important to them and what values and principles have shaped their own life.

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste by Kelly Sullivan Walden starts with a humorous modern adaptation of the myth of Persephone, the goddess of the underworld. Despite the contemporary twist, the meaning of the myth is still the same: we are not insured against encounters with the dark side of life. Kelly offers a doable strategy that allows us to turn our mistakes into a valuable experience. OGLE is a formula and a tool that helps us look at our missteps and traumas from different perspectives, analyze them, and make them work on our spiritual behalf. The author supports this method with real-life examples. Kelly and her husband, Dana, miss their station while traveling in Italy. A scary-looking stranger offers them help. The tired couple takes a risk and makes a surprising discovery. Kelly wants to adopt a beautiful girl whose parents rejected her. Then tragedy strikes hard. A neighbor asks Kelly to analyze dreams about her missing daughter. The investigation leads to fascinating revelations.

A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste is a very positive book. Kelly Sullivan Walden openly speaks about her past hardships. At the same time, the book is a humorous page-turner. The tales about Kelly's attempt to conquer the summit of a volcano just to be scolded or the awkward situation she found herself in during her friend's biopsy procedure are hilarious and thought-provoking. Yet, the author breaks our hearts with the story of little Tendral and makes us gasp in awe while narrating about the fearless teen named Claire and her battle with cystic fibrosis. I like that every essay has an unexpected twist and a breakdown according to the OGLE formula at the end. Kelly believes that "pain is guaranteed—suffering, however, is optional." She motivates us to make an effort to overcome pain, negativity, and even grief and grow up spiritually. A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste inspires us to become more open-minded, compassionate, and braver versions of ourselves. I highly recommend this book to fans of inspirational and humorous non-fiction books, memoirs, and self-help literature.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Mary's Life Journey & Her Amazing Yes! is a work of non-fiction in the Christian writing, contemplation, and inspirational writing subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Denise Mercado. The work explores the depth of being Catholic by delving into the foundational elements and traditions of the faith. Raised Catholic but later questioning her beliefs, Denise embarks on a quest for truth, exploring Protestantism and spiritual writings. Ultimately, she returns to her Catholic roots, finding solace in understanding the history of her upbringing. Her research leads her to delve deeply into the Rosary, the life of Mary in the Bible, Infancy Gospels, and apocryphal writings, granting her the inner peace she sought.

Author Denise Mercado has lovingly crafted an intimate portrayal of her own personal faith journey and offers readers a chance to delve into the traditions of the Catholic faith for themselves. It provides not only a spiritual exploration but also an opportunity to gain a richer appreciation for Catholic traditions and beliefs whether you’re someone who’s already familiar with them or not. As an agnostic reader, I found this book to be a profound exploration of faith, combining personal experiences with historical and theological insights. Denise's journey is relatable whether you’re especially religious or not, and her exploration of Catholicism is informative and thought-provoking thanks to her tender yet confident narrative skill. Overall, Mary's Life Journey & Her Amazing Yes! offers a well-written and heartfelt perspective on Catholicism that can resonate with believers seeking a deeper connection to their faith, and I’d certainly recommend it to one and all.