Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Coffee Shop University: A Book about Mythology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Politics, Economics and the Ecology... by Mario Kfoury is a nonfiction read that deals with powerful existential, religious, philosophical and realistic themes. The book reads like the author’s mental journey; its confrontation with the harsh realities of life, a departure from mainstream contemporary culture to adopt a solution-oriented mindset. In this book, the author shares personal experiences and combines Western thought with Eastern philosophy and spirituality to compel readers to look reality in the face, opening their eyes to dread truths about human nature, and offering reflections on topics such as existence, change, conflict, truth, well-being, purpose, and many things in between.

This is a book that will appeal to philosophers, theologians, moralists, and sociologists, a multidisciplinary book that is intelligently written, thought-provoking and laced with deep insights. Every page is filled with astounding wisdom. The author interacts with life and with philosophers from the beginning of the history of human thought, featuring Socrates, Plato and many others. Mario Kfoury makes relevant references to great thinkers like the Tao, Albert Einstein, Dharma, and many others.

I was particularly excited by the depth of thought and the clarity of expression. For instance, about war, for instance, he states: “Any fight, no matter the form or style, is a balance of stamina, distance and timing.” A bit further down he observes that war is nothing other than an individual fight on a collective scale and it never reaches a final verdict nor a perfect settlement. I learned that the greatest victory is one that requires no battle. Coffee Shop University: A Book about Mythology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Politics, Economics and the Ecology... is a book for readers who want to take life seriously and who love to indulge in mental labor. The writing is excellent and accessible and the ideas are expressed with vivid clarity and simplicity of phrase.

Reviewed by Kathy Golden for Readers' Favorite

In Spiritual Living for Busy People: How to Nourish Your Soul in Today’s Hectic World, José de la Torre provides direction on how to live a spiritual life. One of the greatest features of this book is the well-labeled table of contents. While this might not seem like a big deal to some, the detailed headings make it so easy to return to any part of the book you want to study again. If you’re not one who likes endless highlighting, once you view the headings, you’ll understand what I mean.

José de la Torre’s chapter entitled Isn’t Spiritual Living Just For Spiritual People? shares some of the most well thought out explanations to help people get beyond the common and preconceived ideas of what is required in order to be spiritual. In each topic, the author provides, without preaching or even being defensive, sound reasons why people need not allow these arguments to make them feel they cannot live a spiritual life. I actually found this section to be my favorite.

Because it would be a spoiler, I’m not going to share the simple and liberating definition given of what spirituality is and how accessible it is to all of us. Yes, you’ll have to read the book for yourself to get it. What I will say is that the author packs so much enlightenment into this book, from his insights about service to his engaging ways of working with the mind, the heart and the body. Spiritual Living for Busy People: How to Nourish Your Soul in Today’s Hectic World is a comprehensive adventure and a concise imperative for anyone seeking a pathway to spiritual living. Moreover, it provides the guidance and the methods to finding that much sought-after inner peace that so many seek in this hectic world.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

Kleptomaniac: Who’s Really Robbing God Anyway? The untwisted truth about the centuries-old tithes and offering deception by Dr. Frank Chase Jr, TH. D fills a narrow but very real niche in the area of biblically derived lessons and advice on the subject of tithes and offerings. I would have thought most Christians would research this topic themselves if it were very important to them, but to have all the references in one book, along with sound commentary and advice from a biblical scholar, certainly makes it easier. Dr. Frank Chase Jr. describes his own evolution of ideas about tithing and I must say we went through many of the same phases in pretty much the same order. I stopped evolving while Frank Chase Jr. went on to write this book that helps other Christians who have the same questions he had. Christianity at its best.

Kleptomaniac: Who’s Really Robbing God Anyway? may have more biblical quotes and references to tithing and money in general than any book I have ever read, save, of course, the Bible itself. It is written in a very smooth and articulate style that I’m guessing will be understandable to most people, but at the same time Dr. Frank Chase Jr’s education and vocabulary are evident on every page. As is his faith and his desire to help. From Abraham to Paul, Frank Chase Jr. delves into the origin, the definition, the application, and even the abuse of the custom of tithing. It is an interesting and sometimes colorful history and one Christians should certainly be more aware of. This book will help them.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

I picked up Womb Awakening: Initiatory Wisdom from the Creatrix of All Life by Azra Bertrand M.D. and Seren Bertrand out of curiosity, first because I am a woman, and second because I am a mom and I am three months pregnant now, but I never expected to find such wisdom and spiritual truths in this book. I feel different after reading this book, as though I am connected to a primordial, creative power. It’s the first book I have read with allusions to the womb of God. In this book, the authors resurrect mysteries and teachings of the womb that have been lost to history, helping the humanity of the reader to reconnect with the fecundity that precedes all life. According to the authors, and drawing inspiration from ancient teachings on the womb, there is a feminine cosmology of creation that has guided life for ages and each individual has a blueprint of the womb connecting them to the greater mystery of life.

With mythical stories and entertaining tales from all ages — including those from Christianity and other traditions — the authors weave a stunning message about the creative power of the womb and propose road maps for womb awakening. This book features wisdom from ancient sources and uses legends of the Holy Grail and personalities like Mary Magdalene to underscore powerful points. In this book, readers will understand the connection between the sacred womb consciousness and lunar energy, find tools to activate the creative power of the womb, and allow it to transform their lives, and master the alchemy of rebirth. There are some books that are easy to describe, but there are some that are just so good we find no words for description, and Womb Awakening is one of the latter. It’s so filled with wisdom and light that the reader has to experience it themselves.

Although I am not a keenly spiritual person, the message of this book awakened something in me and now I want to find out what it is. I always finish interesting books within a day, but it took me two weeks to finish this one because I had to savor every bit of it. One reads the book, puts it on the shelf, and yet continues to feel as though they were steeped in a refreshing spiritual river. Azra Bertrand, M.D. and Seren Bertrand seem to have invested a lot of time researching this work and the simplicity with which they communicate the message is astounding. The images and artwork, plus the illustrations, are very telling and symbolic. The book features a love letter in the opening pages that readers have to read, even if that is all they read in this book. This is a gift to receive with gratitude and then pass on. The pilgrimage into the womb will unveil deeper levels of life and love for those of you who dare.

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

In his stimulating work The Obelisk and the Cross, Tony Sunderland undertakes the academic’s most daunting challenge: to convey without ponderous explications or brittle simplifications the entire history of a subject – in this case, the evolution of religious thought – as it pertains to a rather focused primary objective – to bring insight to the fundamental trilogy of religious inquiry: Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Beginning with the oldest of religious symbols – the obelisk – and its strange appearance in the center of the world’s most enduring religious location – the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square – something that should denote a kind of sacrilege has been appropriated from antiquity and made a center-piece for modern theological supremacy. This prompts the author to ask a natural question: Why?

Tony Sunderland’s attempt in The Obelisk and the Cross to bring some clarity to a subject rife with diametrically opposed beliefs, opinions, conjectures, and unwavering, documented certainties as provided by almost every genre of inquiry known to man is nothing less than extraordinary. The writing is perfectly concise, incredibly inclusive yet relentlessly focused, and unerringly directed. There are so many ways this book could have jumped the track. That Mr. Sunderland takes the reader from here to there without a single extraneous side trip or excessive plodding, and yet manages to include every historical detail necessary to his purpose, makes for a fast and highly satisfying read. The reader realizes he is missing massive amounts of information, but never that this book suffers for the omission. Instead, as with any stimulating work, one feels impelled to search for further knowledge elsewhere. In turn, Mr. Sunderland meets his challenge here superbly. He gives the reader exactly what he promises at the start. And that is an amazing accomplishment.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Religion, faith and belief are all topics of a controversial nature. It's controversial because it depends upon who you're talking to and their interpretation of what they're reading. The King James Bible, the Qur’an and the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Tanakh) are some of the books that hold spiritual values, scriptures and actions of God that formulate a connection with the reader. The Qur'an: A Chronological Modern English Interpretation by Jason Criss Howk is a modern day English interpretation of the Qur’an. Jason Criss Howk began this journey because he wanted to improve the collective interaction between religions and faiths. He also wanted to provide others with clarity on what Islam and the Qur’an stand for and to dispel the myth that all Muslims are terrorists and that the Qur’an teaches hate.

If you really want to learn about the Qur’an, there is a wealth of information in this book. While this is a comprehensive, detailed resource of information just like the King James and Hebrew Bible, Jason Criss Howk had to manipulate some of the order of the words to create a platform for reading and understanding of the passages for the English interpretation. If you are new to the Qur’an, understand that the format is different than the Bible. If you are familiar with the King James Bible or the Hebrew Bible, be prepared to make a paradigm shift as you begin to study the Qur’an.

I'm a researcher on many things because I desire to be educated on a subject instead of reacting to what I hear or what I'm told, especially via traditional media. Through studying, I discovered that the Hebrew Bible and the Qur’an were both created from the main concept, scriptures and messages of the Bible and then massaged according to the needs of the religion, faith or belief embracing the change. It's not these various materials causing the attacks within the world in the name of (______ you fill in the blank), it's the reader and their interpretation coupled with the elements of their heart, soul and spirit. If water is poured into a leaking bucket, then no matter how much you pour into it, it will never retain the water. Only when the bucket is either repaired or replaced can the task of filling it be accomplished; such it is with man. If you want to gain knowledge and understanding about the world around you, begin here.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

The Last Faith: A Book by An Atheist Believer by Karmak Bagisbayev asks a lot of difficult questions about life and its elusive meaning. Why are the social and behavioral distinctions between men and women being rapidly erased? Can a world without violence exist? If not, under what circumstances and to what kind of violence does man have a right? Wherein lies the origin of this right? These are just some of the questions that the author poses to his readers. Divided into three parts namely, The Law of Gene Preservation, The Law of Freedom of Choice, and The Last Faith, this 192-page book is all encompassing and provocative and it sure will make readers think again about their beliefs in life.

The Last Faith: A Book by An Atheist Believer, however, not only asks all these questions, author Karmak Bagisbayev also provides a convincing answer to all these questions that have literally and figuratively plagued the human race from generation to generation. Bravely going against many of the established moral principles of popular world religions, this book is definitely an intriguing read. It will perhaps raise some eyebrows but on the other hand, anyone with a critical mind will be drawn to The Last Faith. Surprisingly an easy read, it comes out as one curious man's conversation with God Himself. Karmak Bagisbayev has a PhD in Physics and Mathematics, so he also presents explanations and evidence to support all his ideas, just like scientists do. And he is definitely very convincing!

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I have read a lot of self-help books. Too many to list here, but many of them are known to almost everyone who has sought to improve themselves or their lives. A Catholic priest once labeled me as a “seeker” and I don’t mind owning to that. Walking Through Your Walls: Loving Yourself and Everyone Else Vol. 1 by Lynda Lamp is a unique mix of the spiritual, practical, religious, and psychological. I liked it. I found it insightful, meaningful, and practical. Most of all, I found it helpful for me in regards to where I am in my life right now and my desire to be better, to improve, and grow. That made the investment in time and effort to read Walking Through Your Walls well worth it. Lynda Lamp is organized and concise in her thinking and writing. This made Walking Through Your Walls easy to read, even though it takes on huge subjects.

I am a Christian and though I was vaguely aware of Chakras, this is my introduction to it, why it has become important to a lot of people, and how it can help me. In Walking Through Your Walls, Lynda introduces this concept and has set up her own unique support system for those who want to learn more. This is an ancient philosophy, but Lynda uses all the tools of modern technology, including a website and Facebook page, to educate and encourage people who want to learn more. Walking Through Your Walls is beautifully written and there are great quotes from some of the deepest thinkers in human history. You can’t lose by reading Walking Through Your Walls.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Harnessing Heaven: How One Reluctant Wall-Streeter Tapped the Power of Heaven by Clifford Michaels is a spiritual and deeply human book that offers a path for anyone to travel to their very core, a book that will move readers to ask the questions they have always feared to ask, the question of life and destiny and meaning. What are we here for? Why am I here, and where do I go from here? As a Wall Street investment advisor, Clifford Michaels had a great life until he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Then the thought of what happens after this life struck him, and he began the spiritual journey that resulted in the wonderful lessons in this book. He doesn’t just affirm that heaven exists, but goes on to offer seven principles to help anyone harness the power that comes from above, and learn how to allow that power to steer their life towards its purpose.

What I feared when I picked up this book was that it could be another preachy read, but no, it turned out to be something else. It turned out to be a powerful reflection on the topics people most dread: life and death. The author asks very pertinent questions, questions that become crucial in our fast-paced world that is rapidly being torn apart by greed and war and other forms of insanity, questions that will help any seeker to find the right answers. But the author’s own path will become one that many will love to travel. This book seems to be a kind of spiritual autobiography, the author’s own path to enlightenment, the journey to himself, the discovery of the power that allowed him to transform his life. Written in clear and beautiful prose, this book is the tool you’ll need to take control of your life, and find and embrace your purpose. Harnessing Heaven: How One Reluctant Wall-Streeter Tapped the Power of Heaven by Clifford Michaels is another 'best book' I have read in a while.

Reviewed by Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite

It is a sad and terrifying fact that there is no universal blueprint on how to live a full and meaningful life. But if there is, it would probably be a lot like J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin's On Virtue. A philosophical treatise told in a very accessible manner, On Virtue is a must-read for anyone interested in discerning the meaning of the different facets that make up people's lives.

The greatest teachers in human history used parables and stories to lead their students towards the path of discovery. Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi and Schrodinger, all of them knew the power storytelling has in making people think deeper about a subject. J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin's On Virtue is full of rich content and the use of vividly told and interesting stories makes it easier for readers to digest the lessons within. This book is not some dusty philosophical tome. On Virtue is written in a flowing, almost elegant style that invites readers to come along and join the author's musings about the various aspects of life. By actually conversing with the reader instead of simply stating tenets, J.C. Augustus Lai Andurin manages to keep the reader engaged and more receptive to his views and philosophical thoughts.

The author dedicated this book to his children, and the way the book is written and the lessons, stories and views contained within is reminiscent of a father imparting his accumulated life knowledge to his children, in the hope that the lessons he is sharing would make them better individuals and help them lead a fulfilling life.