Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Stand Up and Shout Out: Women's Fight for Equal Pay, Equal Rights, and Equal Opportunities in Sports by Dr. Joan Steidinger is a non-fiction book that digs deep into the history of disparity between female and male athletes competing at the same levels. Over the course of ten chapters, Steidinger addresses the uphill battle long fought against organizations and a public perception that women, including and of particular note, women of color and the LGBTQ community, are not as valuable across the board as their male counterparts. In painting a complete picture, Steidinger draws on aspects that include pay, politics, and media coverage, to coaching, double standards, and the force behind the #MeToo and Time's Up movements.

I've been waiting for Stand Up and Shout Out for decades. As a former female athlete at the Division One level, I personally witnessed first-hand the lack of resources, facility, support, and financial incentive withheld from women but lavished on men. Dr. Joan Steidinger rips apart the myth of inferiority and popularity in sports using real-world examples, legal precedent, and plain common sense as she doubles down on where we've come from, where we are now, and the road ahead to where we need to be. My favorite section of the book was the Global Challenge, where Steidinger addresses disparity by region, proving that the issues are universal and that until we are all on a level playing field, we are incomplete. It is not enough to simply improve on behaviors of systemic sexism. We must implode the system as a whole and rebuild it from the ground up. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Step into Your Zone: Playbook of Secrets for Peak Performance in Business, Sales, and Life by 'H' John Mejia is a dynamic self-help book packed with solid life strategies. The author uses his own experience and expertise to assist you in taking your life and your career, in sales or otherwise, to the next level. You can enter "the zone"--that space athletes inhabit when they perform even beyond their A-game. It's the zone where everything comes together perfectly and one achieves peak performance and goals. As Mejia explains, the zone can be attained by people who aren't athletes but are willing to put in the time and effort to get there. This is the perfect how-to book for those launching a new business, making a career change, starting over due to unforeseen circumstances--Covid-19?--or just anyone wanting to up their game and push themselves harder than they ever have before.

What I like most about this easily digestible book is that Mejia uses these skills in his own life, and explains the ups and downs he's experienced. He's been there, done that, so it isn't as if he's speaking from an academic place. He's lived successes, hard knocks, and the philosophy that he offers to you. A lot of self-help books are useful, of course, but this one has heart and inspiration. The combination comes easily to Mejia, who knows how to relay this information so that you too can experience success in the zone. I like that he encourages everyone, not just athletes, and his idea that confidence can be built; it isn't something you're necessarily born with. You can develop it and nurture it. The book's layout is appealing and easy to get through. When you reach the end, you'll feel as if you've learned something that can help you in your life and your career, whatever it is. The images are really inspiring too. Step into Your Zone: Playbook of Secrets for Peak Performance in Business, Sales, and Life by 'H' John Mejia should be on your shortlist of self-help, career-goal books of 2021.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Turbulent Mind: My Journey to Ironman 70.3 by Swetha Amit resonates with all aspiring triathletes to pursue their dreams. The author has shared her triathlon customized plan, based on her fitness levels, and her journey is proof to all aspiring athletes that it is never too late to start anything and age is just a number. Her story is encouraging to readers who want to become triathletes and motivates them to keep tri-ing. The author's rollercoaster journey speaks of her challenges, highs, and lows endured during the training; her grit, determination, and perseverance. Most important of all, the way she overcame her fears to emerge victoriously is inspiring and will motivate many readers to pursue their dreams of becoming a triathlete.

A Turbulent Mind is straightforward and honest and Swetha Amit is vocal about her journey as she shares the details. Adjusting to a new country, fighting her inner demons, self-belief, support from her husband, etc. this book has it all to make readers believe in themselves, stretch beyond their comfort zones, and become successful. The Ironman triathlon is one of the toughest endurance sports. I admire the author's strength, determination, and perseverance. Her success story is commendable and will inspire many readers to become confident in pursuing their dreams, transitioning to new skills, and also conquering their fears. The book is definitely a keeper for those who are looking to become triathletes and also to those who are already there to relive their journey.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

We All Wore Blue by Emerson Robbins is an impactful story about a team of players brought together by their love of football that sticks together and achieves great things because of their sense of brotherhood. It is also an inspiring example of what can be achieved when people put aside their differences and appreciate the value each person adds to the group. Robbins's first stint as a coach was while he was in high school. It was not until fourteen years later that he decided to take up coaching again after signing up his son, Ben, to play soccer. The family moved to Seattle where his other two sons, Tyler and Ryan, continued to play the game. Robbins began coaching Tyler’s team. From an obscure, poor-performing team, the players made their way into the Gold Division, the top division in recreational soccer.

We All Wore Blue follows the team’s story, their highs and lows, and their remarkable achievements. After reaching the Gold Division, the team now comprised of American and immigrant boys began to play club soccer. The change was also marked by a change of name from “The Mad Dogs” to “FC Shoreline International.” Through Robbins’s leadership, they navigated failure, racism, and personal struggles to win two state championships along with many tournaments and league titles. Robbins stands out in the story not only as a brilliant and strategic coach but also as a father figure and mentor to the players. He steps in, provides guidance, and supports the players including those from immigrant families. Not only was he interested in their performance but also in their personal well-being. Each player is described which allowed me to know them and root for them during each game. The team’s experiences also explore important topics such as racism, immigrant issues, and collaboration. We All Wore Blue by Emerson Robbins is not only a story about an inspiring team that defied the odds to reach extraordinary heights but also an illustration of teamwork, respect, and exceptional leadership.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Kong Boys: Seven Friends from Hong Kong Take on Eleven European Cities for Their Thirtieth Birthdays by Gerald Yeung is an interesting non-fiction book for travel fans. The author introduces readers to his four childhood friends and explores their friendship over the years, a journey that has been filled with adventure and unusual fun. At twenty, Gerald and his friends take to the road as backpackers. Their destination: South America and Africa. It will take ten more years with a lot of things happening in their separate lives before they undertake another adventure. It is their thirtieth birthday and this time their destination is in Europe. The hype with the soccer tournament, the 2016 UEFA, is at a fever pitch, and it is against this backdrop that they explore eleven cities in Europe.

The boys are feisty and their adventures are fun to read. For readers with little or no idea about their cultural background, this book will tell a lot about growing up in Hong Kong and the uniqueness of the culture. The book takes readers to fun places, including clubs, bull races, restaurants, and the wilds. Gerald Yeung’s book will remind readers of the beauty of friendship and the fun of trying new things. Woven into the story are strong themes like family, relationships, failure, and hope. The exuberance of youth is ingeniously captured in this narrative and the author not only a good traveler but a writer with the unique gift of capturing the interest of readers and making them want to pack and visit their dream destination. Kong Boys is a fun story that reads like well-crafted fiction.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Texas 0ff-Road Racing: A Father-Son Journey To A Side-By-Side Championship by Mike Kowis is a fascinating book that will take readers on an adventurous ride that gives glimpses of off-road racing from the driver's seat. The adventures and every detail experienced during their off-road racing have been captured and shared. The author speaks of getting his driving license at the age of fifteen and a half and how he purchased a 1977 Ford Granada four-door sedan after selling his Big Red, a red 1984 Honda 200s three-wheeler. His first cross country race was in 2004 at round 1 of the GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) series without knowing the GNCC race was a big deal. He had fun competing in the Utility ATV class of All-Terrain Vehicle Cross Country Series (ATVCCS). The book describes the details of this sport and the time and money required to pursue it.

Mike Kowis's experiences and his detailed descriptions of the sport will take readers out there with him to feel the exhilaration and excitement of the racing adventure. The pictures shared and his detailed narration make the book enjoyable and worth reading. The writing style is simple yet breezy, and the father-son bonding is palpable. This is a perfect read for all those who enjoy off-road racing because, apart from the author's experiences, he also gives details on how to join the race, the different conditions of tracks, and the fun and the danger associated with it. Texas 0ff-Road Racing is fast-paced and, like the sport, has a good pace and movement. The book is not only about racing but also about Texas, and gives readers glimpses into the world of off-road racing in an entertaining and impressive way.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Dave Johnston opens his book on becoming more skillful, deepening confidence, and overcoming the mistakes that players make when it comes to excelling in golf by stating that: “Understanding your fundamental (often unconscious) beliefs about the game is the key to unlocking your natural ability.” Stop Beating Yourself Up! How to Play Your Best Golf Despite Years of Lessons is book four in the Just Hit the Damn Ball! series, a powerful tool that offers readers a new approach to learning and practicing golf, and one that focuses on what is essential to breaking the ceiling and reaching peak potential. It focuses on the player’s belief system and their strengths.

In this book, the author underlines the importance of challenging our attitudes towards ourselves, how we feel about our previous experience of the game, and opens pathways we can travel to connect with our natural abilities. This book helps readers see what connects practicing golf and actually playing it. Dave Johnston puts a lot of personal and professional experience into his writing, making powerful points with real-life examples and true stories. The book comprises seven reflections, each chapter based on a specific reflection.

I enjoyed the way the author explains how our feelings affect the way we play and how these feelings are based on our core beliefs. This book will help you change your attitude and become aware of the unconscious reality that guides your hand when you play golf. Stop Beating Yourself Up! How to Play Your Best Golf Despite Years of Lessons is written in an easy-to-read, conversational style that will appeal to a wide audience and it echoes a powerful, confident, and professional voice that readers will find motivating. While this book focuses on the art of playing golf, it has powerful lessons for personal and professional growth. A highly recommended tool for golf fans.

Reviewed by Java Davis for Readers' Favorite

When Chris Fagan’s husband Marty suggested that they go to the South Pole, Chris’s first reaction was that of a mother, envisioning leaving her son behind for an extended time period. But eventually, the lure of the big adventure caught her imagination. Chris and Marty were power runners and expert climbers. They’d met while climbing Denali in Alaska. If anyone could withstand the rigors of such a trip, she felt that they could. The Expedition: Two Parents Risk Life and Family in an Extraordinary Quest to the South Pole is written by Chris Fagan. The first third of the book is the three years of preparation it took to get ready for such an extreme trip. They dragged SUV tires through trails to get the feel for dragging sleds filled with supplies. The Fagans planned to make the trip by cross-country skiing, alone, unguided, with no helpful drops of extra food or equipment, for over 550 miles. They tapped every human resource, read everything possible, tasted every dehydrated dish to learn which were edible and which tasted horrible, and learned that paper towels make better toilet paper. Chris explained the processes of managing bodily excretions with easy candor. Since the trip took longer than expected, they had to twice re-ration the food to make it last through to the last day.

I found myself completely immersed in their daily struggles against the bitter cold, raging winds, and mostly hostile terrain. During white-outs, all they could see was white, while making sure to keep eyes on one another. Back home in Seattle, their son was coping well with his string of babysitters. Since the Fagans had the ability to phone home via satellite, they kept in touch with their son, friends, family, and the schools that were dialed into the daily blog posts. Yes, the Fagans finally completed The Expedition to the South Pole. Going back home, the world had an amazing array of colors, after so much white, and friendly hugs. As satisfying as it was to complete this arduous trip, the couple was determined to plan future adventures. The most important lesson the couple wanted to impart was to their son, that life should be filled with grand adventures. This is an unqualified, non-stop 5-star book!

Reviewed by Donna Parrey for Readers' Favorite

Pickleball by Beverly Keil serves as a treasury of everything you need to know about the sport before you step out onto the court. For those who have already stepped out onto the court, it also serves as a fine primer on how to improve your game. This is an easy read, presented in four parts. Part 1 begins with the basics of how the sport of Pickleball started, details on the paddle, the court layout, what to wear, scoring, and how to serve. Part 2 drops you right into the game, providing tips on the ready stance, eye on the ball, moving with your partner, and more. In Part 3, Keil addresses strategies for taking your game to the next level, such as backhand shots, positioning, reading your opponents, common habits to beware of, and teaming between left- and right-handed players. Part 4 summarizes Pickleball in helping participants to play and stay well.

As a baby boomer who hears a lot about Pickleball but has never ventured a try, I was curious to learn about the sport in a risk-free environment. Beverly Keil’s book, Pickleball, satisfied both my need to know and my voyeuristic desire to watch a match without actually being there. Her tone is friendly, conversational, entertaining, and encouraging. By Part 2, I thought I knew it all and found myself punching imaginary shots toward my screen as I read about Pickleball techniques online. After Part 3, I realized I was learning strategies that I wasn’t yet mentally ready to completely grasp nor physically ready to execute. Keil understands this and assures readers that Pickleball players are a friendly, nurturing bunch who welcome you to join their ranks.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Let us rewind and go back to 1971, the year the Milwaukee Bucks won the Championship. From Coin Toss To Championship: 1971 - The Year of the Milwaukee Bucks by Rick Schabowski is an engaging book that gives details about the magical season, players' interviews, game stories, and pictures that will trigger a lot of memories and give game insights. After the 1965 baseball season, once the Braves moved back to Atlanta, Milwaukee ceased being home for any major sports franchise. The Milwaukee Bucks brought Milwaukee back into prominence by winning the 1970-71 National Basketball Association Championship. This book is good for the future generation of Bucks supporters and NBA fans who can take a trip down memory lane while reading about the game's history and the magical season.

The author speaks about the Championship in detail which enables readers to enjoy the season and the memories associated with it. The entire season, along with some wonderful pictures, is a delight for readers from all walks of life; for many, it is like bringing back memories of a wonderful season and for others, it is learning about that magical season that put Milwaukee back on the sports map. The black and white photographs shared in the book breathe life into that time and make it tangible for readers as they learn about the players and the moments on the court. The author's love for the game is evident from the details and descriptions in the book and it is a good read for all those who want to recollect the scenes from the coin toss to winning the championship.