Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Breaking the Fourth Wall: An Uncertain Journey on Turkey's Lycian Way is a non-fiction travel adventure memoir written by Michelle Sevigny. Sevigny was reeling after a series of awful life-changing events. Her best friend, business partner and companion, her ten-year-old Rottweiler, had died of bone cancer; she was still mourning the cycling accident that took the life of her mom seven years earlier, and her dad’s wife had been recently diagnosed with brain cancer. She wanted to run and keep on running. Sevigny sold her apartment and began selling off or donating the rest of her possessions. Friends suggested hiking, which didn’t really appeal at first, but then Sevigny realized that it was not the activity itself that didn’t appeal but rather the settings for those hikes. She had always chosen coastal countries to visit and loved running on the beach, so the concept of long-distance coastal hiking became an viable option as a way to recharge and heal. She considered the Pacific Coastal Trail and other more popular coastal treks, but then remembered a picture her dad had of her mom in front of a Turkish mosque, and an old map of Turkey with camping signs dotting it. She wasn’t sure if those things nudged her mind, but, in the end, she decided to do the Lycian Way in Turkey before her new dog came into her life and while she still had the money from the sale of her apartment. Seven months later, she arrived at Istanbul's airport.

Michelle Sevigny’s non-fiction travel adventure memoir, Breaking the Fourth Wall: An Uncertain Journey on Turkey's Lycian Way, is a fresh and inspiring account of a most memorable journey. I marvelled at how the author gradually picked up and communicated with words and phrases in Turkish as she hiked, and how she had the courage to set out on a hike of this magnitude in a foreign land with a GPS unit that functioned fitfully at best. However, as I read on, I harbored no doubts at all that Sevigny would finish her journey and have a marvelous time doing it. The author is brutally frank and honest throughout this exceptionally good memoir as she shares both the very good and pretty awful moods she experiences, and I felt as though I were sharing the healing process that her journey facilitated. Her interactions with the dogs she meets along the way, and her yearning to finally meet the new dog she was destined to have as her companion are poignant moments in the story and will, no doubt, affect anyone who’s ever lost a beloved companion dog as strongly as Sevigny’s story affected me. I loved reading about her interactions with Turkish villagers, the descriptions of the families who shared their meals with her and were so kind; and her account of the Kangol sheepdogs who guarded her overnight as she slept in an area where she was exposed to predators. I love hiking and hope to some day follow in Sevigny’s footsteps and hit the coastal trails, but, for now, I had a grand time vicariously walking the Lycian Way with her. Breaking the Fourth Wall: An Uncertain Journey on Turkey's Lycian Way is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

When a cat decided that he wanted a new home, The Kitty: Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him by Shawn P. Flynn begins. The male cat turned up when Shawn moved into a new house. Soon it was clear that the cat had decided that Shawn should be his new owner, and the human's life soon revolves around the needs of the cat. Which cat food does the cat like? Is the house cat-friendly enough? Unfortunately, Shawn's private life takes a downward spiral just a while after the cat turned up. Fortunately, however, the cat named Kitty helps Shawn to get through the problems and find joy in life again. It proves that cats are the better people (sometimes)!

I am currently volunteering for and living in an animal sanctuary - where we also have cats - so books like The Kitty by Shawn P. Flynn catch my attention. I love animals and love reading stories about them, too. The story of Kitty and Shawn was very moving, especially towards the end. It was also very surprising to me, and an eye-opener because I never expected such a heart-warming story to come from a man. The words and photos contained in this book definitely give me some hope for mankind - there seem to be some true male animal lovers out there. I would recommend this book to all animal lovers, not just cat lovers - but beware, the end will very likely have you in tears. I read the book in one go!

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

I absolutely loved reading The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill. I wanted to move to Virginia immediately and buy a farm. The Smith family had horses, dogs, cats and an Angus steer named Pork Chop that the family calls Daddy’s cow. Brad meets Nancy at a dance and soon the fun begins. They marry, have two daughters, and move to the country. Life on the farm is anything but dull with Junior and Figgy, two horses that enjoy doing unusual things to Brad every chance they get. They like pushing Brad into puddles and locking him in a stall, and his “cow” manages to run away and get into difficult situations that just add to the fun and confusion. Gardening turns out to be harder than expected and soon more weeds appear than veggies. A local hurricane makes for a scary night and harvesting hay turns into a trip to the hospital. Brad tells about all of these events in great detail and usually with some "how did I get myself into this?" thinking.

The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill is an animal lover's delight, but there is so much more; love, family, friendship, humor, sadness and just good reading. Bradford M. Smith, Lynn Raven and Nancy Raven Smith have joined forces and written a perfectly delightful book that was impossible to put down. I cannot say enough good things about The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill. I highly recommend it to everyone young and old; male and female; you will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

I Punched Myself in the Eye is a look at a lifetime collection of very short essays highlighting the life of Pamela Capone and her family. Each essay was unique and had a special thought, emotion, idea or event to pass along. Pamela shares her stories beautifully, both the good and the bad, with readers - starting with her message; followed up by her favorite chocolates; going to Grandma’s house; God encounters; her childhood, her husband and her children; making bread; traveling to foreign countries and to New York City; a middle of the night intruder; a scary train, and mermaids. There are just too many to tell you about and it is impossible to include more of the details without spoilers, but each one was special in itself.

I Punched Myself in the Eye is easy to read and many times I found myself shaking my head in agreement and laughing or crying at a remembered moment in my own life. Pamela Capone has written her essays with love and an invitation to become part of her family and share in their life. This non-fiction story of real life happenings is indeed worth reading and, as the description claims, it is filled with imperfection and perfect grace. I found it impossible not to like Pamela, and felt as though she was sitting in my family room and we were sharing the stories of our lives. If you are a mother, wife, woman, and a believer in God, this is a must-read.

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Live The Life of Your Dreams (33 Tips To Inspire Your Life) by Laura Ponticello is an upbeat self-help book for women going through major life changes. When the author's life takes an unexpected turn, and she finds herself divorced and alone, she has to take stock and change some perceptions. This book is a beautiful mixture of her own spiritual journey and that of others; including stories of surviving cancer, divorce, empty-nest syndrome and more. This audio book helps the listener change her view from being the victim to being a strong, independent woman ready to take on whatever comes her way. Complete with compassionate advice and helpful exercises that allow the listener to get the most from this book. Explore your spiritual side and start on your journey of self-discovery and self-enlightenment.

Live Your Life of Your Dreams (33 Tips To Inspire Your Life) by Laura Ponticello takes the listener on a soulful adventure of faith. This audio book addresses a woman's most urgent issues. By breaking down her advice into simple steps, she helps the reader expand and grow. I liked how the author takes the listener by the hand and gently leads them down a road to true peace, love, and fulfillment. Even by listening to small segments at a time, and applying the principles or tips outlined in this book, I believe that a woman truly can change her current circumstances and live a happier, healthier life. With many unique stories from real women relating their experiences to the author, this book addresses things such as conquering fear, taking time for yourself, and so much more. The author is a well-known inspirational speaker and writer who has made it her life's mission to incite positive changes in women's lives.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

From the Rift Valley to the Dream of Freedom: Memories Of Lisungo by John Kachamila is a mesmerising memoir, a compelling story. John William Kachamila and his parents left his hometown when he was just four years old to seek better opportunities in Tanganyika. The author documents vivid memories of his early life and moves on swiftly to offer a spellbinding account of his life, his career in the National Liberation Struggle, and the government. Now serving as honorary consul of Serbia in Mozambique, Kachamila’s life illustrates a journey in search of justice and truth, for equal opportunity for all, a journey of freedom, and one man’s unshakable faith in himself, and the belief that he can make a huge difference in the lives of others.

The memoir is written in a simple, accessible, and captivating style and readers will love the picturesque scenes the author offers of his childhood along the shores of Lake Niassa. I was pulled in from the very beginning of the story with the dramatic moments, the vivid descriptions of the setting, and the author’s unique outlook and perspective on life. This book is filled with numerous and wonderful historical references and the reader will feel as though they are navigating the political landscapes in Africa with the characters. A lot has happened to the protagonist, including a deadly attack on his life, but what will surprise readers is the fact that he has decided to create his own path towards inner freedom and service. From the Rift Valley to the Dream of Freedom: Memories of Lisungo is every bit as captivating as it is inspiring.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Behind the Microphone by Lew Dobbins is a powerful book that brilliantly captures the broadcasting career of Lew Dobbins, underlining the factors that brought him to fame since his early audition in 1963, announcing the death of a President of the United States. Follow the author as he recounts his history with music, radio and TV, capturing a captivating culture in beautiful, somewhat lyrical prose, and in a style that is atypical. In a compelling way and in a powerful voice, the author weaves his personal stories with anecdotes from some of the most brilliant and reputable names in the music, radio, and TV industries, drawing the reader into the life and successes of some of the greatest stars America has produced.

Lew Dobbins’ writing is excellent and it combines short, quick sentences with concise and vivid descriptions to offer readers great entertainment. Behind the Microphone features just the kinds of stories I have always wanted to read, the personalities I would yearn to meet, and the author makes them come to life with his beautiful words and the accompanying pictures. In these pages, readers will find history, personal and inspiring stories from celebrities, anecdotes that are downright entertaining, and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories about American stars. This is one of those books that will allow readers to get a glimpse of some of their favorite radio, TV, and music stars, and from one who mingled with them, spoke with them occasionally, and got to interview them. It is a satisfactory story, beautifully written and a pleasant read.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness by Lolly Daskal is a book that every leader needs to read, one with the advice that many growing leaders never have the chance to hear. As I read this book, I thought about all the men and women who have driven me, and the patterns outlined in this well-crafted and compelling work surface very powerfully in their lives. Drawing from popular psychology, philosophy, and professional experience, the author unearths traits in leaders who fail because they rely solely on their skills and on what has consistently worked for them — which might not be relevant anymore.

In well-crafted prose and providing wonderful insights, the author illustrates how our skills and talents can become stumbling blocks on our way to greatness. And did you know that the overconfident leader can suddenly become the imposter, that the person who builds on truth can become a master at using lies to lead others, that the explorer can become the exploiter, and that the gifts that make us rise can turn against us when we fail to discern what really makes us grow and connect more intimately with ourselves and with others? The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness is a ground-breaking work on leadership, a book that showcases the author’s leadership skills and experience so brilliantly that it will provoke a revolution in the hearts of up-and-coming leaders, and help those leading others to be more aware of the dangers that come with their skills. Lolly Daskal writes with confidence and leaves the reader in no doubt that she is a master of the subject. It’s perfect leadership psychology.

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

The Invisible Advantage: How to Create a Culture of Innovation by Soren Kaplan is a book on business organization and management centered around creating a culture of innovation, as the title suggests. The Invisible Advantage begins with a brief introduction on the topic of what it actually means to be “innovative” and the importance of it in today’s business world, especially the technology industry. The book is then broken down into several chapters, each focusing on a certain aspect of this such as how to be a “disruptive innovator,” how to motivate people and employees, how to create a culture of free thinking, how to strategize and be effective at creating this culture, measurements and metrics, and much more. Throughout the book, Soren provides real examples of companies who have successfully created such a culture, along with a detailed explanation and background information on each.

I think innovation is necessary to thrive in the modern business world, especially in an ever-changing IT industry, where trends and advances seem to happen daily. The Invisible Advantage by Soren Kaplan provides a map on how to do so and create a culture of innovation. Soren emphasizes the importance of maintaining a competitive edge and the crucial role that innovation plays in this. I also liked how Soren has presented real, live examples of this in organizations which I found very helpful. The writing is crisp and the content is broken down into easy-to-grasp chunks. It also is clear that Soren has a lot of experience in this area and that comes across in the case analysis of some of the examples.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Start-Ups are hard. The Start-Up J Curve: The Six Steps to Entrepreneurial Success by Howard Love is a comprehensive guide that speaks about a start-up’s evolution and helps readers to know what to do and what not to do, and makes the path to success efficient and smooth. The book shows the pattern in which a start-up unfolds so that entrepreneurs are aware of the pattern and their odds of success will increase. Reading this book will have a positive effect and assure you that other entrepreneurs have faced the same difficult issues. The Start-Up J Curve suggests how the value of the enterprise tends to decline over the first few phases, and the primary value creation develops during the latter stages.

The concept of The Start-Up J Curve is helpful and useful to all those who are on a start-up program and need to communicate it to a wider audience. I found the ideas and suggestions valid and valuable, and they will prepare you to meet the inevitable challenges as and when they arise. The author also speaks about the many myths that are associated with start-ups, and points out areas where the thinking patterns and beliefs need to be altered to become successful. This book will definitely help readers become familiar with the start-up path. It is a good read for all those who are planning to start up a business. The book is honest, direct, and insightful, and touches on all the topics required when it comes to start-ups.