Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Dear Willy, The True Story of a Life Well Lived is a real life biographic memoir penned by author Claire Ohlsson Geheb. Delving back into her own family history, Geheb explores the life and times of Willy Oswald Geheb, a German American immigrant who sought a better life for his family and his descendants, despite living through some of the most terrifying and difficult years in German history. Chronicling the period of both World Wars, the story begins with Willy’s training as a private in Germany. The life of the German people through war and in the inter-war period is tremendously difficult, and it’s only as the Second World War concludes that there is a tiny flicker of hope for a better future.

Claire Ohlsson Geheb has done a wonderful job of chronicling her family history by collecting and collating letters, diaries and other documents to bring Willy Geheb’s original life story into brand new being. I am a huge fan of real life stories of families living through the Second World War, and the tale of the Gehebs brings all the terrifying drama and fear to the fore whilst also showing their solidarity and spirit. They never stop dreaming of more, and that also makes this a fascinating tale of immigration success, one with extreme heart and consideration for the hardships of others. History fans will delight in real photographs and ‘at the time’ evidence from Willy himself, and overall I’d say that Dear Willy, The True Story of a Life Well Lived is a real triumph.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When it comes to memoirs, there’s one thing writers need to remember: people love happy endings, especially when the writer’s life has been filled with struggle and heartache, as was Jessica Aiken-Hall’s life in The Monster That Ate My Mommy. That monster nearly finished off Jessica too as she spent the years from early childhood into adulthood searching, in all the wrong places and with the wrong people, for the love she wasn’t getting from her mother.

Typical of abused children, Jessica was desperately lonely and desperate for love. The only person through most of those years who showed her true love was her grandma. But Gram’s love wasn’t enough to sustain Jessica. She hooked up with several men, even when her gut told her it wasn’t a good idea, because her mother’s rejection made her doubt that she was worthy of love. She made a lot of bad choices and decisions along the way. But ultimately, as readers of Jessica’s story hope, Jessica finds the strength she needs inside herself as she raises her three children, and life finally brings the right person her way. Today, Jessica Aiken-Hall is a social worker and Reiki master, focused on helping others heal as she did. This is the happy ending readers look for in memoirs.

The Monster That Ate My Mommy by Jessica Aiken-Hall is an easy to read book in terms of language and style, but may be triggering for others who have suffered domestic, sexual or physical abuse. But we need books like this, written by those who understand what it’s like to feel unloved and unworthy through no fault of their own. Jessica Aiken-Hall was one of those. The Monster That Ate My Mommy should enjoy a wide readership as there are so many others who will identify with Jessica and her story.

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

Andrea Jarrell's evocative memoir, I'm the One Who Got Away, tells of her early life with a single mother who struggled to overcome a destructive attraction to an abusive, alcoholic ex-husband. Vivid and inventive descriptions carry us into Andrea's world, bringing scenes and characters to life in brilliant Technicolor. We get to know Andrea, and the people in her life, intimately. They are real people; people we know and love. The way she conveys emotion is neither soppy nor trite, but she makes us feel it intensely. She does not ask for pity, and we do not feel inclined to offer it, but we cannot help but cheer her victories. She does not judge, but explores, and her exploration paves the way for a better understanding of ourselves and our world.

Andrea's candor and courage are reflected in a very honest account of her quest for security, love, and self-acceptance. She writes with rare compassion and understanding, both of the significant others in her life and of her own strengths, mistakes and character flaws. Also the only child of a single mother, I found it easy to relate to Andrea's curiosity about her dad and to her yearning for a "normal" family. I also found a synergy in the fact that my mother's second husband was both addictively charming and abusive. Like Andrea, I was torn between wanting a father, wanting to protect my mother, and wanting to respect my mother's right to make her own choices. And finally, as I suspect many other readers will, I related because of my own experiences with alcoholics. Andrea challenged me to consider parallels in our stories, and to explore how my own experiences and relationships have shaped me and my relationships.

Perhaps the measure of a worthwhile memoir is the extent to which it enables the reader to look inward and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their world. Ultimately, though our experiences may differ greatly, we are all similarly challenged to learn how to be comfortable in our world, to have confidence in our strength and courage, and to believe that we are worthy of love. I Was the One Who Got Away left me pondering whether perhaps we don't all "get away" from something or someone. Andrea Jarrell tempts us to consider who or what we got away from, and how our getting away (or perhaps not getting away) shaped our life and character. I closed this book having walked in Andrea Jarrell's shoes and experienced her trials first hand. I finished reading I'm the One Who Got Away with a keen awareness of my own successes and failings, and confidence that, like Andrea, I can achieve a sense of peaceful belonging and self-worth. This is an enthralling story; the work of a stunning writer.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Over the course of three months, Jonathan Givens trekked across the United States with a Canon camera in his trusty van, The Mighty Buford - and got in a few flyer miles as well, but only because one can't drive to Hawaii. The mission was to photograph dancers within each state. The end result is the sublimely rich and brilliantly executed book, Dance Across the USA. Amid its glossy pages are 163 dancers forever captured in both space and time, suspended within beautiful choreography that's matched only by the stunning backdrops of some of the United States' most intriguing landscapes. Some of the photography is so surreal that it feels as if it must have been filtered and Photoshopped. Not so, Givens promises, which undoubtedly cements this photographer's masterpiece in photojournalism a place among some of the best coffee table books a reader can find.

The first thing I thought when I came across the first photo was "Woah." It took a bit of time for me to absorb it in its entirety, as each photo is striking in its own way. My favorite was of twenty-four-year-old dancer Maryann Payne, transfixed in a one-armed handstand, elegant and lithe against the backdrop of The Alamo at sunrise. The strength of the dancer is the human embodiment of fortitude, consistent in representing the spirit of the famous San Antonio mission. Next to each photograph is a description of the location, the number of miles traveled, and a synopsis of how Givens accomplished the shot. All in all, this book is a must-have for all lovers of dance, travel, photography, and art.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Outback Musician's Survival Guide is a non-fiction autobiographical account by author Phil Circle, described as ‘One Guy's Story of Surviving as an Independent Musician’. The book is compiled as a series of stories, some in a storyteller, fictionalized style whilst others are more anecdotal and directly addressing the audience. There is a common thread of the development of a very creative individual throughout them, and Circle always returns to the music and influences that his past and present life have on his work. The tales of struggle are certainly not watered down, but there’s a great sense of hope for aspiring indie musicians and advice to be taken from a strong voice of experience.

As an independent creative myself, I really appreciate the candor with which Phil Circle writes. It’s no easy business pursuing your craft when you don’t have (or want) the backing of the big machines which rule creative industries nowadays, and that struggle to get your voice heard is really prevalent in Circle’s work. The Outback Musician's Survival Guide, however, does what it says in its title, giving helpful insight and a clear reality check to those attempting to follow Phil Circle’s path. I particularly loved his message of passion and pursuing your art for the love of it first, then taking any success beyond that as a bonus. We tend to think this is only reserved for artistic people, but I believe Circle’s candid writings expand this metaphor as a way of living in general, and it’s an important message that everyone should hear.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Spirituality 103 The Forgiveness Code: Finding The Light in Our Shadows by Ivan Figueroa-Otero is a spiritual masterpiece, a self-help book that will help readers to descend to the very core, to the center, and beginning of their being. When I picked this book up, I felt that I would be reading some tips on how to bring ourselves to forgive people who have hurt us in life, but the core of the book is something else. It is about forgiveness, but forgiveness as an essential element in the spiritual journey that restores, heals, and situates us on the right path towards the mission of our life. In language that is very powerful, lyrical, and suffused with symbolism, the author offers compelling and insightful advice on self-discovery and the path towards compassion and reconciliation with ourselves.

There are very beautiful passages in this book and some undeniable facts. I read this book twice and went back to underline some key passages. One of the expressions that hit home was: “Living, if we go about it with selfishness and lack of awareness of our interdependence with the universal laws and other people, turns into a nightmare of suffering, with brief moments of happiness.” But we can change that and re-invent our happiness by walking the path of forgiveness, by understanding how our emotions hurt ourselves. In fact, most of the suffering people experience does not come from outside. It comes from within, when their mind mirrors the hurts and pain they have suffered. But they can set themselves free by choosing to bathe in the light of forgiveness. After reading this book, you’ll never look at yourself in the same way and the world, including those around you, will have a new significance in your life. Spirituality 103 The Forgiveness Code: Finding The Light in Our Shadows was the perfect gift I needed.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

What does it take to survive, to thrive, and reach high levels of success as a lawyer in today’s highly competitive and complex business world? In The Law Firm Revolution, career professional, founder, and experienced attorney, Clelia Pergola and co author Barbara Mannino share powerful tips and offer the wisdom that lawyers and legal professionals need to win in the business world.

From what it takes to set up a successful law firm to hiring the right people and building a winning business relationship to finding the right clients and providing exceptional services, the authors share powerful and insightful advice that will benefit lawyers in every category. Running a law firm, catering to clients, and ensuring that every aspect of the law is judiciously followed can be daunting. The authors break the process down and demonstrate with clarity of phrase that law professionals can beat every odd and create a seamless environment where law can be successfully practiced.

The writing is imbued with great insight and wisdom, flowing gracefully. There is no doubt that the authors write from significant experience in the legal profession. They make their points with the authority of professionals who know what they are talking about. I loved the voice — it’s strong and authoritative. I also loved the fact that the authors remained very relevant in delivering the message of this book, integrating elements of today’s business challenges and technology into their writing. The Law Firm Revolution is a groundbreaking, revolutionary book for law professionals of this age. You’ll find the tools and resources you need to make it big in the practice.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

In Leader of the Pack: How a Single Dad of Five Led His Kids, His Business and Himself from Disaster to Success, Matt Sweetwood (CEO, Keynote Speaker, Life Coach, and Lumix Photographer) shares his incredible experience of transformation. The author takes readers through his impassioned story of divorce and how he had to let go of the illusions he’d lived with for years and embrace reality, how he learned to stand up for what matters and beat the odds at his lowest moment in both family and career. But most importantly, the author chronicles his experience of becoming a successful single dad and business owner.

This is an inspiring story with powerful lessons for readers. Written in a friendly, easy-to-understand, yet insightful style, the book will evoke stirrings in the hearts of readers, the hunger to pursue what really matters in life. Imagine what it would feel like to wake up as a single dad, looking after five small kids, with the youngest at 18 months old? It was a very frustrating experience for the author and he captures the emotion in the following words: “On the day my life changed forever, I looked wildly around for any means of escape, but all I saw were their pale and frightened faces, staring up at me.”

This book made me cry in some places, made me smile as well, but it is the connection with the protagonist that had me repeating “You can do this,” as though I was cheering on a champion, and that made it a great read. It’s packed with insight and wisdom and a path that leads to success. I highly recommend Leader of the Pack: How a Single Dad of Five Led His Kids, His Business and Himself from Disaster to Success to readers who want to make a difference, single dads and business professionals. It’s a treasure trove.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Raising the Bottom: Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture by Lisa Boucher is a very useful tool for readers struggling with alcohol addiction, a book that brings together stories and lessons from women, young and old —grandmothers, career professionals, and young moms — who have suffered from alcoholism and who have had the courage to regain their freedom. In these pages readers will absorb interesting stories, understanding the negative effects of alcohol on the life of the addicted, and how this affects their relationships and overall health. They will understand how social drinking can quickly escalate into a serious addiction problem. Most importantly, they will learn what it is like to survive in a culture and a society that breeds addicts and that encourages alcohol.

Lisa Boucher’s book is purpose-driven, both informative and entertaining, with well-crafted stories that will keep the reader turning the pages. The friendly writing style makes the message of the book accessible to ordinary readers. The prose flows gracefully and the theme of alcoholism is explored from different angles. Readers will be absorbed by the strong narrative voice and moved by the compelling message. Unlike most self-help books in this category, Raising the Bottom: Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture educates readers by confronting them with the reality as mirrored through the lives of characters they can so easily relate to. Each story has a powerful message and the reader will enjoy the courage that comes across in these stories. This is a great gift, a wonderful offering to people who are struggling to break free from the grip of alcohol.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace by Laurie Buchanan, PhD explores the idea of personal development against the backdrop of a flourishing boutique restaurant, La Mandarine Bleue. The book is a personal training guide that demonstrates with wonderful arguments, compelling examples, and well laid-out principles how to harness the art of “being” and how to allow business concepts and principles to guide the journey to authenticity and success in personal life. This book explores ways we can implement similar principles for success in business to grow, discover and embrace our purpose, and live authentically fulfilling lives. While showing readers what makes businesses succeed, the author demonstrates how we can approach personal growth and the way we relate to ourselves from the perspective of how we do business. This means we can apply the same set of effective principles we use in business to move deeper into ourselves, identify our core values and our mission and embrace them, allowing them to transform our lives and to propel us forward to where we are meant to be.

Curiously, one notices that business owners who are consistent with their core personal values and who create a strong awareness of their purpose tend to be more successful than very hardworking people who are disassociated from their core values. This book teaches readers how to use business models to journey back to themselves and become people who are authentic, purpose-driven, and creative. Laurie Buchanan, PhD demonstrates great expertise in business and personal development and her book is enriched by her skillful storytelling, which makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The prose is gorgeous, and the tone confident and authoritative. The book is filled with touching and inspiring stories, powerful insights, and practical steps to transform one's personal life and succeed in business. The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace is a book with a revolutionary message for readers who want to work on themselves and bring their business goals to align with their core values. It is fresh and rewarding.