Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Thyroid Fix: Reduce Fatigue, Lose Weight, and Get Your Life Back by Dr Shawn Soszka is a medical nonfiction book packed with knowledge and one that will appeal to both professionals in medicine and their clients. The book gives readers the tools they need to understand the root causes of thyroid disorders and how to correctly diagnose and treat specific thyroid conditions. The book explores the holistic approach to treating thyroid problems, a discussion of the thyroid and how it works, an understanding of the relationship between the brain and the thyroid hormones and how they are transported, symptoms of low thyroid, the connection between weight loss, fatigue and thyroid related problems, and a lot more.

With very little medical knowledge, I was able to understand the message of this book and that is one of the achievements of the work. The author has succeeded in translating complex ideas into a language that the ordinary reader can easily understand. I have often heard, perhaps in passing, about the thyroid, but this book offered everything I needed to know to understand what it really is and the role it plays in our health. The author’s professional experience is beautifully written into this book and I enjoyed the insightful writing. The Thyroid Fix: Reduce Fatigue, Lose Weight, and Get Your Life Back gives readers the tools they need to treat health conditions related to thyroid. While the writing is great, it is the information it conveys that had me turning from one page to the next. Here is one of the few books that will, undoubtedly, add value to readers' lives.

Reviewed by Geoff Habiger for Readers' Favorite

The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman offers an exploration of the Great Indoors and how you not only can survive indoors but can thrive and reach the pinnacle of becoming an Avid Indoorsman. John Driver encourages you to first complete the “Indooreagram” to test your level of Indoorsmanship and get the most out of the book. Driver lays out the differences between the Indoorsman and the Outdoorsman and the dangers that each one faces, but the bulk of the guide offers important advice for the aspiring, or avid, Indoorsman, from how to dress and act like an avid Indoorsman, creating a healthy indoors routine, handling miscellaneous situations, and connecting with people.

This is a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at what it is like to be an Indoorsman. But as Driver stresses, being an Indoorsman doesn’t mean you have abdicated all contact with the outdoors. “Contrary to popular belief, the great Indoorsmen of the world are not necessarily anti-Outdoorsmen. They may be hunters, fishermen, runners, golfers. In other words, they may have conquered the outdoors.” Becoming an avid Indoorsman means you are able to handle the stresses and challenges we all face in our modern world. From dealing with the greatest dangers an Indoorsman will face (such as FOMA – or the Fear of Miscellaneous Assembly) to how to dress and act like an avid indoorsman, the Ultimate Guide stresses the best ways to live life to the fullest in the 21st century.

Part humorous take on our modern life and part useful guide to living (the advice and facts presented are very helpful), The Ultimate Guide For The Avid Indoorsman should be a must-read for anybody wanting to navigate our perilous modern world. John Driver makes learning how to handle the pitfalls of a modern, technological world fun and exciting so that you too can become an Avid Indoorsman.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Jumping the Curb: One Family's Journey through a Catastrophic Injury by Gail Desberg is the story of a tragedy that leaves the head of a family paralyzed and the agony the family has to deal with. Told with brutal honesty and in prose that is clear, the story follows Alex Kiejdan, a father of two, who decides to go body surfing at the Jersey shore, little knowing that it is going to be the last time he will have full control over his body. An accident leaves him in paralyzed and then he and his wife, Gail, discover who the people around them really are. Follow this family as they navigate the complicated world of medical emergencies, the struggles associated with insurance claims and life-changing decisions. It is the story of one woman’s grit as she raises her small children and takes care of a quadriplegic husband while raising awareness of the dangers beyond the water’s edge.

Jumping the Curb is beautifully written and the emotions greet the reader as they open the first page of the book: “Once again it was Labor Day, and once again it came with a sense of foreboding. For some it was the end of a blissful season, for others, the drumbeat of school grew closer. For those who loved the beach, it was the most stirring time of the year. Yet for us, the blue skies of Labor Day had the pallor of gray.” Told in the first person narrative and from Gail's point of view, the story is moving and it shows readers how infinitely fragile life can be. The narrative voice is strong, capable of evoking powerful sentiments in readers, but it doesn’t miss the lightness that is characteristic of the humorous moments when one is able to find the light, even in the worst experiences. While Gail Desberg’s story revolves around a family dealing with tragedy, it is a story of love, hope, and resilience.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

The Little Book of Stoicism by Jonas Salzgeber offers 'Timeless Wisdom to Gain Resilience, Confidence, and Calmness.' Originating in ancient Greece, the philosophy of Stoicism can help you overcome any of life’s challenges. Discover how you can overcome your self-limiting beliefs and control the emotions that are inhibiting you from becoming the best version of yourself. By learning the principles of Stoicism, you can choose the best response to any given situation, no matter how harsh. How can you deal effectively with toxic people and situations? How can you deal with grief or negative emotions? You will be surprised at how your deep-seated emotions are controlling your behaviour and holding you back from becoming the person you are meant to be. By following these principles, you will finally understand what is important in life and begin to take the steps toward a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

The title does not do justice to this excellent guide to Stoicism as the information inside the book is abundant. The author has explained the principles of Stoicism in such a way that anyone can understand. I took so much from this guide, but especially the principles outlined in the Stoic Happiness Triangle. The morning and evening rituals were really helpful too and could change anyone’s daily life, especially those who struggle with negative emotions. I found the teachings very similar to Buddhism, and the belief that thoughts, not people, dictate our state of mind was very enlightening. I feel this guide will have a positive impact on anyone and will really help them connect to their inner spirit and help them live a more fulfilled life which is more in line with their true character. I thank the author for creating such a great guide and explaining the philosophy of Stoicism in such a way that it will help anyone live a more productive and positive life. This book would make a great addition to any school library.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

The Little Love That Could: Stories of Tenacious Love, Underdogs, and Ragamuffins by Pamela Capone is an amazing compilation of wonderful stories that inspire love for self and, more importantly, for others. Through her family experiences and wonderful friendships, Capone shows how love can change and empower lives. She shares her story of adoption on how her adoptive parents gave her a home and loved her even though they were not her biological parents. Their sacrifice paved the way for even greater acts of love. She also includes friends’ stories, people who have given up their comfort for the benefit of others and also meaningful historical accounts like that of Rosa Parks. The stories are filled with beauty, love and courage. They show what simple acts of kindness and pluck can achieve.

All the characters in The Little Love That Could have something to offer. Most are heroes that will never receive recognition for the wonderful work they do or have already done. Still, they serve people with joy even when no one is looking. To me, this was the most inspirational part. Reading the book was like having a dialogue with a friend since the stories are told with humor and so much warmth. They instill faith and joy in a meaningful way. They also touch on social issues and the accounts reveal deep-rooted problems which can be solved through compassion and putting others first. Even though the characters come and go, they leave a deep-rooted impact and the stories do not feel rushed at all. The Little Love That Could is a must-read for anyone longing for some warmth and inspiration.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Reluctant Hotelkeeper by John Searancke is an engaging memoir that takes readers into the life of the author who ended up reluctantly being a hotelkeeper, and how his rescue mission ended up being a love affair with an old building. His parents had bought the place in the countryside to save their crumbling marriage, and the author was pulled into this venture when he was just 22. The role of a hotelkeeper is not as easy as many think because the reality of life in a hotel is very different, and the hours required to make it a success are punishing. The memoir is also a tribute to all the people who worked behind the scenes and helped in making this grand transformation a huge success.

The memoir is straightforward and honest, entertaining and insightful, and the author opens up about the difficulties he faced, and how he managed to keep his faith in long-term planning. There are a lot of interesting stories about eccentric guests, how many guests who checked in should not have been seen together at all, and how it ended up being one of the favored stops for a number of celebrities. The author goes through the entire process, speaking about transforming the hotel methodically and in detail, taking readers along with him and his experiences while getting the old building renovated to cater to the needs of a modern traveler. There is not one boring moment in this memoir and the positive narration and outlook make this memoir an encouraging and motivating read. The author's story and experiences are enriching, and the ups and downs of his life and the accolades he received for the hotel and its restaurant will encourage many readers out there to become hotelkeepers.

Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic's Lost Without the River: A Memoir is about growing up on the family farmstead in South Dakota, and of the strong and continuing influence of those years and the farm itself long after she leaves home. In 1926 her parents, Roy and Myrtle Hoffbeck, moved to the farmstead in the Big Stone City area. The Whetstone River runs right through the farm. Scoblic, the youngest of the seven Hoffbeck children, writes of life on the farm from the 1930s to the 1960s. The chapter titles reflect everyday life, farming, weather, floods, the Great Depression and the Great Drought. The stories are about family love, personal courage, resilience, and a love for nature. The farm was sold in the 1970s. After her parents passed away, she and her siblings continued to visit the Big Stone City area.

I found Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic's memoir absorbing and fascinating. I loved the sketches and vivid descriptions of the farmland, the Whetstone River with its Big Rock, and its bridges; the gentle hills and prairies with wildflowers. The river was a place for swimming, fishing, and solitude. It also posed a grave danger in times of floods. I loved the delightful titles Scoblic gives to two floods that she recalls: "The Year the Chicken Coop Floated Down the River" and "The Year the Bridge Went Out". I loved the contemplative and thoughtful nature of her poems about family and farm, the passage of time, of love and loss: "Dirt" and "Dirt Revisited", "Mourning Dove" and "Lost". I admired the courage and strength with which she writes of her sister Dorothy, of her conflicts with her dad, of doubts about being a farmer, and finding her place in life.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Music to My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes is a nonfiction memoir as told by Artie Kane to Marian Blue and JoAnn Kane. Artie Kane was a musical prodigy who began taking piano lessons when he was three and a half years old. He was born Aaron Cohen to Nathan and Sarah, both emigrants. Sarah and her family hailed from Belarus, and retelling the story of how Aaron’s great uncle Leib Zager spearheaded the family’s drive to move to the United States was a family tradition and part of their family lore. Artie’s dad died when he was only three, but his Uncle Joe was to be a most inspirational father figure. Uncle Joe gave him music, encouraging the musical skills he had inherited from his father’s side of the family, and being a supportive presence in an often overwhelming family household comprised of five adults and him as the sole child.

Aaron’s mom had high expectations for her talented son and made those dreams the guiding practice of her life. She would sacrifice to get him the best lessons and opportunities, at one point moving with him to New York City to enable him to study with a gifted teacher, but her need to control every aspect of his social life led to some friction between the mother and son. Opportunities, such as the job he got playing at a local radio station, helped him establish some necessary distance from her and gain a modicum of independence. Aaron’s growing interest in jazz and non-classical genres was a disappointment to his diminutive powerhouse of a mother, but as his musical taste expanded, his skills would be increasingly honed and harnessed to crafting more music and living his dream. Following advice given some years earlier, Aaron Cohen legally changed his name to Artie Kane, a name which has become synonymous with the scores composed and played for dozens of Hollywood movies and television shows.

Music to My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes is a beautifully written autobiographical work that spans Kane’s fifty years working in the music and movie industry. His stories come complete with archival photographs showing him at work and play with music’s and Hollywood’s legendary figures --people like Henry Mancini, Jack Benny and Quincy Jones. Kane’s descriptions of his eight marriages, three children and the palimony suit that capped a hellish relationship are frankly and acerbically shared. Artie has realized throughout his life that his social skills were not quite on a par with his musical talents, not by a long shot, but as his story shows, his effort to improve them has made some impact.

When the reader gets to wife number eight, there’s a sense of shared jubilation and relief that one can’t help but feel; that this guy you’ve come to admire finally gets the right girl. It’s like a plot from a movie at that point; the place where everything comes together and authors and readers are on the same, marvelous page. I learned so much about Artie Kane; about the music which makes so many movies and shows work so well; and the composers and musicians behind those efforts. I loved seeing those photographs and the way the Kanes and co-author Marian Blue make Hollywood in the latter part of the twentieth century come to life, complete with the frivolity and the social climbing, but more so the dedication of the people working behind the scenes. Music to My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes is a big beautiful work of art that just happens to be a memoir as well. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Wrong Side of the Room: A Life in Music Theater by Norman Mathews is an autobiography chronicling the author's life as he transitions from a confusing and often abusive childhood, born in a sleet of uncertainty (literally, as it turns out). Masked by imagination and written with a humor that most would not be able to apply to such situations, Mathews is able to harness this creativity and hitch it to his own ambitions as a rising star. When an injury threatens to derail an ascent that defies all odds, Mathews is forced to reinvent and reignite himself once more, and does so amid a whole host of personal and professional turmoil, scandal, and the kind of stories that are all the more shocking – and inspiring – because they are actually true.

Norman Mathews delivers a riveting memoir with The Wrong Side of the Room that opens with a contentious genesis and powerfully surges through to its finale. This is the ultimate tale of a man who is knocked down seven times and gets up eight, except in this case our tenacious narrator is struck to the ground far more than that. But he does continue to rise and appears to have carved out a genuine niche for himself until, “I woke up one morning with a strange pain in my back and running down my right leg. In a few days, it got much worse, and I began limping.” With the support of his partner Todd, he buys a Steinway, dives into formal education, and...well, at first that all implodes too. But Mathews is the consummate phoenix and, much like he displays in the writing of this book, skillfully maneuvers the trajectory of his life's own narrative into a story that we are fortunate enough to have shared in The Wrong Side of the Room.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Halloween Horror Nights Unofficial: Around the Globe: Hollywood and Beyond! is a nonfiction art/photography book written by Christopher Ripley. Ripley is an author and blogger who’s made a study of Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights for the last twenty-odd years. In this book, he escorts the reader on a journey back into the 1920s when Lon Chaney, Sr. recreated the Hunchback of Notre Dame and was the thrilling presence in The Phantom of the Opera. Traveling a bit closer to the present day, he studies the effects of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney, Jr. as they recreate zombies, vampires and werewolves to the vast delight of terrified audiences who made it clear that they enjoyed being frightened and wanted more. In 1986, the first of the Hollywood Horror Nights made its debut. It was not the first such horror event/party thrown by Universal Studios but, in many ways, it was the most ambitious and it certainly has been the most enduring. Hollywood Horror Nights are carefully scripted and prepared with the attention to detail of the most demanding theatrical production. Ripley describes each year’s players, themes and opportunities to be scared out of one’s wits in “you-are-there” detail.

Halloween Horror Nights Unofficial invites the reader to experience vicariously countless chills, thrills and outright gross buckets of blood as he lovingly shares the details of each the last three decades’ incarnations of Halloween Horror Nights. While I’ve never been to one, I will readily confess that Halloween is my favorite holiday, and the idea of spending it as an unsuspecting tourist in a nightmare spun by the likes of Barker or del Toro is intriguing indeed. I loved learning how these spectacles are put together, every detail polished and perfected before the first brave soul enters, and I was most impressed by the author’s erudition on all things horror. This well-written and enthralling romp through Hollywood Horror will have readers considering how they can make the trip west to get in on the fun next Halloween. I know it has me doing just that. Halloween Horror Nights Unofficial is highly recommended.