Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Mentchu-hotep, the son of the supreme ruler of Upper ​Kemet, is on a mission to learn what it takes to become a ruler and succeed his father. He must learn about their allies and foes, become connected to nature and the people, and learn to be an articulate thinker, writer, speaker, and fighter. Thus, he is assigned to Jhutyms Ka-en-Heru—a decorated Medjay warrior from Kash. Will Mentchu-hotep be brave and strong enough to withstand the rigorous training and the dangerous paths of the mighty Medjay warriors? Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay by Mfundishi Jhutyms Hassan Salim portrays the fearlessness and greatness of the Medjay warriors as they take on the spirit of animals and wield nature to battle anyone that dares to challenge them.

It was quite refreshing to see some African spiritual concepts that I grew up hearing about as a Nigerian in the book, including warriors who can transform into animals, change the weather, and control some other natural elements. Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay presents an intricate yet cohesive and enjoyable plot that combines such diverse themes as adventure, romance, fantasy, history, combat, nature, rebellion, war, and politics. Mentchu-Hotep and the Spirit of the Medjay will not only entertain you but also enlighten you and awaken your curiosity about how powerful and honorable our African ancestors were and African cultural history in general. As someone who wishes to see more African supernatural characters, I enjoyed Mfundishi's epic, awe-inspiring narrative about the greatness of the Medjay warriors immensely.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Readers may be daunted by what to expect if they dare to read The Ins and Outs of My Vagina. I must say that author Karin Freeland has real guts to share so much of her intimate life. Without a doubt, more reserved female readers may be positively scandalized by what Freeland airs about her voyage with her vagina in this work of memoir and creative non-fiction. Others will envy her courage and applaud her honesty. Her style is friendly and conversational: you’ll feel like the two of you are close friends having a “girly” conversation over several glasses of wine.

I confess, I didn’t select this book to learn more about a very private part of my anatomy; there are plenty of medical books to consult if I need that information. No. I decided to read The Ins and Outs of My Vagina from sheer curiosity about how and what Karin Freeland would write in a “penetrating memoir” (pun obviously intended) with such a clever and provocative double-entendre title. Was she going to shock or amuse me? I just had to read this memoir! Let me start by saying Freeland’s memoir is unique, not just because of its subject but also because if women were game enough to be as open as Freeland is, we might all be less hung up on the paradox of those blessed curses called vaginas; those incongruous sources of so much pleasure, pain, and confusion.

As Freeland traveled back into her childhood and first real awareness of her vagina, I found myself laughing. Once she entered puberty, I recognized myself in all her questions, fears, and misgivings about her anatomy. And when it came to her desire and eventual struggle to experience that “big O,” I heard the voices of so many of my women friends who have confessed to faking it instead of making it. Guess what, ladies? You are far from alone in getting your vagina to co-operate during sex!

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please by Bob Lorentson looks at us as “Modern Humans” and shows us what our world has become. But don’t take it too seriously. Even though the subject may be serious, Bob, the environmental scientist, helps us see the funny side of our development and the animals with whom we share our doomed planet. Through 50 essays and poems, Bob gives us food for thought by showing us the differences between men and women and animals. In some cases, there is little or no difference. Included in the book are subjects that no person would ever think could be written about – but where there’s a will, there’s a way – and now we finally know the answers to all the questions that nobody ever thought of asking.

Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please is best read when you have nothing else planned for the day. If you have anything else to attend to, you can be guaranteed that it won’t get done once you start reading Bob’s hilarious tales, essays, poems, and theories. Also, make sure you are alone because otherwise you will annoy everyone around you with bouts of laughter and “listen to this” while you read passages from the book to them. If you are looking for a gift for anybody, look no further; you just found the perfect book. There is even a section on reducing stress, but you won’t need any additional stress release methods after reading this. Hold the Apocalypse - Pass Me a Scientist Please will certainly take your mind for a walk.

Reviewed by Frances Deborah Kerr-Phillips for Readers' Favorite

The Satisfied Introvert by Benjamin Plumb is a remarkably candid and intriguing account of the author’s journey through life as he negotiates a world designed for extroverts whilst being far from one himself. His coping mechanism of having what he calls a ‘recipe’ to apply to all situations in which he finds himself ultimately fails to sustain or fulfill him. Plumb reveals his experiences of young love, his stint in the US army in Vietnam, his travails at Harvard, and his business ventures in South America. After a failed marriage and the trauma of a broken family, Plumb charts his path to self-discovery, self-realization, and, finally, fulfillment.

I chose to read The Satisfied Introvert in the hopes it would offer me some insight into how to better support any children I teach who might be withdrawn and introverted. I did gain that, but so much more too. Plumb has written a page-turner which one moment would have me smiling and the next brushing away a tear. His honesty and openness are disarming in places. I thoroughly enjoyed the accounts of life in Brazil, Panama, and Argentina, as well as Plumb’s recollections of historical events which I had also experienced. Plumb’s style of writing is straightforward and matter-of-fact, with the description being there to paint an accurate picture, rather than for its own sake. The memoir will appeal to a broad audience. The Satisfied Introvert is courageous and uplifting - do yourself a favor and read it!

Reviewed by Leonard William Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Gregory Diehl breaks new ground with The Heroic and Exceptional Minority. He explores the concept of heroism with all its positive attributes and links it to the search for something beyond mediocrity. There are intelligent and talented people in the world, but they are a minority and do not always reach their true potential. Constraining belief systems prevalent in society, together with our inbuilt fear of failure, conspire with many other factors to imprison them in a paradigm of discontent and estrangement from life in general. Diehl challenges them to be different, to embrace their talents, seek self-knowledge, allow original thought, and shed the conformity that flows from childhood conditioning. Heroism is about overcoming the odds, being true to our core values, living our truth, and seeking justice. It is also about idealism and creating a better reality. This is not an attempt to create an elite corps that will solve the world’s problems by imposing their will on others from a position of arrogance. Instead, the aim is to make readers aware of their uniqueness and potential to become exceptional through making meaningful choices and eliminating the false. The author encourages readers to overcome obstacles, both real and imagined. This book is a call to arms for all those who have felt trapped since childhood by feeling that they were different. Readers will be guided through a thought process that can bring about the freedom they desire while achieving new levels of understanding and excellence.

The Heroic and Exceptional Minority is a breath of fresh air and adopts a unique approach to self-awareness and development. Gregory Diehl has identified key aspects of personal growth through self-discovery. The book is divided into short chapters, each of which relates to a specific topic. These are dealt with in a concise and readable manner and Diehl gets his points across with precision and without over-elaboration or hype. I particularly liked the chapter regarding the intellect, which reflects on the sometimes lonely path of the gifted minority who find it difficult to share concepts with people of lesser understanding. This can lead to isolation or even alienation and begs the question as to whether the intellect is a blessing at all, as there is a perception in some circles that intellectuals are aloof and should be marginalized. The author also makes the important point that intelligent people are neither inherently heroic nor exceptional. These characteristics flow from a state of mind and conscious effort. This book will not appeal to those with closed minds but will be a revelation to readers searching for new depths within themselves. It is a book that is full of insights and practical advice. It should be read once and then studied in detail later. Perhaps then, the minority will flourish.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

The Visionary Brand: The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands opens with an interesting case study about Oakley and how it almost lost its cultural direction as a brand and regained its footing by re-aligning its brand identity. Author Bryan Smeltzer shares his three decades in the business from founding his own company and to being involved in executive-level roles with some of the world’s most iconic brands. His book points out that many in the business believe that product, marketing, culture, and innovation are good starting points in creating a visionary brand, but they need to be an integral part of your brand’s foundation to make it work and must be upheld throughout your brand’s entry into the world. It incorporates elements of a successful formula that includes not only positioning but also what is called the Power Triad, culture matrix, and how to navigate the ecosystem that will be your brand’s habitat. It is your chance to take a glimpse into how competitive brands sustain their huge hold on their target market.

Visionary branding is a powerful tool for aligning a product’s identity in the development of strategic competitive advantage. The Visionary Brand could not have come at a more opportune time. It is an idea that is timeless and will prove indispensable for as long as companies and their brands are jousting for the competitive edge in the market. If there is anything that Bryan Smeltzer’s case studies and easy-to-digest style of writing have taught me, it is that paying attention to the literature on visionary branding will help companies not only to focus on their core values and identity, but it will also increase their responsiveness to change. While reading this book, I can’t help but remember the tragedy of Blackberry, HTC, and Nokia. The Visionary Brand is highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn how a brand retains a strong recall and avoids the pitfalls of obscurity.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

The Roar of Ordinary is a coming-of-age memoir that depicts the loss of a friend and brother to war and the efforts to remember him and experience what he did in his final days in Vietnam. Though J. C. Foster survived the period of the Vietnam War that claimed the lives of millions, he's left with loss and survivor's remorse. Still, his brother's 20 years on earth and the counsel he left behind never left J.C. as he went through life, failed and succeeded in marriage, overcame physical milestones, traveled to Vietnam, and contemplated different philosophical problems. J. C. Foster's research about the Vietnam war and other American wars raises questions about the justification of war and the loss of millions of lives based on the decisions of a few in power.

This is the most emotional I've been about a book this year. I felt J. C. Foster's pain and that of the soldiers and family members who lost their friends and family to war through the pages of the book. The Roar of Ordinary taught me a lot about the Vietnam War, made my heart sink for all the lost lives and the pain left behind, took me on a colorful journey through Vietnam, and, yet, found a way to make me laugh with its humor about youth and growing up in the 20th century. J. C. Foster engages readers with a detailed and compelling narration that covers loss, family, war, culture, religion, racism, ambition, marriage, and more. Readers who love history and moving life stories will love this heartwarming, educational, thought-provoking, and elaborate memoir.

Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

The Magical Guide to Bliss: Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit and Inner Bliss by Meg Nocero is a fabulous self-help book. The cover, title, and sub-title immediately caught my eye. It is as much fun and as useful as the title and sub-title imply and I am delighted that I chose to read it. It is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that reflects our needs and caters to them. I loved the way the author addresses the issues. I enjoyed the book and also her wisdom. This book is inspiring and the focus on positive thinking is so important nowadays. Too many people are disgruntled, exhausted, and close to burnout. We do need this type of guide and I am extremely grateful to Meg for sharing her thoughts.

The Magical Guide to Bliss by Meg Nocero is an amazing self-improvement guide that focuses on sharing daily slices of wisdom. It is perfect for busy people, like me, who can only take a few minutes every day to explore ways to better our lives, to make our days more blissful, and more importantly, more meaningful. We tend to forget ourselves while helping others such as family members or students. We also live in a world in crisis and we need to pause each day and do something for ourselves. This book is one I will read every day. What it covers is essential reading and should be made mandatory for all children from a young age.

Reviewed by Joshua Olokodana for Readers' Favorite

Spiritual science, out-of-body experiences, lucid dreaming, cosmic entities, reincarnation, light bodies, astral projection, heaven, the creator, and the universe-multiverse question. An "all-star" cast of topics that have always been a mystery to humanity, giving away precious little across the ages, but no more! How to Kiss the Universe answers all the questions you might have about life, including the ones you have yet to think of. Following years of living without any deep contemplation of life whatsoever, Jozef Simkovic takes a keen interest in his spirituality after overcoming a life-threatening health challenge. Urged on by friends, he enrolled at The Monroe Institute, and a spontaneous journey to spiritual enlightenment was set in motion. Jozef turned out to be a quick study, and he kept developing until curiosity took him to the Reptilian planet. Unbeknownst to him, a reptilian king took notice of his activities and breached the inter-realm membrane some days later, attacking him in his sleep with the intention of possessing him and stopping him from telling us about the Other Side in this startling book titled How to Kiss the Universe.

How to Kiss the Universe: An Inspirational Spiritual and Metaphysical Narrative about Human Origin, Essence and Destiny is a shocking and scintillating account of spiritual journeys, cosmic exploration, and huge universal secrets written by Jozef Simkovic. At times, the narrative is so rational that it's plainly undeniable. Other times, it's just wild. But Jozef allows the reader to draw their own conclusions from the narration, which is obviously philosophical, albeit with mystical overtones one would wish weren't so real. Apart from its unique content, which could have put this book in a genre of its own, How to Kiss the Universe compels you to reassess your beliefs without invalidating your religious orientation. I loved the titling of each chapter and the thought-provoking questions they answered—such as why evil still exists despite the supervision of a loving supreme being. The story is told in short and well-structured chapters that make it easier to read. However, Mr. Simkovic's occasional humor and consistent use of relevant quotes at the beginning of each chapter make it a lively read. How to Kiss the Universe is one of those books everyone needs to read, especially at the point of self-discovery.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Uninvited is the story of the greatest rock band you've probably never heard of. Steven Vance Taylor recounts his days on the road with the mid-90s alt-rock act The Uninvited, giving readers a rare glimpse into the lives of him and his fellow band members, who almost became the biggest band in the world. Steven recalls some entertaining personal anecdotes about being on the road with the band, like discovering they were lost after traveling almost 120 miles in the opposite direction on their way to a gig in Tulsa. Or being offered a huge contract by a reputable record label on the condition that their single "What God Said" tops the charts, only to be outshone by an emerging Kid Rock. Despite all the fame and money, Steven never forgot what was most important in his life, his love Mia.

Fans of alternative rock or music in general will find a lot to love about The Uninvited. Author Steven Vance Taylor offers an unflinching account of his days with the mid-90s alt-rock act, showcasing the struggles and challenges that came with being a rock star on the road. The narrative is written in an intimate and personal style that makes the people associated with the story relatable and easy to root for. The story feels authentic, and you find yourself genuinely caring about the band members and those closest to them. I very much enjoyed this book. If you love rock documentaries or a behind-the-scenes look at musical acts, I highly recommend The Uninvited.