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Recommend this book:
The Quiet Storm
A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups
Amani Roberts
2025 Silver Medal
509 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups by Amani Roberts traces the evolution of major R&B vocal groups from the 1950s to the early 2000s, examining their origins, rise to fame, and eventual decline. Roberts details the trajectories of groups like The Penguins, The Jackson 5, Atlantic Starr, and 112, talking about milestones such as chart-topping singles, record deals, and internal conflicts. Roberts attributes the decline of R&B groups to shifts in the music industry favoring hip-hop, citing lower production costs, changing radio formats, and commercial strategies. Roberts also connects the decline to the collapse of key African American media outlets that once promoted these groups. Roberts argues that these factors collectively reduced visibility and support, threatening the genre’s presence in mainstream music.
The Quiet Storm by Amani Roberts is a fantastically detailed and thoroughly researched book, the first of its kind that I have come across on the history of R&B groups in a straightforward, chronological format by date. The writing is clear and refreshingly conversational, where Roberts injects his own insights, and the format makes it really easy to follow and to return to specific decades for reference. I found the chapters covering the mid-1980s to early 1990s especially meaningful since that period coincided with my tweens and teens, and it was nostalgic to revisit the impact Boyz II Men had on those formative years. I had also, to my embarrassment, completely forgotten about En Vogue! I learned so much about the origins, key moments, and successes of many influential groups, and their continued importance in music history. Overall, this is a deep dive into R&B and is destined to remain an excellent resource for understanding the cultural and musical contributions of these artists for decades to come. Very highly recommended.
The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups by Amani Roberts traces the evolution of major R&B vocal groups from the 1950s to the early 2000s, examining their origins, rise to fame, and eventual decline. Roberts details the trajectories of groups like The Penguins, The Jackson 5, Atlantic Starr, and 112, talking about milestones such as chart-topping singles, record deals, and internal conflicts. Roberts attributes the decline of R&B groups to shifts in the music industry favoring hip-hop, citing lower production costs, changing radio formats, and commercial strategies. Roberts also connects the decline to the collapse of key African American media outlets that once promoted these groups. Roberts argues that these factors collectively reduced visibility and support, threatening the genre’s presence in mainstream music.
The Quiet Storm by Amani Roberts is a fantastically detailed and thoroughly researched book, the first of its kind that I have come across on the history of R&B groups in a straightforward, chronological format by date. The writing is clear and refreshingly conversational, where Roberts injects his own insights, and the format makes it really easy to follow and to return to specific decades for reference. I found the chapters covering the mid-1980s to early 1990s especially meaningful since that period coincided with my tweens and teens, and it was nostalgic to revisit the impact Boyz II Men had on those formative years. I had also, to my embarrassment, completely forgotten about En Vogue! I learned so much about the origins, key moments, and successes of many influential groups, and their continued importance in music history. Overall, this is a deep dive into R&B and is destined to remain an excellent resource for understanding the cultural and musical contributions of these artists for decades to come. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Guidance From the Universe
Hopeful Messages for Everyday Challenges
Jill Amy Sager
2025 Gold Medal
280 Pages
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Non-Fiction - New Age
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In her self-help memoir Guidance From the Universe, Jill Amy Sager discusses her path to growth through self-awareness, healing, and a lot of spiritual reflection. Sager talks about her father, a relationship from which she learned to embrace and process emotions like anger and self-loathing. Sager also speaks about her problems with jealousy and judgment, recognizing these as obstacles to growth. She leans into the importance of forgiveness, both for herself and others, in delivering peace and understanding. Through her varied career, including teaching music and running a drum school, Sager shares her perspective on the role of intuition, self-trust, and money. Other topics she covers are her changing perspective on God, love, and death, advocating for self-compassion, conscious decision-making, and the acceptance of loss as part of life’s journey.
Jill Amy Sager’s Guidance From the Universe: Hopeful Messages for Everyday Challenges is a beautifully written and candid look into her life, which is likely to mirror in many ways that of a reader. With an authentic, almost conversational voice, Sager offers a lot of lessons learned and insights gained without ever falling into the self-help trap of sounding prescriptive. She never does, and, as a result, her credibility stands. I found her discussion of the fear of death to be most interesting because it often gets swept quickly away in most books, but Sager dedicates time to it, and I appreciated that. Sager makes connecting to her and what she has to say easy, although the areas covered are difficult in reality. Through this intimate and thoughtful work, Sager provides guidance and a tangible sense of comfort and clarity. Very highly recommended.
In her self-help memoir Guidance From the Universe, Jill Amy Sager discusses her path to growth through self-awareness, healing, and a lot of spiritual reflection. Sager talks about her father, a relationship from which she learned to embrace and process emotions like anger and self-loathing. Sager also speaks about her problems with jealousy and judgment, recognizing these as obstacles to growth. She leans into the importance of forgiveness, both for herself and others, in delivering peace and understanding. Through her varied career, including teaching music and running a drum school, Sager shares her perspective on the role of intuition, self-trust, and money. Other topics she covers are her changing perspective on God, love, and death, advocating for self-compassion, conscious decision-making, and the acceptance of loss as part of life’s journey.
Jill Amy Sager’s Guidance From the Universe: Hopeful Messages for Everyday Challenges is a beautifully written and candid look into her life, which is likely to mirror in many ways that of a reader. With an authentic, almost conversational voice, Sager offers a lot of lessons learned and insights gained without ever falling into the self-help trap of sounding prescriptive. She never does, and, as a result, her credibility stands. I found her discussion of the fear of death to be most interesting because it often gets swept quickly away in most books, but Sager dedicates time to it, and I appreciated that. Sager makes connecting to her and what she has to say easy, although the areas covered are difficult in reality. Through this intimate and thoughtful work, Sager provides guidance and a tangible sense of comfort and clarity. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Neurodiversity Edge
The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization
Maureen Dunne
2025 Gold Medal
336 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Occupational
Reviewed by Stewart Brian for Readers' Favorite
The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization by Maureen Dunne is an insightful book that offers practical tips, actionable frameworks, and tools that redefine organizational and workplace inclusion. While using the Flatland metaphor and the results of a study by ZenBusiness, Maureen defines the premise of this book and highlights the statistics of Generation Z members who identify under the neurodiversity umbrella. Maureen further divides this book into three parts. The first part discusses why organizations should be interested in authentic neuroinclusion. The second part explores the pyramid of neuroinclusion as an actionable framework for a durable and authentic culture of neurodiversity inclusion in an organization. The third part explains how an organization can achieve the objectives outlined in the Pyramid of Neuroinclusion through effective strategies and tactics.
The author's approach to crucial topics often overlooked in organizational discussions impressed me. After reading this book, my perspective on neurodivergent people changed for the better. I love the illustrations, figures, pyramid, and more as they made the writing more engaging and enhanced my comprehension. The writing was exceptionally detailed, well paced, and straightforward. I also appreciated the key takeaway section at the end of each chapter, which helped summarize the discussions and kept them fresh in my mind. The level of research and statistical analysis in this book is commendable, as it adds an intense level of authenticity to the writing. I recommend The Neurodiversity Edge by Maureen Dunne to all business owners, healthcare workers, organizational leaders, and anyone who wishes to gain a better perspective of the concept of neurodiversity.
The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization by Maureen Dunne is an insightful book that offers practical tips, actionable frameworks, and tools that redefine organizational and workplace inclusion. While using the Flatland metaphor and the results of a study by ZenBusiness, Maureen defines the premise of this book and highlights the statistics of Generation Z members who identify under the neurodiversity umbrella. Maureen further divides this book into three parts. The first part discusses why organizations should be interested in authentic neuroinclusion. The second part explores the pyramid of neuroinclusion as an actionable framework for a durable and authentic culture of neurodiversity inclusion in an organization. The third part explains how an organization can achieve the objectives outlined in the Pyramid of Neuroinclusion through effective strategies and tactics.
The author's approach to crucial topics often overlooked in organizational discussions impressed me. After reading this book, my perspective on neurodivergent people changed for the better. I love the illustrations, figures, pyramid, and more as they made the writing more engaging and enhanced my comprehension. The writing was exceptionally detailed, well paced, and straightforward. I also appreciated the key takeaway section at the end of each chapter, which helped summarize the discussions and kept them fresh in my mind. The level of research and statistical analysis in this book is commendable, as it adds an intense level of authenticity to the writing. I recommend The Neurodiversity Edge by Maureen Dunne to all business owners, healthcare workers, organizational leaders, and anyone who wishes to gain a better perspective of the concept of neurodiversity.
Recommend this book:
Father, The More Loving One
A father's and daughter's relationship
Kiki Denis
2025 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Father, the More Loving One by Kiki Denis is a tender, poetic memoir told through the eyes of a daughter cherishing the memory and secret world she once shared with her father. The story unfolds in poignant vignettes like snowy nights, bedtime poems, and quiet lessons in kindness, love, and resilience. We follow young Kiki as she grows up in a small Greek village, nestled in the warmth of her father’s nightly rituals of poetry and song. Against the backdrop of a mother who doesn’t quite understand the sacred bond they share, Kiki and her father preserve a quiet world filled with Greek verses, dreams of Ithaca, and the “inner moonlight” that guides her long after his passing. The minimalist cover reflects the emotional quietness that runs through Denis’s poetic recollections. With a lyrical voice and reverence for language, Denis transforms ordinary moments into spiritual memories, revealing how love, once deeply felt, never truly fades.
In Father, the More Loving One, Kiki Denis offers more than a memoir; she delivers a heart-shaped gift wrapped in nostalgia and luminous prose. I could really relate to her ability to recall childhood emotions with such clarity, and the magic is breathtaking. It got me thinking about my relationship with my father, especially during my childhood, when we did magical things like walking in the woods, but said we were characters in Robin Hood. The book reads like an extended poem, where every sentence holds both personal truth and universal resonance. I was swept up in the intimacy of her inner world and moved by how she captures the softness of her father’s presence, wise, patient, and filled with quiet power. Kiki Denis doesn’t just write about her father; she makes us feel as though we knew him, too. This short book is a beautiful tribute to love, memory, and the secret lives we build to preserve the people we’ve lost. Father, the More Loving One is a book I’ll recommend to anyone who believes in the enduring glow of parental love and the quiet strength of poetry.
Father, the More Loving One by Kiki Denis is a tender, poetic memoir told through the eyes of a daughter cherishing the memory and secret world she once shared with her father. The story unfolds in poignant vignettes like snowy nights, bedtime poems, and quiet lessons in kindness, love, and resilience. We follow young Kiki as she grows up in a small Greek village, nestled in the warmth of her father’s nightly rituals of poetry and song. Against the backdrop of a mother who doesn’t quite understand the sacred bond they share, Kiki and her father preserve a quiet world filled with Greek verses, dreams of Ithaca, and the “inner moonlight” that guides her long after his passing. The minimalist cover reflects the emotional quietness that runs through Denis’s poetic recollections. With a lyrical voice and reverence for language, Denis transforms ordinary moments into spiritual memories, revealing how love, once deeply felt, never truly fades.
In Father, the More Loving One, Kiki Denis offers more than a memoir; she delivers a heart-shaped gift wrapped in nostalgia and luminous prose. I could really relate to her ability to recall childhood emotions with such clarity, and the magic is breathtaking. It got me thinking about my relationship with my father, especially during my childhood, when we did magical things like walking in the woods, but said we were characters in Robin Hood. The book reads like an extended poem, where every sentence holds both personal truth and universal resonance. I was swept up in the intimacy of her inner world and moved by how she captures the softness of her father’s presence, wise, patient, and filled with quiet power. Kiki Denis doesn’t just write about her father; she makes us feel as though we knew him, too. This short book is a beautiful tribute to love, memory, and the secret lives we build to preserve the people we’ve lost. Father, the More Loving One is a book I’ll recommend to anyone who believes in the enduring glow of parental love and the quiet strength of poetry.
Recommend this book:
The Alchemy of Love & Marriage
How We Repaired the Cracks and Cemented Our Bond
Arlene Sacks
2025 Bronze Medal
174 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
The Alchemy of Love & Marriage by Dr. Arlene Sacks left me saying “wow, wow” over and over. Yes, because the book offers a unique approach to how a couple can repair and deepen their bonds through intentional effort, reflection, and understanding. The book presents marriage as an evolving enterprise—one with a life of its own. The alchemical process of transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is at the center of reflection and asks readers to stop fleeing from problems and focus on finding solutions. Drawing on philosophies such as Greek stages of love, fairy tale symbolism, and Japanese concepts like kintsugi, wabi-sabi, and ikigai, the author argues that love is not static but a continuous journey of growth, repair, and appreciation of imperfection. The core message is that enduring relationships require conscious nurturing, honest communication, and a willingness to adapt and reinvent oneself within the partnership. The result is a strong and resilient bond that survives all kinds of weather.
Dr. Arlene Sacks mesmerized me with her meticulous research, which covers the Greek stages of love—eros, philia, ludus, agape, pragma, and philautia—presented as a framework for understanding relationship development and potential pitfalls. Fairy tales are used metaphorically to illustrate the balance of good and evil, light and darkness, and the importance of choices in shaping love’s destiny. The author argues that decisions, when made with care and awareness, can catalyze positive transformation. Sacks also discusses practical aspects, such as communication, mutual respect, and the significance of shared rituals, like sitting on park benches or dancing, that foster intimacy and trust. The author emphasizes that marriage is a dynamic, three-part entity—comprising two individuals and the relationship itself—that must be actively maintained and nurtured. The author advocates a philosophy of embracing imperfection (wabi-sabi), repairing cracks (kintsugi), and pursuing purpose (ikigai). The Alchemy of Love & Marriage gives readers the ingredients for creating the “happily ever after” from the rubble of human imperfection. This book is one I will be sharing with my wife and those I love.
The Alchemy of Love & Marriage by Dr. Arlene Sacks left me saying “wow, wow” over and over. Yes, because the book offers a unique approach to how a couple can repair and deepen their bonds through intentional effort, reflection, and understanding. The book presents marriage as an evolving enterprise—one with a life of its own. The alchemical process of transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is at the center of reflection and asks readers to stop fleeing from problems and focus on finding solutions. Drawing on philosophies such as Greek stages of love, fairy tale symbolism, and Japanese concepts like kintsugi, wabi-sabi, and ikigai, the author argues that love is not static but a continuous journey of growth, repair, and appreciation of imperfection. The core message is that enduring relationships require conscious nurturing, honest communication, and a willingness to adapt and reinvent oneself within the partnership. The result is a strong and resilient bond that survives all kinds of weather.
Dr. Arlene Sacks mesmerized me with her meticulous research, which covers the Greek stages of love—eros, philia, ludus, agape, pragma, and philautia—presented as a framework for understanding relationship development and potential pitfalls. Fairy tales are used metaphorically to illustrate the balance of good and evil, light and darkness, and the importance of choices in shaping love’s destiny. The author argues that decisions, when made with care and awareness, can catalyze positive transformation. Sacks also discusses practical aspects, such as communication, mutual respect, and the significance of shared rituals, like sitting on park benches or dancing, that foster intimacy and trust. The author emphasizes that marriage is a dynamic, three-part entity—comprising two individuals and the relationship itself—that must be actively maintained and nurtured. The author advocates a philosophy of embracing imperfection (wabi-sabi), repairing cracks (kintsugi), and pursuing purpose (ikigai). The Alchemy of Love & Marriage gives readers the ingredients for creating the “happily ever after” from the rubble of human imperfection. This book is one I will be sharing with my wife and those I love.
Recommend this book:
The Romantic Ideal—The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man
A Hopeless Romantic's Exploration of Masculine Intimacy, Sex, and Love
Gregory V. Diehl
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Relationships
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Romantic Ideal: The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man by Gregory V. Diehl is a nonfiction exploration of romance and intimacy from a masculine perspective. Diehl uses different ideas of gender to explore love through the binary of masculinity and femininity. He also examines how different traits typically perceived as one or the other create powerful romantic dynamics. The book has a lot of psychological depth and explanation. The author often shares personal anecdotes from his own life that have sparked these philosophical insights to illustrate the many challenges and rewards of striving for romantic ideals. From the viewpoint of an idealistic and self-described ‘hopeless romantic’ man, Diehl aims to redefine masculinity in relationships, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability and genuine emotional connection, and educating others about the hidden depths beyond what people typically label as masculine emotion.
Author Gregory V. Diehl's exploration of masculinity within the romantic framework is both brave and refreshing. His ability to introspectively examine traditional male roles and present them with nuance sets a new standard for relationship discourse. Diehl's writing style is packed with honesty and vulnerability, and his confidence and belief in his philosophy make for captivating reading. His personal anecdotes humanize the book so that we can see the real roots of where his ideas and feelings come from, but the writing is also accessible and empowers readers to confront their own relationship struggles. A line that especially stood out to me was, “Love is all about two people bonding over who they really are," which really captures the spirit of the work and the honesty with which it is written. Diehl's talent for weaving personal and cultural insights seamlessly allows readers to engage deeply with complex ideas in an accessible and meaningful way. Overall, The Romantic Ideal is a thoughtful and insightful examination of gender dynamics that challenges readers to redefine their understanding of masculinity and romance.
The Romantic Ideal: The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man by Gregory V. Diehl is a nonfiction exploration of romance and intimacy from a masculine perspective. Diehl uses different ideas of gender to explore love through the binary of masculinity and femininity. He also examines how different traits typically perceived as one or the other create powerful romantic dynamics. The book has a lot of psychological depth and explanation. The author often shares personal anecdotes from his own life that have sparked these philosophical insights to illustrate the many challenges and rewards of striving for romantic ideals. From the viewpoint of an idealistic and self-described ‘hopeless romantic’ man, Diehl aims to redefine masculinity in relationships, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability and genuine emotional connection, and educating others about the hidden depths beyond what people typically label as masculine emotion.
Author Gregory V. Diehl's exploration of masculinity within the romantic framework is both brave and refreshing. His ability to introspectively examine traditional male roles and present them with nuance sets a new standard for relationship discourse. Diehl's writing style is packed with honesty and vulnerability, and his confidence and belief in his philosophy make for captivating reading. His personal anecdotes humanize the book so that we can see the real roots of where his ideas and feelings come from, but the writing is also accessible and empowers readers to confront their own relationship struggles. A line that especially stood out to me was, “Love is all about two people bonding over who they really are," which really captures the spirit of the work and the honesty with which it is written. Diehl's talent for weaving personal and cultural insights seamlessly allows readers to engage deeply with complex ideas in an accessible and meaningful way. Overall, The Romantic Ideal is a thoughtful and insightful examination of gender dynamics that challenges readers to redefine their understanding of masculinity and romance.
Recommend this book:
For Our Friends the Animals
Cultivating a Reverence for Life
Robert Echols
2025 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite
For Our Friends the Animals by Robert Echols is a thought-provoking read that emphasizes the reverence for all life. The author draws from the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ and the philosophy of reverence for life by Albert Schweitzer. The book aims to inspire readers to transform their relationship with animals and all living things from one of exploitation and abuse into one of compassion and care. The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on preparation, where readers lay a mental and spiritual foundation for the changes to come. It covers lessons on mercy, celebrating the gift of life, and offering prayers of petition for all living things. The last part challenges readers to take action, with prayer and having a loving and kind heart like Jesus, taking each animal as our brother or sister, and becoming stewards of the Earth.
In For Our Friends the Animals, Robert Echols highlights the importance of life, particularly animal life, through a spiritual lens. The lessons in this book prompt readers to view various environmental issues from a new perspective, making the issues feel personal and encouraging a deeper awareness of our interconnectedness with all creatures. The book illustrates that everything is part of God's creation and deserves respect and kindness. It is disheartening to realize that humans have caused the extinction of animals, subjected them to experiments, and tortured them for amusement. The book includes a list detailing how animals are mistreated, which was eye-opening. I appreciate that the author also offers potential solutions to help restore harmony between humans and animals, aligning with God's original plan for coexistence. This is an engaging and compelling read with a powerful message. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of our ethical responsibilities toward animals and the environment.
For Our Friends the Animals by Robert Echols is a thought-provoking read that emphasizes the reverence for all life. The author draws from the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ and the philosophy of reverence for life by Albert Schweitzer. The book aims to inspire readers to transform their relationship with animals and all living things from one of exploitation and abuse into one of compassion and care. The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on preparation, where readers lay a mental and spiritual foundation for the changes to come. It covers lessons on mercy, celebrating the gift of life, and offering prayers of petition for all living things. The last part challenges readers to take action, with prayer and having a loving and kind heart like Jesus, taking each animal as our brother or sister, and becoming stewards of the Earth.
In For Our Friends the Animals, Robert Echols highlights the importance of life, particularly animal life, through a spiritual lens. The lessons in this book prompt readers to view various environmental issues from a new perspective, making the issues feel personal and encouraging a deeper awareness of our interconnectedness with all creatures. The book illustrates that everything is part of God's creation and deserves respect and kindness. It is disheartening to realize that humans have caused the extinction of animals, subjected them to experiments, and tortured them for amusement. The book includes a list detailing how animals are mistreated, which was eye-opening. I appreciate that the author also offers potential solutions to help restore harmony between humans and animals, aligning with God's original plan for coexistence. This is an engaging and compelling read with a powerful message. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of our ethical responsibilities toward animals and the environment.
Recommend this book:
The Remembering
A Journey Back to Self
Peter Kennedy
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Self Help
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Remembering: A Journey Back to Self by Peter Kennedy is a raw, introspective memoir-meets-guide that explores the spiritual and emotional transformation of a man disillusioned by the trappings of corporate success. Kennedy doesn’t offer a perfect formula for change but instead invites readers into the messy, unpredictable terrain of true growth, marked by synchronicity, surrender, and profound inner shifts. This is a story of peeling away societal masks, rediscovering buried truths, and listening to the quiet voice within. As Kennedy’s journey unfolds, it becomes an invitation to readers to embark on their own path of remembering and of reclaiming authenticity, peace, and connection with something deeper. Gentle, vulnerable, and inspiring, this book speaks to anyone navigating their own awakening.
Author Peter Kennedy has a keen talent for bringing readers into his world with confidence and gentility, and he writes with honesty and spiritual depth from cover to cover of this comforting read. This is bound to be useful to those amid personal reinvention, but it’s also a great starting point for anyone who’s feeling lost and wants to slow down, listen inward, and live with greater intention. Kennedy’s writing is naturally warm, but it also has a quiet confidence that allows readers to feel they’re in safe hands, and his soulful and courageous invitation to look inward was genuinely inspiring to read. I felt there was a lot to take from the journey that reflected on my own life, and this book will certainly resonate well beyond the author’s personal experience for its blend of memoir and universal truth. Overall, The Remembering: A Journey Back to Self is a highly recommended read and a beautiful companion for those seeking meaning beyond external success and certainty. I’m confident it’s a read that will bring peace to many.
The Remembering: A Journey Back to Self by Peter Kennedy is a raw, introspective memoir-meets-guide that explores the spiritual and emotional transformation of a man disillusioned by the trappings of corporate success. Kennedy doesn’t offer a perfect formula for change but instead invites readers into the messy, unpredictable terrain of true growth, marked by synchronicity, surrender, and profound inner shifts. This is a story of peeling away societal masks, rediscovering buried truths, and listening to the quiet voice within. As Kennedy’s journey unfolds, it becomes an invitation to readers to embark on their own path of remembering and of reclaiming authenticity, peace, and connection with something deeper. Gentle, vulnerable, and inspiring, this book speaks to anyone navigating their own awakening.
Author Peter Kennedy has a keen talent for bringing readers into his world with confidence and gentility, and he writes with honesty and spiritual depth from cover to cover of this comforting read. This is bound to be useful to those amid personal reinvention, but it’s also a great starting point for anyone who’s feeling lost and wants to slow down, listen inward, and live with greater intention. Kennedy’s writing is naturally warm, but it also has a quiet confidence that allows readers to feel they’re in safe hands, and his soulful and courageous invitation to look inward was genuinely inspiring to read. I felt there was a lot to take from the journey that reflected on my own life, and this book will certainly resonate well beyond the author’s personal experience for its blend of memoir and universal truth. Overall, The Remembering: A Journey Back to Self is a highly recommended read and a beautiful companion for those seeking meaning beyond external success and certainty. I’m confident it’s a read that will bring peace to many.
Recommend this book:
The Reset Mindset
Get Unstuck, Focus on What Matters Most, and Reach Your Goals Faster
Penny Zenker
2025 Honorable Mention
192 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Self Help
Reviewed by Zahid Sheikh for Readers' Favorite
The Reset Mindset by Penny Zenker is a complete tool for anyone who would like to make changes in their life, are unhappy with where they are, or want to be more effective in achieving their goals. The book explores realistic paths for professional and personal growth, emphasizing the necessity of reviewing and rearranging one's life in light of the world's perpetual change. Readers are encouraged to adopt the ideas of using the mind for handling hardships, reducing stress, and making better decisions with the author's considerate examples and uncomplicated methods. The objective of the book is to help people find meaning in many aspects of their lives by guiding them through the process of reinvention and offering a path toward purpose and intention.
I found Penny Zenker’s writing style both reader-friendly and filled with profound information based on her extensive knowledge of personal transformation and change. This level of writing makes the book not only a theoretical manual on how to bring change but also a practical tool for initiating transformations. A strength of this book is her clear and comprehensive instruction on difficult theories and her focus on the application of these theories. It includes helpful and inspiring anecdotes that elucidate her points and give people something to look forward to. Zenker’s approach is practical, which enables readers to apply the strategies described by her to their everyday lives. I highly recommend The Reset Mindset for anyone wanting to improve their lives or careers as it offers the perfect blend of best practices and inspiration.
The Reset Mindset by Penny Zenker is a complete tool for anyone who would like to make changes in their life, are unhappy with where they are, or want to be more effective in achieving their goals. The book explores realistic paths for professional and personal growth, emphasizing the necessity of reviewing and rearranging one's life in light of the world's perpetual change. Readers are encouraged to adopt the ideas of using the mind for handling hardships, reducing stress, and making better decisions with the author's considerate examples and uncomplicated methods. The objective of the book is to help people find meaning in many aspects of their lives by guiding them through the process of reinvention and offering a path toward purpose and intention.
I found Penny Zenker’s writing style both reader-friendly and filled with profound information based on her extensive knowledge of personal transformation and change. This level of writing makes the book not only a theoretical manual on how to bring change but also a practical tool for initiating transformations. A strength of this book is her clear and comprehensive instruction on difficult theories and her focus on the application of these theories. It includes helpful and inspiring anecdotes that elucidate her points and give people something to look forward to. Zenker’s approach is practical, which enables readers to apply the strategies described by her to their everyday lives. I highly recommend The Reset Mindset for anyone wanting to improve their lives or careers as it offers the perfect blend of best practices and inspiration.
Recommend this book:
A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith
Coming out of the Darkness, on My Life's Journey, to Find Faith
Evangelia VanPatten
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite
In A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith, Evangelia VanPatten details her life. She was brought up by Greek immigrants, and her upbringing influenced her greatly. Her mother is deeply religious and also hopes her children will have a better life than she did. Unlike in high school, Evangelia works hard in college and also starts to think about what it means to connect to God. Later on, she gets married, and at first the marriage goes well. Things start to go bad in their marriage when Joe is addicted to prescription drugs. Evangelia also suspects Joe is having an affair. After Joe is admitted for his addiction, things are very hard for Evangelia, but it provides hope for their marriage. Can it be saved? How will things turn out for Evangelia?
A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith by Evangelia VanPatten is wonderfully written and will get you thinking about many things, such as faith and how to truly connect to God. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about addiction to prescription drugs and how they are overlooked, as many people do not think one can get addicted to them. It also got me thinking about the importance of seeking professional help early to address addiction problems. Evangelia also ensured all events and emotions were vividly captured, which helped to capture my attention as the events unfolded. The reader will also appreciate how inspirational Evangelia's story is. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to reading something else by this talented author.
In A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith, Evangelia VanPatten details her life. She was brought up by Greek immigrants, and her upbringing influenced her greatly. Her mother is deeply religious and also hopes her children will have a better life than she did. Unlike in high school, Evangelia works hard in college and also starts to think about what it means to connect to God. Later on, she gets married, and at first the marriage goes well. Things start to go bad in their marriage when Joe is addicted to prescription drugs. Evangelia also suspects Joe is having an affair. After Joe is admitted for his addiction, things are very hard for Evangelia, but it provides hope for their marriage. Can it be saved? How will things turn out for Evangelia?
A Quest to Discover the Essence of Faith by Evangelia VanPatten is wonderfully written and will get you thinking about many things, such as faith and how to truly connect to God. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about addiction to prescription drugs and how they are overlooked, as many people do not think one can get addicted to them. It also got me thinking about the importance of seeking professional help early to address addiction problems. Evangelia also ensured all events and emotions were vividly captured, which helped to capture my attention as the events unfolded. The reader will also appreciate how inspirational Evangelia's story is. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to reading something else by this talented author.
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