Tag: Reader Views

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Self-Published Book Review: “Rambling Squirrel”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

rambling squirrel

reader views award

Rambling Squirrel

by Wendy Laird

ISBN: 9781432738761

 

Synopsis*:

Learn interesting squirrel facts as you read about a curious squirrel’s journey.

Little squirrel has learned a lot about life as a squirrel but he hungers for more of life’s challenges. Follow his exciting adventures ahead!

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Reviews

“Rambling Squirrel” is a book about a squirrel wanting to learn lots of things. He was born on a bright, blue-sky day and learned very quickly. He learned how to climb down a tree head first, gather nuts for winter, where to build a safe nest, to hide in a safe place and, of course, use his tail as a blanket, a rudder and an umbrella. But he wanted to learn more! He went to talk to his mama and she suggested he should visit his cousins to learn more. He packed all of his squirrel-needing items and went to visit his cousins.

First he visited his cousin Beaver, He taught him how to build a river dam. It was cold, hard work! Then he went to visit his cousin Prairie Dog, He told Squirrel to always stay alert and keep safe by digging a tunnel and live in it! But Squirrel didn’t want to live in a tunnel so he went to visit his cousin Flying Squirrel; he couldn’t wait until he could fly! He also learned from his cousins Woodchuck, Chipmunk and Mouse. He was gone from his family for many weeks when he went to go back home. When he returned home, he told his family all about his trip!

My favorite character was the baby squirrel because he wanted to learn more about things. My favorite picture was when he was with his cousin Beaver because the squirrel really looked like a beaver! My favorite part was when he was with his cousin Prairie Dog. I liked the artwork a lot! I also learned more fun facts about squirrels in “Rambling Squirrel.”

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Self-Published Book Review: “Lexicon: American Style 2”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

lexicon 2 american style patrick ragains

2016 reader views reviewers choice award

Lexicon: American Style 2

by Patrick Ragains

ISBN: 9781478701170

 

Synopsis*:

Entertaining as well as educational, Patrick Ragains’ Lexicon: American Style 2 is a comprehensive eighty-one chapters. Each one discusses a unique element of American English and American lifestyles and his introduction pays tribute to America’s greatest lexicographer Noah Webster, Jr. Through Ragains sharp, often humorous, breakdown of words, names, and phrases, he encourages others to be able to communicate more effectively. By separating each segment of American English for thorough examination, Ragains hopes to help readers better understand and articulate their common language.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review

It has been proven that one of the most effective ways to learn and retain information is to do so while being entertained. Thus, the goal of this book…to improve the reader’s grasp and usage of the English language while evoking smiles, smirks, even raised and furrowed brows. It is quite simply a fun, informative read.

Let’s call this written exercise a ‘Flexicon’…a flexing of our American English lexicon. Lexicon: American Style II is a further examination and celebration of our Americanized version of the Kings English. The first half of the book is a breakdown of how we commonly use our words, phrases and names to communicate in these United States.

In addition, Lexicon II is also a collection of humorous American lifestyle observations. The second half of the book labeled, ‘Observations From the Carpool Lane’ features a wide-ranging group of essays regarding the common, sometimes mystifying, experiences most of us share as modern day American citizens.

 

Want to learn better English vocabulary but find textbooks are boring? Then read Lexicon: American Style 2 because I promise you will not be disappointed! Lexicon: American Style 2 is a fascinating, intriguing, and hilarious reference guide that will have you learning as well as laughing at the same time! Patrick Ragains is a magnificent author because he has found a gap in the market and filled it with a brilliant book. What is the hole in the market? The gap in the market is a fun, hilarious learning guide that actually works!

Lexicon: American Style 2 is book two in Patrick Ragains reference series. I have not read the first book (yet!), so I would already write that you can read this book without reading the first. It is an incredible, fluid, informative guide that will inspire readers to learn and laugh at the same time. Lexicon: American Style 2 is a study of words in the English language. However, this is no ordinary reference guide because Patrick Ragains manages to explore these themes and words entertainingly by including them in brilliant, hilarious stories and sentences! Ragains explains in his description of his book that most people learn and retain information better, while they are having fun. This has clearly struck a chord with Ragains, and that is why he has written an entertaining, fun, learning story for all those that love to laugh while learning!

I really do admire Patrick Ragains for his flawless ability to write an exceptional learning book while incorporating many hilarious themes. This is incredibly hard to do because the author’s funny nature has to shine off the page and it is always dreadful when you read a book to find that the author is in fact not funny at all. However with Lexicon: American Style 2, you are guaranteed a funny guide because the author’s sense of humor and his hilarious sentences shine off the page and will make you laugh like crazy!

As I am obsessed with the English language and bettering my knowledge, I have no choice but to award Lexicon: American Style 2 a dazzling Five Stars! Not only is its story hilarious, but it is also unique and very informative. The reader will be able to retain a host of vocabulary from this book, and some of it is very advanced. This is incredibly useful for those who work in professional fields as well as students. It truly is the perfect fun, reference guide so please book lovers, read this phenomenal book!

Thank you so much for reading book lovers! I appreciate it so much and love discussing wonderful books with all of you so please, comment below and let me know your thoughts on Lexicon: American Style 2; do you see yourself reading this book? Let me know all of those brilliant thoughts of yours below! Thank you so much again for reading!  

– reviewed by Aimee Ann for RedHeadedBookLover.com

Other Reviews

“Lexicon American Style 2,” by Patrick Ragains is the second book in a series that covers the American way of communicating. A great deal can be learned about American culture in this text. This information doesn’t just cover America as a whole, but also the different subcategories that might be found in different states or regions.  The author literally covers topics from A to Z. I hate to use the word “literally,” because it is so over used, but the topics actually do range from A to Z and beyond! I found myself gaining an understanding of what words or phrases mean in parts of the country that are unfamiliar to me. Acronyms, idioms, metaphors, oxymorons, etc., they can all be found between these pages. There is also some great advice for creating an online dating account. While I am not in need of one of these accounts, at this time anyway, I found the advice presented to be quite informative.

Foreigners who plan on traveling to the United States will find “Lexicon American Style 2,” to be a great resource to use while traveling around. Perhaps a better understanding of our American terminology could help prevent an international crisis from occurring or escalating!  I am also considering giving this book out as Christmas gifts for my friends who have everything. They will really enjoy this one! I have an English as a Second Language instructor on my Christmas list. Perhaps, she will consider using Lexicon American Style 2, as a textbook for her class. It would also make a great bathroom reader for families who have low fiber diets and have to take time to sit around and read, whether they want to or not.

In all seriousness, I do believe that reading “Lexicon American Style 2,” by Patrick Ragains will improve our use of American English. I enjoyed gaining a lot of new information and also having a chance to check my own usage. The area that I found particularly helpful was in the discussion of redundancies. Hopefully, my writing skills will improve a bit. Having a chance to gain knowledge while laughing out loud is wonderful! Readers will find this information extremely interesting and highly entertaining.

– reviewed by Paige Lovitt on Reader Views

A word nerd’s dream that entertains as it educates. Ideal as a coffee table conversation starter or back bathroom reader. 81 independent, spirited chapters regarding the wonder of our English language and our unique American lifestyle. Dedicated to America’s premiere lexicographer and visionary patriot Noah Webster, Jr.

A continuation of Lexicon: American Style, author Ragains leaves no part of our American English unturned as he romps from Acronyms to Zombies (A to Z). Creative, clever, funny, at times bawdy and controversial, Lexicon: American Style 2 will challenge your perspective and expand your vocabulary arsenal.

– reviewed on BookReviewBuzz.com

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Self-Published Book Review: “My Backyard Garden”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

my backyard garden by debra hester

2016 reader views reviewers choice award

My Backyard Garden

by Debra Hester

ISBN: 9781478757375

 

Synopsis*:

Has someone that you love died unexpectedly? Is the pain hard to bear? It was for Debra Hester, so she makes no apologies for the emotions that are expressed in her memoir, My Backyard Garden. If the emotions seem too much, they are more and maybe even more than you can feel right now or imagine that you or someone you know is going through. Debra Hester was standing at the base of a huge mountain that seemed to emerge out of nowhere after her mother’s death. If you’re at this place, or know of someone who is, her hope is that My Backyard Garden will give you and them hope and insights into the journey ahead. This memoir of how love conquers grief chronicles the days leading up to her mother’s death, the wisdom her mother left behind, the insights she gained at the very end of her mother’s life on this side and the journey of memories that surface for a fight against her deep seated fears, anger and grief. Come to her backyard garden with its natural beauty, its captivating yet calming and healing properties. Come sit with her and share a garden view of a journey we all will take. In My Backyard Garden, a memoir of how love conquers grief her heart goes out to you. She wants everyone who is grieving to not take their feelings lightly or the feelings of others who are going through this season of grief. She shows how real feelings of grief run deep, regardless of what you show or see on the outside. Grief is real and she hopes reading about her journey with her loved ones allows us all to mourn, to reflect and to recover at our own pace and recognize when we have arrived at a better place.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review

“My Backyard Garden” by Debra Hester is a love story, though not in the traditional sense of the lover’s relationship. Rather, it is the love story of a daughter as she moves through the grief of losing her beloved mother.

This memoir is unique in the manner in which it is written. The author comes to a realization that though grief occurs as a natural part of life, it exists, or seems to exist on another level within our world as an unknown, until it is experienced at a relational level. Thus, she intentionally uses relational names rather than the actual names of her family members, for example, from page 18: “So somewhere after my arrival to ICU and the discussions with Sister, Brother and the doctors, I knew the time was approaching to offer Daughters an opportunity to fly to Phoenix from Baltimore to see their grandmother.” By offering the relational status of a family member it allows the reader to identify on a different level, perhaps even substituting the names of their own family members and personalizing the experience. For me this style was awkward at first because rather than connecting with the people involved, I felt a bit separated and distanced. As I continued reading however, it became more natural and I was able to focus more keenly on the message itself.

Hester relates the days leading up to her mother’s death, through her peaceful transition, and the months following, sharing her raw emotions without apology. It is through the depths of her emotions that she hopes she will encourage people to allow themselves the grieving process in order to get to a place of healing.

A short 50-page memoir, readers might imagine they will sail through the text in one sitting, but I recommend reading it slowly and taking the time to welcome and contemplate the insight Hester offers throughout her journey.  The beautiful tribute to her mother will stir up memories, giving reason to pause and appreciate your relationship with your own mother.

Hester’s profound love for her mother shines through the pages. One of my favorite passages is a quote by her mother which seems to clearly depict who she was as a person, “If a task has once begun, never finish till it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.” (p.48).

I recommend “My Backyard Garden” by Debra Hester to anyone that has lost their mother or other loved one and is looking for strength, wisdom and guidance.

– reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views

Other Reviews

Her style of writing with brought me along the journey with her.

– reviewed on Amazon by CLVDan

5.0 out of 5 starsFinally, a book and an Author that just gets it 🙌❤🙏
It was interesting to see how another successfully found their own path back to love and long-term peace after experiencing one of the most painful losses in life.
This book not only understood my pain and grieving process but it connected to what I was actually feeling that I didn’t know how to articulate into words.
It was unfamiliar at first but then I found myself in a safe place to accept the present. Then, I was inspired to begin/continue down my own path to healing, (not merely living) but thriving for my lossed loved one, and gaining the strength I needed to live in peace.

Let’s just say, I’m glad I read this book because I believe this particular perspective on what we will all eventually face, is truly beautiful. And to me, that’s all true beauty is… peace + healing.

– reviewed on Amazon by Mari Clifton

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Self-Published Book Review: “TARA: The Goldilocks Planet”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

tara j g possum the goldilocks planet

2016 reader views reviewers choice award

TARA: The Goldilocks Planet

by J. G. Possum

ISBN: 9781478798842

 

Synopsis*:

Earth is on the brink of self-destruction. The fate of an entire planet rests on the shoulders of 212 people chosen to establish a colony on a recently discovered Goldilocks planet. Tests revealed the planet could sustain life…but they didn’t show that life already existed there. The crew from Earth is met by many hostile creatures, but it’s way too late to turn back. They must find a way to establish a colony…without making the same mistakes that destroyed Earth.

Drawing from thirty-five years as an engineer, J. G. Possum has written a believable science-fiction novel steeped in fact that is also a thrilling page-turner. Tara: The Goldilocks Planet will enthrall casual and lifelong sci-fi readers alike.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review

“Tara” by J.G. Possum is a sci-fi novel following a group of men and women who have fled the planet Earth in the midst of an atomic war between nations. After traveling for fourteen months on their spaceship Aquarius, they reach a new planet they name Tara. Finding a new planet is not the end of their journey together though. Now they must build a new civilization and navigate new relationships with Tara’s current population.

Of Tara’s two continents, one is already spoken for upon the arrival of the Aquarius. The more hospitable Southern Continent, eventually named Erona, is inhabited by the Eron, an alien species that fled their own planet long ago. They allow the humans to attempt settling on the dangerous Northern Continent, which they name Earthland. One of the most interesting parts of this novel is watching the two nations navigate a tentative alliance. The Eron are cautious, having been taken advantage of before, but the humans are desperate to rebuild their civilization on Tara and must find a way to live in peace with their new neighbors. Watching the new diplomatic ties being formed and negotiated is thrilling.

The real story begins after the Aquarius has landed on Earthland. Building a new country is no easy task, and readers are taken through the process step by step. From forming a new government, to creating a monetary system, to actually building Earthland’s first city, the audience gets to witness a new society being born.

As readers follow Earthland’s birth and watch the new country’s leaders attempt to cement their people’s place on Tara, they will perhaps notice a flaw within the story; there is a lack of conflict. Earthland’s leaders never disagree with each other and their constituents are willing to go along with every decision they make. Lack of conflict is a problem that permeates other areas of “Tara” as well but is most prevalent in scenes between members of Earthland’s first designated governing body. Disagreements and tension between the government leaders would add another layer to the novel’s plot as well as add a more realistic element. Every government has some faction of the constituency it represents that stands against it, no matter how popular it is with the majority. In “Tara,” resolution comes far too easily to the protagonists in every circumstance.

“Tara” by J.G. Possum is an interesting case. While it is presented as a science fiction story, more emphasis is placed on building civilizations and creating a history for a new society. I greatly enjoyed those aspects of the novel. I could definitely see it becoming favorite of nonfiction/culture buffs looking to get into the fiction scene.

– reviewed by Skyler Boudreau for Reader Views

Other Reviews

Great story…and a must read.

– reviewed on Amazon by jf

Entertaining and Uplifting With a Powerful Message
[T]ARA is thought provoking, believable and holds more than a few surprises. Grab this book, settle into a comfy chair and dig right in to experience mankind at its finest! You won’t be sorry!

– reviewed on Amazon by Stephanie Dil

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Self-Published Book Review: “Caledonia Switch”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

Caledonia Switch steven lane smith

Caledonia Switch

by Steven Lane Smith

ISBN: 9781478700821

reader views reviwers choice award 2014

Synopsis*:

A precocious teenager named John Wesley Hardin illegally day trades options to save his father’s hardware store in idyllic Caledonia, New Hampshire.  Clinging to vestiges of infantile omnipotence, John sets up a sham trust to hide his fraudulent schemes.  Early successes entice him to make increasingly risky bets that threaten to ruin three families – the Hardins, the Lavals, and the Harringtons.  When his fundamental identity is exposed as a fiction, his confidence is shattered.  He must choose humility over pride to rebound from disaster to be capable of loving and worthy of being loved.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review

A Christmas Story for All Seasons

– Reviewed by Jennifer Hass for Reader Views

Other Reviews

Caledonia Switch is a book you will truly enjoy reading

– reviewed by T.W. Price on Amazon

Great Read

– reviewed by Boston Book Girl on Amazon

 

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1