Tag: non-fiction

The Science of Serial Killers: The Truth Behind Ted Bundy, Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, and Other Notorious Murderers of Cinematic Legend by Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Authors and podcast co-hosts Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence take readers on a twisted and horrifying journey into the inspirations and sciences behind the true monsters of some of Hollywood’s most iconic horror films in their book, “The Science of Serial Killers: The Truth Behind Ted Bundy, Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, and Other Notorious Murderers of Cinematic Legend”.

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The Synopsis

Discover the real-life inspirations behind history’s most infamous serial killers: John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, and so many more.

Gothic media moguls Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl, authors of The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, and The Science of Stephen King, and co-hosts of the Horror Rewind podcast called “the best horror film podcast out there” by Film Daddy, present a guide to the serial killers who inspired the movies and media we all know and love. Delve into the brutal truth behind horror’s secret: many monsters portrayed on the silver screen are based on true murderers. Uncover the truth behind the real monsters of horror, answering such questions as: 

What is the science behind serial killers’ motivations like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy? 

How did detectives discover the identities of criminals like the Boston Strangler and the BTK Strangler?

Has science made it possible to unmask Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer? 

What is the science behind female versus male serial killers? 

Through interviews, film analysis, and bone-chilling discoveries, join Kelly and Meg as they learn about the horrors of true crime through the decades. 

The Review

I absolutely loved this read. As someone who has been fascinated with true crime and in particular the psychology behind the few individual criminals who can be classified as “serial killers”, and as a big-time fan of horror films and books, I was instantly drawn to the authors and their work. The amount of detailed research and history each put into these killers and crimes, and yet were able to craft it into a concise and very readable book, was astounding to read. 

What really stood out though was the author’s work to identify the fascination and inspiration these true-life killers had on some of the most iconic horror films of our era. From Jack the Ripper’s inspiration for the film From Hell to the murders of the DeFeo family that inspired the Amityville Horror film series, both authors did such an amazing job of breaking down each film and project that these killers were responsible for and showcased how the intricate details of their crimes lead to some of cinema’s darkest and most memorable horror moments. 

The Verdict

Haunting, visceral, and engaging, authors Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence’s “The Science of Serial Killers: The Truth Behind Ted Bundy, Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, and Other Notorious Murderers of Cinematic Legend” is must-read nonfiction read! The in-depth analysis of both film and true crime will have horror fans enthralled by the information the authors share. With the wide array of different criminals, from the prolific to the under-the-radar crimes that will absolutely shock you, this is one collection readers won’t want to miss. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

About Meg Hafdahl: 

Bram Stoker Award nominated Meg Hafdahl is the creator of numerous stories and books. Her fiction has appeared in anthologies such as Eve’s Requiem: Tales of Women, Mystery and Horror and Eclectically Criminal. Her work has been produced for audio by The Wicked Library and The Lift, and she is the author of three popular short story collections including Twisted Reveries: Thirteen Tales of the Macabre. Meg is also the author of the three novels; The Darkest Hunger, Daughters of Darkness, and Her Dark Inheritance called “an intricate tale of betrayal, murder, and small town intrigue” by Horror Addicts and “every bit as page turning as any King novel” by RW Magazine. Meg, also the co-host of the podcast Horror Rewind and co-author of The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, The Science of Serial Killers, and the upcoming The Science of Witchcraft lives in the snowy bluffs of Minnesota. 

https://www.meghafdahl.com/

https://twitter.com/MegHafdahl

About Kelly Florence: 

Kelly Florence teaches communication at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN and is the creator of the Be a Better Communicator podcast. She received her BA in theatre from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her MA in communicating arts from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She has directed, produced, choreographed and stage managed for dozens of productions in Minnesota including Carrie The Musical through Rubber Chicken Theatre and Treasure Island for Wise Fool Theater. She is passionate about female representation in all media and particularly the horror genre.

https://kellyflorence.com/

https://www.horrorrewind.com/

An Independent Woman in Yugoslavia: A Memoir by Iris Novak Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Iris Novak shares her story of overcoming her circumstances and upbringing in Yugoslavia to become a success in her book, “An Independent Woman in Yugoslavia: A Memoir”.

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The Synopsis

This book is the memoir of a woman named Iris who is determined to succeed, although she was born as a poor and frightened country girl in what was then Yugoslavia. To achieve her goals, she used her abilities to gain knowledge from everything around her, and so triumphed against the odds and grew into a successful and independent businesswoman.

The Review

The author did an incredible job of curating a memorable and emotional memoir. What really appealed to me as a reader was the author’s personal approach to the subject, as most memoirs that deal with professional success focus solely on business over personal life developments. However the author did an amazing job of delving into their past, their childhood and lifelong experiences, and the lessons they learned along the way to make them into the success both in their career and in their life overall. 

The exploration of the pivotal moments that influenced the author’s life was truly profound. From the troubling impact of her parent’s relationship and subsequent divorce, the importance of education and learning how to present oneself to the world, and even the fight for a worker’s rights and building a business, this book dived headfirst into the author’s life. The descriptive nature and detail the author included in this book created a great sense of imagery, bringing their story to life so clearly in the reader’s mind.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Iris Novak’s “An Independent Woman in Yugoslavia: A Memoir” is a must-read nonfiction book! The story of a young woman who fought her way through a challenging childhood, the education system, and life’s hurdles, this book was insightful and inspirational, pulling the reader into the author’s life and showcasing a path of handwork that readers can hopefully follow themselves. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

The author writes under the pseudonym Iris Novak. She was born in the second half of the twentieth century in Slovenia, the northern part of the then Yugoslavia. She graduated from English and German, acquired her MA in Management and PhD in Librarianship. She worked in the international business, in librarianship, was director of a school for foreign languages and finally established her own business: employment agency and a college. The author lives in Slovenia, is married and has three children.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MMS1Y8D/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F60784956-an-independent-woman-in-yugoslavia%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3DQB2qsCaet8%26rank%3D1&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Again. Again and Again: Awakening into Awareness – Essays and Stories by Mathias B. Freese Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Mathias B. Freese takes readers deep into his mind and life through a series of personal essays and third-person stories in his book, “Again. Again and Again: Awakening Into Awareness – Essays and Stories”.

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The Synopsis

Having once been a psychotherapist who’s never hesitated to turn the therapeutical gun barrel toward himself, Mathias B. Freese ramps up his radical reflexivity in this latest work, from confessional first-person narration to third-person “stories” starring “characters” named Matt. (This genre could be called meta-Matt.) “I write to know perhaps something about who I am,” Freese writes. “I write to arrive at some awareness, however dim, about self or other, for when I have that fleeting moment of awareness, I feel at one — true.” Truly, Again. Again and Again. is a song of himself.

Rocker Billy Idol proves to be an unlikely but apt echoer here: “When there’s nothing to lose and there’s nothing to prove, well, I’m dancing with myself.” As a one-man show, Freese puts the “dance” in “abundance,” stressing an author’s singularity, the innerness of writing, the sharing — rather than the proselytizing — purpose of artistic expression. In other words, as Freese says, “a book is one person’s awareness as he or she sees it.”

More than a few times, Freese had implied that Again. Again and Again. would probably be his swan song, his “final stirrings,” his ultimate testament. How laughable, considering both his prolificacy and “urge and urge and urge” (as Whitman would gush). Sure enough, the author is no longer so sure that he’s expressed enough, and it seems that yet another stirring idea spurs him to create again. Again and…

The Review

This was an incredibly profound and thought-provoking read. The author found the perfect balance between his 1st personal perspective essays and the more 3rd person short narratives that each highlighted an important theme or idea that the author presented. One line that immediately stuck out to me was one in which the author speaks of a friend of his who said literature always featured love and death, but in reflecting on that notion the author realized that his friend forgot time itself. This was so profound, as the author delves in one page into the heart of not only literature but life itself, for what is love and death without the time it takes to achieve both? 

The thing that stood out to me as a reader immediately was the author’s writing style. Whether he was writing a short story about man’s awareness of the universe around him or a personal essay on the pursuit of greatness and how the journey is far more often beautiful than the completed end as a whole, the author always wrote as if he were having a personal conversation with the reader. This very intimate and thoughtful approach to this style of writing was so well-conceived that I was on the edge of my seat the entire reading, mesmerized by the author’s words and the passion for which he wrote.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, engaging, and thoughtful in its approach, author Mathis B. Freese’s “Again. Again and Again” is a must-read book of short stories and essays on life’s most existential questions. The honesty and enlightening way the author weaves together a collection of writing that is both inspiring and philosophical really highlights the author’s sense of teaching and writing, making this one book readers will not want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Nina’s Memento Mori Review
And Then I’m Gone Review
Interview with Author Mathias B. Freese
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About the Author

MATHIAS B. FREESE is a writer, teacher, and psychotherapist who has authored eight books. His I Truly Lament: Working Through the Holocaust won the Beverly Hills Book Award, Reader’s Favorite Book Award, and was a finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards, the Paris Book Festival, and the Amsterdam Book Festival. In 2016, Tesserae: A Memoir of Two Summers, his first memoir, received seven awards. The following year his second memoir appeared, And Then I Am Gone.

https://www.mathiasbfreese.com/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VYC477V/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F60686562-again-again-and-again&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

The Decline of America: 100 Years of Leadership Failures by David D. Schein Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A long and thorough study into how the last 100 years of American history, and the presidents who presided over them, have not only impacted the United States but how they can be used as a roadmap to what the next 100 years looks like take center stage in author David D. Schein’s “The Decline of America: 100 Years of Leadership Failures”.

The Synopsis

“The Decline of America” offers a carefully documented analysis of the last seventeen U.S. presidents. These men, eight Democrats and nine Republicans, have shaped the last 100 years, not only for America, but for the world. Each president is profiled with unsparing scrutiny so we can see where it’s all gone wrong.

David Schein follows these critiques by proposing ways to improve America’s outlook for the next 100 years—before it’s too late.

The Review

The author did an incredible job of thoroughly researching and developing this book. The sheer volume of statistics and facts that the author was able to comb through and relate to the reader for these several presidents was the perfect balance of history and politics. The heart and passion for which the author writes are evident and yet are presented in a cool and collected manner that speaks to the topic of this book. 

The interesting and unique thing about this book is the different impact it will have on different readers. For instance, I myself am more democrat in my political views than republican, but I’ve always prided myself on taking in information from all sides of a conversation and being open to hearing all discussions being made. So it was very insightful and fascinating to see the author’s unique perspective and approach to certain administrations, and while I may not view them in the same light, I think this is relevant to how passionate we as a people can be in terms of politics. Yet the ability to listen and acknowledge our differences without animosity or ignorance is something everyone could stand to learn from, and it made this reading experience quite fulfilling. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and insightful, author David D. Schein’s “The Decline of America: 100 Years of Leadership Failures” is a must-read book on history and politics in the United States. The thoughtful and well-researched book really challenges readers to see from others’ perspectives and take into account that everyone is going to have different interests and goals in the political arena, and our viewpoints on how an administration will perform or does perform are usually dictated by those perspectives. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. David D. Schein is an author, professor, consultant and public speaker. He is a tenured Professor, the Director of Graduate Programs and the Endowed Chair of Management and Marketing at the University of St. Thomas’ Cameron School of Business. He is also the President and General Counsel of Claremont Management Group, a Human Resources consulting firm in Houston, TX. He often speaks on employment and consumer matters. 

The Caregiver’s Journey: A Roadmap For Navigating Your Path by Pamela S. Showalter and Raylene Bell Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A balance of helpful tips and life experiences as a caregiver for a loved one take center stage in authors Pamela S. Showalter and Raylene Bell’s “The Caregiver’s Journey: A Roadmap For Navigating Your Path”.

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The Synopsis

The Caregiver’s Journey: A Roadmap for Navigating Your Path

The Caregiver’s Journey serves as a roadmap for anyone navigating the role of caregiver. Initially started as an effort to manage stress through journaling, the book chronicles the author’s experiences during the five years they served as caregivers for a loved one who lived hundreds of miles away. Realizing their hard-earned lessons could help smooth the path of those in similar situations by helping others avoid some of their mistakes, the chronological narrative is interspersed with tips and recommendations to help readers better understand their own caregiving paths, while its six Appendices and 11 Tables expand further on critical topics.

* Chapter “Takeaways” Reinforce Tips From The Narrative

* Detailed Information About Costs of Care

* Coping Tools For Caregiver Fatigue, Stress, And Burnout

* Tips For Patient Advocacy During Hospitalizations

* Appendices Serve as Quick Reference Guides

The Review

One of the hardest, most emotional things a person can do for someone they love, whether it be a parent, child, relative, or significant other, is to take on the responsibility of caring for and looking after them in their most vulnerable and painful moments. So many have taken on this task in particular those who are elderly and experiencing hardships and struggles with their health. The authors and their own stories are both unique and all too familiar to readers who have experienced similar situations, in particular with dementia. The way the authors were able to relay their unique experiences to readers and find the most honest and personal way to outline their experiences in a way to be helpful to those going through similar things now was amazing to read.

What struck such a chord was the emotional change that the authors and their words took as the journey with the late Margene took hold. The tone and presentation of the events changes from a more poetic and emotionally driven narrative to a more clinical and matter-of-fact examination of the final months with Margene. This not only reflects the painful loss that the authors experienced, but the very hard struggle as time both slows down and speeds up all at once. This actually works to help prepare readers who are hoping to learn more about what to expect from their own experiences, but more importantly, this book overall gives readers a place to feel seen and to feel less alone, finding an outlet to feel validated in their own experiences overall.

The Verdict

Heartbreaking, informative, and emotionally-driven, authors Pamela S. Showalter and Raylene Bell’s “The Caregiver’s Journey: A Roadmap For Navigating Your Path” is a must-read nonfiction story of love, loss, and the process of grief while caring for a loved one. The journey these authors take is not an easy one, and while no child ever hopes to see their parents in such a difficult position, the lessons and experiences these amazing writers share in this book will be a beacon of hope to readers who are gearing up to face this similar situation. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

After earning a BA in English from Vanderbilt University I worked in the corporate world for ten years eventually becoming a financial analyst at a Fortune 500 company. Those years taught me a couple of important lessons: first, my parents were right, I really COULD do anything I set my mind to and second, corporate life was not for me. So I headed back to school, earning an MA in Anthropology from Arizona State University followed by a PhD in Geography from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Teaching beckoned and after stints at the University of Toledo followed by Texas State University, I retired as an Associate Professor with numerous peer-reviewed articles and a co-edited book, “Geospatial Techniques in Urban Hazard and Disaster Analysis” under my belt. My retirement coincided with the start of what (we didn’t know at the time) would be a five-year journey caring for my spouse’s Mom. “The Caregiver’s Journey: A Roadmap for Navigating Your Path” sprang out of those years and was specifically created to provide information to other caregivers that could be used to smooth their paths.

Raylene Bell earned both her BS and MS in Speech Pathology from Texas Tech University (Lubbock). She spent over 40 years in that field working for hospitals, in management, as a consultant, as an expert witness, and in her own clinics. She recently retired from her position as President of the Central Texas Region of Cole Pediatric Therapy.

Sisters in the Storm by Linda Hoff Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Linda Hoff helps parents, in particular, mothers, who must take on the painful task of caring for their adult children as they develop a terrible mental illness and navigates the rough waters that journey will take them on in her book, “Sisters in the Storm”.

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The Synopsis

What do you do when your adult child receives a frightening and severe mental illness diagnosis that is progressive and incurable-and barely manageable? How do you support him or her without losing your own self to the disease? Sisters in the Storm is your coping tool. Written with love and extreme vulnerability, author Linda Hoff shares her journey of being a mom of a mentally ill adult child (MIAC) and guides you to navigate this rough road as only a seasoned veteran can.

The problems are numerous and never-ending: problems of finances, of living arrangements, of medication management, of medical authority, of your own mental equilibrium-and the issues of your breaking heart as you lose your formerly capable, enthusiastic child to the downward spiral of an incurable mental disease.

But you are not alone. You’re part of a sisterhood of mothers who are trudging the road together, supporting each other along the way, and emerging as changed but strong. Strong in their commitment to their child and strong in their commitment to themselves. Strong in their resolve to help their child and strong in their resolve to live their own full life. You are sisters-sisters in the storm. 

The Review

This was such an emotional and heart-wrenching yet hopeful read. The author does such an incredible job of delving into the heart of the journey that people take when caring for an adult child suffering from mental health awareness. The honesty and heart for which the author writes pour through on every page, and the way each chapter is crafted to take the reader through each stage of this process, no matter how painful, really showcases the author’s personal approach to the subject and the way in which readers are able to relate to this topic.

The thing that struck me the most was the author’s unique perspective. Rather than getting a professional psychologist’s POV or getting a more clinical approach to the topic, readers are treated to an honest, heart-to-heart conversation between a mother and the readers out there who need to hear this amazing author’s words. While not a parent, I am all too familiar with the effect mental health can have on both the people we love the most and those around them, and reading the author’s words and their experience with this topic was something that was not only identifiable but emotionally connective as well.

The Verdict

A memorable, tragic, yet emotionally connected and engaging read, author Linda Hoff’s “Sisters in the Storm” is a must-read book on mental health awareness and the journey parents must take to seek help for and care for their adult children suffering from said illness. The focus not only on caring for her child but finding a way of caring for herself and finding a way back to finding her new normal in life was a breath of fresh air in regards to this topic, and the emotional and heartfelt journey chronicled here is something readers will not want to miss. Be sure to grab your copy on May 1st, 2022! 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Not only has Linda Hoff survived the storm, she has created a life of balance, joy, and purpose for herself and her mentally ill adult child (MIAC.) In her debut book, Sisters in the Storm, Linda shares her struggles, heartache, and lessons learned over the last ten years as she navigated through her son’s unexpected schizophrenia diagnosis. Linda shares a home on the outskirts of Saint Louis, Missouri with a friend and fellow mom of a MIAC, two dogs, and two cats. She visits her son regularly and loves to spend time in nature, traveling, reading, and enjoying time with her four grandchildren.

The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging: How to Die Young As Late in Life As Possible by Jason Elias Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Jason Elias takes readers on a journey into what it means to be a member of the elderly community and how to show the world their continued value and worth to the world as a whole in the book, “The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging: How to Die Young As Late in Life as Possible”. 

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The Synopsis

The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging synthesizes and simplifies the components of conscious aging into a primer for individuals who are concerned about their own aging process and for those caring for the elderly who seek an enlightened understanding of how all of us may approach aging more consciously and, gracefully. In short, these Seven Graces can serve as stepping-stones toward attaining emotional or spiritual wholeness as we age.

Elderhood can be a time of reckoning, a time to look inside, to wonder where we have been, and where we are not going.The message of The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging is less about how to live a long life, and more about supporting vitality, being present, finding meaning and purpose, and sustaining a youthful heart-well into old age.

To shed light on this reckoning, I have interviewed and highlight the stories of a dozen individuals in their late seventies, eighties, and nineties, and one over one hundred. They are mentors, clients, and close friends. Each of these remarkable individuals, in his or her way, has refused to accept the timeworn script that equates old age with decrepitude. Instead, they have chosen to rewrite the script and embrace old age with dignity and grace. Listening carefully to their stories and insights inspired me and quieted my own fears about aging. They have become my Pathfinders, modern-day sages, who share their wisdom and experiences throughout this book.

In essence, as our Pathfinders show us, aging need not dictate dismal decline. When we debunk the negative preconceived notions of aging, we can even reverse the aging process. The studies cited in this book, along with the Pathfinders’ collective, lived experience and my 50 years in the healing arts, offer solid guidelines, practical resources, and inspiration for those who want to learn how to follow Dr. Ashley Montagu’s advice and die young as late in life as possible.

The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging include:

Rewriting the Script: reframing what it means to grow old;

Finding Your Tribe: honoring the importance of good relationships;

Practicing Mindfulness: learning techniques that enable us to live in the moment (the eternal NOW);

Awakening Joy through Simplicity and Humor: living a simple, appreciative, and accepting life;

Pursuing Your Passion: clarifying a long-dreamed vision or unrealized idea and practicing it;

Moving and Being Moved: exercising sensibly on a regular basis to prevent stagnation and enhance mental, emotional and physical vigor, acuity, and creativity;

Nurturing Your Body, the Temple of the Divine: giving your body the essentials it needs to thrive (clean air, nourishing food, pure drinking water, and loving relationships). 

The Review

One of the first things that I noticed about this book that readers are going to love is that this is the kind of book that becomes interactive with time. The author does an incredible job of building a book that causes readers to make notes, earmark pages, and keep tabs to come back time and time again as certain pieces of advice or steps the author has outlined become relevant to the reader’s life. The thorough and thoughtful way the author presented these chapters was well balanced with the personable and warmth of both the author’s words and the interviewees who participated to share their wisdom and views on life as we get older. 

I absolutely loved the duality of this book’s audience, as it not only speaks to older generations about how to not give in to any given narrative on how they are supposed to live their lives in their “golden years”, but also speaks to younger generations on how to live life to the fullest at all times, to find the people or community that will allow us to be our best selves, and to stop focusing on “perfection” as an ideal and instead learn to love ourselves and those around us as they are. The way the author is able to give tribute and honor to each interviewee and share these stories while accomplishing the goal of laying out these 7 goals makes this such a memorable read.

The Verdict

Honest, thoughtful, and engaging, author Jason Elias’s “The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging: How to Die Young As Late in Life As Possible” is a must-read book. The personal and memorable way the author was able to blend the stories of these incredible people with the lifelong lessons that readers can turn to time and again made for an absolute heartfelt read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jason Elias has had a lifelong passion for healing. His earliest memories include watching his Greek Jewish grandmother concoct herbal remedies and poultices in the kitchen of his boyhood home in Brooklyn. He would emulate his beloved elder by healing his family and neighbors with grass cuttings and sugar. As a young man, he studied psychology, acupuncture, and both Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine. His passion led him to study with many master teachers in New York City, California, the Philippines, Japan, China, India, and England.

Jason has been in private practice for more than 40 years, working with clients of all ages. He is the author of four previous books: Feminine Healing: A Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit (Warner Books) ISBN: 9780446672719, Chinese Medicine for Maximum Immunity: Understanding the Five Elemental Types for Health and Well-Being (Three Rivers Press) ISBN: 9780609802731, The A to Z Guide to Healing Herbal Remedies (Dell Books) ISBN: 9780517149331, Kissing Joy As It Flies: A Journey in Search of Healing and Wholeness (Five Element Healing Press) ISBN: 9780996654203. For more information about his work, contact: http://www.fiveelementhealing.net

A Well-Launched Life: How Young People Can Live An Intentional, Fulfilling Life by Bruce Sheridan Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Bruce Sheridan helps readers to find the tools and lessons that young people transitioning into adulthood will need to lead a successful life in the book “A Well-Launched Life: How Young People Can Live An Intentional, Fulfilling Life”. 

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The Synopsis

Transitioning from teen year to becoming a self-sufficient adult can be a rocky road, littered with many choices to make and potholes to navigate. Choices like, should you go to college? What kind of career do you want? Will you make enough money to live and save for the lifestyle you want? What type of partner are you looking for? The choices you make during this time will impact the rest of your life, so you must choose carefully.

The purpose of this book is to introduce you to a practical and simple method to plan and live a God-centered life with few mistakes and regrets. A Well-Launched Life is chocked full of practical advice on these important questions and looks at more personal questions surrounding addiction, premarital sex, and dealing with all types of abuse. You’ll learn from author Bruce Sheridan’s hilarious and sometimes treacherous real-life examples about how to, or not to navigate this defining decade.

The Review

The author does a fantastic job of capturing the personal and real-life experiences of his own life in a way that feels both relatable to readers and teachable as a means of showcasing to younger readers the path to adulthood that he himself took. The fast pace and the way the author was able to tackle not just the more humorous or light-hearted lessons life dealt him, but the more in-depth and mistake-treaded paths he crossed, made this book just sail smoothly from the onset. 

The care and attention the author took to more sensitive subjects and troubling situations, from abuse to addiction and everything in between was great to see handled in such a delicate yet much-needed way. While I myself may not, in particular, be religious, I found the book to be greater geared towards young people who are seeking a means of keeping their faith and beliefs alive while striking a harmonious chord with their responsibilities and choices in life overall. 

The Verdict

Powerful, heartfelt, and engaging, to say the least, author Bruce Sheridan’s “A Well-Launched Life: How Young People Can Live An Intentional, Fulfilling Life” is a must-read nonfiction and inspirational book. The author’s honest and humbling approach to the topic, as well as his unique approach from a balance of faith and life lessons, will appeal to those seeking a more faith-based inspiration for growing up and taking on the challenges life will throw young people as they turn towards adulthood. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Bruce Sheridan was raised in Union City, New Jersey, the fourth child in a family of eight. He earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech while being a member of the Men’s Varsity track team. While working for Florida Power and Light he helped design and build the power grid that supplies electricity to residential and commercial properties. While working full time, Bruce earned a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami.

After working for General Electric and Bank of America for many years, Bruce became an entrepreneur and started a coaching business. Bruce knows that the foundation for his success is due to his relationship with God, and he weaves these messages into his coaching.

Bruce currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife Jan, an Irish Wheaten Terrier, and a Tabby cat. He enjoys spending time with his family, the outdoors, and serving his church.

Interview with Author Seth Kadish 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m a working psychologist and author.  My recently published memoir, “Home Boys,” available on Amazon as an e-book or paperback,  is the product of my interest and passion for psychology and writing.  

I began writing in elementary school and later took creative writing courses in high school and college.  I’ve always loved the written word as both author and avid reader.  My writing background includes sketches, novel, nonfiction, play, and screenplay.  I’ve had screenplays optioned and plays produced in New York and Los Angeles.

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What inspired you to write your book?

I’ve been a clinician since the late 1990s, counseling a wide variety of clients ranging from maximum security inmates to celebrities, working folk, foster care kids, and anyone and everyone in between.  But it was my early career work with Probation youth that deeply shaped my thinking and approach as a clinician.  I had a tremendous affinity for these kids.  They really touched my heart.  “Home Boys” is equal parts remembrance, information, and love.

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

One of the themes of “Home Boys” is “Look below the surface.”  A supposedly bad kid may be a traumatized or misunderstood kid.  It’s always worth trying to help him.  Which is not to say that we should excuse or allow criminal behavior, but rather hold out for the possibility that a life can be turned around with structure and guidance.

What drew you into this particular genre?

I am by nature a teacher, and I believed that a memoir would be effective in reaching an audience of early career therapists who would benefit from reading about the successes and missteps of a seasoned clinician.  I thought that a non-clinical audience would be moved by the story of Probation boys struggling to make their way through a difficult world. 

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I post excerpts of “Home Boys” reviews as well as announcements about the book on Instagram and Facebook.  I recently had fun shooting and posting a humorous video featuring my sister, playing the role of an extremely annoying fan, begging me for a printed a copy of my book.  We’ll likely shoot a few more videos featuring her character.  My hope (or fantasy?) was that the video would go viral.  You can see it at Home Boys – The Price of Fame – YouTube.  

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

It may seem a bit trite or banal, but I think it’s important to write in your own style.  Be yourself.  There is no right or wrong way to write, only your way.  Place a Kurt Vonnegut novel and a Philip Roth novel side by side and you’ll see what I’m talking about.  Two distinguished writers who could not be more stylistically and thematically different.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I am co-authoring a nonfiction book, “The Truth About Rehab,” with two colleagues and also plan to re-publish my middle grade novel, “Baymo” (the publishing company went under a few years ago and the rights reverted to me).  It’s the story of a dog who wants to become a man and gets his wish.  

I have several other complete or nearly complete novels and nonfiction works on the shelf.  My goal is to publish them all over the next few years.

A final word:  thanks for reading this interview and much gratitude to Anthony for hosting and posting.  Please look me up on Instagram and Facebook and feel free to write me at drsethck@aol.com.

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About the Author

Seth C. Kadish, Psy.D., Director of Group Therapy at PCH in Mar Vista and former Clinical Director of Milestones Ranch Malibu, was a Staff Psychologist at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, counseling maximum-security inmates.  Prior to that, Dr. Kadish worked with Probation youth at Penny Lane in North Hills, CA where he was named Clinician of the Year 2001.  He is the creator of Pattern Identification and Reduction Therapy™, a clinical approach based on his work in prison, group home, private practice and treatment center and is the author of Pop Your Patterns:  The No-Nonsense Way to Change Your Life.  In addition, Dr. Kadish has been featured in a variety of radio broadcasts, documentaries and television series including Ryan and Tatum:  The O’Neals (Oprah Winfrey Network) and the award-winning documentary, Iceberg Slim.

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