The Many Facets of A. Starr: Purifying Truths Paperback – by Amelia Isom (Author)

 Book Excerpt:

"None of us can control the circumstances we are born into. However, how we deal with our circumstances and the trials we encounter determines our triumph or the reality of looming tragedies.

Amelia Isom chose the former, her life was riddled with uncertainty, rejection, and violence/death, but her life has been a series of incredible triumphant moments.

This memoir will take you through a whirlwind of emotions from the beginning until the end. But, most importantly, you will know that life is not what happens to you... But How you MAKE LIFE happen for You!"

Title: The Many Facets of A. Starr: Purifying Truths
Author: Amelia Isom
Publisher: Amelia Isom
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Many Facets of A. Starr: Purifying Truths by Amelia Isom

My Opinion:

"None of us can control the circumstances we are born into. However, how we deal with our circumstances and the trials we encounter is the determining factor of our triumph or the reality of looming tragedies."

The memoir 'The Many Facets of A. Starr: Purifying Truths' was a real 'powerful and remarkable story that will keep one turning the pages. This story was well-written and told by this author will draw one into the situation that shows such heart-wrenching tragedies of her life that featured all the good and evil.

The reader will get a little bit of it all from 'poignant memoir of the women & events that shaped her life' making her who she is today.

Be ready for "This memoir to take one through a whirlwind of emotions from the beginning till the end." But, to get all that this author delivers to the reader, one will have to pick up this good read, "The Many Facets of A. Starr," to see how it will come out...especially that exciting ending.

Surviving Me: The Journal Kindle Edition by Lakisha Johnson

'Imagine standing face to face with an opponent whose face is obstructed from view. You have no idea who it is, but they’ve been the ones taunting and tormenting you. This opponent’s voice keeps you up at night, paralyzing you with fear. It’s the one holding purpose in your sight but not allowing you to get near. This opponent is familiar; its voice is one you’ve heard too.

Now imagine looking in the mirror, and this opponent is you.

This journal, Surviving Me, was created by prayer and God’s guidance because I’ve come to understand, sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. It’s not that we don’t believe in ourselves or trust which God has made us, but dealing with the strains of life can make you pause when you should press.

This journal will touch on who I am, what’s hindering me, and how I survive; to help you divorce things you fight against daily. However, this journal isn’t a magical potion, it may not even be the answer you need, but I pray it helps on your journey of surviving when the enemy you’re fighting is YOU.'

** Because this is the ebook version, it will not have many blank pages like the print version. You will need your own journal to take notes. **

Title: Surviving Me: The Journal

Author: Lakisha Johnson

Publisher: Twins Write 2

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Surviving Me: The Journal" by Lakisha Johnson

My Opinion:

"Surviving Me: The Journal" was beautifully delivered in letting me know 'who I am, what's hindering me, and how I will survive and divorce things one fights against daily, being able to 'overcome something in one's life. From this journal, one will be able to cope with some situations in one's life.

I enjoyed when the read brought out how to fix an issue... 'You're going to divorce the thought you have to find love to be happy. You're going to divorce the thought; you aren't good enough. You're divorcing the old mental, emotional and physical soul ties of ... be all the way real.' So whoever or whatever you did before, now you're divorcing it.'

If you are hurting...this excellent read is for you. The inspiration that is presented is beautifully delivered to the reader. Be ready to have scriptures that go along so well with understanding a lot of this journal. Thank you to the author for a good read.

Healing To Move Forward Kindle Edition by J. Brinkley

 Book Excerpt:

"About The Author, I am J. Brinkley and was born in Tifton, Georgia. I write in the genre of urban fiction, contemporary romance, and crime fiction. In 2019 I was awarded the urban book of the year award by the African Americans On The Move Book Club (AAMBC). I am a philanthropist and life coach. This book is centered on unlocking the mental, emotional and physical doors in our life. We all have faced some kind of trauma in our lives but how we bounce back is what matters the most. I decided to write down some things that helped me get through my trials and tribulations. How we perceive things are crucial to the things, we encounter in our life. We must understand that we are much stronger than our hardship. Would you like to know how I overcome most of my day-to-day struggles? If your answer is yes, then this thought-provoking book about self-love and redemption is for you."

Title: Healing To Move Forward
Author: J. Brinkley
Publisher: Voma Publications
Reveiwed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Healing To Move Forward" by J. Brinkley

My Opinion:

"Healing To Move Forward" was about how this author was able to 'unlock the mental, emotional and physical doors of his life.' It was quite an enjoyable read of how he could share some things with his readers that helped him through his trials and tribulations.' Be ready for some 'crucial things that one can encounter in one's life and finding out one can be much stronger than its hardship. The author goes deep into sharing some of his day-to-day struggles that will leave one with quite a read that will be not only a thought-provoking read but one that is of self-love and redemption for you.' I liked the ending with 'Wrapping Up' where the author emphasizes 'Love is the most potent force in the universe.' This read is one to read to see how healing can move one forward in life.

Insight: Why We're Not as Self-Aware as We Think, and How Seeing Ourselves Clearly Helps Us Succeed at Work and in Life by Tasha Eurich

Book Description....

"Most people feel like they know themselves pretty well. But what if you could know yourself just a little bit better—and with this small improvement, get a big payoff…not just in your career, but in your life?

Research shows that self-awareness – knowing who we are and how others see us – is the foundation for high performance, smart choices, and lasting relationships.  There’s just one problem: most people don’t see themselves quite as clearly as they could.

Fortunately, reveals organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, self-awareness is a surprisingly developable skill. Integrating hundreds of studies with her own research and work in the Fortune 500 world, she shows us what it really takes to better understand ourselves on the inside - and how to get others to tell us the honest truth about how we come across.

Through stories of people who’ve made dramatic gains in self-awareness, she offers surprising secrets, techniques and strategies to help readers do the same – and how to use this insight to be more fulfilled, confident, and successful in life and in work.  

You'll learn:

-The Seven Pillars of Insight that separate the aware from the unaware.
-The invisible roadblocks to self-awareness.
-Why common approaches to self-knowledge like therapy and journaling don't always lead to insight
-How to kill your inner ruminator and other bad habits that sap your confidence
-How to prevent the “cult of self” from recruiting your child, and eradicate “selfie-syndrome” from your household
-Why few people know how other people see them, and how to learn what people are really saying when you leave the room.
-How to hear feedback without fighting or fleeing.
-Why people with the most power can often be the least-self aware, and how the best leaders avoid this trap
-How to deal with delusional bosses, friends, in-laws, etc in your life.
-And more."

Title:  Insight

Author:  Tasha Eurich

Publisher: Crown Business 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Insight: Why We're Not as Self-Aware as We Think, and How Seeing Ourselves Clearly Helps Us Succeed at Work and in Life"  by Tasha Eurich

My Thoughts....

This was definitely a wonderful read for anyone wanting to increase their self awareness through scientific finding and some authentic stories that will definitely help in the way you may be perceived.  The read will help one in asking the question what instead of why as it offered ups such informative, colorful and even some humor.  I loved how this author was able to give the readers some anecdotes coming from her own practice and in the end making the read a educational read along with her appendix which was a great tool to use too.  By the end of this read one will be able to see "that we should never stop seeking personal insight in order to form stronger relationships, teams and growth."

These are definitely some steps one can do in order to evaluate just where you are now and even some ideas on how one must chance especially if you don't like the feedback you hear.  Now, I will say one has to be in the right frame of mind to be open and receptive to any change one may want in there life.  Sometimes it may be a forever journey getting to this place, but it is worth the effect to try.

In the end I will take from the read "Insight" being a good read of how to get a good sense of how others may see you through self-awareness with some detailed exercises for developing that skill. This is definitely a read for "therapist, managers and anyone interested in improving themselves as a human being." As for me I can only say its teaching me my own self-awareness and lack thereof.  I am still working on this thought-provoking process.

The Bravest You: Five Steps to Fight Your Biggest Fears, Find Your Passion, and Unlock Your Extraordinary Life by Adam Kirk Smith

Book Description....

"A Breakthrough Bravery System to Confront Your Greatest Fears, Find Your Purpose, and Create the Successful Life You Want
Feeling directionless, or perhaps too intimidated to make a necessary change in your life? Tired of letting your fears keep you from achieving your goals or becoming healthier, happier, or more successful? If so, this book is for you. Popular life coach and consultant Adam Smith has created a powerful method to help you harness your inner passion and drive to overcome whatever is holding you back.
The Bravest You presents the five-step Bravery Process(TM), an easy and highly effective way to master our biggest fears. Offering inspiring and helpful advice, Smith guides you through each of stage of the process--Complacency, Inspiration, Fear, Passion, Bravery--showing how to identify goals and passions and apply the Bravery Process to any circumstance. These proven techniques will empower you to conquer your doubts once and for all and become your bravest self.
Covering the ten most common fears all successful people face, from the fears of inadequacy and being judged, to rejection, failure, loss of control, and loneliness, The Bravest You arms you with the necessary tools to tackle any fear-inducing situation head-on and lead the braver, happier, and more successful life you've always imagined."

Title:  The Bravest You

Author:  Adam K. Smith

Publisher:  Tarcherperigee

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"The Bravest You"  by Adam K. Smith

My Thoughts.....

'The Bravest You' will give the reader a good self help read as one gets a  little bit of it all being so intelligently presented and so well persuasive giving the reader some deep insight of this read. We find fro the read that this author presents to the readers 'Five Steps to Fight Your Biggest Fears, Find Your Passion and Unlock Your Extraordinary Life. 'Is this a encouragement and self help read?  Yes, although some of the read may not be relatable for all there are some topics that could be for others that can help through 'research, quotes and examples of some famous people.'  I found from the read if ones has the courage to keep moving forward their greatest fears and challenges often leads one to their greatest talents and joys after all is said and done.  The author goes on to give the reader experiences but I was not really sure it would relate to the every person, however, it was still a interesting read to see what points this author is making to the reader. In the last part of the read as the author gives some of his personal experiences it did make some interesting points of his subject matter...'The Bravest You.'

 

Joyful: A Truthful Guide To Finding Peace And Living A Fulfilling Life By: Toks Adebiyi

Book Description....

"Successful or not. Rich or poor. People use plenty of terms to determine and define happiness—but is it really joy they're seeking?

Author Toks Adebiyi shares examples from his time in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom in the inspirational memoir Joyful. Like many others, Toks got caught up in the push for wealth and popularity and dreamed of becoming the next Richard Branson or Robert Kiyosaki. But when events in his life brought him back down to earth, he began to redefine what joy meant to him.

Here, Toks shares what he found, laying out a path for others to follow in advice-filled chapters such as "Loving Yourself" and "Mind Your Environment." All throughout, he includes action points to aid others in their own pursuit of joy.

Joyful is specifically targeted at young readers and families. This lighthearted, easy-to-read guide will help you find what matters most in your life—and what you really need to find inner peace."

Title:  Joyful:  A Truthful Guide To Finding Peace and Living a Fulfilling Life

Author:  Toks Adebiyi

Publisher:  Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Joyful:  A Truthful Guide To Finding Peace And Living A fulfilling Life" by Toks Adebiyi

My Thoughts.....

Quite a interesting quick read where the first part of the book was about the author's life and the other half of the read was divided life's lessons in putting the joy into ones everyday situation.  I enjoy this author fascinating story of when he was in Lagos, Nigeria and that whole experience showing the difference from being materialistic as well as successful. In the end if one really loves himself that will seem to give one the feeling of joy rather than having all of the stress in ones daily life.

From the read one will be definitely be directed to the fact that 'Joy is not find in materialistic things but within us.'  This is a christian read for anyone who maybe interested in wanting to  have a better quality of life as the author points to the power of God being our source of our the joy that is already within. The reader will be drawn into this read being able to look at things somewhat differently and with that being able to ignore many outside stressful pressures.  In the end the novel "Joyful" gives one a wonderful guide, enjoyable read and most of all a inspirational look at how to succeed and have a quality life.

Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After by Katherine Woodward Thomas

Book Description.....

"And Then They Lived Happily…

We enter our romantic relationships with great love, hope, and excitement--we've found the 'one', so we plan and forge our futures together.  But sometimes, for many different reasons, relationships come undone; they don't work out. Commonly, we view this as a personal failure, rather than an opportunity. And instead of honoring what we once meant to each other, we hoard bitterness and anger, stewing in shame and resentment.  Sometimes even lashing out in destructive and hurtful ways, despite the fact that we’re good people at heart. That's natural: we're almost biologically primed to respond this way. 

Yet there is another path to the end of a relationship--one filled with mutual respect, kindness, and deep caring.  Katherine Woodward Thomas's groundbreaking method, Conscious Uncoupling, provides the valuable skills and tools for you to travel this challenging terrain with these five thoughtful and thought-provoking steps:
Step 1: Find Emotional Freedom
Step 2: Reclaim Your Power and Your Life
Step 3: Break the Pattern, Heal Your Heart
Step 4: Become a Love Alchemist
Step 5: Create Your Happy Even After Life

This paradigm-shifting guide will steer you away from a bitter end and toward a new life that’s empowered and flourishing."

Title:  Conscious Uncoupling:  5 Steps to Living Happily Even After

Author:  Katherine Woodward Thomas

Publisher:  Harmony

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After" by Katherine Woodward Thomas

My Thoughts...

This was a very good self help read especially if you are going through a breakup of
any kind...this read is for you.

Here are some of what I took from the read....

Bad experiences can be turn into positive ones.

Wisdom and Guidance's...handling anger and loss
Gaining deeper understanding of it...growing and healing
Dealing with trauma because of separation...suffering from a past breakup
this read gives one a definitely beacon of hope

Helping to better understand family, friends in different relationship patterns
The exercises that are presented in this read are well worth the read

The ideas were powerful and definitely worthwhile.

For a breakup is very painful but there are things to help one get through it
leaving one less angry, more whole and even open to new relationships.

This is definitely one read that helps one in the ending of  a relationship.  This online
course will leave one 'healthy, strong, authentic, loving and eventually ready
to even try to love again.'

So, if you are looking for a wonderful companion for going through a breakup this
novel..."Conscious Uncoupling: 5 steps to Living Happily Even After" is one good
read for helping 'yourself, your family. your community feeling free, happy, healthy and
whole.'

Everything You Need You Have: How to Be at Home in Your Self By: Gerad Kite

Book Description....

"In this inspiring, revelatory book, Kite shows us how to look at things from a different perspective, and to uncover the truth: that everything we need to be happy and well, we already have inside. Drawing on the principles of ancient Chinese philosophy and his extensive experience of helping people of all ages and from all walks of life, Kite offers a route to a state of being that is authentic, expansive and liberating."

Title:  Everything You Need You Have
Author:  Gerad Kite
Publisher:  Harmony
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:   Four
Review:

"Everything You Need You Have:  How to Be at Home in Your Self" by Gerad Kite

My Thoughts....


This read will give you much food for thought in trying to learn 'How to Be at Home in Your Self.'  I will say the read was of interest to me in learning how to be happy with just being myself.  I will say I did have to reread several portions of the read before I was able to continue on understanding  a little more [I think] of  just what this author was trying to get over to the reader. I did like and seem to understand the 'Law of the Five Elements' along with many of the case studies that were presented.  If I can find the 'secret, peaceful, permanent place inside myself' and find happiness as well would be simply a joy for me. I may not understand it all but with the ten steps that are described in this read will help give one the secret of it all and learning that in the end knowing that one already has it  all in just being [me].  I did love this how this author brings it all out that certain things like 'therapy, meditation...traveling the world' just may not make one truly happy but in the end just being happy with just who you are.  As the author says..."The Answer is already inside you." I thought this was a good 'self help' read [taking it step by step]that will definitely give you a different way of thinking. This novel will keep your attention learning so much about your in "Everything You Need You Have: [and in the end]  How to Be at Home in Your Self."

I See You...You Cannot Hide! By: Dr. Dyon Cole

Book Description...

"I See You... You Cannot Hide is a book about self-deception, deceit, shame, and rejection. Dr. Dyoni exposes her truth by sharing a life changing situation that was designed to destroy her. The goal of this book is to help others who are currently going through or recently went through some type of devastating situation and for those who are tired of vicious cycles of self-destruction. This book really speaks to those who desperately want to be free, but feel stuck, lost, and torn between good and evil."

Title:  I See You...You Cannot Hide!
Author:  Dr. Dyon Cole
Publisher:  Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"I See You...You Cannot Hide!" by Dr. Dyon Cole

My Thoughts....

This was quite one thought provoking read after all is said and done.  I will say I got very upset with this heroine due to the fact that she seemed to have not to have learned a lesson from what had gone on with her life with that involved 'Levi' so many times.  However, as I  continued to read through this novel I was able to see why things had gone so badly for her even though she was now in the ministry. From this story the reader sees how this story shows us quite a story of all the 'self -deception, deceit, shame and rejection' that this person went through that had started from from her early childhood.  Why was this? Why did she feel like she had to get everybody approval?  Will there finally be a 'Healing and Deliverance' process for the heroine when she finally 'shares her process of acknowledge and comes to turns with the truth and finally ...finds healing , liberty and emancipation through Christ?'  "I See You...You Cannot Hide" was definitely a self help read through the Christian way offering help, scriptures and prayers.  I did feel that after this heroine saw that she couldn't go it alone and decided to finally share all with her 'sister' [for her sister had introduced Levi to her] and then life for her seemed to finally open up for her.  After she was able to confess her sins this became a new starting part of what she needed in this 'work in progress' for her. I will say this didn't happen over night for it took some time for this heroine to finally give it up with this young man who was seven years younger than her.  Now, to fully understand this novel totally because I didn't want to tell you too much other than to say you will have to pick this one up and see for yourself how well this author presents her story to the readers.  It will be quite one interesting read.

A Year Without A Purchase By Scott Dannemiller

Book  Description....

"The Year without a Purchase is the story of one family's quest to stop shopping and start connecting. Scott Dannemiller and his wife, Gabby, are former missionaries who served in Guatemala. Ten years removed from their vow of simple living, they found themselves on a never-ending treadmill of consumption where each purchase created a desire for more and never led to true satisfaction. The difference between needs and wants had grown very fuzzy, and making that distinction clear again would require drastic action: no nonessential purchases for a whole year. No clothes, no books, no new toys for the kids. If they couldn't eat it or use it up within a year (toilet paper and shampoo, for example), they wouldn't buy it.

Filled with humorous wit, curious statistics, and poignant conclusions, the book examines modern America's spending habits and chronicles the highs and lows of dropping out of our consumer culture. As the family bypasses the checkout line to wrestle with the challenges of gift giving, child rearing, and keeping up with the Jones's, they discover important truths about human nature and the secret to finding true joy. The Year without a Purchase offers valuable food for thought for anyone who has ever wanted to reduce stress by shopping less and living more."

Title: A Year Without A Purchase

Author:  Scott Dannemiller

Publisher:  Westminster John Knox Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: 5

Review:

"A Year Without A Purchase:  One Family's Quest to Stop Shopping and Start Connecting" by Scott Dannemiller

What I enjoyed from this read.....

I found this novel very interesting...something to really think on long after the read.  There were several ideas presented that did give me reasons to think upon from this author.  With all of the consumerism that goes on just in the United States one will be able to look on quite a bit of it as something to definitely be concerned about.  It was a interesting read of how this author shared his feeling 'surrounding the sacrifices made by he and his wife to connect more with others about what was essential to living.' Now, that was a read!  I found Mr. Dannemiller was some what humorous as he delivered some of his experiences with the reader. I will say by the time I reach the end of the novel I did find myself saying..do I really need some of the items I have?  So, maybe after reading this book... I was now seeing this read in a different light...exploring the relationship that I have with all of my stuff...saying...is this stuff  really making me happy or preventing me from achieving  my ultimate goal?

Along with the humor the reader will  receive 'Biblical passages, personal anecdotes, research, tools for individuals/couples/families to evaluate their own relationship to their material things.'

In the end this read of these short chapters...will gives the reader a great challenge and that is knowing what is important to you ...evaluation your wants/needs.  Which is important?  Learning to make everyday count and not worry about all that stuff you want but may not need was one thing I got out of this read.  I thought  this novel was a very important that can help anyone who wants change in their spending and consuming in their everyday life.  This was definitely a inspiriting read.

Would I recommend? YES!

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Behind The Clutter [Truth. Love. Meaning, Purpose] By: June Saruwatari Saruwatari

Description:

"You are already a masterpiece Have you ever wanted to know the secret to creating a life you love? How do you discern what’s really standing in your way of becoming all you were born to be? In Behind the Clutter, June Saruwatari opens her home and her heart to reveal the transformative decluttering approach that has kept her in demand as a lifestyle, business & relationship coach, and professional organizer to investment bankers, attorneys, judges, artists, politicians, writers, rabbis, university professors, doctors, mothers, children, Hollywood producers, and celebrities. The key to your best life is to master the spaces of your body, mind, soul, and heart, and let go of the clutter within and without. In this part spiritual memoir, part self-help book, June vulnerably and relentlessly examines her own internal and external “stuff” through her unique fourfold lens of TruthLoveMeaningPurpose: • TRUTH: What is the truth of my current situation? • LOVE: Do I absolutely love this? • MEANING: What is the meaning of this for me? • PURPOSE: What purpose does this serve in my life? With fearlessness, vulnerability, and childlike enthusiasm, June digs deep to uncover the thoughts, feelings, memories, and beliefs that lay behind the clutter – and shares effective strategies to identify both internal and external clutter, let it go, and create space for miracles. As you go behind the clutter with June as your guide, you’ll discover that you are your own best expert at designing your life, learn to apply your own TruthLoveMeaningPurpose to all the “stuff” of life, and uncover the masterpiece of yourself that’s been there all along."

Title:  Behind The Clutter [Truth.Love.Meaning.Purpose]
Author:  June Saruwatari
Publisher:  Morgan James Publishing
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Behind The Clutter" by June Saruwatari

What I loved about this novel...

One thing for sure I learned the meaning of: 'Truth, Love, Meaning and Purpose' as this author was able to present that so well to the readers.  When it all said and done you are given a good look at yourself..what really makes you want to hold on to things that are so unimportant to your life.  You will be taken a a journey... a path that is met just for you.  In this read you get a little of it all of just how all this stuff can either help you or it can hold you back.  This author really lays it all out for the reader giving one the tools to use...exercise with challenges that will help your reasoning process for your stuff and even how it can help or hinder you understand it and even the emotions behind it all.  Be ready for some important tips that will be there to help you remove the clutter from ones life.  This was a very informative read  that I would definitely recommend  this novel to any one who have clutter in their life's.