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Category: Nonfiction

Review: MWF Seeks BFF by Rachel Bertsche

[ 2 ] April 28, 2012

Reviewed by Ann Liu

If Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex and the City, and Mr. Big left New York with her three girlfriends behind, what would she do without them? MWF Seeking BFF is a true story of Rachel Bertsche, a writer herself, who moves to Chicago with her husband, on the search for new friends.

MWF Seeking BFF, or Married White Female Seeking Best Friend Forever, is Rachel’s personal memoir of her yearlong search for a best friend. She dissects the friendship element and shares a lot of research toward understanding the psychological makeup of friends. According to Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist, the size of the brain determines the number of relationships we can maintain. The human brain can maintain 150 relationships. After calculating her social network of friends, families, and acquaintances, Rachel came up short 20 people. She decided to fill the 20 spots with a yearlong project to find a best friend that rivaled her best friends back home.

I found the story quite enjoyable, as Rachel describes the weekly dates and the friends she meets along the way.

Rachel writes in a captivating way, sharing some very humorous stories. The same way that dating is set up, she went on a friend date after friend date, with most dates fizzling out. 365 people is a lot of people to meet and toward the middle of the story, it was difficult to keep track of whom she has gone out with; all the people she met became a blur.

I ponder if the feelings of connections were mutual since the book was written from one perspective. If it had not been for the research and professional people she consulted with, the story would not have survived.

Dating is difficult enough but finding and bonding with friends is harder in this day and age with social networking and the internet. Without a friendship manual available, meeting friends after college becomes a difficult task. I can relate to a lot of what she experienced and commend her for going outside of the norm to find friends. I recommend this book to every female looking to connect with others and yearning to find that best friend.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Ann Liu loves to read women’s fiction, chick-lit, romance, and self help books. She lives in sunny Southern California, where she can enjoy her time reading outdoors.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Ballantine Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Bold by Shaun Smith & Andy Milligan

[ 2 ] April 28, 2012

Reviewed by Poppy Johnson

Bold: How to Be Brave in Business and Win by Shaun Smith and Andy Milligan highlights successful companies from various industries. This is very valuable information for anyone interested in leadership or management at any company. Leaders tend to have the same personality traits in common, such as being tenacious or persevering when there is little hope of success. Leaders also need to learn from the mistakes of others, and that information is priceless especially when a manager is able to learn a new strategy from someone else’s blunders.

Bold also showcases the company leaders themselves as they express their strategies in first person accounts in each chapter. Some of companies featured in the book are : Virgin Galactic, Oz, AirAsia X, Chilli Beans, Zappos.com, Burberry, the Geek Squad and others. The book features pull outs, color photos, bold headings and informative subheadings along with theories and models. It is fun to read and each chapter discusses a different leadership strategy.

For example, let’s look at the Geek Squad. Some of us have seen the black and white cars (with the same coloring as police vehicles) with the “Geek Squad” logo painted on the side. Robert Stephens started the Geek Squad for Best Buy in 1994 with $200.00. The service offers technical support for at home computer users, and the technicians come to your home to resolve PC issues on the spot. Stephens had an idea of global domination and he has been quite successful. The Geek Squad is now also available in UK, and although the company is rapidly growing, the founder remains humble and still does training for new recruits.

The Geek Squad tests and stretches the employees by making them navigate around town to learn the lay out of the cities they will be working in and around. The word of mouth marketing and referrals are the primary source of capturing new business. The squad members are recruited for the technical talent that they bring to the organization and for their ability to solve the clients’ problems.

Besides being an awesome company to work for, the employees of all levels are appreciated for their efforts in many different ways by the managers. There is even a Geek Squad City at the repair facility center with a make-pretend Mayor and 700 employers with spiffy uniforms. Even though a customer will never see this repair team, they are dressed in synch, have a professional attitude and this translates to their superior attention to quality.

I enjoyed reading the back story to the success of the company because most people who see organizational success assume it is easy. These ideas took time to develop and time to perfect – then over years they turned into the gross money-making success stories that we know about today.

Bold is a type of anthology of success stories told by the leaders themselves. It is a valuable book for anyone interested in management, leadership or becoming an entrepreneur.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Kogan Page. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Rossetti: Painter and Poet by J.B. Bullen

[ 3 ] April 26, 2012

Reviewed by F. Scott

Rossetti: Painter and Poet by J. B. Bullen is an overview of the life and works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a nineteenth-century English painter, poet, and translator. The large-book format lends itself well to all three of its main elements: Bullen’s readable prose, prints of artwork by Rossetti and others, and excerpts of poetry, mostly by Rossetti himself.

Bullen takes us through the whole of the artist’s life in the exciting time of artistic and intellectual change that was mid-Victorian England. Rossetti was the son of the ex-patriot Italian Gabriele Rossetti and Frances Polidori, half-Italian herself, of a now London-based family. Born the first son in 1828, he is also brother to Christina, a poet in her own right.

Rossetti was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB), which true to its name sought inspiration from the Middle Ages as opposed to the Renaissance. This is a term I had often heard but did not quite understand.

Dante Alighieri and Beatrice figured prominently in his whole career. He was a also a translator of Dante’s Vita Nuova, and the opposition of purity and sexuality haunted Rossetti for his whole life. But if Dante was his focus and inspiration from the start, another influence also emerged in mid-career—Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. It is thus that we learn that those Arthurian legends have been bowdlerized for our moral sanitation. All manner of adultery and even incest can be seen throughout the original versions of knights and damsels and round tables. Thus the attraction for Rossetti amid his triangular sexcapades.

Dante Gabriel was attracted to somewhat masculine-/androgynous-looking women, and—let’s say—obsessed with a certain type of female face. Christina Rossetti sums this up very well in her “In an Artist’s Studio”:

“One face looks from all his canvases/One selfsame figure sits or walks or leans.”

And that face can be described as a slightly prettier Eric Roberts or an uglier Drew Barrymore. It appears in just about every painting and drawing presented here in this book. It starts to get rather creepy, to speak the truth. Even when he uses three of his favorite models/paramours in the same painting, they all look similar—whether they did in life or not.

But I do have to say that my favorite paintings in the book are not by Rossetti.

In the end, however, Dante Gabriel seems in this treatment to be all about sex, whether Bullen intends it or not. Just about every work, at least according to Bullen, has something to do with sexual desire, practice, and/or expectation, even when the subject is overtly sacred, such as his Ecce Ancilla Domini! (The Annunciation). Thus, for Bullen and most other art scholars and critics who write about art in general, anything long and pointing is a ——, and anything roundish and ovular (and red) is a ——. This is not for anyone under the age of thirty-five.

But we can thank Bullen for not being too full of academic jargon to be understood. A few flights of scholarese do appear, but not very often.

Artwork is presented very well and on almost every page. Only a couple times did I wish a certain print could have been bigger.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

F. Scott enjoys the work of the master artists, even if not sexual in nature.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Frances Lincoln. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: God’s Hotel by Victoria Sweet

[ 2 ] April 25, 2012

Reviewed by Alyssa Katanic

God’s Hotel, by Victoria Sweet is a thought provoking read for anyone interested in healthcare, whether as a medical doctor, nurse, patient or through holistic medicine. In her account of her over 20 years at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, Dr. Sweet seems to cover all of the bases.

While working at the hospital, Dr. Sweet was also studying the pre-modern medicine of a 12th century nun named Hildegard. Hildegard’s medicine was closer to what we may consider holistic or eastern medicine, and is what Dr. Sweet deems as “slow medicine.” It is neat to see how these studies influenced Dr. Sweet’s own practice of medicine and care for her patients at Laguna Honda (a hospital that provided long term care for those who could not afford healthcare).

Despite the fact that the personal, “slow medicine” techniques that wove their way into Dr. Sweet’s practice saved many patients from unneeded medicines, thus saving the state money, the HMO system that worked its way in to the hospital did not have time for it. God’s Hotel not only shows the developing of a doctor’s character over a 20 year span, but also the HMO take over of the hospital where she practiced, and how inefficient their efficiency plans often are.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Alyssa is a wife and stay at home, homeschooling mother of five, with two boxers, two cats, a soft shelled turtle named after Bob the Builder, and 7 frogs (admittedly a homeschooling project gone froggy). In all her spare time, she loves to read and believes that there is no such thing as having too many books!

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Riverhead. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Following Atticus by Tom Ryan

[ 7 ] April 21, 2012

Reviewed by Krista Castner

The arresting picture of a sturdy black and white miniature schnauzer on the cover of this book was what first drew me in. The dog, Atticus M. Finch, looked so much like Lucille Doll, my beloved miniature schnauzer who passed away three years ago, that I just had to read the book, regardless of what it was about. If it featured a miniature schnauzer it had to be good. Well, I admit, those aren’t usually the best standards by which to rate a book but lucky for me, my theory proved to be correct. Following Atticus by Tom Ryan is just a gem of a book that’s hard to pigeonhole into a single genre.

On one level it’s a story about how Tom changed his life from being a self-described “middle-aged, overweight newspaper editor” in the small Vermont town of Newburyport to an active person more interested in the outdoors than backroom politics. It’s also about how the bond with a cherished animal can affect great change in someone’s life. With Atticus’ steady companionship Tom steps out of his routine and starts to do amazing things like attempting to climb all 48 of New Hampshire’s White Mountains that are over 4,000 feet tall. Surprisingly, Atticus and Tom are able to accomplish that together over the course of one summer.

After his friend Vicky dies of cancer, he decides to try to climb all 48 peaks during winter as a fund raiser in her memory. Wait, not just 48 peaks during one winter. If once around is good, twice is better. So Tom and Atticus take a leave of absence from his newspaper, The Undertoad, and set out to climb all 48 peaks twice over the course of one winter. That’s 96 peaks in 90 days.

Following Atticus contains many descriptions about these hikes, but it is only part of the story. The book is an adventure story and also a captivatingly described journey of self-discovery. After their winter feat, Atticus faces some physical challenges of his own. His bond with Tom grows even stronger as they fight his battles together. Don’t worry, Atticus doesn’t die. But between Tom’s descriptions of a bleak childhood, his attempts to forge some sort or relationship with his distant father; and Atticus’ struggles to retain his sight there were multiple times I was brought to tears.

Ultimately it’s a story of quiet triumph and living your authentic life. Like I said, if a book features a miniature schnauzer, it’s got to be great.

You can also follow the continuing saga of Tom and Atticus on The Adventure of Tom and Atticus blog which Tom Ryan updates regularly.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Krista lives just outside the urban sprawl of Portland, Oregon. Lamentably, her work as a technical writer and business analyst often interferes with her reading which is a true passion.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by William Morrow. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

[ 3 ] April 16, 2012

Reviewed by Marcus Hammond

Jenny Lawson is anxious, slightly dysfunctional, and, at times, tactless. She, however, is well aware of these characteristics. Her memoir, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, begins with a discussion of how stories are often exaggerated upon retelling, and that resounds in the reader’s mind as Lawson’s life is laid out in all its hilarity.

Lawson’s memoir moves from her childhood in rural Texas and continues to delve into her life as a wife, mother, and Internet blogger. Her stories include how she dealt with the chaos of everything from having a father with a wild animal obsession to events that showcase her own personal eccentricities.

One focus of the memoir deals with the relationship Lawson forms with her husband, Victor, and accentuates the concept that marriage is indelibly difficult but worth the trouble. A good example of Lawson’s narrative hilarity describes her anxiety with public situations. She describes a specific evening with Victor at a Halloween party for his company. After arriving at the party, Lawson begins to worry that she will embarrass her husband by telling an inappropriately strange story to cover up her anxiety. She dives right into a story that is exactly what she fears. She proclaims to the group, “One time I got stabbed in the face by a serial killer.” Fortunately, her cat had simply scratched her in her sleep. It is that kind of exaggerated dysfunction that makes Lawson hilarious.

Lawson’s narrative is very active and imaginative. She addresses the reader, and, occasionally, her editor as she pokes fun at her own exaggerations. The downside, however, is that some of her stories ramble to a point that halts the natural flow of her humor. Though funny, and at times touching the breaks in narrative flow and her graphic, crass, and conversational style will limit who enjoys it. Due to these characteristics, many people won’t connect to Lawson’s overall lesson, which is to be comfortable with oneself and one’s past.

Overall, I found Let’s Pretend This Never Happened entertaining. Lawson’s active narrative style captured my attention even when the stories led into feminine perspectives on topics like childbirth and female physiology. She portrays many everyday situations (e.g. group conversations, home maintenance) in such a ridiculous manner that it’s hard not to stop and think “yea, I’ve been there.” Her stories might be exaggerated, but I think she connects to the fact that sometimes we are all a little ridiculous.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

After obtaining a Masters in Liberal Arts and Literature Marcus has dedicated most of his time to teaching English Composition for a community college in the Midwest. In his down time, he spends time avidly reading an eclectic selection of books and doing freelance writing whenever he gets the chance. He lives in Kansas with his wife.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Magic Room by Jeffrey Zaslow

[ 7 ] April 11, 2012

Reviewed by Joanne Reynolds

The Magic Room is located at Becker’s Bridal in Fowler, Michigan. Shelley Becker, the third generation owner, created this room for brides to enter, wearing the gown they have chosen for their bridal day. There is a pedestal in the middle and the entire room is surrounded by mirrors for the bride to view herself from all angles.

Becker’s Bridal has been open for business since 1934. Fowler is a middle-class community with a population of 1,100. Becker’s Bridal houses anywhere from 2,500 gowns in it’s small shop, a former bank. The Magic Room was once the bank vault.

Shelley Becker spends six days a week, and up to 12 hours a day, working in her shop. She was “initiated” into the business at the age of 14. She has seen countless brides and mothers come through the doors and has heard many stories – some tragic, some loving, and some fearful. She has met young first time brides, older second timers and everyone in between.

Jeffrey Zaslow’s purpose in writing The Magic Room and sharing the story of Becker’s Bridal was to show the love that parents have for their daughters. This was well done with the lives that were brought forward. Each family had it’s own history, but the love for the daughters pursuing their own lives was a prevalent theme.

I absolutely loved the history of the Becker family being brought into the book also. The hard work and sacrifice to keep such a business running is a book in itself. Jeffrey Zaslow did a wonderful job of making me feel  the love and heartache of the eight stories incorporated into the book.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Joanne has always been an avid reader and loves the ability to lose herself in someone else’s life for the time that it takes to read about it. She has a huge admiration for authors and the worlds that they create for us. She enjoys reading to her granddaughters and hopes that they take up the love of reading.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by PR by the Book. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Secret Life of a Fool by Andrew Palau

[ 2 ] April 7, 2012

Reviewed by Alyssa Katanic

The Secret Life of a Fool by Andrew Palau is a mix between a memoir and Christian living teaching. It may also be referred to as his testimony, or the story of what God has done in his life to bring him closer to the Lord and to help him to reach out towards others.

The experiences that Palau shares are not too different from what many face: being introduced to drugs and alcohol in high school, partying through much of college, and battling through his expectations for himself and disappointments in so many of his past and present decisions while climbing the corporate ladder.

The great difference between Andrew Palau and the rest of us who have gone through such experiences is the fact that not only was he raised in a strong Christian home, but he is also the son of the worldwide known evangelist, Luis Palau (which is what actually brought me to pick up this book).

While I was not overly impressed with Andrew Palau’s style, I did enjoy the heart behind The Secret Life of a Fool. He clearly showed that his rebellion was more for the sake of entertaining and living for himself, and not the result of having grown up as the son of an evangelist. He spoke well of his parents’ unconditional love and patience with him, yet I would have liked to “see” a bit more of how that worked itself out. I definitely prefer a writing style that evokes feelings rather than one that simply tells me about them, but it is a good story and an encouragement in what God can do with our lives despite us.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 


Alyssa is a wife and stay at home, homeschooling mother of five, with two boxers, two cats, a soft shelled turtle named after Bob the Builder, and 7 frogs (admittedly a homeschooling project gone froggy). In all her spare time, she loves to read and believes that there is no such thing as having too many books!

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by PR by the Book. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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