Belonging: A Genealogy of the Akinyemi Family Through Six Generations

Belonging: A Genealogy of the Akinyemi Family Through Six Generations by Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Legacy Rooted in Love and Memory...

Not only is Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi's book Belonging about family history, it's also a journey through time, memory, and meaning that will make you think. This isn't your usual genealogical record full of dates and boring facts. It covers six generations of the Akinyemi family. It's a living, breathing tapestry of migration, identity, strength, and love—part memoir, part cultural tribute.

The story starts in Totoro, Abeokuta, which is more than just a place on a map; it's a heartbeat. From there, it echoes across Nigeria, the UK, South Africa, and the US. Akinyemi doesn't just follow footsteps; he captures moments: the quiet of a funeral hymn, the wisdom in a Yoruba proverb, the warmth of Sunday sermons, and the flicker of memory in an old photo. These are the things that hold a family and a group of people together.

Belonging sounds less like a history book and more like something that is whispered around a fire and passed down carefully. There is academic insight, but there is also real, raw, and reflective emotion. Akinyemi writes about his ancestors in a way that is so loving that you can almost hear them speak. He does this to remind us that identity is not only passed down, but also remembered, cared for, and sometimes taken back.

This book is a beautiful tribute to the legacy of diaspora and a strong reminder of what it means to belong, not just to a place but also to a story. Very highly recommended.

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I Am Scared; VERY SCARED! by John Ayoola Akinyemi

I Am Scared; VERY SCARED! by John Ayoola Akinyemi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Raw Testament of Democratic Anxiety and Renewed Hope...

Dr. John Akinyemi opens up his heart in I Am Scared, VERY SCARED! This is more than just a book; it's a gut-wrenching cry from the heart, a very personal look at a world that seems to be getting more and more unmoored. Akinyemi weaves together memory, social reflection, and spiritual searching with the voice of someone who has seen and felt too much to stay quiet. He doesn't write as a distant observer; he writes as a man who is afraid—of his own fear and ours—and who says that silence is not an option.

The writing is sometimes poetic, sometimes rambling, and always honest. A strong belief in the healing power of empathy, community, and brave leadership is what holds it all together. It's not so much about politics as it is about people—what we've lost, what we could lose, and what we need to get back. This book is really just a reminder that caring is brave and speaking up is a sign of hope.

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Scared to Move On by Leonnardo Andre

Scared to Move On by MD Leonnardo Andre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Letting Go to Hold On…

So, Leonardo Andre's Scared to Move On... it gets under your skin. It’s about Francine and Leonardo, both carrying these deep bruises from betrayals past. Yet somehow, tentatively, they start reaching for the little light they see in each other. Picture them: huddled in quiet cafés, sprawled under starry skies. Francine’s built these towering walls, right? But Leonardo just... waits. Patiently. And slowly, right there in those ordinary moments, something shifts. Vulnerability becomes their secret handshake, their quiet language.

They fumble towards trust – not with grand declarations, but through stolen trips across Europe and conversations raw enough to sting. It’s messy. They discover this wild freedom, not in getting everything perfect, but in loosening their grip on their own desperate needs. Andre writes this dance between them with such aching honesty. Yeah, there’s heat, that undeniable pull, but it’s tangled up with something far deeper, something tender and terrifying.

Don’t mistake this for just another romance. It’s a quiet anthem to resilience. Watching Francine inch her way from fear towards trust? It feels achingly familiar, like looking in a mirror at our own tangles with intimacy and self-doubt. Those adventures – Amsterdam’s dreamy canals, places maybe a little too scandalous – they’re not just backdrop. They hammer home the book’s heartbeat: real connection. It demands guts. Pure bravery.

Andre, with his writing that cuts clean and beautiful, whispers a truth we need: healing blooms when we find the courage to just be, cracks and all. It’s a story that doesn't just tug your heartstrings; it shows how love can gently, fiercely, rewrite even the most broken narratives. Seriously, read it.

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Review: Max and the Mighty Hurricane

Max and the Mighty Hurricane by Chrissy Hobbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Stormy Adventure with a Big Heart...

Max and the Mighty Hurricane is a heartfelt and timely story about a kid facing one of his biggest fears: a hurricane heading straight for his home. Max’s emotions feel real and relatable, from his quiet worry to the big what-ifs swirling in his mind. But it’s not all heavy; there’s warmth, family, and a strong sense of community. It’s a great read for kids (and grown-ups) to better understand storms and how sticking together makes a big difference. Special mention also to Tanya Zeinalova for the excellent artwork. Highly recommended.


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Review: Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana

Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana by Monica Brosnan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A poignant, educational, and visually engaging tale for cat enthusiasts...

Monica Brosnan's Life as Seen in the Eyes of Tatiana follows tenacious cat Tatiana from a neglected kitten to a beloved pet, mixing her story with feline care advice. Tatiana and owner Monica recount her challenges with bullying, health, and safety. Brosnan emphasizes endurance, trust, and the human-animal link through emotive storytelling and cat biology and behavior. The contrast between Tatiana's tragic past and her secure later life shows compassion's healing potential. Readers experience her worries, thrills, and curiosity in vivid words.

The book celebrates love's transformational power in pet relationships and offers warmth and insight. The hybrid style may not suit everyone, but cat lovers and rescuers will love its emotional story with feline psychology. Brosnan celebrates pet ownership's delights and responsibilities in a touching ode to cats' mystique, a must-read for cat lovers. Highly recommended.

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Review: Firehorse

Firehorse by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Thrilling Eco-Paranormal Mystery...

In Firehorse, Mallory M. O’Connor throws you into a scorched Florida setting where drought and a strange horse plague are wreaking havoc. Psychic medium Epiphany Mayall is on a frantic mission to track down a stolen talisman that’s rumored to protect against ancient curses. It’s a wild mix of folklore and crime that builds from a slow simmer to full-blown, hold-your-breath suspense.
O’Connor’s world is both spooky and grounded, with a vibe that swings between urgent, snappy scenes and more lyrical, reflective moments. At its core, this is a story about hanging on—about resilience—when the world around you feels like it’s falling apart. If you’re into mysteries with a supernatural twist and a dash of climate chaos, this one’s a gripping ride. Highly recommended.


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Review: Xanadu's Cavern

Xanadu's Cavern by Mallory M. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An eco-thriller that packs an environmental and supernatural punch...

Mallory M. O’Connor’s Xanadu’s Cavern is an eco-thriller that packs in environmental stakes and supernatural twists, flowing as seamlessly as the Florida springs it fights to save. In this third book of the series, psychic medium Epiphany Mayall and art-crime sleuth Maro Gaido team up to solve the disappearance of activist Piers Waldon—and stumble into a tangle of fossil smuggling, corporate backstabbing, ancient familial vendettas.

Xanadu’s Cavern will grab anyone who loves eco-fiction, ghostly mysteries, or gritty crime tales. Epiphany and Maro’s dynamic—full of unspoken sparks and genuine teamwork—gives the story extra heart, and you’ll be rooting for them long after the last page. O’Connor reminds us that protecting nature means facing our own dark side just as much as it means chasing the light.

If you’re into eco-thrillers with a supernatural edge or character-driven adventures, this one’s for you. Highly recommended.

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