40 Memorable Life Experiences: 2020 Edition

40 Memorable Life Experiences: 2020 Edition by Robert Fear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Candid, Interesting, Reflective, Self-Deprecating, Sensitive and Witty...

This diverse collection of travel tales from around the world is fascinating in the breadth of its scope. In this anthology, 21 writers share their experiences and have produced 40 short stories. In each case, the authors’ views and focus are centered on varying aspects of the human and physical landscape, each in such a way that they grab the reader’s attention from beginning to end.

The way the authors reveal both the high and low moments, as well as the dangers and the risks that all travelers experience, in various forms, in search for what is new and novel in the world, is both energizing and life-enriching. All writers whose work is featured in this anthology are clearly fascinated by the experience of travel, and by the many wonderful discoveries that they have made along the way.

By the time I had come to the end of the book, I felt that not only had I stood on many a foreign field, and swum in many a foreign sea, but that I had also broadened my horizons by sharing in the heartfelt emotions of the contributors involved. An enlightening read, that is bound to both edify and delight, 40 Memorable Life Experiences: 2020 Edition is a must read for anyone who recognizes the importance of exposing oneself to other cultures and lands.

Writing memoirs is a unique way to cherish your past and present with the future in mind. A well-written memoir makes a splendid gift to your upcoming generations and leaves them with a vivid, personal look at your life experiences. The goal of any traveler should be to create positive memories that last a lifetime. When you recount your travel experience to others, it should invoke in you something that stirs the soul and a longing for the bygone days.

People write memoirs to fixate, analyze, share, or rethink past events. This book refers to important and significant moments in the authors lives. Special mention also to the compiler and editor, Robert Fear. A job well done, sir.

Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Do-Overs: A Time Travel Thriller of Sudden Second Chances

Do Overs: A Time Travel Thriller of Sudden Second Chances by Jon Spoelstra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A first-class sci-fi thriller with perfect pacing...

Do-Overs by Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jon Spoelstra is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this Time Travel Thriller that will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s also plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel like you are right there in the story.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class sci-fi thriller with perfect pacing.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future. Highly recommended, and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Discredited Citizen

Discredited Citizen by Robert Kiesling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Artificial intelligence takes control...

Discredited Citizen is a brilliant and chilling novel for several reasons. For one thing, it shows us what life would be like under a purely malevolent, all-powerful and ruthless dictatorship where artificial intelligence controls all aspects of the criminal justice system.

Author Robert Kiesling weaves a unique and fascinating dystopian tale with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a dystopian society set in the year 2030 in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s an intriguing and mesmerizing story that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

Aside from providing interesting backdrops for stories, dystopias have a cautionary message. Hopefully, as we read about the terrible things going on in a novel like Discredited Citizen, we will be on guard against anything similar happening in our own world. For example, people speak of government surveillance as being "Orwellian." The cautionary effect may not always work, but at least we have clues about some things to look out for. Although, some would argue that it’s already upon us.

Highly recommended reading but what would put this book up there with the dystopian greats would be a final editorial polish.

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Heart to Beat: A Cardiac Surgeon's Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity--The Heart Way by Brian Lima

Heart to Beat: A Cardiac Surgeon's Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity--The Heart Way by Brian Lima
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A highly inspirational, informative and enlightening read...

This book has helped me to clarify my thinking, process my feelings, and make better decisions. If you are ready to stop coasting through life and have a strong desire to achieve your goals, this book with help you on your journey. The author has put his heart (pun intended) in the pages of this book and will encourage and give hope to the reader. So many wonderful, strong-minded and courageous people share their experiences through books, and I thank this author for sharing his.

This book isn’t just a ‘medical biography’, it’s a life improvement book that will change lives. Not only was this book of great benefit to me, it should be required reading for all health care professionals.

Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Me, Myself, and Men

Me, Myself, and Men by Sharon St. John
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Look inside and love yourself first...

If you are a young girl or woman and believe you are not good enough or at the very least have had thoughts along those lines, then you are not alone because thoughts or feelings of unworthiness are the most common of all negative emotions. Thoughts of being indifferent and standing alone in the world while everyone else is happy and enjoying life is an internal negative construct. In other words, we do this to ourselves (both men and women), and for a myriad of reasons. Most of us live ordinary lives and we share the same problems and insecurities just like everybody else. Once you understand that, you’re already half-way there to becoming comfortable in your own skin.

Me, Myself, and Men by Sharon St. John is a story about the struggles that many women face when it comes to dating. She puts herself out there using the good, the bad and the ugly. Her writing style is honest, open and easy to read. It is a great read for those who want to see a strong woman's take on relationships. It contains great lessons in life that will be of great benefit to all who read this book. Highly recommended and a well deserved five stars from me.

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In Israel Feeling at Home

Israel Feeling at Home - 10 Unique Interior Design Styles by Limor Kohler and Anat Ben Natan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well written and beautifully photographed book...

In Israel Feeling at Home by design columnist and interior designer Limor Kohler and advertising executive Anat Ben Natan introduce ten new modern styles that are ‘based on the senses and emotions’. It allows the reader to refine their personal style and find a design that makes them feel most at home.

'Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive'. This book perfectly fits that definition of interior design.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve read or ‘visually explored’ a book like this. It’s well written and beautifully photographed. Highly recommended.


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Dragons in the Clouds

Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘It simply isn’t an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons.’ - J. R. R. TOLKIEN

Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair is a superbly written and richly descriptive novella with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this mythical fantasy that will guarantee the attention of the younger reader. Skillfully constructed, this fantasy tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s also plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel like you are right there in the story.

We’re a big fans of fantasy fiction, so this for us was a phenomenal read. It’s one of those books that stayed with us for several days after we finished reading. I read it to my grandkids, and they loved it. They’re a few years under the recommended age range of 8-12 years, so even younger children will enjoy this amazing story being read to them. The vivid descriptions of the settings, situations, and the people were stunning and realistic. The author’s use of genuine dialogue further added to the overall atmosphere of authenticity.

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from David Blair in the future. Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me (us!). 

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