Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers
By David Perlmutter
This is one of those enlightening books, the one that takes everything you have been taught in your lifetime and flips it. It introduces you to a new diet that has similar properties to the Paleo diet. Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter by was specifically written for ordinary people like you and me who do not have any medical training. There is a lot of good information on how to boost one’s brain power, improve your memory as well as maintain high energy levels. You will learn how to feed and look after your brain.
Renowned neurologist Dr David Perlmutter, exposes how carbs, both so called healthy and unhealthy ones can destroy your brain. They increase your risk of suffering from diseases such as dementia, ADHD, anxiety, chronic headaches, depression, and many others. The book was written based on his own patients. You will get an explanation on how grains can be damaging and he even has quizzes to help you figure out if you have any problems yourself.
The book is divided into three parts. The introduction has the self assessment test for establishing your risk of suffering from brain disorders. Then in Part 1, he talks about popular ingredients that are both good and bad for your brain. This is the section where he also includes over 200 footnotes as proof and to encourage your to change your diet. In Part 2, different habits and lifestyle will be examined with simple suggestions of changes you can make for the better. Part 3, introduces the four week plan to help you adopt a new diet lifestyle that helps keep your brain healthy. This plan has a different focus or goal each week and detailed daily meal plans.
Who is David Perlmutter? He is a Board-Certified Neurologist who graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He also completed his residency at the same university and has his own practice in the city of Naples, Florida. He also lectures at various symposia nationwide and has publications which have appeared in several medical journals including the Journal of Neurosurgery. This is his second book, his first was The Better Brain Book. Dr. David Perlmutter also has international recognition in the neurological field. He has appeared on radio and television nationwide on shows such as 20/20, Larry King Live, CNN, The Today Show, Oprah, Dr. Oz, as well The CBS Early Show. In 2002 Dr. Over the years, he has also received many awards such as the Linus Pauling Award and the Denham Harmon Award .I loved his attention to detail when it came to the different ways ones diet can affect the body and general state of health. He even goes on to show how using drugs for mental problems, may not be the best approach to take. The book does have a lot of medical terms, however it is still very easy to read and understand. Every idea he brings up, he follows up with an explanation of what causes it and how one can overcome it.
Although he does include a considerable amount of footnotes to support his claims. There are some that he includes that point to the home pages of websites, and not the exact page he is referencing. This makes it hard to follow up with his sources. Also, his diet promotes the consumption of more livestock including beef and chicken. However, there are other doctors who have gone on record against these as they may cause other diseases. All this to say that he did not provide sufficient evidence against these other claims in the book.In conclusion, The Grain Brain does have a lot of different information that can be useful to everyone who reads it. Not only is it written in an easy to understand way it is also very interesting to read. The material within the book is well organized and you can tell a lot of time was spent researching the information too. You get everything you need including delicious recipes and food lists to get started you on this new diet lifestyle for a healthier brain. This is definitely a game changing book!Read More Reviews Here…
Doctor Sleep: A Novel
By Stephen King
Ever since I read The Shining in my younger years, I often did wonder how Danny’s adult life had turned out to be. I know it sounds strange, but I am not ashamed to admit that I had such thoughts. I was really excited to hear Stephen King was revisiting Danny in his new novel Doctor Sleep. This book though is not exactly a sequel to The Shining, so if you are looking to check into The Overlook Hotel and encounter Jack Torrence, you will be dissapointed. Stephen only writes a quick recap of the history of Danny in this one.
In Doctor Sleep, Danny is a grown man who is just beginning to win his longtime battle with alcoholism. He is an employee at the Rivington House, which is a hospice facility in a small New Hampshire town. His collegues have nicknamed him Doctor Sleep, due to his ability to help patients pass on with ease. His excessive drinking depreciated his shining capabilities, but he runs into eleven year old Abra Stone who seems to possess way stronger abilities than he ever did.
Danny fears for Abra’s safety. They are special groups of people travelling around the country who are interested in kids like her who have special abilities. The introduction of these groups is a very creepy section of the book. We also find out that all the other characters from The Shinning have since died. Danny is the only one still living, and he has to take up the mentorship role of Abra, like Dick Hallaran had done for him when he was a young boy.
Who is Stephen King? He has written over fifty bestselling books. His other book Under the Dome was turned into miniseries and is currently showing on CBS. He has recieved many awards over the years such as the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller and also the Best Hardcover Book Award from the International Thriller Writers Association. In 2003 he was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Stephen currently resides with his wife Tabitha in the city of Bangor, in Maine.
This student becomes the teacher storyline is just brilliant. It was even better with the added twists, that you never see coming. Mr. King has once again done a very good job with character development and as always the story telling is impeccable. You will find yourself heavily engrossed in the story especially if you possess a very vivid imagination and enjoy really good story telling.
There is some child sexual abuse content, which may be offensive to some readers. 9/11 survivors may also have issues with some sections of the novel. So if you are offended by those two subjects, you have been forewarned. You may want to skip those sections or avoid reading this book as a whole. It is totally up to you, of course.
Doctor Sleep in my eyes is the best sequel. You have everything in there from moody scenes, to magical, mysterious, suspensful and even scary ones. The ending is slightly predictable, but still perfect for this novel. One thing is clearly evident when you read this book, Stephen King is a master story teller. This is however not classic Stephen King, so do not expect the gore, frights or the in your face horror.Read More Reviews Here…
The Cuckoo’s Calling [Hardcover]
Robert Galbraith (Author), J.K. Rowling (Author)
This book was never on my radar until I saw it featured on the news recently, as they were exposing best selling author J.K Rowling as being the real author. She had initially published the book under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. As a fan of her Harry Potter series of books I was curious to see how well she could handle the mystery crime fiction genre so I grabbed the book on Amazon.
Surprisingly I really enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling. I was able to read through it in one afternoon. It is really difficult to pinpoint what makes this such a terrific book, however I did read the Casual Vacancy last year and I enjoyed this one a lot more. Maybe it is because both the characters and the plot are more complex.
The story is set in London, where we meet Cormoran Strike, who after being wounded in Afghanistan and losing his leg sets up a new Private Investigation agency in the city. The only problem is that he does not have any real paying clients. He is obviously broke, as he has turned his office into his bedroom too. Strike hires a lady to help him as a secretary, her name is Robin Ellacott. We later find out she secretly wants to be a detective too.
Detective Cormoran Strike is then asked to investigate the suicide of Lula Landry a supermodel. They call her Cuckoo and she is the sister of a man named John Bristow, who hires the detective. He is not happy with the ruling by the police that his sister’s fall from her snowy balcony was indeed a suicide. The siblings were both adopted by a wealthy family so they are not blood relatives. The investigation of the crime takes Strike into the world of the rich and famous and their many different lifestyles. As you can see, the plot is very simple but amazingly it works very well.
I really enjoyed how J.K Rowling was able to keep the story realistic. She masterfully makes London a character within the book, as she describes the scenery as Strike walks within the streets. The different characters within the book are developed satisfactorily and as a first time mystery writer she does a great job with that too. Frankly, I would rather not have her trademark long winded sentences they can sometimes become annoying.
If you are one of those that enjoy a lot of action, you will be disappointed. You will not find any car chases, no gun fights or even fight scenes. This book is all about the good old school detective work that mainly involves conversations with witnesses and studying the crime scenes. Usually the detective ends up sleeping with main female lead in one of the scenes, but that is not the case with this book. That was a refreshingly new twist, especially if you have read many other books in this genre.
The Cuckoo’s Calling is a very well written book. The story is good with the perfect setting and great dialogue between the characters. It is also engaging and although richer, it reads just as well as many classic novels. The book pulled me in right from the start, which explains why it only took one afternoon to read through it. You have a smooth flowing pace as well as colorful and believable characters. It remains to be seen whether, they will turn this into a series. If you think you know detectives, you probably have not met Strike yet.Read More Reviews Here…
Joyland (Hard Case Crime)
By Stephen King
Stephen King is the man, this gentleman knows how to pen down a good story. In his latest offering Joyland, we finally see him return to his old form. Doubts had been circulating after his last few books, and many including myself believed that he had finally lost his edge. However, this new novel proves us all wrong. This is a wonderful return to old school King. It only took the first chapter to be get sucked deep into the story line. If you are able to go through it without being sucked in too, you are unique indeed.
Joyland is not part of a series, it is a one off that was published under the Hard Case Crime house. It will only be available in paperback and at only 288 pages it is way shorter than most of Stephen King’s other publications. This one is set in North Carolina in a small town. The year is 1973, we are introduced to Devin Jones a 21 year old University Of New Hampshire student who is working during summer at the Joyland amusement park. Devin’s life story is cleverly used as the background story of this novel.
The first section of the book is all about sweetness and nostalgia. Devin discovers his carny skills and learns how to fit in with the rest of the amusement park staff. We are also introduced to the ghost story that supposedly haunts the park. As you read you can tell Stephen was having a lot of fun playing around with the carny phrases and terms. In the second section, we start to get a little of the spooky side that is often associated with Stephen. You end up with a complete murder mystery and a cute love story. He even throws in some supernatural elements as he comes full circle and concludes the story.
Joyland is narrated in first person, we experience the story through the eyes of an elderly gentleman who is an ex amusement park staffer. I really enjoyed that is was not as hardcore a thriller as previous releases. The descriptions of the park and the characters are so vivid, you actually feel as if you were present amongst all the fun and craziness. How he managed to tone down the paranormal side is beyond me, but I am very happy that he did in this one.
When you are first introduced to Devin Jones, you will immediately feel a connection to this character. However, it is when you add all the other believable characters that the story really springs out at you. You can tell that a lot of time and effort was taken in developing these different characters as each one possesses a distinct voice. This is a very original story line that kept me guessing right until the very end. The plot twists will keep you curious and searching for more from one chapter to the next.
In conclusion, this book is a classic Stephen King. It will scare you, seduce you and thrill you. Obviously it is well written and full of suspense, most original Stephen King fans will enjoy reading this. Joyland is his number 47 novel, but that did not matter at all. I found myself laughing and crying, I can truly say I thoroughly enjoyed every single page. There is a good reason why this book was an Amazon Best Book for June 2013. It is the perfect book to read this summer or on your next vacation.Read More Reviews Here…
The English Girl: A Novel
By Daniel Silva
The English Girl is the latest book from one of my favorite authors, Daniel Silva. I am a fan of both the author and the main character in his books Gabriel Allon. This series is awesome and keeps on improving as it progresses. Secretly, I sometimes wish that this fictional character, was actually someone living in our present world. You do not need to read his earlier books, in order to enjoy this one. He has carefully provided information for new readers, without annoying those of us who are already die hard fans. It takes a great writer, to be able to write about the same characters but with a different engaging plot each time.
The novel The English Girl, is as the title suggests about a smart young British lady who goes by the name Madeline Hart. She goes on vacation to Corsica with work colleagues and then she disappears. She works for the Prime Minister’s office and we later find out she is also his mistress. As they are preparing for an election, her disappearance is not made public, in an attempt to avoid any electoral backlash. After a month a ransom note is received that claims that if the kidnappers demands are not met, they would kill Madeline within a week.
This is when the Israeli Mossad agent Gabriel Allon is called in to save the day. He sets up a team to help him uncover the reasons why she was kidnapped and who it was that took her. This is the beginning of a thrilling ride that takes us to Corsica, France, UK and even Russia. He runs into many familiar characters from the past and Silva introduces us to some new interesting ones too. You can expect to experience many twists and turns as you read this novel. As usual, with Daniel Silva sometimes things are not always what they seem.
Who Is Daniel Silva? He has been labeled as one of the best international intrigue and American spy writers of our time. He is a #1 New York Times-bestselling author who although taking up journalism earlier on in his career, he has always wanted to become a writer from a young age in his home state of Michigan. His began his first book in 1995 while working for CNN. The Unlikely Spy was published in 1997 at which time its success allowed him to leave his job and become a full time writer.
All his books have now become New York Times as well as international bestsellers. They are available worldwide and have been translated into more than 25 languages. He currently lives in Washington DC with his wife and teen twins. Most of the research for his books is carried out at the library of prestigious Georgetown, this is where he spends most of his downtime. He is always working on a new novel, so enjoy this one and get ready for the next one in the series.
I personally was mesmerized by the plot’s twists and turns. Daniel Silva uses brilliant descriptive prose that brings the characters to life. You also get detailed location descriptions that make these places seem so real. I love how he is unbiased when writing about the different characters. You have an action filled novel, that is an exciting read because there is more to it than just solving the mystery at hand. It was nice to see that he sprinkled a little humour in there too.
You can tell he takes the time to research his books, with the inclusion of all historical facts. He also includes current world events and situations exposing the truth in some cases. I felt like the main character opens up a little more than in the previous books. Which I believe is a good move, as it humanizes him allowing us the readers to identify with him a little more.
The English Girl has a rather fast pace, nevertheless it is written very well. You are taken on another great adventure with Gabriel Allon. This is yet another brilliant action plot, that is not only a thriller but also has lots of mystery weaved into it. If you read the jacket of the book, there is mention of a twist at the end of the book. This is no ordinary twist, you won’t see this one coming. This novel was made An Amazon Best Book Of The Month of July 2013. I recommend that that you read it. It is indeed, a nice treat.Read More Reviews Here…
Rich Habits – The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals
By Thomas C. Corley
Millions of people around the world want to be rich and successful, but very few of us know how to achieve this. This new book Rich Habits – The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals by Thomas C. Corley is a very inspiring book. I decided to read it after I heard many positive reviews and results from other people who had already read the book. After going through the book I was able to identify where I had gone wrong and pick up some habits to help me become more financially successful. You just have to adopt these habits and then learn how to incorporate them. There is now a noticeable difference in my thinking process.
The book follows J.C. Jobs an accountant who has come upon hard times. His wife falls ill, and requires surgery which he cannot afford. Sadly his wife passes away and it is only after this that J.C. stops to evaluate his life. He wants to know what he has been doing wrong. What he sets out to do is interview his clients to try and identify what they do differently. He zeroed it down to their behavior and mindset.
He analyses and summarizes his research pinpointing the 10 habits of successful people. This is the in depth information presented in this book and now made available to millions of people in the same situation as he was. These habits also help them achieve their life goals. You are given a 30 day action plan as well as charts and schedules with very precise instructions. The habits have been tried and tested on a very diverse population with amazing results.Who is Tom Corley? He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Financial Planner, President of Cerefice & Company, CPAs/CFPs and CEO of The Rich Habits Institute. This is an organization he founded whose main aim is to train businesses and individuals on how to achieve the often elusive financial freedom. He uses his Rich Habits Training Program, to share with people like you and me the exact steps you should follow if you are looking to to improve your financial status.I appreciated how the author goes straight to the point. Although it is a very short read he was still able to keep it clear and actionable. I know a friend who has copied a couple of pages and stuck them onto his fridge for daily motivational purposes. Corley even targets how simple things such as calling people on their birthdays is a good trait. I really enjoyed how throughout the book he uses real people examples to bring across his point. The summaries at the end of every single chapter are also very useful.Rich Habits is an extremely informative book. The author manages to keep it efficiently simple and motivational. If you are finding it difficult to progress towards your goals in life this book may just be what the doctor ordered for your success. You could be way on your way to achieving your career goals and financial freedom. I am positive that anyone who dives into this book head first will resurface with a few nuggets of useful information. I am personally excited and can not wait to experiences the effects of the changes I have made to my life based on this book.Read More Reviews Here…
Dreams Come True… All They Need Is You!
By Mike Dooley (Author), Virginia Allyn (Illustrator)
I joined Mike Dooley’s TUT many years ago, hence his message is not something new to me. However, it was exciting to hear that he had taken this same message and written a book for children. Although this book is being marketed as a children’s book, it is essentially a book on life with a message that can be useful to adults as well. Mike used his imagination to write a fun book, that carries a positive message to encourage kids and help then achieve their true potential.
This is a very short hardcover book with only 32 pages. It follows three kids through a dream that has them being carried by a hot air ballon into a magic world way past the stars and the moon that has beautiful islands as well as dolphins. The ultimate goal using very easy to grasp rhymes is to teach our kids that to follow their dreams and that dreams can come true. Virginia Allyn does an amazing job with the clever illustrations, that blend in well with the story helping to uplift that encouraging feeling that the book stirs up.
Who is Mike Dooley? He is an ex international tax consultant, who later become an entrepreneur when he started the mainly internet based Adventures Club. This club has members from more than 182 countries worldwide, with a total membership that currently surpasses the half a million mark. Mike has published inspirational books that focus on how we are all accountable spiritually.
When The Secret was introduced to the world, he was one of the people selected to teach the message.
Nowadays though most people experience Mike’s work via his free email newsletter, Notes from the Universe. He is also a New York Times bestselling author for his two books Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams as well as Leveraging the Universe: 7 Steps to Engaging Life’s Magic. When it comes to Mike, what you see is what you get. You can find him speaking at many events around the world. Visit his site www.tut.com for more information.
The concept of this book is really wonderful. As you read it the pace is smooth, however every now and again you experience some pleasant surprises. If you are one of those people who uses positive affirmations, you will be glad to find the perfect ones for your kids in here, that you can deliver right at the time before they fall asleep. I really enjoyed and was grateful for the message being conveyed by Mike, it helps you impart these important values to your kids at a very early age.
Dreams Come True, will help build confidence in your little ones. It is a beautiful and inspirational book full of joy and hope. Everyone needs such a positive message, especially one that is not only magical but also has some spiritual elements sprinkled all over it. Now you can send your children to bed with a message that anything is possible in this life, including peace as well as happiness. They will grow up self empowered and wired never to give up on their dreams. This book makes a great birthday gift for the young ones in your life.Read More Reviews Here…
