Category: Book Reviews

Book Reviews

Book Review: If I Get to Five

Impower You

Are you brave enough to read this book?

I loved this book. It was recommended to me by a former teacher. She thought it would be a good read for my work with youth.   “If I Get to Five: What Children Can Teach Us About Courage and Character” is written by Fred Epstein M.D. and is a inspirational and fun.  He highlights several children, young adults and their parents who survived or died from inoperable tumors.  It could have been a total downer, but it’s not. It is the best reminder of how amazing children are and the strength and beliefs they can show in the most terrifying of situations.

Can you imagine being 8 years old and undergoing multiple surgeries or chemo treatments for months or years? I honestly cannot. The worst physical injury I have survived is a broken ankle. I thought that was bad. I was in the worst mood during that time. Maybe I could have been a bit brighter if I had read this book during my bed rest and therapy. It is a short read and one I recommend EVERYONE READ because it crosses cultural, economic, gender, and racial lines. The children and families in this book could be you or me. Some of you reading this are and have been going through physical pain for some time.  Despite the grim prognosis given to many children, their spirited stories had me laughing and reminded me how wonderful life is if we only take the time to let it be.

Check it out at the library, your local bookstore, or order it online. http://www.amazon.com/If-Get-Five-Children-Character/dp/080507144X

If I Get To Five
Book Reviews

Book Review: King Peggy

Impower You

I admit when I first picked this up, I thought it would end up being a boring story. Royalty holds no interest for me. I was never that girl that played pretend princess and while I did enjoy Snow White and Cinderella, the stories weren’t that great since the girls hardly had any real adventure.  So once again my idea of what a book would be like was shattered and I am happy for that. King Peggy, is now one of my favorite books.

Peggy  is a secretary at the Ghana Embassy in D.C. who finds out she has been chosen as the new king of her village in Otuam, Ghana(Africa).  While this may sound like Cinderella, it is far from it. She is not some poor girl with low self esteem scrubbing floors and holding her tongue.  She is a hardworking woman who has loved, lost, moved to a new country, fights her own battles, clearly speaks her mind, and is independent. The title she inherits from her Uncle Joseph, the previous king includes a royal “palace” falling apart in disrepair, no money or jewels, and a large village with just one water station or “borehole”.  She has to deal with a council of liars and thieves who have no respect for women or sobriety and for a short time goes into debt herself to revitalize the village and honor for her seven thousand citizens. She uses her wits, bravery and education to create positive changes. She is truly a empowered women, a role model and an example of how anyone despite gender or skin color can make a difference in the live of so many people. It starts a bit slow, but by page 55 I could not put the book down. I didn’t want the book to end.

“King Peggy” by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman

You can learn more on her website: http://www.kingpeggy.com/

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/King-Peggy/169676286446629

Book Reviews

Review: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

Impower You

I love a good story and especially a true story of people who beat the odds, but I get tired of ones that are so sad I don’t even want to finish it.  I can only read about so many victims. I want survivors and adventure in the face of danger or personal growth.  “The Dressmaker of Khair Khana” by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, is not a story of victims. It is a inspiring tale weaving together the power of family, friendship, neighbors, luck, determination and entrepreneurship. All of this happened in the midst of a war. As someone who has never lived in a war zone I cannot begin to relate to hardships that must bring.  I LOVED this book.

Set in Afghanistan during their latest war, the dressmaker is a young women who was determined to provide for her family and keep her sisters from the boredom of no longer being able to go to school or leave their home. Her father and mother were living in another area of the country and the streets were dangerous with no thanks to war. She worried for her family and was at the same time bored. Her sisters and her were not allowed to leave home without a chaperon, and even then were threatened when they went out. So she and her sisters (including a brother who was a stellar beader) started sewing and selling dresses and pant suits to local tailors. She eventually expanded enough to operate a school in her home to teach young women how to be tailors.

A real perk about this book is the men who were supportive and lent a hand.  From her brothers who accompanied her as she walked the city and also assisted with beading to the neighbors who kept her school secret and the tailors who supported her work, there is no lack of men who were not just in the story as oppressors and warriors.  This book is just the write length and is an enjoyable read. It is also a good business book if you are considering the path of self employed life.

What is your favorite book about overcoming the odds to succeeed?

Book Reviews

Another Book Update

Impower You

Below is a list of organizations that received a free copy of my book, I Am More Than Just a Girl.  On Friday I will be meeting with a local youth organization about my book and curriculum.

  -FLY Girls Mentoring, Houston, TX        -Healthy Start, Fall City, WA

-SANDAPP, San Diego, CA        -Girl Power United, Chesapeake, VA 

-Young Women Empowered, Langley, WA      -Malibu House of Hope, Agoura Hills, CA 

-Girls Leadership Institute, Emeryville, CA       -The Priceless Project, Lancaster, P

-Malibu House of Hope, Agoura Hills, CA       -Women’s Resource Center, Oceanside, CA

-Young Women Empowered, Langley WA      -Big Dreamz Inc., Charlotte NC

Thanks to all my supporters for helping me live my dream and also supporting the empowerment of young women.

🙂

Book Reviews

Think Like An Entrepreneur

Impower You

Today I want to share a great book for entrepreneurs.  It is called “Think Like An Entrepreneur: What You Need To Consider Before You Write A Business Plan” by Deborah A. Bailey.  This book contains practical advice from  seventeen successful business owners. Read this book so you “know where to start, gain control over how you think about money so that you can create a profitable business, decide what type of business is right for you, become an entrepreneur at any age or stage of your life.”

The author Deborah A. Bailey is a celebrated author and coach who has been a career expert on many tv and raio shows throughout her career. She earned two degrees and worked in the corporate world for several years before starting her own coaching business. In 2011 she was named one f the  25 Career and Women Bloggers Worth Reading by BlogHer.

I contributed advice in the book from what I learned with my first high end clothing business that I successfully operated for 5 years before taking the leap to follow my passion in art and empowerment. You can read part of what I shared in the book below. Then go buy the book on Amazon, at just $3.39, it is a great deal.

What is your advice for someone considering entrepreneurship today?
Go for it, but only if you can create a business around a product or service that you love. Don’t jump into it without research and planning. You will feel more confident and be less stressed if you are knowledgeable about what it takes to
start, grow and maintain a business.

In your opinion, what are the three most important things to do before starting a business?
If I had to pick just three important aspects of starting a business they would be:
1. Have a business plan.
2. Take a course on marketing or read as many books as possible.
3. Find a mentor.
Your business plan doesn’t have to perfect, but writing out your goals and how you will achieve those goals will keep you on track. You may have the best business ever, but if you don’t have a way to reach new customers, you won’t make any money. There are thousands of ways to market a business, but what works for one won’t work for yours. Learn how to create a marketing plan that attracts customers who actually want what you offer. You can learn as much from a book as you can from a class.

What can I say to explain how important it is to have a mentor? I was blessed with a mother who is an entrepreneur. When I actually listed to her, I succeeded. Her advice has been invaluable. Find a mentor that wants you to succeed. Don’t take advice from just anyone. Your mentor should be interested in your business, have experience in that industry and genuinely care whether you succeed or fail. Ask the people you already know if they can recommend a mentor, otherwise you can check with SCORE or your local chamber of commerce to find a mentor.

🙂

Book Reviews

Book Review: Red Flags

Impower You

The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags

I LOVED reading this book. It is funny and spot on. If you are in a relationship read this NOW!   If you not in a relationship,but might want one someday read this NOW!

There’s so many great flags, that I cannot remember them all.  I also love the funny stories that people have shared.

  • If they mess with your mind, they are an asshole.
  • If someone says they are not ready to settle down, don’t waste your time. They may never be.
  • If someone is part of a family that treat each other like shit, they will treat you like shit.
  • If you have a one night stand/hookup/ sex with someone you don’t already know or barely know they are not looking for anything serious. Do not stick around in the morning.
  • If someone is a jerk, you are not going to be the one to change them. That is an inside job.
Do any of those points sound like your relationships? If so read the darn book and read it NOW!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Black-Book-Flags/dp/1440512655

WHAT IS A RED FLAG THAT YOU CAN SHARE? Leave a comment below.

Book Reviews

Weird Fiction: Decaying Canvas

Impower You

I just really enjoyed this short short story. It was quick, colorful clever and enjoyable. I smiled at the end.

Weird Fiction: Decaying Canvas.

Book Reviews, I Am More Than Just a Girl Book

Books a Plenty

Impower You

I delivered 10 books to a group of lovely young women that I used to work with.  They were very receptive and excited to get the book. I can hardly wait to hear their opinions of it.

I have a box of envelopes stuffed with books and curriculum that will head out to various youth organizations from San Francisco to Pennsylvania.   I have another smaller box of envelopes stuffed with books that will be going to various magazines, including Ms. Magazine.  I talked to an associate editor at Ms. and am very anxious to hear their opinion of the book. My goal is to have I Am More Than Just a Girl featured in a popular national magazine or 10.

I also have one for the Ellen show. I want to talk about my book on her show. I love Ellen. She is such a positive person and of course hilarious.

I even sold a book. It will be going to a young woman whose aunt really wants her to have this book.  Things are looking up and I am in a great mood as I have been since writing my book.

Soon the only book in my room will be my personal copy.

 DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD USE A COPY?

Book Reviews

This Book is Alive!

Impower You

I was able to publish 60 copies of I Am More Than Just a Girl. Those will be arriving in less than 2 weeks and then I will send them out to the youth organizations that signed up and a selection of young women I have worked with. 

Thank you so much to everyone who donated AND spread the word about my book. When I give a copy of the book it will include a curriculum I created. Youth leaders can use that to create a lesson around the book and have a discussion with the young women they work with. Thanks to Jane Claypool for help editing the curriculum.

http://MoreThanaGirl.webs.com

Book Sponsors: (in no particular order) Crystal D., Jennifer W.,  1 Solution Focused Coaching, Grace A., Vanessa A., Kenneth W., Andra M., Russell A.,  Club Soda, Mariella Rocha Jewelry,  Your Everything Services,  Zahira Tiara S.,  Danna D.,  Jasmine G.,  Lynda P.,  Brenda M.,  Vicki D., Gorgeousosity,   Caren Kershner, Scott O., Joanne D., Stefani O.

🙂

Pass this link on to empower young women: http://morethanagirl.webs.com
Book Reviews

A Round of Applause.

Impower You


  Thank you so much for supporting my project to give copies of my book, I Am More Than Just a Girl, to youth organizations and young women across the USA. We successfully raised $610.  A few donations are in the mail so the complete total will be just a little bit higher. This week I will meet with the local publisher to see just how many books we can bring to life.

I will continue to update you on the progression and share with you all the wonderful organizations and people who received the book. I have created a curriculum to go along with it so teachers and youth leaders can start discussions and create a lesson for empowering young women.

  YOU made this happen by donating, spreading the word and believing in the power of sharing knowledge with young women so they can make positive choices.  How about a big round of applause for the following financial supporters: $50 from Crystal D., $10 from Jennifer W., $50 from 1 Solution Focused Coaching, $50 from Grace A.,$10 from Kenneth W., $10 from Andra M., $10 from Russell A., $30 from Club Soda, $5 from Mariella Rocha Jewelry, $20 from Your Everything Services, $5 from Zahira Tiara S., $20 from Danna D., $10 from Jasmine G., $100 from Lynda P., $10 from Brenda M., $50 from Vicki D., $5 from Gorgeousocity,$160 from me, the author.

If you wanted to give a book, but were unable to donate during our fundraiser, please consider buying this book and donating it.  This would be a wonderful gift for a teacher or youth organization that could use it to create a positive impact in the lives of young women. Buy a copy at www.Bookemon.com

If you helped spread the word about this book or the fundraiser, leave a comment below with a link to your blog, website, or just add your name.  Not everyone can donate money, but anyone can empower a young women by sharing this book. You deserve a round of applause too.

🙂