Well worth venturing outside of my comfort zone for.
357129
Notes from the Internet Apocalypse is completely unlike the usual books I read, which are mostly Fantasy and Science Fiction. I decided to give it a try because I really am an internet nut. I spend a considerable amount online socializing with internet friends and working on a book blog.

So that is what really drew me to this book, the fact that there was a blogger, because hey I'm a blogger, and the curiosity about what might happen should all of a sudden the internet met its end. It wasn't just that though, but also how stuck some of us have become in non physical interaction almost to the point where its awkward to have contact with people any other way.  I can really sympathize on that point since I also work from home. Given all of that I found this very oddly appealing.

It's funny that the main character is also named Gladstone. This was a quirky and at times dark book on what could possibly come about should we really lose the internet. I obviously haven't seen the shall we say darker side of the internet but here you'll get to see some it - so it could be a bit of an eye opener. I'm of the opinion that anything imaginable could very well happen and I found a lot of the geek pop culture references entertaining. More importantly though the book was at times very touching - I like it when a book can tickle my emotions. Notes from the Internet Apocalypse was well worth venturing outside of my comfort zone for.
4045384
I loved the way this book pushed me far, far outside my comfort zone.

Since I was a child I've always been fascinated with the concept of nothing.

This book gave me insight I didn't have in a way I could partially understand. (As evidenced by the title of my review.)

There are concepts, terminology and mathematics I may never 'get' but I got something else out of it--a peek into another human beings perspective of the universe.

No matter how you cut it, that's cool.
3285979
This is actually Ryan Quinn - I use my wife's Amazon account.

When I was listening to this book, and I got to the chapter on the challenges of stepping out of your comfort zone, I was initially tempted to jump ahead to the solutions. The pragmatic side of me felt like chapters on the "challenges" of a certain topic are often just obligatory chapters included to persuade skeptics, and I just wanted to jump ahead to the practical parts. Since I was driving a car at the time, though, it was not a convenient time to jump ahead, and in the end, I was glad I didn't. I was surprised at how useful I found it to have the challenges laid out for me. And particularly to have them laid out for me with so many short but detailed and engaging stories. As a result, I was able to see that the challenges applied to me more than I thought they did, and that there were more ways in which my comfort zone affects me than I had taken the time to think about. It was worth the listen.

The whole book shared this effect. Molinsky takes a topic that is a real issue for most people in one way or another, but which has become clich, and instead dives in deeply, carefully, and in an engaging way. He shows that getting out of your comfort zone is more complex than just "sucking it up," but then distills the process of getting out of your comfort zone in to three categories (conviction, customization, and clarity) that you can easily remember because of the alliteration. And as important as his suggestions are for helping, the stories he uses to illustrate this are engaging as well as feeling real and relatable. Within 24 hours of finishing the book I began seeing applications for myself and for others.
3003437
I honestly didn't really know what to expect at first with this book, but I decided to give it a chance after some constant pestering by a close friend of mine. With that being said, I can definitely say that my mind drifted from uncertainty to utmost interest right away simply by getting deep into the very emotional and personal "Letter to Mama Vincent"; to put it simply, I found myself hooked at the very beginning.

This is of course not the first book concerning socioeconomic inequality, and it most certainly will not be the last. But what I admire about 'Cast Away' is that the author, Jo M. Sekimonyo, offers a unique approach that is different than the norm and conventional that I have come across many times in books with a similar premise to this one. Admittedly, some parts seemed overly pessimistic to me, but I cannot deny that the author raises some very good points and is not afraid to share his personal perspective (and maybe some valid solutions to many problems). This is all expressed through a sophisticated and eloquent writing style that I'd say does a great job of sharing the information with the reader without being too over the top or putting them to sleep.

Now, there's two sides to every coin and no book is perfect so I will also point out some aspects of the book that I disliked. First of all, some parts do drag on a bit and I feel the author hangs himself up on some points a little too excessively. I will not specifically name what stood out to me, as opinions always differ and there will surely be readers out there that feel different about this, but I am ultimately just offering my personal view of the book. Still, the majority of the book's pros far outweigh the cons and it is a worthwhile and thought provoking read in my eyes.

Overall, I'd give it a strong 8 out of 10. It is a book that I am glad I had the chance to read and I now am aware of why my friend avidly tried to make me read it. "Cast Away" is a book that I will most likely find myself reading again in the future
2807583
I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it. Its just the right amount of psychological surrealism that I appreciate. Never quite know what is real and what isn't in each story. The pace and length of each story also made it easy to digest a story here and there whenever I had a little free time. A few stories on a flight, couple in the park, a drink on the balcony and you're set.
4513858
About halfway through this short, easy read, while I was engaged enough to keep going, I was not sure why it received such a fuss from some critics. Joyce's writing is fine, but I don't particularly like his dialogue, and the plot seemed very much a spin on a Twilight Zone episode, with a pretty obvious ending on the way. But the second half began to involve me more, I came to care about the couple and what they were experiencing, and the thematics of the novel took hold. It is basically a meditation on life and death, what they mean, how we react to each and had more depth than I was expecting. The second half began to move me more than I anticipated. Then, suddenly, the final pages completely surprised me and I found myself openly crying on a lounge chair next to a pool. I can't say that the pay offs and revelations of the final plot points were that surprising, even, but they were beautifully done and the way the novel 'all came together' touched me deeply. Well worth a read. I will now probably read it again.
3368661
I'll have to say I was a bit skeptical about this book when I first saw it.  I mean, an action/adventure story about a BICYCLE trip?  But I had hiked parts of the Katy Trail (and it was beautiful, by the way), so I thought I'd give it a try.  I am glad I did.

Somehow Shoop has managed to integrate a travelog into an action novel--or an action novel into a travelog--I am not sure which.  His descriptions of the trail, the towns, and the people are spot on, at least as far as my limited experience is concerned.  But he goes a step further and imbeds all this in an action/adventure framework that is quite compelling.  It starts with a dramatic flourish, ends with a cliffhanger, and in-between keeps you wondering what will happen next.

This is an excellent first effort and I am looking forward to seeing his next.
1571404
Although this book is not my preferred genre (I usually read either fantasy or historical fiction), it was well worth the detour.  Having gone through some of the previous reviews, I can only wonder about readers who are sensitive to sexual content proceeding to review a book that contains (surprise!) sexual content.  Less than a minute of online research should have informed them of this fact in advance, but they not only take up the book, they self-righteously preen themselves afterward for the effort.  In any case, the book is indeed fairly descriptive about the encounters between Sam and Maurey, who are both in their early teens.  Some of the reviewers indicated that the age issue is what caused them discomfort.  But part of the genius of the book is that, the author does such a good job of putting the reader back into a junior high mindset, it doesn't come across as untoward.  I lost track of how many times I said to myself, 'I so remember thinking/feeling/experiencing that!'.  The author has a knack for describing just about everything in ways that conjure up a distinctive memory.  He reminded me that not every book has to have a climax that involves a hectic chase through Rome, or throwing a ring into Mount Doom.  Sometimes a novel can just be a powerful reminder of the types of experiences that made you who you are.
3713596
I enjoyed this far more than I expected. After I finished, I immediately grabbed a copy of Vol. 2 and have been enjoying it just as much. Many of the books in this genre can have scenarios that seem overly contrived with their escalation of events, but this one felt plausible. The characters are engaging. And being a local to the area in which much of this book takes place make for an interesting twist for me as the reader.
47600
Occasionally there are books that manage to worm their way into your head and leave you pondering, sometimes even expanding your understanding of issues that are common in the real world.  Peter DeMarco manages to do just that with this book, in a series of vignettes that trace the life of Henry.  In a style that is very reminiscent of the southern stortyteller, and invoking a spare and often decidedly masculine voice, this glimpse into a life that is slowly sliding from `odd and alienated' to unreservedly mentally ill and prone to violence.

While the vignettes are separate and distinct, there is an underlying commonness to the stories - a lack of solid caretakers or real interest all lead him to avoid ramifications for bad behaviours, while somewhere it comes to the reader that he knows he's just incidental to the lives that seem to be so `perfect'.  When his limited self-control finally slips, the violence almost feels surreal, no one who knew him was believing him capable. Isn't that all too typical after the multitude of catastrophic shootings we have seen in the past several years?

This is not a light and fluffy read, although it is gripping and beautifully crafted.  In a smoothly conversational style, DeMarco manages to lead you to make your own conclusions while guiding readers through a series of events, each capable of being the straw that broke the camel's back. Disturbing in that it brings mental health and the unpredictability of a person's capacity to withstand traumatic events into the forefront, it is a read that will leave you thinking and wanting to know more.

I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Indie Authors Rock promotion at I am, Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
4732771
The creativity it takes to write something like this is way beyond my abilities.  However, I so appreciate the escape. Wonderful read.
2993397
I'll admit it. I'm not a huge fan of poetry, but after seeing some excerpts from the author's website I was sold. This isn't your normal, run-of-the-mill poetry. It's real and relatable to the 20-something who isn't really sure where their life is headed, but they're also aware that times are changing. Lian is able to take those emotions and feelings and put it into words for those of us not talented enough to do it ourselves.
2591480
This book is not one to be taken lightly. It is an experience, and one worth walking through. I'll warn you: this book may make you ask tough questions about how you'd react in painful situations regarding how you feel about God. (It would make a great book club book for people who like to dig deep.)

I had no problem with the depictions of "marital life" for a couple struggling with varying degrees of infertility. It's realistic; they're married. They're allowed. There was nothing sinful about it (like one reviewer called it vulgar. It's hardly that!)  I thought it was very tastefully handled, and even comically at times.

I thought the book was very well written. The picture of grief and it's aftermath was realistic, and it showed dangers of what happens when you shut down in a marriage.

I LOVED the older lady ensemble for the heroine's mother-- they offered some much needed comic relief.  Those four were something else. They make me think this should be a movie, just to write those 4 characters. The setting was painted in a very lively way. Denise knows her Tennessee.

I loved the ending with Jeremiah, though I won't say what that was.

So if you're looking for a well-written, meaningful experience of a read, buy this book.
2468217
I don't like books that are not well written - this is not one of those books.  I also rarely buy books, opting to borrow instead, but this one was worth the price (as was, Unbroken, among others in my growing personal library.)  I didn't like realizing I don't know as much Spanish as I thought I did; but the notes and intertwined definitions were great.  I don't know what it is about human nature that causes us to want to know more about personal suffering and tragedy, but this book doesn't disappoint nor leave me with a sense of hopelessness-even though it's painfully honest.
3512950
Took me 4 days to read. I usually only read before bed and during my commute to and from work, but these essays had me reading at my desk. This book is not your typical "how-to" for twenty-something living, it's a compilation of work that shows us the rough and rugged sides of being a millennial woman, coming into her own with a side of love and fuckery. I often found myself nodding and amen-ing. It was a pleasure to read something so honest and authentic, yet it invoked a feeling I'm not quite sure how to describe. A feeling between not feeling alone in my experiences mixed with a sense of hope that things do get better. You've got to read this book!
1100862
I'd read and thought about this book for several months, pretty much thinking it was "4 stars" for not having enough examples to get it's ideas about pov across well enough for me to consciously apply them.

Then very recently, pondering over a rare negative but constructive review of one of my fiction pieces, I think I finally got it.

One of the complaints was about some of the language (esp expressive thoughts and perceptions) being odd vs the rest of the. narrative. It was, I finally could see, my narrative sliding within differing levels of point of view from the same character.

Regardless if it was an unfamiliarity by the reader with this more involving technique, or a less than adequate application of that technique on my part, the point is, it was a legitimate expression of sliding within some of the six levels of POV this author has identified.

This has given me a self validation and understanding of my own creativity I hadn't expected.

It gives nothing away to state the six pov's here:

1) Camera eye/Objective

2) Action

3) Perception

4) Thought

5) Emotion

6) Deep immersion/Voice

Essentially, despite still wishing there had been more examples, how can I not give 5 Stars to a guide that's stuck with me for months, and compelled me to understand some of my own creative writing intentions.

There's much more about POV in this book, but this is what made it worth so much to me.
663155
I'm actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this. At first I thought "this is going to be a story of some wealthy women who get into trouble because they think they are entitled to whatever they want." Instead, I discovered a story about friendship, unexpected challenges, facing grief with grace, and moving forward even when life throws roadblocks in your way.  While some elements of their lives seem far-fetched to middle-class me, the emotional stuff and the struggles hit home in a personal way. At the same time, this is fun, flirty and romantic. I enjoy that there are characters I like, characters I hate, and characters that I feel for even if I don't agree with them--that's what makes a story real.

Looking forward to reading the next book.