Dial In  Locked In  Locked In Living  Alive  Read It  Live It  Locked In Living!
340941
I loved this book!  If I lived in Los Angeles, California or one of the surrounding neighborhoods and needed a private investigator, Id want to find a guy just like John Darvelle to help me.  I wasn't sure if John Darvelle would capture my attention throughout his sharing of this case.  John was introduced as a man of specific tastes  simple design, smart women, and cheap American beer.  Id much prefer a glass of Merlot to a glass of cheap beer but for his line of work I liked his philosophy of driving a car nobody can remember.  That made sense.  I also wasn't sure if hed spend too much time playing ping pong since there was a table at the office and as a centerpiece at his home.  However, the description of his office with a great big sliding door to let in the sunlight and breezes and to expand his view and his home at the end of a cul-de-sac complete with a large rectangular pool in the big backyard sounded near perfect for workspace and downtime.

I certainly had no idea what the definition of a Pipe Girl is/was prior to reading this novel.  I won't add a spoiler.  Suffice it to say  the definition would seem to be every mans dream girl.

At first I was a little distracted by the amount of time that John used to share his knowledge about all the little neighborhoods surrounding Los Angeles.  My first thought was enough already  you're a PI not a realtor.  Obviously, you know your territory.  But as I continued reading, I understood that it wasn't merely a pattern of the story but a much deeper understanding that he was sharing about people and the neighborhoods in which they live.

One of the segments of this book that I most enjoyed was Johns sharing his remembrances of a neighbor named Jim Douglas who was a major force in Johns life as he was growing up.  The descriptions of conversations and times spent with Jim Douglas add a very poignant element to learning about John Darvelle.  It gives the reader insight as to how John Darvelle emerged to become a man of specific tastes and a man that knows how to solve a case.  Jim Douglas taught John how to fight and the true meaning of loyalty.  Theres also a captivating portrayal of the qualities about people that when pressure enters into a situation, when the element of tension enters, thats when someones true personality emerges.  Johns recall of Jims advice is not only a comfort to him but it has given John a deeper understanding about people  actions, patterns, reactions  all of which give a private investigator a wealth of hidden resources to plan his next steps and solve his cases.  Yes, John does have a network of connections to call as well but it would be a mistake to underestimate this private investigator.

Id appreciate the opportunity to read about the next individual that asks John to solve a case.  My guess is that John Darvelle could share more cases with us.  Because the thing is, as John tells you about a case, he has an incredible talent for sharing ever so succinctly some other things about life.  The things about life that some people will never figure out but really captured my attention because Ive thought about them too.  I hope you can pause and read the book yourself.  I believe you will want to spend more time with John Darvelle too.

I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this title from the TheReadingRoom and HaperCollins Publishers to read and review.
4035442
From the writer of "The Year of Living Biblically" comes another experiment in lifestyle alteration, this time a somewhat more modern revamp in pursuit of holistic wellness.  Since I'm currently towards the end of a P90X cycle in an attempt to shape up my funky middle-aged body, I figured "Drop Dead Healthy" would be a good addition to my new passion for better living, and I was not disappointed.

A. J. Jacobs decides (with firm insistence from his wife) to spend two years of his life getting healthy after a bout of pneumonia.  Each chapter of "Drop Dead Healthy" documents a particular anatomical aspect of his quest for self-improvement, including the heart, stomach, genitals, and immune system.  Mr. Jacobs consults with various experts that specialize in the chapter's focus and often receives conflicting advice, which doesn't make his task any easier.

Despite such roadblocks, Mr. Jacobs goes with the most scientifically compelling data, settles on a particular methodology, and implements it to the best of his ability, from wearing headphones to cut down on harmful background noise to barefoot running for lower-impact cardio fitness.  Woven throughout the book are hints of the mortality that will defeat even the finest physical specimens, as exemplified by Jack LaLanne and a couple of Mr. Jacobs' relatives.

"Drop Dead Healthy" manages to be meaty and fun at the same time, so you won't be bored by dry prose or dense statistics.  If you're worried that two years of healthy minutiae will be too much to remember or even attempt, the book's Appendices each provide a short list of general positive changes you can implement as baby steps. This is my first A. J. Jacobs book, but I doubt that it'll be my last.  Recommended.
3083198
Dear Hubby and I always end the day by reading a bit to slow down. But it is getting hard to get him to read just a bit! He has a new book on his bedside table. And I know he is enjoying it. But have to say the author Kira Peikoff sure is pretty good on the eyes too! Of course Dear Hubby said he did not even notice. Good cover!

So what is it about Living Proof that has him going? Dear Hubby tells me that Kira writes with the audacity of Heinlein (his all time favorite author) and does it well. She tackles a controversial subject but not with clinical dryness but in a way that would cause a person to look at his own morality and humanity. He says he expects great and interesting things. Of course he is ready for the next one that she is working on right now. Currently, Peikoff is working on her second novel, teaching creative writing to kids and teens through a non-profit organization, and tutoring literature to students across the globe. She continues to be fascinated by the intersection of cutting-edge science, medicine, politics and human life.
173540
Live it.  I have two for a spare in case I lose one.  I have one with me when I am awake.
304764
This manual is very informative ,and essential  in today's world .And how to survive in it. I congratulate the author for it's construction and release.  THANK YOU!!!
2811166
I have so many highlights in this book! It's for living life. I wanted to remember each quote because so many are helpful! You will not be sorry for buying this book. Get it and start living!!
1933624
Huge Fan!! I've been following the dynamic works of the Mrs. Jeneen and Mr. Omar Barlow. Self Development in ones personal and professional life is a must and just be reading the summary of what "Delighted to take in a bit more from "Don't Be Scared. Live On Purpose: Write Your Destiny Statement and Live The Life Of Your Dreams" has to offer...I can see all sorts of possibilities of success up completion. #Bravo
3613312
Thank you, Dan, for giving people like me (proud but semi-closeted hedonists) a voice!  And doing it in such a lucid and entertaining fashion.  My refrigerator at home proudly displays a copy of pg. 14, paragraph 3.  When that frige dies, it's just getting moved to the new one.  Way to go Dan!!!!
457967
One of the greats!  I will read this one many times over!  Be Bold, Take action and keep on charging!
514069
It is great to be living in the kingdom now, not having to wait for it to arrive sometime in the future. I am meeting with others to discuss this everlasting and ever increasing kingdom, and how to live as a king in this kingdom. I am standing with John Noe to proclaim this present kingdom is real and worth living. A must read for everyone. Thanks John for your works.
3633886
Start slow and follow the instructions. The key to a healthy inside is blood type in my opinion.  Most accurate information about the food we put in our body and it's affect.  It works.  Definitely want to make this a lifestyle for life
4812445
Some great life hacks in this book. I already am pretty into the whole life hacking scene but I still picked up a few handy hints form this book on how to save time more and be more pro-active in managing it.
We all want to win at life so life hacking these days is the way to go! Start reading a book like this and you can pick up amazing little tips that can save you heaps of time over the years. Well worth the read.
302033
Grasshoppers, swings, dirt, traffic jams, puppy dogs, and blue skies. N.D. Wilson appears to be captivated by everyday objects and everyday situations. He appears to be captivated by life. Living life is what his new book is meant to convey - really living life. But living also means dying.  So the author wordsmiths his way into the heart of readers by painting portraits of life and death - most of which arise from his own life and the lives of his family and extended family.

Death by Living is a plea for people to living life as God intends. In other words, to quote Red from Shawshank Redemption, "Get busy livin' or get busy dyin." Wilson challenges readers to get busy living which of course will culminate with death: "How much of the vineyard can we burn first? How fast can we run? How deeply can we laugh?  Can we ever give more than we receive? How much gratitude can we show? How many of the least of these can we touch along the way? How many seeds will we get into the ground before we ourselves are planted?"

A theme that runs through Wilson's work is that life is a story. Life is a story that each of us participate in. Indeed, we write our stories every day.  But the author maintains, "there is a difference between asserting that life is a story and actually living life like a story. And there is another difference between living life-like a story and living life like a good story."  Living life like a story, therefore, is part and parcel of the Christian life.

The author helps readers see what real living looks like: "Grabbing will always fail. Giving will always succeed ... Our children, our friends, and our neighbors will all be better off if we work to accumulate for their sakes ... Don't leave food uneaten, strength unspent, wine undrunk."

Wilson urges readers to live with all their might. And while he never mentions Jonathan Edwards, I hear a strong Edwardsian influence throughout the  book. Edwards himself penned 70 resolutions that reflect many of the propositions in Death by Living. One of those resolutions is to "live with all my might, while I do live" (Resolution 6). Nate Wilson argues in the same vein, which of course, is undergirded by America's greatest intellectual: "Laugh from your gut.  Burden your moments with thankfulness. Be as empty as you can be when that clock winds down. Spend your life.  And if time is a river, may you leave a wake."

Death by Living will elicit laughter - lots of laughter.  I found myself reading portions of Wilson's work to my wife and she would laugh with me.  In fact, I haven't laughed so hard in a while!  Some won't find Wilson's humor funny - which makes me laugh even harder!

Death by Living may prompt tears. There is a realism here that is hard to come by these days. This author speaks in candid terms.  Taking prisoners simply isn't an option.  All the cards are on the table.  Readers are left to determine a whether the "hand they've been dealt" will result in joyful, Christ-saturated living or death by a thousand qualifications.  Far too many have simply thrown in the towel.  Wilson argues from an entirely different perspective as he encourages readers that "life is meant to be spent."

One reviewer compares Wilson to John Eldredge - what is likely meant to be a compliment. Sure, whatever.  I prefer, as I have done elsewhere [See my review: Notes From the Tilt-a-Whirl] to compare Wilson to Dennis Miller, G.K. Chesterton, and C.S. Lewis - no doubt a true compliment!  Death by Living is about the gospel but it never comes across in "preachy" tones.  It's a celebration of life lived and ended well.  It's about a life that is lived passionately and faithfully.  Death by Living is about living with gusto; about living with passion; about living to honor Christ.  But real living also requires dying.  We are called to finish strong and die well - all to the glory of God!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.
[...]
4.5 stars
66371
This book could save you from despair and/ or help you tighten up and soar beyond an already well-directed life. I'd like to consider myself fairly well focused and free. But Coming Alive has made me aware of new inner opportunities and how to take advantage of them. The Tools taught me how to handle the external world with magic-like powers. Coming Alive is giving me tools to handle the inner world with magical powers. I just read it and am very excited!
1085245
I love it... It reminded me of old style Stephen King. I find myself thinking twice when I pop open my cell phone! With this book I found myself thinking... If I can just finish up (insert obligatory life thing here) then I can go work on the book. I also recommended to several of my friends. Usually means Good Read in my life! Enjoy it!!
1103927
Live It is an amazing book filled with real life examples from Jairek Robbins life.  I have read his father's books.  For some reason, I find myself connecting more with Jairek's words.  I think this is a great read!  I truly enjoyed his story about working in a lumberyardexcitement, hating it, then pushing himself to fall back in love with it!  Reminds me everyday to take the same approach with all the mundane things in my life.  Attitude and mindset, as well as a conscious effort to shift my perspective, can and do lead to fulfillment and contentment.
1179069
BEEEP BOP BOOP ZTTT WEEE
Translation: Getting this made me feel like a kid again!
Voice commands are a bit tricky and could be more documentation would be nice.
Found some great easter eggs on line!