Wonderful Story with a Jolt of Inspiration on the Side
358244
Came much sooner than anticipated, which was awesome!
The book itself is Wonderful!!! A lovely and inspiring story that will remind you to Never Ever Give Up.
No preaching. No self-help gobbledygook. Just a really neat story that will definitely lift your spirits. And may be the jolt of inspiration needed to keep forging ahead at _____.
It certainly was for me!
236748
This book is nothing short of inspiring. I highly recommend it. This story encourages the reader to take a look at their own childhood more closely and feel grateful to not have had to navigate such hardships at a young age. More importantly it provides the reader a different perspective. Tims positivity in moving forward and creating his own beautiful life inspires me a lot and I think we can all learn something from it.
1651973
I received this as a gift and was inspired to share the story.  My Aunt died.  I drop-shipped the book to my Uncle through Amazon.  He thanked me for the unique expression of sympathy and enjoyed the book very much. It's a motivating story filled with character's you will relate to.

This story is appropriate for anybody who's looking for a warm and moving read.
523873
I originally received a free review copy in another format from the author. I decided to purchase it so I could read it again before reviewing.

This book is an amazing story about an amazing family told by the matriarch. It's an inspiration for anyone struggling with hard times, emotionally or financially. I am struggling with many situations, including being on welfare because I'm a part of the "working poor". I'm also struggling with my first novel and this book is just the kick in the rear I need to get going again.

If you have any struggles right now, read this story to see that you are not alone and get inspired to find ways big or small to start changing your situation.

I'll add more to this review once I'm on something other than my phone.
4595770
Disclaimer: I received a free pre-release review copy. This is still a honest review of the story.

This book took me by surprise, but it also hit me right where I needed to be hit. The zany setting seems confusing, but the author guides the reader along with the narrator into discovering exactly what the Muse is, and what his point really is. This is in no way a how-to book to be read as a list of rules or obligations, but as an inspiration in its own right.
2506972
Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs. As you can see from the cover and from the first page of the first chapter, that fact has not diminished the amount of joy he would see in his life. His struggle is one you can clearly see, but he uses this book to draw comparisons to all different types of adversity the human race faces and how when we are actively using our faith instead of passively we can overcome anything in our lives. By helping others, we'd enrich our own lives.

I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed and felt inspired by this book. Many may see Nick's disability and feel more perspective in their lives, but that is not the message of Unstoppable. Nick lets the reader in to his darkest childhood moments and his greatest joys and blessings all the same. The book's voice is very laid back and I felt as if he were simply sharing with me in his living room.

Even when not reading, I was thinking about how he sees his disabilities as a way that God allows people to come to him for guidance in their darkest times. Most of us have felt that their could be no purpose to the things that have brought us pain, emotional or otherwise, but Nick is proof that struggle can bring a surprisingly full and impactful life. The message I took away was one of purpose. We all have it and even when we can't see how to get there, we can. He believes that faith is action and that is something I really enjoyed learning about.

I highly recommend this book. Regardless of your religion, the inspiration is lovely and the message is timeless. It is an easy read and one you won't regret.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
2995098
This is a terrific story with an unforgiving yet beautiful land as the back-drop. Kids will enjoy the story and be inspired to never give up on their dreams despite the hurdles. It reminds us all to find our passion, pursue it with dogged determination, learn from every experience and cherish all the memories.
4049750
Here a story that will challenge you to rise up and make a difference. This is inspirational story and a story that touches the heart while condeming the complacency in all of us.
2136312
Gratitude isn't something I've always practiced. If you read this book it will only influence you for the better. The story of the author is compelling, and I couldn't put it down. It is also a great gift for friends, family, and colleagues. My wife also read it and really enjoyed it, this was my favorite book I've read this year.
2259620
This very touching story of the coming of age of a young girl shares with the reader Esmeralda's exploration of her soul as she matures and comes to some kind of understanding of who she really is inside.  Esmeralda Mrky enters the story as a young girl living in Lake Cowichan.  She meets and develops an incredible connection with Savannah, who's autism allows a freedom that most teens rarely find.  In a poetic, often poignant, and uplifting style, with humor and fantasy reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland", Tanis Morran gives the reader not only a glimpse into the life and mind of a young autistic girl, but also reminds us of the importance of nurturing our creative side and being true to the person that is inside us all.
 This story moves quickly through time, filled with wonderful descriptions of the Cowichan Valley and the lower mainland of British Columbia.  It invites the comparison of rural lake life in a part of the world that still hangs on to its natural beauty to the bustle of city life in Vancouver.  "A Place Within the Sphere"  reminds us that we need to look after not only our own inner selves, but also the place which gives us life.  Through Esmeralda and Savannah, the reader meets a wonderful array of interesting characters who range from adults dealing with their adult concerns, creative and free spirited individuals, twenty-first century big city youths dealing with their own issues, and even a few fantastic individuals from the depths of the sphere.
 "A Place within the Sphere", well suited to the teenage reader, has a great value to the adult reader.  I truly enjoyed being taken back into my own youth and its confusion. I want to thank the author for sharing a wonderful perspective on the gift of autism, for reminding me to nourish my imagination and for giving me a better understanding of the way the mind can work.
1828074
Gregory G. Allen's Cool Side of the Pillow is a fun read with an inspirational, life affirming message for everyone. It's a book with a lot of heart and a likable every man protagonist you like and root for from start to finish. Being close in age to the central character, I found his portrayal to be spot on and I easily lived in his head as I read the story. Gregory G. Allen's powers of creating visual imagery are prodigious. He paints pictures and settings in your mind that give the story a texture and authenticity that is truly rare. Cool Side of the Pillow is a tale of personal redemption and of the impact the kindness of others can make in our lives. I enjoyed it thoroughly!
805203
I've always loved books where peoples lives intersect and they all become happier as a result. This is one of those stories. At the beginning, I thought I might be getting tired of that story. I thought this particular story might feel clichd and exactly like all the others. However, the more I read, the more I was convinced this was something special. The writing did remind me of The Wedding Bees or Lost Lake. Susan Glass does a wonderful job creating a vivid world with a cheerful atmosphere. Her writing is bright and colorful, making reading this book a delightful experience. Initially, I wasn't sure I liked the fashion references, especially since Im not fashionable enough to get all of them. I did, however, think the idea of focusing each chapter on one item from Violets store (described at the beginning of the chapter) gave this book a unique character. I eventually got used to the in-chapter fashion references too.

What really won me over though was the fantastic message of this book. The characters are incredibly diverse, including: Violet, the vintage store owner from a small midwestern town; Amithi, a traditional Indian wife; April, a teenage mother-to-be; Betsy, a wealthy philanthropist; and , a retired actress and mother of three. Throughout the story, all of these women come together and help one another in a beautiful example of female friendship. Their differences are sometimes challenging, but they also enable these women to support one another. Each woman has very different goals and dreams, both professionally and personally. And this book makes it very clear, that all of their goals are equally admirable. Whether a woman chooses to be mothers or have a career or both or wants to do stereotypically feminine things or not, its all ok. I think this is something that needs to be said more often. I am deeply grateful to the author for making this a book which not only gave me warm fuzzy feelings because of a happy story, but a book that could make a difference with its positive message for women at any stage of their lives.
774475
Elle & Buddy, written by K. D. Rausin and illustrated by Muza Ulasowski, is an awesome tale of inspiration. Elle was in a wheelchair but doubted her ability to do anything. Then she saw someone in a racing wheelchair and she wanted to try it too. Before you knew it she had a racing wheelchair and she and Buddy were practicing. Just because you don't have the use of a body part, doesn't mean you can't do something you love. The very colorful and detailed images really add to the story. Read the story, be inspired.
2659357
This is an enormously inspirational story.  If you have no idea what it's like to grow up in urban America today, these teens paint a picture of the daily struggle for survival that is every bit as poignant as "Boys 'N the Hood" or "Fresh."  Erin Gruwell's work on their behalf is sensational.
  I have a few misgivings, though, as I often do when reading stories about such `Super-Teachers': that they achieve so much with their students at the expense of everything else that gives balance to a life.  Ms. Gruwell worked extra jobs to pay for field trips, supplies, etc.  She was often at work late into the evening.  What isn't made explicit-though one can pick it up immediately-is the cost of such sacrifices.  No relationship with a significant other, which is something that challenges a person to grow in a way that an imbalanced relationship (such as a teacher with his or her students) does not do.  No children to raise, which is among the most important work a person can do in life (listen to how many of her students wish more than anything for a father to be close to).  She dedicated her life solely to her teaching, and it's a profession which is always ready to take more of one's time and energy.  Those who don't let teaching become their entire lives can wind up being good, even great, teachers for decades.  Those who immerse themselves in their teaching to the exclusion of everything else wind up doing what Erin Gruwell (and 50% of all new teachers) did:  they leave the profession within five years.  Now I read that she's ready to leave her position at CSULB-she's apparently running for Congress.  It is difficult to teach as well as she did at both the high school and university level.  Harder still, it seems, is to stick with it for the long haul.
In the end, it's her life to do with as she pleases.  But I think the book is a set-up for many young teachers.  Gruwell was not only dedicated to her students, and for four years lived only for them, but she was an exceptionally gifted teacher.  If those entering the profession are to emulate her, what's to become of their own lives?  How are they to make a career of teaching if their model left after four years?  Is 150 students enough?  To the last question I could certainly answer "yes"-changing the life of any one person is beautiful.  The answers to the other questions are unknown, and that's a sad point which few are willing to acknowledge.
4171177
Joy Ohagwu caught my attention with the first chapter.  It is a very intriguing story with real characters that the reader can relate to.  It's not written around 'perfect people', but Candace, the protagonist, is a person with very real issues that many people can relate to.  A story built on faith in God, reminding us that we "can do all things through Christ."  An inspiring story- a great read.
2028562
It would be an understatement to say that I loved this book.  As I reviewed the book to an acquaintance of mine recently, I almost laughed out loud, since it seemed that there were these similar, yet disparate elements in the book.  There were almost too many sub-plots that seemed distracting to the story, when described to someone else, but they were adroitly enmeshed by Mr. McDougal.

The story is equal parts inspiration and exhilaration, and is a terrifically easy book to read.  There are plenty of other reviews that recount the plot, so I won't go into that here.  Just get the book, or Kindle-book, and hunker down for a phenomenal adventure that you will surely enjoy.
4867491
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be colorful and touching, with some really funny parts. I was intrigued and impressed by the authors approach to life (shes nothing like me).  Shes not one to play it safe and she dares to take risks, which sometimes gets her in trouble. Shes got a big heart that she puts to good use. Its a very inspiring story that I didn't want to end.