Incredible, Inspiring, Immersing
597064
For someone who has a great deal of difficulty sitting still long enough to read for extended periods and struggles to read for pleasure unless a book immediately captures their attention, I can honestly say I had no problem sitting down and reading this entire thing cover to cover in the span of one evening. Letting Go of Holding On could not have found me at a better time in my life. Aprils strength and grace in the face of tragedy was inspiring to say the least. This book was beautifully written. It reiterated the importance of family, the power and beauty behind a mothers love, and taught me the importance of having the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I look forward to sharing this book with my friends and loved ones. I cannot wait for more work from this author!
539084
Read this book!  It is moving, entertaining, inspiring and gives you perspective on life.  I can't stop thinking about the characters in this real life story.  This is a book for anyone about love, family and the beautiful and not-so-beautiful parts of being human. I frequently thought "Wow, other people think things like that too!"  It is a voyeuristic and intimate look into the minds, hearts and souls of a young family during their most emotional year.  You feel as if you are living it with them through the descriptive narrative and private journal entries.  It will make you escape your world, become a part of theirs and think for days that Bob may just walk through your backdoor from a bike ride.
1800682
This book is an astonishing gift!  First the author brings the reader for agonizing days on to the side of a mountain -- site of a tragic plane crash in which she is the sole survivor suffering enormous personal loss and massive injuries.  This story of survival is inspiring and beautiful in equal measure. Then the  book moves on to share  with such deep insight and compassion the author's and her family's journey with her child born with autism -- such a different life changing struggle yet  still tapping the same deep reserves of  passion, determination and amazingly, humour(!) that we first meet in the crash debris in Vietnam . Read it and be amazed, inspired and grateful to the author for this memorable tribute to understanding  human resilience and finding pathways to peace and even joy in the most difficult of circumstances.
1372085
A new philosophy for riding
Mr. Schiereck takes the reader on an astounding, yet personal journey of our great nation. While reading, it's as if one is seeing, feeling and experiencing the journey with the author. For those of us who have taken long motorcycle treks, we can certainly empathize. While justifiably annoyed at times, whether due to road obstructions or inconsiderate drivers, his gratitude and joy is quickly rekindled at the stunning beauty and unexpected kindness of strangers. It is easy to feel alone when one is a hundred miles from any apparent civilization. Happiness, frustration and being lost in one's thoughts is all part of this voyage. Don't be fooled by the roads challenges. Many may be in fact, a blessing in disguise. They will reshape you. Mr. Schiereck has an amazing talent for sharing his deepest emotions and thoughts with the reader. I absolutely loved this book. Please keep writing Mr. S.
820770
While the Marshall Family's adventure is not something I aspire to (even remotely!), this book was inspiring, and highly entertaining. John and Traca Marshall accomplish the unthinkable by quitting their jobs and taking their teenage children on a worldwide volunteer mission for six months -- a mission that takes them to a remote Costa Rican wildlife sanctuary, New Zealand, Australia, Tibet, a Thai village, and an Indian orphanage -- and changes all of them forever.

Even if you have no desire to uproot yourself or your family for a trip of this magnitude, on a virtual shoestring no less, you will enjoy this engaging memoir and be moved by the stories of the people they meet and assist along the way. I can't recommend it highly enough.
1147361
Walter's book is as inspiring as it is beautiful. The photos that he captured during his travels are truly breathtaking and evoke a great sense of wonder, as if I were alongside Walter on the streets of all the cities he traveled to or the beautiful landscapes he visited. His personal stories interspersed throughout the book add a great touch that turns the book into a real adventure. It is clear how incredible Walter's story is, and I am glad that I am able to share in the experience with his book. I cannot wait to go traveling again to all of these places that Walter has inspired me to visit!
1746271
Amazing, graphic, poetic, believable, and immersive! The kind of story that is impossible to put down. It's not a easy read, and you do have to pay attention, but the effort is well worth it. Looking forward to reading book III and IV!
2885886
Have you ever asked yourself how a seemingly ordinary man becomes extraordinary, and what the difference between the two is? Urban Mystic is a book that takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through this process. Ken Mellor's description of his quest for enlightenment is so compelling, it will entice you to keep reading, absorbing and digesting all that you can, until the very last word.

As with all journeys, the road Ken took to realising the Divine was a winding path - a path that faced him with many different challenges and took him to many different places, places that were both unknown, yet somehow familiar.

If your quest for your own enlightenment seems never-ending, with the occasional pothole to make sure you feel the ride and with signpost after signpost seemingly pointing in vastly different directions, you will appreciate Ken's journey. His narrative offers many practical suggestions, and inspires us with his determination to find the truth, which, once found - he makes an essential part of his being. Also, what he learns during his relentless pursuit of masterhood offers us guidance and help along our own roads - wherever they may be taking us.
1071413
I am IN AWE of this book!

The material is beautiful, deep and inspiring. But it is the FORMAT that is revolutionary - an interactive, multi-media experience that brings the act of reading to a new 21st century level. What a gift you offer every reader who is ready to ignite!

Rev. Deborah
3929488
Truly breathtaking and inspiring. This book is at the top of a very extensive reading list. I was drawn in completely.
1111417
I so enjoyed Mr. Modzelewski's sojourn in the wilderness that I didn't want the book to end. I savored every word. This is a wonderful telling about wildlife, harmony, isolation, great courage, and deep peace. I am now inspired to spend far more time out in nature, a place that the author demonstrates is our true home that brings out the best in us. I eagerly look forward to every book Mr. Modzelewski writes for there is such sensitivity in such a strong man. A rare combination that makes for inspirational reading.
1197460
Oh, how did I not find this book until now?
I'll give the very FEW downfalls, first.
It felt rushed towards the end, and I feel some of the most key events should undoubtedly been elaborated.
Next, WHY?? (is this not a movie YET??)
Incredibly moving, life changing.
The characters are so very well fleshed out, the smells, sounds, sights... were all so very REAL, I not only could see, smell, hear it all happening, most often it felt even deeper than that!
I felt like I knew the characters more than myself.
A perfect blend of tragedy, transendence, wonder, mystical beauty, a bit of wit, and life changing philosophical prose.
DO NOT~ pass this book up.
4472876
Like her first book, BRAIN IN A JAR, Nancy Bercaw's DRYLAND takes the reader on a journey of discovery; not just discovery of the writer's life, and experiences, and joys, and sorrows, and struggles, but discovery of the world in which we all live, and love, and suffer, and grieve and rejoice. While showing us the intricacies of her own journey towards healing, she takes us on a world tour of people, places, attitudes, fears, bravery, doubt and certainty that is fabulously enriching. Here are the gifts bestowed to the reader of DRYLAND: courage, love, respect, humanity, openness, history, hope. My reccomendation is: purchase BRAIN IN A JAR (if you've not already done it) and DRYLAND, and read them one after the other. I, for one, am looking forward to the next installment from this extraordinary writer, this extraordinary person. Thank you, Nancy Bercaw.
1626650
For everything that Stephanie Nielson has been through, HEAVEN IS HERE is not a tragedy.

This is honestly one of the most inspiring, tear-inducing, heart-wrenching books I've read -- the sort of story I pass around to friends, saying, "Look, you've just got to read this." Acknowledging the story as "incredible" in the subtitle isn't an exaggeration. When all hope seems lost, the Nielsons' faith and family get them through. Though we don't share the same religious views, I couldn't help but sit in awe of the role Stephanie's faith played in her recovery -- but don't let the religious aspects scare you. Regardless of your own religion (or lack thereof), Stephanie has powerful lessons to share.

Once told she might have to have her limbs amputated and would likely never function independently again, Stephanie's recovery proves everyone wrong. After endless surgeries and weeks in the burn unit, her skin begins to heal. She starts to walk again, and then to eat. Even type. Though her appearance is drastically changed, she is here -- and given a second chance. She doesn't take it lightly.

I went into HEAVEN IS HERE with limited expectations. Nielson is a blogger-turned-author, see, and I tend to view those with a skeptical eye. But I've followed Stephanie's journey for years on her website, and I find her to simply be an incredible person. I didn't know if the book would merely be a rehashing of blog posts, but that was not at all the case. I'm very familiar with her story, of course, but it was as if I were reading it all for the first time. In terms of storytelling, I found the plot very well-paced. I never felt bored; in fact, I raced through most of it. I was up until 2 a.m. on work nights, unable to put it down.

Fans of memoirs, tales of tragedy-turned-triumph and those who enjoy inspirational stories with a dash of faith need look beyond HEAVEN IS HERE. Stephanie's raw account of life as she knows it had me in tears, but I ultimately finished the book with an uplifted heart and a desire to never take my own life for granted. The simple things -- like walking, talking, seeing -- aren't always simple. We should all make every day count.
1995826
This book was breathtaking and exhilarating from the beginning to the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking inspiration or even if you know someone who is in need of inspiration and encouragement. The pages jumped out at me. I felt what I was reading and the intensity of the content within the pages was evident. I was unable to stop in the middle of any chapter and I refused to put the book down until I had finished the chapter that I was on. There is purpose within the pain and this book is for you.
2665436
The writing is incredible and the story itself feels so real, I had cold chills. I thought this would be a book about war, but instead, it focused on two families - one Jewish and one Catholic - whose lives become enmeshed as they struggled to survive fascists during WWII in Slovakia. It was hard not to enjoy the setting, history, and well drawn characters. Gretchen and Wilhelm's love was  inspiring. They were so devoted to each other and I just found myself cringing at every page, expecting heartbreak. I loved the story between them but then the story itself, filed with so much history, culture, and politics just swept me in and enamored me. I don't read much historical fiction, so this was quite a unique read for me. I felt smarter at the end of this book, but entertained and satisfied. The author's writing is impeccable, his knack for detail and patience in painting the scene admirable. I recommend this book to all lovers of romance, historical fiction, and family sagas. It's breathtaking, inspiring, and unforgettable at every turn. Undoubtedly a 5 star read.
3428159
Firstly, I urge you not to be put off reading this book by any preconceptions about the subject matter. There are certainly many moving moments throughout the book, but overall, it's a testament to the life of an extraordinary lady. Both her personal achievements and, perhaps more importantly, her philosophy of life. And this is very much a book about living. It's also a literary journey, with the illness of the author's mother providing a framework to explore so many incredible books.

The discussions about books don't include spoilers and very helpfully, there's an appendix which lists all titles discussed. This really is what I'd call a 'readers book'. There are so many literary references; a memory lane trip if you've already read the books and an exciting taster for titles unread. For many reasons, it's one of the most powerful and thought provoking books I've read. It describes heartbreak without being mawkish or over sentimental. It's an inspired and inspiring tribute to a selfless, unassuming individual and through her experiences, I've taken a number of very positive lessons about life. Will Schwalbe has every reason to be proud of this work and I feel certain his mother will look upon it with a smile.

Copy of review posted on Amazon.co.uk