Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
inspiration, self improvement

Giving You the Wow and the How

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Sharmen Lane
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Genre:  Self-help / Personal growth
ISBN: 978-1-60037-676-4
Pages: 172
Price $14.95

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Having the life of our dreams feels out of reach for many people. We may be stuck in ruts of our own making or feel as if we have little choice about making changes. But Sharmen Lane believes we can improve our lives, and if she could do it, so can we.

Lane dropped out of high school to become a manicurist. Although at the time, she thought she had no other options, she quickly realized this had not been a smart choice, and she set about changing her life. Getting her high school degree then led to a college degree, and eventually to a job paying more than a million dollars a year. And since she knew how she achieved her goals, she also wants to show us how.

Although Lane presents what she considers a simple plan, she acknowledges that putting this plan into action isn’t always easy. It requires us to change the way we think along with changing our actions. But if we have a solid plan and take action to move us towards our goals, we have a much better chance of success.

Lane’s style is upbeat, friendly and casual, but her words carry a strong message. We get what we put into life. She wants to show us how to make it the best it can be. Giving You the Wow and the How may not present a lot of new information, but what Lane does share is simple, direct, and most importantly, very do-able. If you want to make changes in your life, this book would be a great inspiration in getting you moving towards your own goals.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

nature

Partnering With Nature

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Catriona MacGregor
Publisher: Atria Books / Beyond Words
Genre:  Nature
ISBN: 978-1-58270-219-3
Pages:304
Price $16.00

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The world has become more complex and industrialized, and humans are losing their connection with nature. Being in tune with the seasons, the plants, and animals was what gave our ancestors the ability to survive. But even though we may not need to hunt for food anymore, that connection to nature helps us thrive, even in this modern society.

Catriona MacGregor has always felt a strong affinity for nature. Now she leads adults and youth on quests, in the attempt to bring our spirits back into alignment with the natural world. In Partnering With Nature, she shares some of her insights on why we still need to stay in tune with nature, and how we can do this, given the constraints of our current lifestyles.

Global warming is a real threat to us and the animal population. We continue to destroy natural habitats and pollute our land and water supplies. We’ve finally realized the destruction we’re causing, and we’re trying to reverse these alarming trends. But we also need to fully connect with the natural world, in order to heal the planet and ourselves.

In looking at the earth as Mother, we create a new relationship with her. When we act from love, rather than greed, we can restore her to health. And in restoring her, we restore our own souls. Partnering With Nature is a strong reminder that we need Mother Earth as much as she needs us. We have a responsibility to protect her, and her survival is key to our own.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

birds, children

A Bird in a Bathing Suit

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dawn Mitchell
Illustrator: Josh Will
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4327-5404-4
Pages: 26
Price $12.95

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A bird in a bathing suit? Could it really be? What a silly sight to see! But that’s exactly what this group of kids notices playing in the bird bath. At first they point and make fun of him, but then they realize he’s pretty cool after all.

Told in rhyming verse, A Bird in a Bathing Suit is fun to read and laugh along with. It looks at the possibilities of birds in clothes with cute illustrations to bring home this humorous point. But although it’s amusing to giggle at this bird in unusual attire, the kids finally notice they’ve hurt his feelings, and that’s simply not okay.

Acceptance of diversity is demonstrated in a non-preachy and enjoyable manner in this fun picture book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

fantasy, tween

Dream Share

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Rita Milios
Publisher: Cypress
Genre: Tween
ISBN: 978-0-9822337-2-6
Pages: 108
Price: $12.95

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A baseball game turns tragic, and fifteen year-old Nathan is left in a coma. Sam idolizes his older brother, and spends as much time as possible at Nathan’s side. Suddenly Sam is pulled into his brother’s thoughts and experiences, entering Nathan’s dreams.

In this dream state, Nathan and Sam experience a whole different world. In this alternate reality, their thoughts influence the things around them, and how they react will determine if they can survive. But can Sam make it out, and will he be able to bring Nathan with him? Will Nathan recover?

Dream Share is an interesting look at the dream state, especially when in a coma. It also explores the idea of being able to enter another person’s dreams and share that dream experience. The story is told in a fast-paced and engaging style that pulls the reader in to see what will happen next. There is also a section at the back that explains certain dream phenomena, and helps to interpret some dreams.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

bilingual, children

Guess It If You Can!

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Celina Penovi
Illustrator: Dario Salvi
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children / Bilingual
ISBN: 978-1-4490-2744-5
Pages: 24
Price: $15.99

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Can you guess what classroom items are described in these poems? In both English and Spanish? Cute pictures give clues to these riddles, but you’ll have to read them closely to figure them out.

Guess It If You Can! challenges us with eight different items to discover. On one side the poem is in English, and on the other side in Spanish. Kids can work through the puzzle in the language they’re most familiar with, and then look at the other to learn something new. Although the poems don’t translate word for word, it’s fun to see how a phrase in English is spoken in Spanish.

Creating rhymes in two languages isn’t the easiest of feats, but Celina Penovi does a nice job in this book. Although at times the lines are a bit forced, the message comes through clearly, and kids will have fun trying to figure out what classroom items are suggested. This book is a great tool for kids and adults to learn some new words and phrases in a second language – either English or Spanish.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

romance

Putting It Back Together

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Rhonda M. Lawson
Publisher: Urban Soul
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 978-1-59983-082-7
Pages: 320
$6.99

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Dr. Alexis White has returned to her beloved city of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She’s determined to help those still living in poverty and rebuilding their lives, and offers health care to those who have trouble paying. But even though her sacrifice means she’s still living with her parents, her friends and family are around her and she’s proud of what she’s accomplished.

But the one area Alexis still struggles with is her love life. Twice burned, she’s now reluctant to give her heart fully, and she keeps her long-standing boyfriend Jamar at a distance. And when her old college flame, Reggie Morgan, reappears in her life, she’s forced to make some important decisions.

In Putting It Back Together, Rhonda M. Lawson doesn’t paint a rosy tint on her characters, but instead shows them in all their humanness, flaws and all. Alexis is a strong woman who doesn’t always know her own mind, but she tries to do the right thing in her life now, after making bad mistakes in her past. I enjoyed getting to know her, and kept hoping she would make the right choice in the end. This was a great read, and I look forward to seeing more from this talented author.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

beauty, health

Looking Like You

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Barry Hendrickson
Publisher: Bitz-n-Pieces Publishing Co.
Genre: Beauty / Health
ISBN: 978-0-615-30064-1
Pages: 177
Price: $24.99

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A woman’s ability to care for herself is at an all-time low when she begins chemotherapy. If she also has to face the prospect of losing her hair, her self-esteem may plummet. Taking steps to maintain her appearance before beginning treatment is essential, and Barry Hendrickson has provided a plan for using medical hair replacement.

Today’s wigs can be nearly undetectable, if handled properly. Hendrickson explains the process of choosing synthetic or natural hair, and making sure the wig is cut to most closely resemble your own natural style. The goal is to continue to look just like you. Cleaning, styling and storage techniques are discussed in detail, to be sure your wig continues to look great. And tips on varying your look when necessary, for weather, exercise or fun, are also provided.

Making the decision to wear a wig can help a woman keep a more positive attitude during a time when her spirits may drastically dip. Although no one wants to contemplate losing her hair, having a wig ready and waiting before it happens can make the transition easier and a little less traumatic. In Looking Like You, Barry Hendrickson handles this painful subject in a sensitive and caring way that reassures a woman that no one needs to know her secret. She can still be beautiful and look just like herself.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

literary

Autumn Shadows in August

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert W. Norris
Publisher: Lulu Press
Genre: Literary Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4116-7297-0
Pages: 207
Price: $13.92

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David Thompson made an irrevocable decision when he declared himself a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war. Spending time in prison did not rehabilitate him as the authorities expected, but instead made him realize he would never fit into American society. So he made his home in Japan, married Kaori, and settled into his new life as an expatriate.

But now, many years later and after both he and Kaori fight life-threatening illnesses, David wonders about his time on earth. Has he really made the right choices? He and Kaori decide to take a journey through Europe, reliving David’s past, hoping to lay old ghosts to rest.

Autumn Shadows in August was modeled roughly on Malcolm Lowry’s Dark as the Grave Wherein My Friend Is Laid, and is richly peppered with Norris’s own life experiences as an expatriate. In this story, David takes a magic mushroom trip back in time, visits with Lowry’s ghost, and shares his heart and soul with Kaori. And when the trip comes to an end, both Kaori and David have a new understanding of themselves and their relationship.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

The Haunting: Ebram’s Story – Book 1

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Esther Locascio
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Tween / Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-61566-164-0
Pages: 212
Price: $13.99

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The Casas-Treski family has just moved into a new home in a new neighborhood. Ebram is having more trouble than his siblings in getting used to their new surroundings. But soon they all find themselves settled in with new friends and new schools. Although it’s not the home they left behind, Ebram starts to accept it. Then the family notices strange things happening, as someone called Mazie starts talking to the children.

One of Ebram’s new friends, the family babysitter, calls herself a shrouda. The members of this youth group wear distinctive items of clothing, and strive to live their Christian faith by doing good in the world. Ebram like this idea, and wants to also do his part in helping. When he attempts to do something for the community, it backfires, but who is the one who thwarted him?

The author pulls off a nice surprise ending, when we find out who Mazie is – and she’s not at all what we expect. It’s also great to read about kids who want to help others, rather than focusing only on their own wants. But these characters are very hard to relate to. Although this is called Ebram’s story, it’s told from multiple perspectives, and we don’t get to know Ebram as well as we could. And the constant use of the parents’ proper names, Mrs. Casas-Treski & Mr. Treski, rather than simply “mom and “dad,” pulls us out of the action and feels tedious. Overall, this is an interesting plot, but it would have worked better if written entirely from Ebram’s point of view.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health, humor

Are You My Guru?

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Wendy Shanker
Publisher: New American Library
Genre: Health
ISBN: 978-0451229946
Pages: 304
Price: $15.00

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Wendy Shanker was living the high life in Manhattan. Working in television, she had landed with the Oxygen channel, hoping for the chance to host her own show. But when an annoying sinus infection turns out to be a rare auto-immune diseases called Wegener’s granulomatosis, her world suddenly spins out of control.

Initially optimistic that she might have a mild case of Wegener’s and live a mostly ordinary life, Wendy takes the prescribed steroids to help her condition. But the Wegener’s has other ideas, and she’s forced to take more drastic measures, including a nasty chemotherapy drug she endures on a daily basis.

Over the six year period this book covers, Wendy shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about dealing with Wegener’s. While mostly following her doctor’s orders, she also explores some natural healing techniques, and good doses of Madonna help her keep a better attitude.

Somehow, Wendy keeps her sense of humor about the things that happen as a result of the Wegener’s. Her body and face bloat due to the steroids, her hair falls out when she starts chemotherapy, and her bowels never quite function correctly. But she has good friends and family in her life, and somehow she smiles through her pain and attempts to keep going on.

Are You My Guru? is irreverent and incredibly funny at times, but Wendy also shows us her softer side. The reader will laugh and cry along with her as she shares her thoughts and struggles, and by the time we reach the last page, we feel as if we’ve known her forever. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Wegener’s, and I hope to never know someone who suffers from this debilitating illness. I applaud Wendy Shanker for sharing her story at a time when most people would crawl under the covers and stay there. I highly recommend this enjoyable and enlightening book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger