Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
health

Womenopause: Stop Pausing and Start Living

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lovera Wolf Miller, M.D. and David C. Miller, M.D.
Publisher: O-Books
Genre: Women’s Health
ISBN: 978-1846943218
Pages: 320
Price: $24.95

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The years a woman goes through “the changes” come with several unique challenges. We may feel our bodies have betrayed us, as what has always seemed normal suddenly goes off-kilter. So it’s understandable that we reach for support during these turbulent years. In Womenopause, authors Lovera Wolf Miller, M.D. and David C. Miller, M.D. explore some of these changes, and offer their suggestions in how to handle them.

A score sheet is offered for a woman to determine how much difficulty she’s having in certain areas: Hot Flash Fever, Mood Matters, Sexercise, Vagina Sahara, Skinny on Skin, Insomnia Queen, and Plumbing & Pain scores combine for a total wScore. The higher the wScore, the worse the symptoms.

Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is recommended in almost all cases where symptoms are problematic. Drugs like cycle regulators (birth control pills), anti-depressants, and others are presented as ways for women to cope with the difficulties of these body changes. In addition to the drug remedies offered, lifestyle changes are suggested, such as quitting smoking, getting more exercise, eating only “real” foods, and losing weight.

While the subtitle suggests that this book is about lifestyle, I found that it read more like a medical pharmaceutical textbook. If you’re looking for guidance in taking prescription drugs to manage menopause, you’ll find some good information here. But if you’re like many women who believe menopause is nothing more than a natural body change, and prefer to skip the drugs, you’ll find very little that will help.

Take the quizzes for yourself and let your own body be your guide. Ultimately, it’s up to you what decisions you want to make, and how you plan to handle this life transition.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

travel

Good Night and God Bless

Bergers Book Reviews


Author:  Trish Clark
Publisher:  Hidden Spring
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 978-1-58768-053-3
Pages: 242
Price: $20.00

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Traveling around Europe on a budget doesn’t have to mean skimping on accommodations. Sure, you could stay at a youth hostel, but you might find it more cozy at one of the many convents and monasteries who accept overnight guests. And you’ll be surprised by the many health spa amenities they offer, in addition to lodging.

In Good Night and God Bless, Trish Clark provides a guide to travel in Austria, the Czech Replublic, and Italy. Within each geographic section, there are open houses who welcome everyone, some that are only open to women or men, and those who also offer spiritual refreshment to travelers. Descriptions and contact information for each of the convents and monasteries is provided, along with some interesting sites to see while visiting.

Overall, this is a great travel guide with lots of information that would be hard to find anywhere else. But there were two things this book lacked, in my opinion. I would have loved to see some photos of the accommodations offered, and website addresses would have been helpful, even though many of the sites are written in other languages.

Trish Clark clearly did a lot of research on this subject, and has created a helpful and comprehensive travel guide. If you’re thinking of visiting these countries and are interested in great, inexpensive lodging or a spiritual retreat, I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy, reference

An Illustrated Guide to Mythical Creatures

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Anita Ganeri
Illustrator: David West
Publisher: Hammond World Atlas
Genre: Mythology
ISBN: 978-0843-716696
Pages: 48
Price: $15.99

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Stories of mythical creatures have been handed down from generation to generation, since the beginning of time. But where did these legends originate, and who are these fantastic beings? The Illustrated Guide to Mythical Creatures provides a wonderful journey through the past, stimulating the imagination.

This beautifully illustrated reference work is broken up into categories of dragons, flying creatures, chimera, half-human and half-beast, giants, shape-shifters, demons, and others. Within each category, the various mythologies, religious beliefs, and legends are shared with the reader, accompanied by pictures of what these creatures might have looked like.

If you are fascinated with these unusual and unique beings, you’ll find the Illustrated Guide to Mythical Creatures a comprehensive and interesting resource. I highly recommend it for children and adults.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Big Box, Little Box: How One Little Box Finds His Way

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Damien K.H. Nash & Kathy Nash
Illustrator: Steve Miller
Publisher: Friends of Faith
Genre: Children
ISBN: 9780984172931
Pages: 68
Price: $13.99 (book) / $8.99 (DVD)

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Little Box is afraid of the heaviness he feels inside. Big Box explains that this is his potential, and then explains how he can develop it, as they travel together through the Potential Delivery Center.

Using the metaphor of shipping boxes, Big Box shows Little Box all about labels, and how they can be used. If the wrong label is applied, potential can be diminished, so Little Box needs to recognize how special he is. Then he won’t be affected by a bad label. Little Box also learns how to rely on others around him as a support system. And he meets the Perfect Label-Giver, who is symbolic of Jesus Christ.

It’s easy for us to accept the labels we’re given as children, and often we look back at a wrong label and wonder why we ever believed it. But since those labels carry so much power, it’s important for kids to reject the bad ones as soon as possible. Big Box, Little Box provides an opportunity for discussion about these labels, and for kids to learn to reject bad labels with the help of their parents.

Although this video and book are targeted to young children, the message may be a little hard for that age group to grasp. Parents will need to spend time explaining the idea of labels, and let kids know that Emmanuel, the Perfect Label-Giver, represents Jesus, since this is not obvious.

The DVD is a video version of the text of this book, and it’s subtitled in English, French and Spanish. This cute tale packs a powerful message, and I think kids will enjoy the story of this mentor box and his young protege.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

Mrs. Wishy-Washy and the Big Wash

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Elizabeth Fuller-Fulton
Publisher: Hameray Publishing Group
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-235-0
Pages: 16
Price: $4.95

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Mrs. Wishy-Washy has a farm, and today the farm animals must get a bath. But there is no water! What will she do? As the animals celebrate their freedom from bathing, she decides to take them to town to see if she can find water there.

As they stop in the stores, Mrs. Wishy-Washy decides whether or not they can use some water there. But she finds no water for baths until she discovers the car wash. Finally the animals are clean, and now they can enjoy a treat.

Joy Cowley brings back her much-loved character, Mrs. Wishy-Washy, in this cute barnyard tale. At the end of the text, lesson pointers for teachers are provided for guiding discussions about this story. Features like vocabulary, logic and deduction, and onomatopoeia are summarized for classroom use.

Mrs. Wishy-Washy is a darling character that will remind children of their grandmother, and the barnyard animals are like little kids looking to escape a bath and get treats instead. But in the end, both Mrs. Wishy-Washy and the animals are satisfied. I highly recommend this fun teaching tool for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cooking, health

Radiant Health, Inner Wealth

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Quintessence C. Challis
Publisher: Quintessential Health Publishing
Genre: Cooking / Health
ISBN: 978-0-615-25439-5
Pages: 284
Price: $24.99

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Creating a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise is one of our biggest challenges, as we face more and more unhealthy choices. While many of us have never even considered becoming vegan, this diet is surprisingly versatile and healthy. In Radiant Health, Inner Wealth, Quintessence C. Challis has put together a plan to not only please our palates, but also to increase wellness.

The introductory section of this delightful cookbook explains how going vegan can help heal certain ailments. Along with this dietary shift, lifestyle adjustments are also suggested, using a holistic approach to create vibrant health.

But if you thought being a vegan meant eating lots of tofu and fake meats, you’re in for a surprise! Although tofu shows up occasionally, it’s not the major ingredient in these yummy recipes. Instead, Challis shows us how to use fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, along with a delicious array of spices, to cook with.

I’ve tried several of these delectable dishes, and although I haven’t converted to veganism yet, it holds far more appeal now than it ever did, and I can’t wait to try the rest. If you’re looking for tasty and healthy meals, whether or not you’re a vegan, you’ll enjoy these yummy recipes. I highly recommend this wonderful cookbook.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

business

Red Hot Internet Publicity

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Penny C. Sansevieri
Publisher: Cosimo Books
Genre: Business / Reference
ISBN: 978-1-60520-724-7
Pages: 320
Price: $18.95

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In the days when publishers had a budget for promotion, authors did nothing but sit back and collect royalties. Now if an author wants to be successful, he’s going to have to do a little work after his book hits the shelves. Red Hot Internet Publicity will show you exactly what to do and how to do it.

Advertising has been proven to be less and less successful, as we’re bombarded with thousands of messages a day, but word of mouth is still one of the best selling strategies. The Internet offers a myriad of possibilities for spreading that word.

Many marketing strategies are available to an author. Some can be relatively expensive, like having a professional website built, but others can be nearly free, like maintaining a Facebook or Twitter account. Advice on holding teleseminars, setting up a book trailer, and sending out regular email newsletters, as well as many other ideas are also provided in this comprehensive marketing guide.

As an author of a picture book, I read this book with a mixture of professional curiosity and the desire to provide a review. I found there were so many ideas I’d overlooked when my book came out in print, and I’ve got a “to do” list that will keep me busy for quite a while. But now I understand what I need to do to get my name out there and make my book a success.

Penny C. Sansevieri has worked in the publishing industry for over 15 years as an author, freelance writer, publicist, and instructor. She’s distilled the knowledge she gained from this experience into Red Hot Internet Publicity. In the last 15 months she’s helped to launch 10 bestsellers, so she knows what she’s talking about. This valuable marketing guide is a must-have for any author who’s serious about selling his book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Here Comes the Bride

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Beatrice Masini
Illustrator: Anna Laura Cantrone
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-88776-898-9
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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Filomena the seamstress makes wonderful wedding dresses for the brides in her town. But as she sews these lovely creations for others, she dreams of her own wedding someday.

When Rusty finally gets up the nerve to propose, she sets to work on her own dress. Rusty grows lonely, never seeing Filomena, as she sews day and night on her masterpiece. Finally the wedding day arrives, but what’s happened to Filomena? And even more worrisome – where is Rusty?

Future brides will be awed at Filomena’s efforts to outdo every other dress she’s made, by adding so many flowers, ruffles and frills that no one would recognize her. And Rusty’s stunned surprise at Filomena’s appearance will leave kids giggling. But all ends well, as Rusty finally recognizes his bride and the two lovebirds get married.

Delightful illustrations by Anna Laura Cantone accompany this charming story. Originally published in Italian, Here Comes the Bride is an enjoyable and fun read, reminding kids that sometimes you can have too much of a good thing.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

Urban Falcon

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jennifer Caloyeras
Publisher: Diversion Press, Inc.
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-935290-08-7
Pages: 232
Price: $12.95

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Evan Falcon has spent his whole life in Elbow Creek, a tiny rural town. When his father gets a new job, he’s forced to move to Lincoln Heights in the middle of eleventh grade and adjust to life in the big city.

Moving as a teen is tough, especially when his best friend in Elbow Creek is no longer talking to him. Evan finds a new friend, and life starts to feel more normal, especially when he meets Maya. But trouble with his parents leads to being grounded and having to come up with creative ways to date and hang out with his classmates.

And lurking in the background is the sneaking suspicion that his mother is having an affair. How can Evan let his parents know that he knows, and does he even want to tell them? Would this revelation disrupt his life even more than it already is?

Jennifer Caloyeras has created a convincing world for Evan Falcon as he adjusts to his big move. The reader sympathizes with his struggles and wants the best for this likable young man. Urban Falcon is a great read, and I look forward to seeing more from this talented new author.

Warning: Rated mature for sexual situations and language.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

nature

Day & Night in the Swamp

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Gerard Cheshire
Illustrator: Martin Camm
Publisher: Hammond
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 978-0843-709742
Pages:38
Price: $14.99

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The swamp is a magical and mysterious place, both by day and by night. Day & Night in the Swamp shows us the different kinds of swamp areas and the animals that live there.

This beautifully illustrated book includes a four-page spread for both the daytime and nighttime scenes. Then, following the spreads, the high ground, marshland, open water and swamp edge are shown in detail, along with the animals that live in that habitat.

Each area of the swamp is explained in greater detail, and a paragraph for each animal describes a little about his activities in the daytime or at night. Eating habits, nesting behavior, and the ability to camouflage themselves and blend into their surroundings are some of the topics covered.

While this is not a comprehensive guide to swamp life, Day & Night in the Swamp is so beautifully illustrated that it will join our bird and wildlife books as a reference. Anyone who loves nature and wildlife will enjoy this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger