Swamy Reviews

Views and Reviews - My new Blog on any thing and every thing, not just for books

2011-10-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Glad to share with you that I started a new blog, titled, Views and Reviews where all, including you can express your views and formal reviews of any thing and every thing including books, cameras, mobiles, other electronic items, food, restaurants, travel, online shopping sites and other service providers etc.

Unlike this blog where only I was posting book reviews, that blog is open for all. Here is the link for that blog:

http://your-views-and-reviews.blogspot.com

I encourage you the reader to post. If you face any difficulty in posting, pl. get in touch with me.

Regards

Swamy

Street Smarts - Beyond the Diploma

2011-07-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Title: Street Smarts - Beyond the Diploma

Author: Jim Randel

ISBN: 978-0-9844418-7-7

Publisher: Rand Media

I have read and enjoyed Jim's books on Credit Cards (Skinny On Series) and got his other Skinny on Series books some time ago but due to various reasons, could not get to finish them. Thus when a request came for reviewing this book, I was a little hesitant and was also feeling a little guilty. I asked for the soft copy of the book since I was not sure whether I would be able to read it through and offer a meaningful review. Thus, this review is based on the soft copy of the book.

This book is different from others in one significant aspect - viz. even some one without a reading habit can read it and get some useful tips. Each topic is covered in short and simple capsules. Thus no reading from end to end is needed. Just look up at the topic of interest and read that. Simple, isn't it?

The author does not claim any originality of the content (and gives an extensive glossary at the end). However, the presenation is indeed unique and the author deserves full credit.

The topics covered are very useful for a young person fresh out of the school, trying to lead his / her own life, trying to be free of parental support or looking for advice from other independent / objective sources.

I would have loved to see health, food habits, ethical values also covered in addition to what have been dealth with (Communication skills, networking, investing etc.).

Alphatudes - Review

2010-03-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

Title: Alphatudes

Sub-title: The alphabet of gratitude – 26 solutions for Life’s Little Challenges

Author: Michele Wahlder

Publisher: Life Possibilities Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-9823645-0-5

Genre: Non-Fiction / Personal Psychology / Self Help

Presentation: Soft cover

When I attended my Reiki 1^st degree program way back in 1995, I was introduced to the phrase, Attitude of Gratitude. It starts with “I thank myself for being here….” When we take the attitude of gratitude, we find Reiki flowing through us better. That was interesting and many times it was verified while trying to heal myself and others through Reiki. A few years ago, I came across another self help program called Go Gratitude. Being grateful in all situations is the theme of the program and the book titled “Go Gratitude” by Stacey Robin. Thus I was familiar with the concept of gratitude and was willing and curious to know what the author is trying to convey through the interesting title, Alphatudes. Is it related to the alphabet or is it related to the alpha state of the mind? So, I asked and got the book for review a few weeks ago.

The first thing that struck me is the beautiful printing on high quality art paper, the visual appeal, the eye pleasing photographs etc. in the book. My hands were indeed grateful for the opportunity to hold the book and my eyes were grateful for the visual treat. As I started reading the book, the mind was grateful at the wisdom presented in an easy and interesting way. The author uses the English alphabet A to Z and thus tells us 26 things to be grateful for.

For example, under H for Hope, we have: Even if I knew that tomorrow the world is going to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree - Martin Luther. The quotation is accompanied by an eye catching photo of an apple, and is followed by a short essay from the author on hope. There is an affirmation at the end of that short article: I expect great things to happen. I am filled with hope, faith and optimism. My possibilities are limitless. This is followed by a Prayer of Hope: Make me a light that radiates your hope into the lives of others. Breathe into me the joyful expectations of a brighter day. Thank you for lifting my spirit and giving me an inner spark of hope.

Each alphabet thus takes up 4 beautiful colorful pages. We have Forgiveness for F, Imagination for I, Joy for J, Kindness for K, Laughter for L (it could have been Love as well, but in my view it is easier to laugh than to love!), Music for M, Now for N, etc. There are a few surprises too like Obstacles for O. Should we be grateful for an obstacle? Yes, an apparent obstacle teaches us to become stronger and smarter! And obstacles are divine plans to reroute our lives into hitherto unseen channels.

We may or may not agree with all that is written in the book but let us be grateful for an opportunity to explore, think and then to agree or not. For example, I would not have chosen the sub-title "26 solutions for Life's Little Challenges" though I liked the rhyme of Little with Life. The solutions are in my view meant for Life's major challenges.

An attitude of gratitude does help in letting go, in being in the now etc. and brings us closer to our source. An attitude of gratitude is healing and empowering.

I am grateful to Maryglenn, the wonderful publicist for the opportunity to review this beautiful book.

An Excellent guide to credit cards and how to use them effectively

2010-03-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

Title: The Skinny on Credit Cards

Sub-title: How to master the credit card game

Author: Jim Randel

Illustration: Malinda Nass

Publisher: Rand Publishing / www.theskinnyon.com

ISBN: 978-0-9818935-4-9

Genre: Non-Fiction / Personal Finance / Self Help

Presentation: Soft cover

Recommended for: All of us who want to know about and manage our credit cards

Do you have a credit card? Did you ever feel like having one? Were you approached by credit card marketers with attractive offers? Were you harassed by the credit card companies and or their collection agents? Do you know the difference between a credit card and a debit card? What is a charge card? What is a Balance transfer card? What is Credit rating? How does credit rating affect your ability to raise a loan from a different bank? Why rolling over the outstanding loans is not such a good idea?

Those and many more questions are answered in an interesting, easy-to-read style. If you have about 2 hours time (I needed less actually, just about an hour and ten minutes), you can read this book and get your knowledge updated. If you are struggling with the debt of credit cards throwing your life out of gear, you will find excellent advice from Jim Randel, the author on the steps that you can take to reduce your card debt. For example, the question about the problem with rolling over (carrying a balance forward to the next cycle) is explained on Panel 77:

“I’m sorry, Beth, but there is one more point that I need to make.

When you carry a balance on your credit cards, there is no longer an interest-free period between the date of purchase and the date your payment is due. In other words, you start paying interest the day a new purchase is made. I am sorry to say Billy, that you are already paying interest on that new motorcycle jacket you bought this morning.” Almost every panel is accompanied by an interesting visual.

Beth and Billy are the two characters (wife and husband) and Jim Randell is the advisor, who becomes a family friend.

As can be seen, it is explained in an interesting and easy to understand manner. There are no page numbers, but panels and each page has 2 panels like the frames of a power point presentation.

The book thus follows a very interesting, innovative approach to communicate with the reader and gives information that is accurate and up-to-date in an easy to read manner.

The author and the publisher deserve our congratulations and appreciation.

Riley's Lost Tooth - Review

2010-03-06T08:22:00.001-08:00

Title: Riley's Lost Tooth

Author: Dianne Cantrell

Illustrator: Heather Castles

Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group

ISBN: 978-1933651620

Genre: Fiction / Children

Presentation: Hard Cover with Dust Jacket

I had the opportunity to review Dianne's earlier book, "Good Bye Baby Max" and when the author asked me whether I would be interested in reviewing the present book, I was very happy.

The book is colorfully illustrated and the story is simple but delightful. Riley, a small girl of about 5 years loses her first tooth. When she shares that news with her grandma, the pups in the house get worried and start searching for the lost tooth. A tooth fairy appears and assures them that it is a natural process and Riley will in fact get a regular, permanent tooth in its place.

The story is told in simple sentences and it would be a pleasure for the child to read or for the parents to read. One sample:

“We must find her tooth.
She was here earlier today,
maybe she lost it
when we all went out to play.”

One more excerpt:

No, really,” she said,
“all children lose their teeth.
Permanent ones then grow in
if they don’t eat too many sweets.”

The book is well written and the illustrations are beautiful. The book will definitely appeal to all children (including children at heart like this reviewer) and their parents / grandparents / elder siblings and other care givers.

Strongly recommended as an educational gift.

The Magical Adventures of Krishna - Book Review

2010-01-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

Title: The Magical Adventures of Krishna
Sub-title: How a Mischief Maker Saved the World

Author: Vatsala Sperling

Illustrated by: Pieter Weltevrede

Publisher: Bear Club Books (www.innertraditions.com)

ISBN: 978-159143110-7

Genre: Mythology / Folklore / Hinduism

Presentation: Hard bound with beautifully illustrated dust jacket

Recommended for: Children of all ages who can read or are willing to listen

When an opportunity arose for reviewing this book, I was pretty excited to see how a well known mythological / historical tale will be presented to the western world by the Indian author (from her name I knew that Vatsala is from India or has absorbed all the Indian traditions and values). I received the book in India, from USA. Reminds me that the earth is round!

Since the book is short, it could be read in just one sitting of less than an hour. The main story of Krishna's birth and His killing of His demon uncle Kamsa (the author spells it as Kansa, both sound similar though Kamsa comes closer to the original Sanskrit sound), is told in about 25 pages including beautiful color illustrations. Children, who can read will love the text and the colorful illustrations and younger chidren would love to sit in the lap of the adult and watch the colorful figrures while the story is being read and explained to them!

Krishna's birth and His exploits in killing the many demons that were sent by His uncle Kamsa to kill Him are narrated well by Vatsala. Her style is simple and at the same time she holds the reader's attention.

The illustrations by Pieter Weltevrede add great value to the excellent narration.

The result is an excellent introduction to Krishna Tatva and Krishna Consciousness to those not yet exposed. To others, it would be one more opportunity to enjoy the nectar of Krishna's love for the whole creation.

I have the following observations and comments.

Nanda, the husband of Yashoda is conspicuous by his absence. Probably Vatsala thought he has no role in the story, but I felt that he deserved a place and for the sake of completion of the story.

Another character that I would have liked to see in this book is that of Puthana (Poothana if you prefer that spelling), a she demon, who came in disguise to kill baby Krishna by feeding him her breast milk laced with poison painted on the nipples. Krishna, of course knew all about her and killed her by sucking her milk and her prana (life force). Why the author left that story is not known.

What she did not mention is that He gave salvation to all the demons that He killed.

Vatsala mentions in the book that Radha is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the consort of Narayana, Vishnu. I have not come across that interpretation and on the other hand, I have read that Lakshmi is an amsa (part) of Radha, who is Feminine Aspect of the Supreme Deity, Krishna being the Masculine Aspect and they reside in Goloka. Their partial aspects are seen as Brahma, Vishnu / Narayana and Siva with their respective consorts etc.

These are not of course important and don't interfere with the reading and enjoyment of the book.

In any case, this beautiful book will probably whet your appetite to read more about Krishna.

I have great pleasure in recommending this book to children and parents, teachers, other elders and care takers of children.

A highly readable book on weight loss program

2010-01-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

Title: Weight Loss Success!

Sub-Title: How I Lost Weight and Kept It Off for Over 30 Years and How You Can Do It, Too!

Author: Joan Marie Verba

Publisher: FTL Publications (www.ftlpublications.com)

ISBN: 9780982523216

Genre: Non-Fiction / Self-Help

Presentation: E-Book, Paper back etc.

This is a short book of just 32 pages but short is sweet in this case and is packed with very interesting and useful advice. The author herself has successfully gone through a program and more importantly could stay on that and keep her weight from increasing again! So, the book is in that sense very authentic and her sincerity comes through.

She stresses that any weight loss program has to be so designed that you can stick to it for the rest of your life. She stresses on the obvious but often overlooked fact that one cannot go back to their earlier life style after successfully losing weight if one wants to keep it that way!

The style is highly readable and you can read it in one sitting.

Highly recommended for all weight and health conscious people or their friends who want to gift the book.