The Gift of Anger and Other Lessons From my Grandfather Mahatma Gandhi

The Gift of Anger and Other Lessons From my Grandfather Mahatma Gandhi

The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi shares ten vital and extraordinary life lessons imparted by the iconic philosopher and peace advocate, sharing Gandhi's particular insights into how emotions like anger can be guiltless motivational tools if properly used for good purposes.

The main lesson found in this book is to examine why you get angry and solving the problem. We all deserve to live the best life we possibly can. Implementing the lessons that are taught in this book could change your life. When you use your anger wisely, it can help you find solutions of love and truth.

It Worked For Me

 It Worked For Me:  In Life and Leadership

Colin Powell, one of America's most admired public figures, reveals the principles that have shaped his life and career in this inspiring and engrossing memoir. It is a trove of wisdom for anyone hoping to achieve their goals and turn their dreams into reality. A message of strength and endurance from a man who has dedicated his life to public service. It is a book with the power to show readers everywhere how to achieve a more fulfilling life and career. (from the catalog description)

I listened to this book on Overdrive, although sometimes I wished I had a hard copy to look back at what was just read. It was read by Colin Powell, which I liked since he is a public speaker and it is his book. He was a public figure I remember dealing with crisis that involved my brother who was serving in the Navy at that time. He always seemed very confident and calm, something we needed. It was interesting to hear his experiences and take some of his words and want to use them in my own life.

The Radium Girls: the Dark Story of America's Shining Women

The Radium Girls: the Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

As World War I raged across the globe, hundreds of young women toiled away at the radium-dial factories, where they painted clock faces with a mysterious new substance called radium. Assured by their bosses that the luminous material was safe, the women themselves shone brightly in the dark, covered from head to toe with the glowing dust. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" were considered the luckiest alive--until they began to fall mysteriously ill. As the fatal poison of the radium took hold, they found themselves embroiled in one of America's biggest scandals and a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights. The Radium Girls explores the strength of extraordinary women in the face of almost impossible circumstances and the astonishing legacy they left behind.

A disheartening look at part of America’s history. It was aggravating to read about the CEO’s unconcerned attitude with the well being of their workers and the lack of compassion for lower class employees. It also lends to a reflection on what you would do to keep your employment in order to take care of your family. This reflection is especially suitable during this time of COVID-19. For me this book brings about a lot of skepticism for anything “new” that might be produced as a cure or benefit in the future. Regardless, this book was incredibly well written and I would highly recommend it.

Eric

I’m reviewing Terry Pratchett’s Faust Eric, the ninth book in the fantasy/satire Discworld series, and the fourth in the sub-series about Rincewind the Wizard.  It’s available as an e-book on Overdrive.

Eric is one of the books in the series which I had previously skipped over. To be honest, I find Rincewind to be about the least interesting of all Pratchett's characters; he essentially has two standing jokes, his cowardice and his animated luggage. This novel, however, was better than I expected, because of the literary allusions. Eric is a thirteen-year-old parody of Faust, with Rincewind as an improbable Mephistopheles, and the book has many quotations from Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, as well as following (and ringing changes on) the basic plot outline. There are also other literary jokes.

If you are new to the Discworld series, this is not the book to start with; I would recommend the first book of one of the other subseries, for instance Equal Rites, Mort, or Guards, Guards. If you are already a fan, though, or have recently read Marlowe's play, this is a good entertaining novel you will not want to miss.

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyle

This is a story about the relationship of the German people and the Jewish people.  A young boy goes to live with his aunt, who works for Hitler, after his parents die.  He slowly turns his attitudes to believe that Hitler is right and ends up turning in all those who are close to him. Other than a childhood Jewish friend, he is the only one that survives the war.

I would highly recommend this book.  It was extremely thought provoking!

The Bookish LIfe of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

Nina works in a bookshop and has a thriving and meticulously scheduled social life. An only child of a single mother, she hasn’t dealt with a lot of family drama. But when she learns her birth father has died and gets to meet several new sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina has to break out of her regularly scheduled life and adapt to the new. Which she hates. Add a new guy into the mix and it’s the perfect recipe for an anxiety attack! Literally.

This is a lovely book that blends a light-hearted romance with discussion of real issues like anxiety. The writing is witty and fun and the characters are entertaining while maybe a little cheesy at times. Nina’s developing relationship with her new family makes you feel stressed, frustrated, and charmed along with her. And while the blossoming romance isn’t without its bumps, it’s generally sincere and sweet.

This book discussed anxiety well. It did a great job of telling the reader that it’s something a lot of people deal with and that it doesn’t make you less of a person. But it also showed you how it can be a burden, and how some people react to it that don’t understand fully. In the end she has made some progress toward a new life, but she isn’t cured and doesn’t need to be. Overall, this is a great book for those who are in the mood to take a break from anything too deep and just enjoy a good read.

Rithmatist

Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

This is the story of a boy named Joel, who wants to be a Rithmatist. He attends Armedius Academy with students who are Rithmatists, those who have the ability to make two-dimensional chalk drawings come to life and fight, but because of his chalk-maker father's death, he was not able to attend the inception ceremony, where he had a chance to become one.

There is geometry, trigonometry, etc. in this story. I thought it was clever. The book leaves
the story open to a sequel some time in the future. It was good!