Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young-Adult

Before the Origin by F.S. Bala | Book review

Much has changed. Climate change has inspired a new generation of discrimination – one where the mutation of a hereditary gene has become the greatest crime. The others – a minority kept silent for years are now up to something sinister.

Agent Amy Taff has moved through the world unnoticed until the recent disturbances in an otherwise perfect utopia require her expertise. Desperate to make her mark, Amy is hurled into a world of mystery and magic, deeply rooted in ancient African folklore. Discoveries that threaten her life and could not only change her reality but hold far-reaching implications for everyone on the face of a lone continent. Follow her into an epic tale that begins with accepting a new job at Scythe. Where it ends could swing the scales of balance toward life or death.

Title: Before the Origin

Author: F.S. Bala

Pages: 124

My review

Have you ever been in a maze that keeps shifting again and again when you tried to escape? No? This story will give you the same experience. It will give you a feeling of unending mysteries.
All sci-fi thrillers have the same beginning. They will transport us to a new world. A world which that can only build through our creative capabilities. Then we start to solve the puzzles. The puzzles are twisted, to keep it interesting to play. In the end, the puzzle is solved. But this is not that typical sci-fi thriller.

The story keeps twisting again and again. There is no end in this maze. We will keep traveling back and forth, future and past. In the end, an entirely new dimension of the story is uncovered.
I’m truly mesmerized by the beautiful writing style. How easily the author has carried a complex story without creating any loopholes but creating suspense and confusion at times. It was so exciting for me to turn each page. Because I was eager to know what happens next.

At first, I thought that the author is narrating some parallel storylines, just like others. But it was not parallel storylines. It is all a part of one story. It was quite thrilling for me to come across each piece of that story and how it is connected to each other. The climax gave me a feeling that the best part is yet to be released. The cliffhanger is enough to keep the curiosity high till the next part.  A must-read for all sci-fi lovers.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Poems, poetry, Quotes, Self-Help

Star Dust: From Heaven to Earth We Fall by J.M. Pozon | Review

Star Dust is a intricately written collection of poetry, prose and short quotes centered around up lifting women of color as well as all our sisters around the globe. With the use of powerful words the author explores and navigates the themes of self love, healing, loss , and femininity. This is women’s empowerment at its finest.

Title: Star Dust: From heaven to Earth We Fall

Author: J.M. Pozon

Pages: 116

My review

Star Dust: From Heaven to Earth We Fall is a collection of poetry, prose and quotes that carries very deep underlying meaning. They are not easy to comprehend. Because it reflects the depth of pain. They hurl through the levels of misery and completes a full circle in the end, just like the stars in their orbits. This is the true voice of women, a compassionate, deeply hurt, uplifted and empowered women. These powerful poems can evoke a sense of pride in every woman’s heart.

The collection is divided into four sections. Each section has its unique theme that fits its place in the circle. I felt that the poems in the first section are more like rejecting the pain by remembering our worth. These poems bear the pain of lost love. Second section is all about realizing that worth. Accept that unique superpowers. Third section includes most empowering poems. They not only encourage to embrace our power but also counsel to use them most diligently. The final section is all about walking through that newly drawn path proudly. Be the woman you always wanted to be.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse by Richard Capriola

The workbook is the companion to The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse. Together they are a parent’s roadmap to understanding, assessing and finding resources to help battle adolescent substance abuse. In the pages of the workbook parents examine their family history of substance abuse, assess their child’s motivation to change substance use behaviors, identify how their child’s behavior has changed under the influence of substances, and use exercises to help cope with anxiety. This workbook and the companion book are resources for any family member interested in learning about adolescent substance abuse and options that are available for diagnosis and treatment. 

Title: The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse 

Author: Richard Capriola

Pages: 103

My review

Substance abuse in adolescent child is a very difficult issue to handle. The responsibility lies exclusively on parents. To successfully navigate through this difficult situation, you need a guide. A roadmap, which explains everything about addiction, diagnosis and treatment. This book bridges that gap.

Substance abuse in children is often a neglected subject in the mainstream media. It never gets the deserved attention. People never realize its long-lasting effect because of lack of education. The author presents some shocking data obtained from teenagers to prove the height of neglect on this issue, prevailing in our society. Drug abuse became a normal subject among the children. Through this book, the author explains how early substance abuse hinders the brain development and creates psychological issues in adolescent children.

This systematic guide has every information we need to manage this situation. The roadmap explains how we can assess the substance abuse in our child informally and later comprehensively. This guide also has information about the most common drugs and their side effects. The book concludes with information about support groups, educational consultant and mental health resources for additional reading.

Through this book, the author has given his honest effort to destigmatise “addiction” in children. Proper education is the need of the hour in this subject. Very helpful guide.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Quotes, Self-Help

The Road to Growth through Values Quotes: : 310 Powerful Positive Quotes from 178 Inspiring People by Ruthy Bar

Ruthy Bar’s creative passion for collecting insightful quotes from various sources that have helped her grow in positivity has led her to share these words of empowerment with you. She has collected quotations that express values that are important for growth. These are values for life; she’s chosen them for their conciseness, effectiveness, and positive outlook.
By categorizing the best of the best under twenty of our most cherished values – values such as Creativity, Optimism, Determination, Courage, Persistence, Commitment, and Gratitude – she has tried to include quotations that will encourage you to do positive and good things for yourself. She believes that if a person has good in their life, they will be inspired to share it by bringing good to others.
She also believes every reader can benefit from even just one sentence that can move them and give them the inspiration and the motivation to do and think differently. Through these beautiful, inspired words she hopes that you can grow strong in the values that are most important to you.
Leaf through the book randomly or visit the value that impinges on your thoughts at the moment — each page is sure to improve your outlook. Each and every one of us needs only one phrase that can influence, inspire, and motivate us so we can grow strong in our most vital values.

Title: The Road to Growth through Values Quotes: : 310 Powerful Positive Quotes from 178 Inspiring People

Author: Ruthy Bar

Pages: 136

My review

The Road to Growth through Values Quotes is a bundle of wisdom ready to flow from the first touch.

Quotes are always an essential part of my life. I’m a person who quickly enters into a rut after a hectic workweek. Soon, I‘m procrastinating from my goals. The secret to success is consistency. You have to keep moving forward. The pace does not matter. But no matter how determined I’m to achieve my goal, I often find myself in a state of laziness. To regain control from this recurring phase, I always looked up to the great personalities who had the grit to push forward, no matter what happens. I like to collect their quotes for my personal growth. They give me instant energy and motivation. A little push, that is all needed. This habit lands me in this quote collection. Within no time, this book became my accountability partner.

The author has carefully curated, important and multidimensional quotes for this book. They are arranged in chapter-wise which is tremendously helpful for me. They touch every inch of personal growth. The wisdom from this book is invaluable. This will surely go into my permanent collection.

Download this book for FREE! Amazon.com Amazon.in

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller, Young-Adult

Kat Doggers: Superspy: Book 1 of the Kat Doggers Series by Austin Stack

Kat Doggers is more than an ordinary house cat. She’s also a secret agent of F.U.R., the feline spy team that protects the world from evil genius snails, master criminal fish, and the red dot of doom. Kat is ready for her first day on the job, but instead of an easy assignment, she chooses to go on a super-important special mission with two of F.U.R.’s best agents.

When the mission goes terribly wrong and her team gets captured, will Kat be able to save the day all on her own?

Title: Kat Doggers: Superspy: Book 1 of the Kat Doggers Series

Author: Austin Stack

Pages:54

My review

Kat Doggers is living a dual identity. She is an ordinary house cat by day and a high-tech superspy by night. She is the rookie agent in the elite Feline Undercover Regiment (F.U.R) and awaiting her first mission. An unforeseen incident lands her in an unexpected mission with two other top agents, one is her cousin and the other is her idol. But this high-risk operation goes wrong and it is up to Kat to solve the mystery and rescue her fellow agents. Will she able to rise to the occasion?

Kat Doggers: Superspy is a well-written mystery thriller. The author never attempts to drag the story to unnecessary details. The story sticks to the crime and investigation. Over the course of the investigation, this story teaches us many lessons. One of such important lesson is believing in our abilities. If we believe in ourselves, we can defy all odds. We have to earn the stripes. No one will respect you until and unless we show them what we can do. It also points down to the importance of knowledge and analytical skills. This quirky, hilarious blend of characters creates a full-fledged entertainment throughout the story.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

Guerilla Math: 5 rules you can use in your head to help you get rich, retire, and pay off your debt by Nicholas Jacobi

How much money will you have when you retire? What should you save every month? Is that new mortgage really worth it? You can answer all these questions in your head, no calculator needed, while you’re sitting across the desk from a supposed “expert.” The rules of thumb in this book will let you estimate how much your investments will grow, how long it will take to pay off your debt, and how close you are to saving up for your golden years. Designed to change your life this short book will teach you how to project your money, your future, your life in five rules, and give you some case studies from the financial world’s successes and crises.

Title: Guerilla Math: 5 rules you can use in your head to help you get rich, retire, and pay off your debt

Author: Nicholas Jacobi

Pages: 102

My review

Guerilla math by Nick Jacobi is a book about a few common mathematical patterns we can use in our daily life. It is our natural tendency to look for patterns everywhere. If there isn’t any, we usually make them. But some of these patterns have life-changing arc around them.
This book was a true eye-opener for me. I was not fond of mathematics while growing up. I started to realize its importance and easiness later in my life. For me, mathematics was always a tool for arithmetic calculations in day-to-day life, nothing more. But this book changed my whole perspective about mathematics. Through this book, the author illustrates how simple mathematical patterns can help us to estimate our financial situations. As an adult, I’m always keen to learn more about financial management. But I never thought that, mathematics has this much effect on this subject.

One of the best features of this book is the author’s honest attempt to simplify complex patterns to layman’s terms. He has explained them using practical situations, simple examples and real-life experiences. My biggest takeaway from this book is, we should realize the potential of mathematics in driving this world before indulging in any kind of investment schemes or planning.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

MANUFACTURING Criminals : A Closer Look at Cops, DAs, & Judges by Kevin McBride

We take a look at what’s really happening in the courts and on the streets. Our citizens are the product as the System runs them thru the manufacturing plant. This book will talk about Police Misconduct, and Cover-ups. Inside the courts and who’s running it. What role does the Prosecutor have? This quick 100 page read will show you what’s wrong with the Criminal Justice system, and then share ideas on how to fix it. Many undisclosed in today’s mainstream society. Police Reform, Judicial reform? Kevin has the answers. He also shares his stories of his false arrest that led to the writing of this book in conjunction with the protests around the country. Why did they riot, loot, and damage? The root issues are here. His take on BLM. His take on Law Enforcement. His take on today’s Judges. All Inside Manufacturing Criminals.

Title: MANUFACTURING Criminals : A Closer Look at Cops, DAs, & Judges

Author: Kevin McBride

Pages:103

My review

How media is controlling our mindset? We don’t have any original thoughts. We are just paraphrasing things that have been fed to our minds through electronic gadgets. They spread their propaganda like a wildfire. Within no time, we became their machine to carry on that propaganda. We learn to normalize violence. We learn to ignore police brutality. Because we only hear one side of a story. The media only deliver what they want to propagate. We will never know the truth. Through this book, the author is trying to uncover the truth behind police, DAs, judges, and the whole law enforcement system.

This was truly an eye-opener for me. These words will pierce our brains. This will make you think and question our system.
The author explains how he got arrested three times as wrongly accused. His experience will teach you one thing-how the law enforcement officers can manipulate every law in this country within seconds. It was quite shocking to know how easily they can frame anyone. On the other side, these wrongful accusations affect the victims on a larger scale. They may lose their job, career, and their credibility. The impact on their mental health will be immeasurable.
This shocking account uncovers every unlawful activity and the true face of our system. A must-read.

Rating:5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.com Amazon.in

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, short story, Young-Adult

Judgmental: Serenade Short Reads Book One by Riley Manning| Review

PARKER:

After being away from home for nearly a decade, my mother summons me back to Serenade to celebrate my father’s sixtieth birthday. I don’t want to go back and I have good reason, too. But when I return home and run into the former quarterback, it’s like I’m in high school all over again. My memories are still haunted by the football team’s efforts to humiliate me and I can’t seem to let go of the past.

COOPER:

My quarterback days lay way behind me, as I find myself struggling to make ends meet. After my father has died, and my mother’s gone to travel the world, I’m left dreaming of starting my own family. I also have a dream of opening my own pastry shop, but that may be too big of dream for me. When I meet Parker, I’m starting to wonder if I might get both after all…

Title: Judgmental: Serenade Short Reads Book One

Author: Riley Manning

Pages: 100

My review

A slowly blossoming romance in the background of beautiful Serenade.

Parker and Cooper are two entirely different characters. There is no similarity between them. Above all, Cooper is the same person that made Parker’s life hell at once. But love knows no barriers. It will blossom in very unlikely situations. This beautiful story underlines that. Moreover, we can witness, sometimes love can be so powerful that it will unite two souls regardless of their struggles.

The author has adopted a dual narrative style. We can look into the situation through both protagonists perspective. This made the whole story somewhat like a thriller. We will be anxious to know what will happen next.

I was curious about the title of this short read from the beginning. But I realized that this whole story is about being judgemental. The contrasting perspective of both leads makes the core of the story. Being judgemental means, being deeply prejudiced. Here we can see this mindset is slowly dissolved as another strong emotion takes over their feelings, which is love. Love is the cure for all the hate. It can unite people magically.

A beautifully penned, romance story indeed.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

The Official Depression Relief Playbook by Zack S. Rutledge | Book review

In The Official Depression Relief Playbook, Zack S. Rutledge takes his years of battling anxiety and depression and presents the top-tier lessons on how to overcome the suffering.
Borne out of experience, this book details the effects of conventional, non-conventional, and unexpected treatments. Providing a “D-Day approach” to battling this incessant affliction, it provides a defined action plan which attacks depression and anxiety on the physical, mental, and emotional levels.
Simple, actionable, and concise, The Official Depression Relief Playbook will save you years of struggle and provides you with a shortcut to the life you deserve.
This book is truly an insider’s look on depression, and how to beat it.

Title: The Official Depression Relief Playbook

Author: Zack S. Rutledge

Pages: 39

My review

Depression builds a very thick, dark barrier in our minds. It will tie our thoughts around this formidable barrier. Breaking this barrier is an almost impossible feat. But we can overcome everything through the right guidance. This book gives that much-needed insider’s view of this battle. The author himself has gone through the levels of depression and he bravely fought off his demons. He draws inspiration from his own experiences. This firsthand account is very relatable and realistic in every bit.

Though this book, the author introduces a unique approach to tackle depression. We have to start small, one step at a time to a better tomorrow. This systematic guide touches every level of wellbeing. The author gives equal importance to the physical and mental health. Because they couldn’t exist without other. It is important to understand our physical body before we understand our mind. The healing should be inclusive for a viable result.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

The Moon : 20 questions kids ask about the Earth’s constant companion by Yvonne Krishnan|Book review

“That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
-Neil Armstrong, first man on the Moon

Have you always wanted to know more about the Moon and discover it like Neil Armstrong and the other astronauts that have walked on its surface? Well, you might not be able to go to the Moon yet, but this book will answer the many questions you have about Earth’s constant companion, our beautiful Moon. From how the Moon was formed to the features that you can spot on the Moon’s surface, this book will provide you with the answers and a starting off point to your exploration. Get ready for blast off!

Title: The Moon : 20 questions kids ask about the Earth’s constant companion

Author: Yvonne Krishnan

Pages:68

My review

Curiosity is the step towards the knowledge. Kids are curious about many things growing up. One of such things they are highly interested to know is about the moon. I was curious in my childhood days and now my kids are walking through the same path. This book helped me in two ways. First, to freshen up my knowledge about the moon this in turn helped me to answer my child’s questions. Second, it worked as a learning guide and reference material for my child itself.

The book is written very systematically. All the facts are explained very well along with appropriate images. The author has included not only the facts but also the current developments and history of lunar explorations in the book.

The approach for each question is different. Every question is explained according to its merit. Also, there are some interesting facts and activities given at the end of some chapters. This helped my child to research this subject a little more and the activities gave a good understanding of the facts.