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

White Knuckle by Steven Bruce|Review

Bruce’s debut poetry collection, an autobiographical report on the reality of life in a poverty-stricken, drug and violence-fuelled environment, is a gut-wrenching composition of grief, loss, and abandonment at an early age.

This powerful book is brutal, tragic, and moving: an essential read.

Title: White Knuckle

Author: Steven Bruce

Pages: 100

My review

Raw, brutal and honest.


These poems drag us from our comfort zone and suddenly throw to a rollercoaster of emotions. The highs and lows are filled with misery. There is no middle ground. The suffering is real. The unpolished edges of these words will scratch our mind. This is an in-depth essay unravelling through complex human emotions. Their beauty lies in their unadulterated voice. We can feel the white knuckle against our face in each poem. It hurts because it is meant to be.

Broken dreams, pain, anger, abuse, frustration, death, greed, hunger… everything is poured through words. But these are not like any other poems. Because amidst this crushing pain, they all have one common feature- a hidden sense of survival. These are not served with the sugar-coating of hope. Rather, they all have a pinch of survival instinct in every line.

Pain is the greatest lesson. We don’t remember happiness but we remember every pain we had. It opens a new path for redemption. We can witness that redemption here.

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, 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, 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.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Self-Help, Young-Adult

I Don’t Like Racism by Tymeka Coney | Book review

This book tells the story of racism through the eyes of a young African-American girl, DaNyla, and her experiences with racism as she witnesses her cousin involved in police brutality and she tries to understand why racism exists. She talks to her Mom, and her History Teacher about racism to better understand where it evolved, then she prays about it and decides to continue to dream and hope for change for a better tomorrow as she still continues to fight for what’s right peacefully all while still loving her family and her multicultural friends.

This story will teach all ages, genders and nationalities about racism and it seeks to inspire us all to unite and love one another despite the color of our skin.

Title: I Don’t Like Racism

Author: Tymeka Coney

Pages: 30

My review

“No one is free until we all are free” – Martin Luther King Jr.

The modern-day history of America is filled with police brutality and racial injustice. Although, the status has been changed a bit in recent times but not in the case of unjust murders of people of color by the hand of police officers. Amidst the height of protests, the killing continues. This book serves as an educational as well as an inspirational guide for children. We have to teach them the history of racism and how it has been evolved. Our children are the first victim of racism. Because they may face bullying and peer pressure in school due to their color. This will in turn deeply affect their emotional development. Insecurities will develop in their mind which will affect their career and education in the following years. The solution to all these problems is proper education on racism and its history.

Through this book, the author has attempted not only to give a proper education on racism but also to encourage the children to embrace their heritage proudly. Our skin color is not a measure of our abilities. Rather, it is a sign of rich cultural heritage. This knowledge will light up a sense of confidence in their mind. Only an unwavering confidence can help our children to achieve their dreams.

In the end, the book propels one message: hate is temporary, but love is eternal. Only love can unite everyone.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Self-Help, Young-Adult

Little helper by Natalie P. Gump | Book review

In this story, our young boy wakes-up each day with sincere motivation to want to be of assistance, so much so that he considers it a very important position in life – as though it were his mission. In the delightful rhyming tale with colourful and inspiring illustrations, he sets out to be of service to each and every being that comes his way, including the worms! After all, being helpful gives his purpose and keeps him inspired to do the same each day.

Written for kids aged three to eight, the story makes a great early-reader’s book as well as a warm bedtime story to be read to them by a parent or caretaker.

Title: Little helper

Author: Natalie P. Gump

Pages: 21

My review

The worth of a human being is measured by how many lives he touched, not by the amount of money he made. The helping mindset is hard to create. Because it is the confession of our overall character. To inculcate this mindset in our children, we have to take steps from their early years. Little helper is one of those rare books that will help a parent immensely in this challenge. To help millions in our life, first, we have to start small, one step at a time. This book teaches that first step.

Our child’s education starts at home. This story follows a boy and his efforts to help his mom, dad, and little sister in their day-to-day activities. he illustrations are so captivating. This will help my child to think creatively. The story not only teaches us the importance of offering help to others, but also the qualities such as love, obedience, discipline, and fulfillment. Indeed a great addition to my collection.