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

Success Transformation Accelerator: 21 Day Blueprint by Dr. Alok Chandra| Review

Do you wish to achieve the successful life that you have always dreamed of by learning from the best? Would you like to reach the zenith of your career or profession but need expert guidance? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, keep reading …..
Let’s face it. Most, if not all, of us dream of leading successful lives. However, only a few are able to achieve it. It is no accident. The majority who do not attain greatness, do not have the essential guidance on what they need to do. The people who make it do so by learning from the best, leaving no stone unturned, and become exemplary professionals and excellent people. The rest do not realize their full potential and some keep dreaming for their entire lives.

After meeting with and studying great individuals, the author possesses a deep knowledge of what you need to materialize success in your life at breakneck speed. Therefore, this book was written to be extremely effective and simple to follow.

Title: Success Transformation Accelerator: 21 Day Blueprint

Author: Dr. Alok Chandra

Pages: 307

My review

Success is the only thing that is unquenchable in many minds. Sadly many of them never achieve what they want in life. I was always curious about achieving success and greatness in life. I admired people who have the grit to achieve their dreams. What is the secret code for success? Is there any hidden formula for achieving it? These questions lead my way to this book.

This is the voice of an extremely successful person. This blueprint presents the common success traits extracted from highly successful people as well as the author’s life. This book demystifies all myths around success. It demolishes all doubts.

The book begins with a chapter on luck. What a way to start a book about success! Because we all are in one way or another, ties success with luck. The more we fail, the more we blame luck or rely on it. But luck does not deserve any importance in success. This powerful tool has many chapters like this which establishes the author’s arguments, undoubtedly.

This is clearly a success accelerator. The author cites experiences from his own and from his students and mentees to support this. These experiences are narrated as raw and unadulterated. We can see and interpret how the author has defined his goals and draw a blueprint to reach those goals. But the important thing about making blueprint is they are useless without action. The last section of this book teaches us how to keep going amidst all odds. Loved the content as well as its presentation.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Science Fiction, Thriller

The Next Step by Adrian Siska | Review

The story revolves around Adam Moore, the son of groundbreaking innovators and founders of the leading company in the android industry based in San Francisco. It’s the second half of the 21st century and androids have become a part of the every day’s routine in all aspects of life.

Take on an epic journey throughout Adam’s life from his childhood to his adult years to find out what will be the next step in the evolution of androids. You will witness a fascinating story about love and the ultimate fight for happiness.

Title: The Next Step

Author: Adrian Siska

Pages: 241

My review

The Next Step by Adrian Siska is a beautifully written sci-fi thriller. The premise of android technology and artificial intelligence is not a distant idea now. But I was curious to find out what will be the next step. What will be our immediate future?

I am always looking forward to this kind of stories. I’m curious to explore the extent of imagination and innovation that an author can create through their sci-fi books. For me getting lost in this new world is very easy. Every impossible idea becomes possible because of our imagination. The extend of control over our brain determines the height of craziness in the idea. The modern world is built on this capability. We are already familiar with the power of artificial intelligence and its possibilities. But what will be the next step in this field? What will be the next impossible?

I must say the author has created a very good answer for this question. It is not a mind-blowing idea because it is only “the next step”, the next possibility. The story is more realistic in this sense. It is believable. The characters are developed very well over time. Almost ninety percent of the story revolves around Adam Moore. His emotions, pain, friendship, love, intelligence are explored throughout the story. It was heartwarming to see how Adam has picked up the pieces of his broken life and create another beautiful family amidst conspiracy and deception. The bond he has with Kim is so special. This relationship has been grown beyond limits over the years. We can witness how she becomes an integral part of his identity. That’s why he was determined to surpass his limits. He is a true warrior.

The brilliance of this story lies in the attention to details. The author has included every problem that may arise with the spread of automation. It was scary to know these. But it is the future.

A brilliant work indeed.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Thriller

Brooklyn’s Song by Sydney Arrison| Book review

Brooklyn Pierce has just witnessed an attempted assassination, and Detective Song Kai and his partner, Detective Mattice Blake, are on the case.

But as the story progresses, sparks begin to develop between Brooklyn and Song, providing the reader with a storyline overflowing with sensuality, compassion and romance amidst the onset of drama, tension, suspicion, deception and murder and an explosive ending, which you will never see coming.

Title: Brooklyn’s Song

Author: Sydney Arrison

Pages:272

My review

Brooklyn’s song is carefully woven, beautifully crafted crime thriller. The story opens with the introduction lead character, Brooklyn Pierce, a teacher and philanthropist. Her father Sage Pierce, a self-made billionaire is the first elected African American Governor of New York. Brooklyn witnessed the attempted assassination of her father and his fiancé in the announcement ceremony for seeking next term. A gruelling investigation leading by detective Song Kai is underway. With the culprit freely roaming in public, can Brooklyn go back to her normal life? What will be the outcome of the investigation?

Crime thrillers always hold high interest in my reading list. We are following the detective and the whole story is seeing through his perspective. How he analyses and put each piece of the puzzle to solve a larger mystery determines the course of the story. This single point of view itself creates suspense. In this crime drama, we can experience everything, a heartwarming romance, love, family bond, betrayal, heartbreak and greed. Every little piece of emotion is carefully included and woven together with perfect moments in the story. The story quickly gets its pace from the second chapter itself. The author takes just enough time to introduce the lead characters. The mysteries are suddenly unveiled and the plot gets twists and turns at regular intervals. The narration is simple and free-flowing. We can easily follow the narratives of Brooklyn and Song. What makes this thriller a perfect one is there are no loose ends left at the end. Every mystery is solved and the puzzle is cracked in the climax. Even the author included a beautiful epilogue too to bring completeness to the story.

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

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, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

I Was Called Barabbas by M.D. House | Book review

We know precious little of the man called Barabbas, a contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth. He is variously described in the historical record as thief, murderer, rebel, and notable Roman prisoner. His release by the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate was part of the supernal plan for the Christ to offer himself as the ultimate blood sacrifice, but it’s doubtful Barabbas understood any of that at the time.

Many have wondered what became of him, or rather, who he became after that fateful day. Someday we will know the answer, but in the meantime we can imagine that, like all of us, he too sought a path of personal redemption, imperfectly. 

Title: I Was Called Barabbas by

Author: M.D. House

Pages: 222

My review

This is the story of Barabbas, the prisoner who was released by Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate. It was him that Prefect was decided to sacrifice instead of Jesus of Nazareth. But this decision was not accepted and eventually Barabbas was released. The story took a brief turn here. We then came to know the past of Barabbas and how he ended up as a prisoner. The ferocious child who once wanted to be a Roman soldier and ran away from his family for his existence. He came back and became an apprentice to a tentmaker. But fate has better decisions for him. From a meager worker, he was transitioned to a Jewish rebel. He was not intended to do anything like this but he was bought into the war by destiny. But his real story begins after his release and crucifixion of The Christ.

He came back home to start a new life. With some surprise, he gets married to his love of life and started a family together. But what came after that is truly changed him. He was a damaged soul who believed that he is not worth saving. But the Lord has greater plans for him. His mercy has bestowed upon him and he finds his path eventually. Just like before, he wants a quite low life, but he was called into this war. He was needed on this journey. Moreover, he needed this new path for his salvation.

The story digs deep into the emotional account of Barabbas. His transformation from a common man to a leader was astounding. He was always immersed in self-doubt. But his courage and love saved him. They help him to rise beyond every obstructions. Although he was a deeply damaged soul, his path to salvation began in the moment he put his life before others. He was ready to sacrifice his life. This was his redemption.

The author has narrated a heart-wrenching tale of Barabbas rather beautifully. We are walking beside him throughout the story. His life was unpredictable. But it is what keeps him moving. I’m eagerly waiting for the next part.

Rating:5/5