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

Meditation for Beginners: A, B, C’s to Mindfulness by Demetrius Irick | Book review

This book was created with one goal in mind and that’s to change your life using the art of meditation. Meditation has been around for thousands of years and the benefits are documented in countless scientific sources. The health benefits include lowering blood pressure, better concentration, slowing down dementia, reduced stress & anxiety, depression and the list go on & on. Although, meditation does have some religious affiliation it’s not solely a religious thing. Meditation will not conflict with your religious belief but it will enhance anyone’s spiritual practice

Title: Meditation for Beginners: A, B, C’s to Mindfulness 

Author: Demetrius Irick

Pages: 154

My review

A perfect guide for beginners!

Meditation for Beginners is an 8-week course for anyone interested to start and build a habit of it. Meditation is the only activity in our life that can give back the time we dedicate to practice it. If properly done, meditation can even multiply the time we spent doing tasks daily. The benefits of practicing meditation is scientifically proven and it is one of the easiest habit one can develop. Yet we lack the discipline for it.

This is one of the easiest meditation guides, I have ever come across. Because it acknowledges the problems of a beginner and addresses numerous questions that may arise in our mind during the course. The author also provides solutions to tackle the problems that we may have during the initial phase of practice. It also busts many myths around meditation. The author even narrates his own experience when he first started practicing.

This is a week by week schedule. In each week we can learn one new technique of meditation. This technique has to be practiced throughout the week to gain benefit from it. The author also explains every technique in detail and the benefits of it, at the beginning of each chapter. Through meditation, we can finally tackle our fears and transform our reactions to responses.

What makes this book exceptional is its completeness in this topic. This book covers every meditation practice and everything we need to know about it, which eliminates the need for other books.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, supernatural

Masqueraded: Act One by Alexis Dees| Book review

Being haunted by a sinister circus, ghosts and scary clowns wasn’t unusual for the spunky 18-year-old girl, Estela Nannette Sinclair. Neither was the physical and emotional abuse that she faced from her adoptive parents.
But, one was just a dream and the other would resolve itself in two weeks upon her eighteenth birthday… or so she mistakenly presumed. Her life was a complex façade of lies that hid how deeply she was entangled with three powerhouses of dark magic. Had she been that ignorant of the masquerade before her? An ignorance that wasn’t bliss. And an ignorance that meant her corpse would likely decorate an amusement attraction in a mere two weeks’ time.
Masqueraded is a suspenseful and deliciously dark psychological thriller and the first chapter of an emotionally-charged YA paranormal series that features a strong female lead character, who is looking for answers to her troubled past, while discovering new depths of deviant dark magic lurking underneath the surface in the carnival where she escaped the domestic abuse of her youth. Join Estela, as she explores a hidden magical world of teleportation, scrying, and telekinesis.

Title: Masqueraded: Act One

Author: Alexis Dees

Pages: 144

My review

A story like none other!

Masqueraded: Act One is simply redefining everything we know of the magical world. When I read the blurb, I mistakenly assumed that this will be a story like the Harry Potter series. But I was wrong. Masqueraded presents another level of story. More human and more realistic. Dark magic exists among us. Immortality and superpowers are real but they all come with a price. The price they have to pay to create a bond with it is their soul.

Estela is a soon to be 18-year-old girl, who is craving for her freedom like none other of her age. She is merely surviving with her abusive adoptive parents and dealing with constant nightmares every day. She has been associated with a traveling carnival for three years from now. This is the only place of freedom she has got. But what she doesn’t know is the dark truth behind her friends and associates from the carnival. Finally, she uncovered the truth behind their inhuman tricks and it is not what she imagined at all.

The author has developed Estela’s character very well throughout the story. Her transformation from a naive, innocent girl to a confident, fearless woman was smooth and convincing. She is vulnerable and fearless at the same time. Ignorance brings fear. The more she gained knowledge, the more fearless she become.

I really loved the climax of this story. The cunning and manipulative characters are unconventional heroes in the mainstream. But here they are justified and backed by situations.

Rating:5/5

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

The YOU beyond you by Ramzi Najjar | Book review

What if the core of our belief system was nothing but a collection of misleading notions?

For everyone willing to explore the real dimension of existence, this book is a must-read. Examining life’s underlying mechanisms, “The YOU Beyond you” gives full insight into how you can gain full knowledge of your reality and how it operates within us and in the Universe itself. No matter who we are or what our life goal is, negative habits and an unhealthy life culture perturb the delicate balance that allows us to move forward.

You will embark on the path to understanding how bad habits become embedded in our system and thus mold a negative framework within our lives. How to break free from these bad habits and experience the true secret of life through which everything prospers.

Title: : The YOU beyond you

Author: Ramzi Najjar  

Pages: 98

My review

There are not many books out there which truly have the power to change your mind completely. The YOU beyond you possess this power. This book has the ability to influence your thoughts and change them for good. This was really a mind-blowing reading experience.

The 50% of the book is dedicated to declutter and detox our mind and body from al the pre-conditioning which defines our current existence. After a proper detox, the author introduces us to the real magic. The rest of the book is dedicated to creating a memory that will redefine our existence. According to the author, the memory is everything. I agree with this fact. Without the years of memory, we don’t have any existence. So the true transformations start from there. The rewiring and rewriting neurological connections to achieve our maximum potential is not an extraordinary feat. But we should have the courage and will to take action. That decision lies in ourselves.

The style of writing is captivating and engaging. Because the author justifies every bit of his thoughts with scientific information. This made me re-think and question everything. We are living in a world which pre-condition our mind and body to run according to the rules set by others. We are really trapped inside this matrix. The true salvation begins by understanding our desire and breaking this pattern.

It will be an injustice if I categorize this as a self-help book. This is truly an insightful read.

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

ADHD Is My Super Power and It Comes with Great Super Strength by Alana Moore | Book review

This story is meant to bring greater awareness about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). My son Josiah was diagnosed with ADHD at the young age of 3. I see so many powerful things in him that ADHD only enhances for the better. I want children with ADHD to recognize the superpower they possess that can be used for things far greater than they ever imagined. ADHD does not have power over you, you have power over ADHD!

Title: ADHD Is My Super Power and It Comes with Great Super Strength

Author: Alana Moore

Pages: 25

My review

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is perceived as a social stigma and breaking this barrier is essential in today’s world. Many children were undiagnosed and diagnosed ones are having a hard time adjusting to the school. This book not only presenting ADHD as a superpower but also raising awareness about the special needs of these children. You don’t need to give any special care to them, you just have to be patient with them. They are capable of learning but through their own pace.

What makes this book special is this is not a book that sympathizes with this disorder. This is an ability rather than a disorder. Children with ADHD are gifted with many strengths that others don’t possess ever. This book is a confidence booster for children. When a child is facing discrimination and bullying from school because of being different, this book could possibly give a much needed moral support. A touch, a small word, that is all needed to impart a positive mindset in a child. Amidst the negativity around ADHD, this book carefully spreads positivity. The illustrations are also beautiful. They give soul to the words. We need more books like this. So innocent and so beautiful!

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Sports fiction

Football’s Fearless Activists: How Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Kenny Stills, and Fellow Athletes Stood Up to the NFL and President Trump by Mike Freeman | Book review

For the first time, here is the full story of the NFL player protests that rocked a nation and turned our country upside down. This is the players’ side, one that has largely been ignored by the media.

On September 1, 2016, Colin Kaepernick took a knee before a preseason game. Little did he, nor anyone else, know the ramifications from that decision. Since being exiled from the National Football League, Kaepernick has stood strong against all those who have attacked him. He and others who took a knee against racial inequality and police brutality have been ridiculed, mocked, threatened, and some have even lost their jobs. They have feared for their safety and that of their loved ones.

But what made Kaepernick kneel, and the entire country turn a silent protest into a national pandemic? One person: President Donald Trump.

For the first time, veteran journalist Mike Freeman sits down with those directly involved in the protests—the players—to find out how things really went down. Readers will learn why they decided to protest, how racism and the murdering of innocent men of color directly affected them, how the politics of protest affected their professional and personal lives, and if anything has even changed for the better.

Including interviews with Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Kenny Stills, Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman, and numerous others, see first-hand how the media, President Trump, and the National Football League took a peaceful message for change and turned it on its head. They changed the narrative, accusing these men of being “anti-America,” “anti-military,” and “disrespecting the flag.”

In Football’s Fearless Activists, Freeman offers an opportunity to understand what these protests meant to the players, and how the hatred from the media, President, NFL owners, and some Americans was not only unwarranted, but anti-American. 

Title: Football’s Fearless Activists: How Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Kenny Stills, and Fellow Athletes Stood Up to the NFL and President Trump

Author: Mike Freeman

Pages: 240

My review

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

Civil rights movements have a long history of struggle and oppression. People who dared to speak up will eventually targeted. The leaders were either gunned down or killed to shut their voices. Because they are perceived as a threat to white supremacy. But the fire inside millions of people of color cannot be extinguished as easily. The more they tried to oppress them, the more they rose against their oppressors. 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 police officers. Amidst the height of protests, the killing continues. A government that is led by a white supremacist who takes pride in bashing protestors is not giving a little bit of hope. But the true change lies in the mindset of people. As much as they take pride in the tradition of their nation, they must take pride in the inclusiveness of the nation too.

The author, Mike Freeman, a veteran journalist take us through the vast history of civil rights movements in this book. The focus in this book is the life and activism of Colin Kaepernick. But he also includes the voices of other less-known NFL protesters such as Eric Reid, Kenny Stills, Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman, and numerous others. The interesting things that we can learn from this book how a peaceful protest which is backed by solid reason is changed into “anti-national”, “anti-cop”, “anti-military” protest. This is a true narrative of how the politicians and media turned this into a game and tackled the players through nailing down white supremacist ideologies.

Every protest came with a price. Here also many players, especially the face of NFL protests, Colin Kaepernick sacrificed his career to sustain the protests. Still, the situations are not even changed a bit. But just like Colin, many others are determined to end this racial injustice one day.

A great book that gives an unadulterated version of NFL protests with insiders view. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5/5

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

Extraction (Office Pool #2) by D.L. Blackburne | Book review

Office Pool is a coming of age story of an underachieving ink pen named Arthur “Arty” Bickerson.

Arty’s unique journey is chronicled as he must quickly navigate the vast differences between the complexities of his new life and responsibilities in “The Office” and life on the home desktop. More than just a pen, Arty is mentored along the way by his childhood guardian and coworker Stan Sharply.

As Arty gets orientated to his new role, he experiences so many highs and lows, with Stan there to help Arty navigate it all.

With humans set as the backdrop, these common everyday writing utensils each with unique personalities deal with family, friendship, success, love, peer jealousy, classism, along with high expectations, greed, and self doubt. Office Pool is a family friendly witty tale, set in a small fictional world of adventure.

Title: Extraction (Office Pool #2)

Author: D.L. Blackburne

Pages: 68

My review

This is the second installment of the Office Pool series, which picks up the story from where it ended in the previous book. Arty Bickerson, who finds himself in the position of a leader of a small group of pens. He set out a journey to rescue Stanley, his mentor, and father-figure with this group. On the other hand, Stanley is deep down in the inner sanctum facing the most feared arch-villain, King Glitter Smear in an attempt to set free many of his friends and family members who were taken as captive earlier. But in this process, Arty and Stanley along with others came to know about the truth that they are now edging towards the great final battle. Who will survive and who will perish?

After reading the first book, Orientation, I was greatly impressed by the author’s creativity to frame a story like this. A story in the world of utensils and stationery items where humans are pushed into the background. In the first installment, the author concentrated on building a unique plot with strong characters. It was detailed about the past and emotions of the protagonists. In this book, the story-line is more inching towards a great battle. Hence this is a fast-paced one. The story is now shifted like a mystery thriller. Throwing suspicions on various characters, the author has framed a good thriller among the world of pens.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Thriller, Young-Adult

Blood on the Bayou: A Miranda Marquette Mystery by J.T. Kunkel | Book review

Miranda Marquette, self-made millionaire living in Malibu, is summoned by her cousin, Sabine to return home to New Orleans to solve a mystery. Miranda, an ex cop, jumps in with both feet to help her cousin, but when someone is murdered, will her offer be at the expense of her freedom? In the process, Miranda learns more family secrets than she ever wanted to know, one of which will change her relationship with Sabine forever. Miranda discovers that no matter what you think, when you go below the surface, things are seldom what they seem.

Title: Blood on the Bayou: A Miranda Marquette Mystery 

Author: J.T. Kunkel

Pages: 185

My review

A perfect thriller!

Blood on the Bayou by J. T Kunkel is a murder mystery thriller that will surely keep you at the edge of the seat throughout. It was fascinating for me to encounter with many plot twists that changed the whole storyline from time to time. These twists are so interesting that they will ascend you to another side of the story almost instantly.

Miranda Marquette is a self-made millionaire living in Malibu with estranged family relationships. One day she got a call and subsequent visit from her cousin Sabine seeking for some help with her business deal. Miranda who is an ex-cop is reluctant at first but agreed eventually trusting her investigation capabilities. She goes to her hometown for further investigation. In the mean time, she tries to repair her family relationships as well. But the investigation which seems like a piece cake at first, started shedding off its layers. In no time she finds herself as an accused in a murder trial. Will she able to solve the mystery and free herself from this dilemma?

Apart from a good murder mystery story, what makes this novel different is, the whole story is revolving around close family relationships. Miranda faced numerous issues in her childhood and in her career as well. But she fought off all the problems courageously. Family is her weak point. As we dive deep into the story, these family relationships were started to getting too complicated. But in the end, everything fall into place.

The story is slow paced at first, concentrating too much on the backgrounds and details about the main characters. But I think this detailed narration helps to get a good idea about the personality of the protagonist in the beginning itself. Towards the middle, the story is at paced with quick turns and twists. The climax is written too well because the biggest twist is only introduced in the last page.

Overall this is a must-read thriller.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Self-Help

Yes It’s That Easy by Eastwood Bempoh| Book review

Many don’t understand the simplicity of earning income online. So I like to contrast it with spending online. As easy as it is to spend online, it’s almost in most cases that easy to also earn money, we just need to learn to do so. One of the most popular ways of course is freelancing. But there are many others as well for the different types of personalities. Whether you’re a tech person, a fashion person, a music person, an art person, and more, there’s room on the internet to make a living doing what you love, and depending on what you do with the information I give you, you can make as much as you choose to. 

Title: Yes It’s That Easy

Author: Eastwood Bempoh

Pages:27

My review

Excellent guide for beginners.

This short book presents ten methods to start an online income stream. These ideas are flexible enough to do as a side hustle or to develop into a regular income. All the methods are explained in a very simple and lucid manner. The book is also structured very well. The author presents simple methods first and gradually increases the difficulty level towards the end. This way he ensures that every reader benefits from this book.

Another feature of this book is, it is a step by step guide. This is not a book that sells you some random money-making ideas. This is actually a complete actionable guide. At least this book will serve you the much-needed confidence to get right into online money-making. It is essentially a handy skill.

A book like this has much greater significance, especially in this post COVID era.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Mythology

Wise Tales From the East: The Essential Collection by Uri Kaplan | Book review

This little book of insights contains forty-nine parables and fables that will amuse, teach, and inspire you to reflect on your life and actions. Some of the stories are funny, others are enigmatic and philosophical, but they all convey remarkable life lessons and morals. The tales were carefully selected from the Buddhist, Hindu, Daoist (Taoist), and Confucian traditions, as well as from Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folklore. If you let them, they just might blow your mind!

Yoga and meditation instructors and practitioners may find these wise tales valuable for contemplating their training. College professors and high school teachers may find them handy for preparing lectures and stimulating class debates. Psychologists and bibliotherapists may find them useful for therapy sessions. And anyone else in search of wisdom would surely benefit from perusing through these enchanting tales of sages, monks, Zen masters, scorpions, centipedes, and horses.

Title: Wise Tales From the East: The Essential Collection

Author: Uri Kaplan

Pages: 64

My review

Wise tales from the East is a collection of forty-nine short stories selected from Buddhist, Daoist, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folklore. Every story illustrates certain aspects of human thoughts and life. They deliver a unique message. The purpose of the story is to convey this message. They are the carriers of ancient wisdom.

Why they crafted these folklores and pass them through generations? Will it be easy if we convey the message as it is? The answer lies in the question itself. We often attracted to things that we don’t need. We are attracted to them because they are simply beautiful. Everybody likes to read and hear stories now and then. Stories serve as a relaxation in long continuous lectures. We are unknowingly attracted to them, because of their simplicity. Will there be any better way to convey age-old wisdom rather than embedding them in stories? They are better than thick philosophical textbooks. These stories are crafted only for fulfilling this purpose.

Through these forty-nine stories, the author has poured intangible spiritual wisdom to readers. You can’t simply read and go, once you opened this book. You will stay for a moment, lost in thoughts, after reading each one of these stories. They are so powerful. Many of these stories are framed thousands of years ago. They are still relevant. Because we humans have the same struggles and issues to overcome. That’s why they survive the time.

A must-read for everyone because these stories will add some values either to your life or to your work for sure.

Rating:5/5

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

The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven by Peter Gray | Book review

Sela is assigned to be a private gardener for Theodore “Teddy” Woven’s ancestral home. The young gardener soon finds her presence unwelcome as she slowly uncovers the truth about his family’s past. The greatest mystery of all lies not in the house, but with its owner.

Title: The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

Author: Peter Gray

Pages: 281

My review

A story that will leave you with tears at the end.

What a story this is! A perfect portion of creativity blended with delicate human emotions. I don’t have any words to express the overwhelming feelings that I had after I turned the last page of this book. A perfectly heartwarming romantic drama. I must not tag this as a cliche romantic drama. It will be an injustice to the story and the beautiful storytelling efforts of the author.

Theodore “Teddy” Woven lives in his exceptionally large and vast ancestral home up high in the mountain across the sea. Sela is assigned to take care of Teddy’s garden in the absence of his usual gardner. Sela was cautious because she is instructed to leave the owner alone. But the behavior of Teddy towards Sela is telling otherwise. What is the mystery behind his unusual behavior? What are the secrets that he is keeping from her?

I can say that, this is a piece of art. The appreciation towards an art will be different for everyone. Because we experience that slice of creativity differently. No two emotions are the same. This story is like that emotion. First I thought that this will be a thriller because the author was building up mystery in the beginning. But as I delve into the life of Teddy, the darker side of his life is uncovered in front of me. It is darker because of his pain. When I realized the unimaginable pain that he tried to live with, it left my heart aching. Sela was the cure for his pain. He was waiting for her. Their love goes deep and beyond imagination. The author has conveyed these raw human emotions perfectly.

I highly recommend this book. Because this beautiful story deserves to heard.

Rating:5/5