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

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Erotic fiction, Fantacy, Fiction, Young-Adult

Wanton Desires: Overcoming Sexual Inhibitions by Misty Musette| Book review

What happens when pure carnal instinct overrides deep-seated inhibitions?

The ‘Wanton Desires’ series narrates the real life experiences of women who came forward to share confidential stories of their spontaneous pursuit of the most secret and forbidden desires of their hearts – all in a quest for deliverance.

Whether it’s a romp with the pool boy while the husband is away on yet another business trip, finally giving in to a lustful maid’s advances, or sweetening a business deal with a journey into uncharted sexual territory, our participants lay bare every detail of their exploits and delve deeper into the innate hunger that made them break free from their natural inhibitions. 

Title: Wanton Desires: Overcoming Sexual Inhibitions

Author: Misty Musette

Pages: 39

My review

Wanton Desires is a bundle of adult romance tales that slowly ascends to the forbidden sexual encounters. Justifying the title of the book, this is a saga of overcoming sexual inhibitions. All the stories are centering on the deep sexual desires of women. The stories broke every barrier you can ever imagine. They go overboard when comes to the matter of desire and fulfillment.

All the stories are different from one another. This gives a much-needed freshness to each story. You can even feel it in the first story itself. The intensity and extremeness of the sexual desires are unimaginable whether they are for keeping a marriage together to random pleasures.

Unlike in the “Secret Confessions of Naughty housewives” by the same author, these stories not necessarily revolves around bored housewives. They range from career-driven successful women to experimental college teens. This is the unique feature of these tales.

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

Riddle, Riddle by Eastwood Bempoh

*Impartation of Understanding*

In this compendium of riddles originated by the author, the main purpose is to grow the understanding of those who read the words written in this book, and to exercise the wisdom of those who care to participate in the exercise

*A tool of education*
*A practice for the development of the mind*
*Insightful knowledge to the impartation of understanding by the medium of riddles for an increased capacity of wisdom*
*The Riddles of Eastwood Bempoh (101 riddles included)*

Title: Riddle, Riddle 

Author: Eastwood Bempoh

Pages: 195 pages

My Review

This is a cleverly written collection of 101 riddles, meant to create an understanding rather than to impart knowledge. These 101 riddles are crafted in such a way that they challenge the readers. These are not meant to be read but to be solved. By solving them we will be able to build a greater understanding of them. The author also explains the difference between knowledge and understanding in the introduction. Most of us are hungry for knowledge because we know that it is the key to progress. But what we don’t know is, this key will not work if we don’t know how to use that knowledge. Here comes the role of understanding. To transform knowledge into wisdom, we must walk through the bridge of understanding. Riddles are meant to test our knowledge to develop an understanding of things.

What makes this book unique is its variations on riddles. All riddles are classified based on difficulty such as easy, intermediate, and difficult. Then in the contextual sense, they are classified into three, literal, metaphorical, and unirical. Also, a single riddle may have more than one section. First 51 riddles are classic ones with some changes to create understanding. The author encourages us to write our riddle too in this section. The second section consists of 50 riddles which are a step forward. Here we have to write the contextual meaning, difficulty level, and type of riddle. This test on riddles enables us to create them as our own.

Highly recommend this book if you are someone who likes to build an understanding from your acquired knowledge.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

Shaerlyn: Guardian of Eden Book 1 Angels of Zion saga by Yaakov C Lui-Hyden | Book review

A story of self- doubt to faith in a power greater than oneself. A story of an Angel, tired of the destruction and wars on Earth, leaves for a life of solitude after the Napoleonic Wars. Now, the forces of evil have grown and the Angels have dwindled and every Angel is needed in the battles ahead. So she is called back to service, she who once guarded Eden, now to guard a small Australian boy. 

Angels with flaming swords.
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel and a full cast of the Angelic Host.
Lucifer and his minions doing their best to do their worst.
Flashbacks to a variety of biblical and historical events.

It has it all!

Title: Shaerlyn: Guardian of Eden Book 1 Angels of Zion saga

Author: Yaakov C Lui-Hyden

Pages: 141

My review

A true slice of creativity!

This is the story of Shaerlyn, a guardian angel wielding, flaming sword. She is tired of the war waging-destructive mindset of humankind and living her life in solitude for more than two hundred years. The immortal angel who was once guarded Eden is summoned once again by her King, for a new mission. A child will be born on the Earth, but his very own existence is threatened by demons. Shaerlyn is consumed by self-doubt because its been years that she touched her own sword. But she will do anything for HIM. She is determined to save this newborn. The path awaiting for Shaerlyn is not at all what she expected. The demons grew stronger than ever in her absence and she must find her courage and devotion to win over them.

The story presents an iconic protagonist Shaerlyn, the guardian angel in her astounding character. Although the author crafted all main characters as divine godly angels, they all have elements of human nature in their minds. They all are fighting because they want to prove their worthiness. They are fearing their impending fall if they lose a battle. So all battles are a do or die for them. The narration of fierce battles between angels and demons along with the wars in the Earth are breathtaking. The story kept me on the edge of the seat all the time. This is a perfectly crafted thriller in that sense.

The one idea that remains beyond this story is the catastrophic nature of wars. The history of mankind is inseparable from the history of wars. But these wars will ultimately lead humanity into the impending doom.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Science Fiction, supernatural, Thriller

Diary of a Time Travelling Alien by Yaakov C Lui-Hyden | Book review

Written with a lively pace, plenty of action without being bogged down. A deliciously fun read of adventure, insights into the human condition, full of sarcasm and wit. Have a look inside and come on this journey with a reluctant alien time traveller, imprisoned on Earth.

Title:Diary of a Time Travelling Alien

Author: Yaakov C Lui-Hyden

Pages: 132

My review

This is a hilarious unique story of an Alien who is trapped in Earth. As the title suggests, the story is told through the several diary entries of this Alien. The uniqueness of this story lies in its perspective about mankind. It presents an outsider’s view on all the things in the Earth. His sarcastic approach extends beyond subjects such as our religions, customs, and the whole way of life. He presents an alternative lifestyle that he practiced back in his homeland. This lifestyle has everything that we lack. He compares both lives throughout the story. But the one thing that drives his life is his unending curiosity. He likes to explore and experience. What will happen if he decides to take things forward by taking over an actual human body?

What I liked most about this story is this gave me an alternative perspective about love and soulmate. The alien’s hatred towards wars and meat is quite hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time. I really liked the storytelling technique. Because it is one-sided and it is enough to bring sarcasm from beginning to end. The story is indeed gripping and enthralling.

Rating: 5/5