Be A Better You by Inte and Chiara Alfonso | A Book Review

It's been a while since my last post. April had been a very busy month both at work and in my personal life. I went to South Korea. It's been a while also since the last time I got to travel abroad. I'd say, it's one of the most memorable trips ever. There were a  lot of things I got to do and experiences that are bound to help me face whatever challenges ahead. The best thing is I got to be the best version of myself again. 

Be a Better You is a book I won in Goodreads. It 's a self-help book in finding yourself, being a better version of yourself and how to be just better in whatever aspect of your life. The things written here are not new. I'm sure, you've heard and read them already but what's different is it's given in small and very practical doses. No lengthy explanations or examples, plus really really cool artworks for each nugget of wisdom. 

I think the most important nugget of wisdom that I want to share from the book is about loving one's self. I know I don't think I love myself enough. I have to remind myself that putting myself first is not wrong and loving myself is not being selfish. I think the author also agrees that this is the most important thing because he put it in the very first part of the book. It's first and foremost and above all else, because if you love yourself, then you are secure and confident in everything you do. You're sure of yourself that you don't have to feel jealous or envious of others' success or fortune. You'll feel happy for them instead. I say that I don't love myself enough because I have self-esteem issues. I grew up so shy and so unsure of myself. Being bullied didn't help too. I felt like I was an easy target for ridicule and insults. I don't know why. I mostly keep to myself. I have friends but only later in life did I really get to understand what real friends are. Real friends make you feel better about yourself. They help you be better and accept you no matter who you are. There are no conditions. They love you for all the good and the faults and through the happy days and the difficult ones. That's why, I don't exactly spend much on material things but rather on experiences. I wanted to be enriched by traveling and meeting new people. Reading helps a lot too. Clothes and jewelry does not make a person but kindness, humility, integrity and respect for others do. So, here is the quote:

Therefore the most important thing about love is that you love yourself. Why is it important to love yourself, because once you love yourself you know what love is and then you know how to love others. 

To love yourself is to learn to be happy with yourself and let the inner energy within yourself shine and radiate out. 

Like the above quote says, if you are happy, you mostly likely want people around you to be happy. Misery loves company. If you are miserable, almost often, you would want people around you to be miserable as well. Most of the time, more miserable than you are. That's why some people would try so hard to pull people down with them because they are so unhappy. Seeing people happy is an eyesore to them.

Be a Better You is a very concise and easy to read book. It's very handy and very practical. It doesn't talk of very technical concepts. It is a very good guide to living everyday life and how to be a better person each day. Lastly, I do agree with what the author says about having things to live by, mainly principles to follow. This is very basic and as you try to follow each principle everyday, it will be so ingrained in you that it would be second-nature. 

So, with that said, I give this book 3.5 paper cranes. Why paper cranes? Because the cover is that of an origami crane. I know of a story wherein if you make a thousand paper cranes, whatever you wish for will come true. I think this story also symbolizes what this book stands for. That if you practice to be better everyday, then nothing is going to stop you from achieving your goals, reaching your dreams and be the best of what you can be. No one becomes a champion overnight. Constant practice is the key. Practice makes perfect. Everything good and fulfilling comes with hard work.

Thanks again, Inte and Chiara Alfonso and Goodreads for the book.  

Operation Earth (Project Ark #2) by L. T. Gibbons | A Book Review

I won this paperback copy as a giveaway through Goodreads. Thank you again L. T. Gibbons. 

This is book two of Project Ark. Operation Earth is about the preparation of both humans and Usonians to go to earth to convince the people to implement some changes to save the planet. On the other hand, some of the best people in their fields like arts, architecture, etc. are sent to Usonia to help in the development of the planet and to prepare it for the next wave of Earthling migrations.

Though this book is already the second in the series, it can still be read alone. I was glad that even if I didn't read the first book, I was still able to understand the story. The flow of the story was a bit slow for me. Probably, because for almost the entire book, it dealt with life in Usonia and then how the ambassadors to Earth were faring in their mission to promote and encourage change. Nothing much happened. Nothing very note-worthy. I am not saying that I was bored with the story. It was just that it was a too easy read. Things were just peachy. I was telling myself the there is definitely something big that is going to happen and I was eagerly anticipating for it. The whole story could not be just all warm and cozy. The worst thing our main characters had to deal with so far were just common teenage problems. I was thinking the whole time, there should be something more. And there it was. I almost wanted to give up on the idea that something big is coming because I thought I was made to wait already too long. Good thing, it still made it to the last chapter. Thankfully. Relieved. The big explosion that I had been waiting for finally came. Finally, the author delivered! I was a happy camper after that. I slept without having disappointed.

I enjoyed the story even though the whole time I was waiting for that surge of adrenaline to happen. And I was made to wait quite a while. I was glad that aliens are pictured as similar to humans except they were just physically superior with clearer skin, taller and really good looking. I was glad that they did not have horns or made out to be reptilian or anything else. Usonia could be akin to Utopia where everything is good and everyone gets along. A planet where its inhabitants subsist on organic produce. This book is definitely telling us to go back to the basics - to plant our own vegetables, raise our chickens and livestock so we can have fresh food everyday. It's telling us to start doing our share in saving our planet. To reduce our carbon footprints, reuse and recycle to minimize the harmful effects we are causing to the environment. I also appreciate that this is a YA book so the young people would be made more aware of state of our planet.

I give this book 3/5 stars. I think the book was too short. I would definitely want to read the first book and the next one. This was a very relaxing read but always be prepared for surprises that might be waiting at the end.

You Earthlings and your inhibitions. You're only inhibited because your society demands it. A society intent on suffocating free will, independent thought and individual behavior. It's sad that people here need alcohol to let go and just be themselves, without worrying what everyone else thinks.

- L. T. Gibbons, Operation Earth - 

The Ghost of Sherlock Holmes by Paul Voodini | A Book Review

Sherlock Holmes, the famous sleuth and master of deduction. Was he even real or just a product of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's very creative imagination?

The year is 1922, it was New Year's Eve. Our host, the storyteller in this book, is having a special dinner. He is a dubious Sherlock Holmes collector and is very eager to showcase his collection to his guests. As per our host, Sherlock Holmes character was based on a real person - a Dr. James Bell, who like the great detective has great personality profiling prowess. So, let's get the party started. Our host can't wait to boast the new additions to his collections.

The book was not what I expected. I thought I would be reading of my favorite fictional character's haunting. Yes, sue me for not reading the blurb. When I saw the title, I immediately signed up for the giveaway. It got me at Sherlock. Well, it wasn't all for naught. This book is very informative and I have learned a lot. If I were a magic enthusiast, I would find this book a treasure of secrets. This felt like "the magician's secrets revealed". Not too mention, the author's name is Voodini. You know - Houdini? The famous magician. I was entertained and wasn't a bit disappointed that this was not about Sherlock coming from the dead. I am actually really glad that I signed up for this book. I think I will have my nephew read this one. He is not fond of reading but I think if I tell him that this book will teach him very handy magic tricks he can show off to his friends, I believe he will be interested to read this. I am very hopeful. I have yet to tell him though. I am crossing my fingers. That's how much I enjoyed this book. I am confident that my nephew will actually take an interest to read it. This would be a good start for him to join the bookworms. That is one of my life goals. To draw my nephews and niece to join the age-old-book-worshiping-cult. I also have one friend in mind who will find this book very useful but I lost contact with him. Maybe, if I see him again, I will tell him about this book. You can thank me later Mr. Voodini.

I think this book taught me a way to do a cold reading of a person's personality by using cards. Ah, what is cold reading? Cold reading is reading a personality cold - without previous knowledge. Meaning, you do not know or have met that person before to be able to judge his/her personality properly. I think it would come very handy in getting to know people. I can actually imagine myself dealing out the cards and asking people I will meet in my future travels to pick random cards and I will read his/her personality just by looking at them. The cards, I mean. Amazing, huh? It's a good way to break the ice. I will have to practice it first with my friends. And of course, not to forget to get my own deck of cards. Maybe I can add this skill to my resume?

So, why is this book called The Ghost of Sherlock Holmes? It is because the magic tricks in here are explained thoroughly by Sherlock and how he would have done it. All in all, this is not just a book of tricks but also a peek into the secrets of Sherlocks' abilities. How we can at least emulate him in a teeny-tiny way. 

I give this book three and a half aces. I think it was too short. I think it should be longer. I wanted more. There should be a sequel. And since this book was talking about Sherlock, there were a lot of Sherlock Holmes-based books that were listed at the end of the pages. I have noted them and will start hunting them soon. For all those who love everything Sherlock, this book is for you. This would also be a good Christmas gift for kids. I am sure they will find the tricks very awesome. This would be like an apprentice's guide to performing impressive magic.

Human Beings are decidedly selfish creatures.

...underneath the surface, in every person, there is a small child stamping its feet and shouting that life is not fair!

- Paul Voodini, The Ghost of Sherlock -

I got this as a giveaway from Goodreads. Thank you again Paul Voodini.