Review: Higher Is Waiting by Tyler Perry

I was stuck between giving Tyler Perry's Higher Is Waiting a 3-star rating but I took a breath, listened to what I think he's referring to as the voice of God and had to be honest with my heart and self and give it a 4-star rating. I tend to rate books on emotion rather than what Book-snobs might because the world is full of authors. Some share amazing stories that stay with us until we die, encased in the perfect prose, while introducing us to remarkable characters who we long to share a beer with. And there are others who write in an uncomplicated manner, with forgettable characters yet, the ride they take us on is thrilling. Allowing us an escape from the humdrum of what we know as life.

Review:Black Privilege by Charlamange tha God

To say Black Privilege:Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create Itwasn't compulsively readable, I'd be making the understatement of the century and I'll gladly expound on that matter in this review. 

Review:Think Better, Live Better by Joel Osteen

I was in terrible need of something inspiring to read. Not even the Cubs winning the World Series after 108 years could pull me from this weird slump I've been in lately. To top it off, we've been having amazing weather the last few weeks here in the greater Chicagoland area... yet, here I was. Stuck and in an irreversible circle of blah.

Review: Success Through Stillness by Russell Simmons

When I initially threw my hat in the ring for a bid at winning Russell Simmons Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple I didn't think I'd be picked. Honestly, I wasn't hoping to be picked either. Not because I didn't want to read his book, but because I only requested entered into the giveaway off of name recognition. I'm too young to really have lived the impact RunDMC had on the hip-hop community, yet young enough to know the profound mark Russell Simmons has made on, not only music, but business in general. I've always known him to be a mogul who yells at the top of his lungs in that adorable lisp that some may find a reason not to take him serious. I knew better.

Suffice it to say, once I got the notification that I'd won a copy, I was beyond ecstatic. Although I allowed some time to pass before devoting time to this self help book, I feel that I've read it at the perfect time in my life. I'm working more than 50 hours at my job some weeks, and trying to maintain going to school part time. If anyone was in need of a few moments of stillness I would be that perfect candidate. Sure I'm not running a multi-million dollar company, in charge of a team that caters to my every need, nor am I a pop culture icon that has a huge platform to change the minds of the mass. I'm just me. An average person who's problem are just as important to me as Simmons are to him. Enough about me. I step off my soap box now.

Success Through Stillness is Russell Simmons plea to the world that meditation can solve many problems. He hails meditation as being the Holy Grail and that everyone should get in on the action. This self-help book is written with an excitement that is often lacking in other books in this genre. I felt as excited about beginning meditating as Simmons sounds encouraging me.

What is most appealing about this novel is that it's not just 200+ pages of "Uncle Rush" repeating and drilling the success of meditation into the heads of readers, although that does happen, he offers proof. It's clear and apparent that he researched the benefits of meditation and presented his findings in the most approachable terms as possible. In the beginning chapters, he mentions the science of the art of meditation by revealing how it changes the corpus colloseum and allows each hemisphere of the brain to communicate in a more productive manner with each other. I'm currently taking a Psychology class so these revelations made so much sense. Yet, if I had no knowledge of the brain and it's parts such as the Amygdala, or Frontal Lobe and their functions, the language is approachable and engaging.

Besides using a scientific approach, Simmons provides studies conducted on the brain of one who practices meditation and one who doesn't. Simmons provides articles naming some of the top psychologists and their proof of the meditating's benefits. I love that he doesn't think that readers aren't smart enough to know that his opinion alone isn't enough to drastically change their daily lives. Who really wants to devote 20 minutes twice a day to something that may or may not actually work? I know I don't. Free or not. Between work, school, my reviews, and life that seems like a huge undertaking.

If the scientific benefits of meditating was not enough, Russell Simmons does not waste an opportunity to name drop. I'm not mad at him. I would too if I had friends such as Deepak Chopra, Ellen Degeneres, and Oprah. He says they too accredit their ability to balance their lives in a productive manner is due to meditating. 

Because Success Through Stillness is so engaging and inspiring, I almost forgot to read it objectively. Once I came back down from cloud 9, after reading more than 85% of the book, I realized I was no closer to knowing how to meditate than when I open the book. I bet you're saying there's nothing to it. Just sit in a lotus position and mumble some mumbo-jumbo. I'm a little more technical and in need of direction than others. And I only came to this conclusion when one of my co-workers passed my cube and asked me if the book I was reading was good. I answered "Yes!" Without hesitation. And then I said aloud "but I'm no closer to knowing how to meditate than when I began the book."

Ultimately, all concerns were rectified and I'm confident in having the tools needed to begin meditating. I appreciate Russell Simmons for writing this book along with Chris Morrow. Meditation was never on my list of things to try until reading Success Through Stillness. Meditation is worth the try. Essentially, it's just like Simmons says, I risk nothing in trying it except an enlightenment I've never experienced before. ****


Copy provided through Penguin Group via a Goodreads Giveaway

Review: The Rejected Stone by Rev Al Sharpton

Won Through a Goodreads Giveaway Honestly, I've never really known much about Rev. Al Sharpton besides the fact that he seemed to be a pretty popular caricature. From the moments where Kennan Thompson parodies him on SNL to the scene with Adam Sandler in the movie Mr. Deeds, I never was inclined to take the man seriously. I dropped my name in the hat of giveaway hopefuls in an effort to circumvent having to pay for something I wasn't too sure I wanted to invest my money in although I had a newfound interest in Al Sharpton. The reason I wanted to findout more about this man is because I watch a lot of MSNBC. I wake up with joe(Scarborough that is), play hardball with Chris Matthews, and usually hear what the last word is with Lawrence O'Donnell. Basically, I wanted to know who this guy hosting Politics Nation was, bringing to light the injustice of Voter ID laws. Up until then I was convinced he wasn't someone I should take seriously. The Rejected Stone by Al Sharpton opened my eyes to the person he is, was, and wants to be remembered as. Long past are the days of his ill-fitting tracksuits and frumpy figure. He has a more refined look now but his views are still the same. He's simply a man who came from humble beginnings hoping for all the world to see the value in EVERY human life. Yes he has accumulated a rolodex full of some of the most successful people to ever walk the planet, he's still more interested in making a difference. Sharpton has gotten a reputation of being only interested in the "black" agenda. Touted as being a person who only comes running when there seems to be some sort of racial injustice, seems to not be the only cause he fights for. The Rejected Stone chronicles his life as an activist, preacher, and celebrity. Many times this memoir seems more or less a self-help book which is pretty enjoyable seeing as he has lots of relevant ideas towards growth and changing. One of the most interesting endorsements Al Sharpton has made is his support of LGBT rights. Most mainstream religious figures find this to be taboo and an abomination to the very basic Christian fundamentals. Initially he was against the idea of these rights but started to see how the world is changing. To keep up with the change, he had to focus on the argument from a different perspective. Sharpton deduced that he can't have a lifetime of leading rallies for civil rights then choose to discriminate at will. The Rejected Stone provides a chapter heading that works as either a motivational message or guiding light for life. Define Yourself-Before Others Do it For You, Every Life Has Value, and a few others are snippets of his advice. This helps the book remain focused and easy to follow. The structure of this book helps it not be repetitive. Because every person has "haters" the fact that this book is published by Cash Money Content has been a source of claiming Al Sharpton to be one of the many, greatest liars. How can someone who has fought against the use of defamating language do a book deal with a music label that is its top exploiter? I only mention this because he even addresses in the book his constant fight for people to see themselves as something greater. He doesn't change his message to appease Cash Money Content. I'm sorry that I don't have an opinion on this. I figure if a convicted felon is in jail, then is turned preacher, does it sully his message of inspiration? If he were to come out with a rap album about civil rights on Death Row Records should it make the message any less important? He does have a chapter aptly named Be Open to Unlikely Allies. Surprisingly, The Rejected Stone was great insight to a man's life that I really had no knowledge of and I appreciate finally knowing more about this man than what a Wikipedia page can say. Sure, I saw him at Trayvon Martin rallies, heard the words he spoke at Michael Jackson's funeral, and remembered the cartoonish ways he used to dress, but I never really followed his career. He speaks of his highs, his lows, and why he's the most unlikely of the rejected stones to be where he is today.  ****

Review: Secrets of the Southern Belle by Phaedra Parks, Esq

Everybody knows that each franchise of the Bravo's hit series Real Housewives, there is one housewife that becomes a fan favorite. For me, that person is Phaedra Parks, Esq. of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. She's not the typical housewife who married into money and sits on her behind. She's an accomplished lawyer with a business savvy that rivels the best. I placed the bias for her aside in hopes of writing an impartial and honest review for the Netgalley provided copy of Secrets of the Southern Belle.

Phaedra Parks has written an advice book on how to be a Southern Belle which is her reality personality on the series so it's hard not to associate her with the advice given in the book and compare it to the show. There's no getting around it especially if the reader is familiar with the reality show. This isn't a bad thing because I think much of Parks actions and personality coincide with the advice given in Secrets of the Southern Belle. This provides a little more insight to fans of her actions. Now on to the book!

Secrets of the Southern Belle: How to Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun, and Never Have an Off Moment let's us into the inside world of a true Southern Belle and exposes the secrets to her pulling it off without a hitch. Parks encourages women to take care of themselves and the rest of the world will too. She's not suggesting that Belle's behave like the feminist revolution never happened or to cater to any man's needs, but to simply put more effort into the person they present to the world. I love this idea. Most people are judged by there outside appearance so why not put your best foot forward?

One of the ways a Southern Belle can get what she wants is by being respectful, mannerful and establishing connections. Parks notes that manners mean a lot and many have forgotten this. My experience in customer service has made me more than happy to help Parks get this message out. There are rude people who need not be rude especially when that energy can be used at making a lasting connection with someone. Ultimately the goal of a Southern Belle is to make a connection with people by using "please" or "thank you". Even sending flowers, gifts, or thank you cards can be terms of endearment and a meaningful way to nurture that relationship.

What's a book about being a Southern Belle without giving advice about how to maintain your outward appearance? Parks gives sound advice that everybody should know such as under garments should remain just that. No one wants to see that you've been wearing the same underwear three days in a row. And much of the advice is not limited to just women. There's insight on how to raise young gentlemen worthy of a true Southern Belle. I admit I don't need 2-hours in the morning... but then again... maybe I do.

Now on to my gripes. I'm a northerner and was a little put off by the constant references to us as if we are from some other planet. I discussed this with my mother who's a southerner through and through (although she's been raised in the north) and she agrees with Phaedra Parks. There is a distinctly different culture I'm sure. My gripe is that the references almost take away from the charm of the book especially if a northerner takes it personally.

Everybody knows that this book oozes Phaedra Parks inside and out. During my read I could not keep her voice out of head. I liken it to having tea on the front porch with a good friend shooting the breeze.

Secrets of the Southern Belle is a fun, engrossing, and inspiring advice book that can have any girl on their way to becoming true Southern Belles. If that is not the goal of the reader, Parks provides sound advice in most areas in life, that the Southern Belle rules apply in hopes of becoming better people overall. I imagine fans of the Real Housewives are the intended audience, although I'd recommend this book to all my girlfriends.
****

Review: Skinnygirl Solutions by Bethenny Frankel

I admit I've never been a fan of Bethenny Frankel but am a little intrigued by her. I love everything Housewives and my television might actually but stuck on Bravo right now. Bethenny has always been one of the wives I am impartial to. Neither love or hate. Skinnygirl Solutions is almost like my becoming reacquainted with her and finding out what her appeal is.

Skinnygirl Solutions features Frankel's solutions for most any situation in an effort to live the Skinnygirl lifestyle or wellness. There are references to her other works such as Naturally Thinso the first chapter is primarily a crash course, overview with respect to what that self-help book is written about. The first half of Skinnygirl Solutions is all about food. For someone interested in losing weight and doing it Frankel's way is sure to find her no nonsense, sarcastic, and humorous approach a refreshing look at a genre that has been beaten to death.

Skinnygirl Solutions provides solutions to living a better well-rounded life. Frankl dispels any concern I had with her making a fatty like me feel like crap. No, she simply insists that Skinnygirl is about balance and finding what works for you. She mentions strategies that I may incorporate into my life such as picking my spot when to be a fatty and when not to be. I also like the advice of never eating out of a bag. I have to remember that when I'm sitting in my cubical about to snack on a bag of Cheetos.

Skinnygirl Solutions is organized well and contains very good advice but I couldn't help notice how repetitive the first half seemed. I figure that comes with the territory in books of this nature. Nothing works better at helping self than beating the fundamentals into your head.
Once Frankel provides solutions for cleaning house, entertaining guest, and organizing one's life the repetition ceased and I was able to really enjoy it. 

One other gripe are the shameless plugs for Skinnygirl bars, or cocktails, or cleanse products. I know you have to market your products but come on. Ironically enough those plugs have me thinking about trying one of those products... but really!?!??! It isn't enough that you're buying the book?

Overall, I would recommend Skinnygirl Solutions to anyone who's a Bethenny Frankel fan and is looking for a self-help book that isn't the norm. Although she reminds us that she isn't an expert, I figure who is?  ***