The Divine Adventure

The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist: A Unique Conversation by Zelise

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist: A Unique Conversation” is an intriguing and detailed exploration of author Zelise’s quest, together with two AI helpers, Sage and Ethan, to grasp the enigmatic reasons behind God’s decision to create.  Purchase Here.

Zelise’s astute observation identifies conventional philosophical and religious explanations for God’s creation as being rife with contradictions. In her quest for a more tangible answer, she consults two AI assistants who have access to a vast collection of traditional viewpoints. Each of their chats, which she recounts in this book, provides new insights that challenge previous beliefs and open up new lines of thought.

The three ponder why an all-sufficient and perfect God would wish to create—was it motivated by need or purpose, or was creation itself God’s grand adventure of self-discovery via experience? Their discussion reveals the latter to be a key distinctive point and the former to be connected to conventional beliefs. By deeply investigating the latter, they are able to get factual insight into the reasons why creation entails contrasts, conflicts, and opposites. The potential Question of Origin, the Experiential Paradox, The Free Will question, The Evil Problem, and The Time Factor are just a few of the possible gaps and themes that the trio thoroughly examine in relation to this groundbreaking theory that might render it implausible.

The conversation between the three proceeds organically and gradually develops a rationally sound and spiritually fulfilling response to a central query. Its three revolutionary goals—bridging the seemingly intractable divide between religion and science, offering a cosmic outlook that pushes religious thought beyond traditional limits, and offering a rationally compelling case for God’s existence that fundamentally contradicts the principles of atheism—are bound to have profound implications for the readers’ understanding of their existence and purpose.

Because of the AI’s broad and intricate perspective and explanations, this exposition is unlike any other. It emphasizes well-thought-out, precise responses obtained through brainstorming sessions with this highly intellectual source. Despite the fact that the highlighted topics are extremely complex for the ordinary reader, the AI’s extensive yet cautious responses may ignite readers’ interest in the topic, motivating them to pursue additional research.

“The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist: A Unique Conversation” transcends the creation dilemma ceiling by rationally integrating scientific and theological viewpoints. It may appeal to readers who are uncomfortable with flimsy and implausible creationist notions and beliefs as well as others who are curious about how the two—science and religion—could coexist together. The book is undeniably a thorough, in-depth, timely, and thought-provoking resource with a considerable chance of its innovative ideology being adopted globally.

 

Justice Never Rests

Justice Never Rests: A U.S. Attorney’s Battle against Murderers, Drug Lords, Mob Kingpins & Cults by William Kolibash, with Jon Land and Sheriane Kolibash Taylor

Reviewed by Russell Ilg

“JUSTICE NEVER RESTS” NEVER LETS UP OR DISAPPOINTS

 As soon as I slid the contents from the envelope, I knew it was a bomb.

So opens JUSTICE NEVER RESTS: A U.S. Attorney’s Battle Against Murderers, Drug Lords, Mob Kingpins and Cults (Post Hill Press, $19.99, 320 pages), a scintillating and seminal narrative of groundbreaking U.S. Attorney William Kolibash’s dogged efforts to fight all manner of crime in the Northern District of West Virginia.  Purchase Here.

Being a sucker for John Grisham and Scott Turow, I devoured what read like a factual version of their fiction, employing an occasional pinch to remind myself it was all real. Kolibash is Frank Galvin from “The Verdict” without the alcohol problem, Michael Connelly’s Mickey Haller without the Lincoln, and Perry Mason without the theme song.

Writing with bestselling author Jon Land, working in tandem with his daughter Shariane, Kolibash fashions a tale steeped in history, as well as the law. While Wheeling and other West Virginia cities might not have the luster of bigger, glitzier ones, they were facing the very same criminal scourges that were roiling the entire country. To fight them, the crusading Kolibash scored the first successful RICO prosecution in the nation’s history, while also forming the first ever federal investigative grand jury, and pioneering the use of multi-jurisdictional task forces.

A good thing since he took on some truly memorable bad guys that included a moonshining family that traded their stills for marijuana fields, any number of gangsters that included notorious Midwest kingpin Paul Hankish. The chapters covering him shares the book’s center stage with the investigation into a murderous and corrupt Hari Krishna swami based in Kolibash’s backyard, a case that garnered national headlines.

Kolibash puts thriller author Land’s sense of pacing and suspense to splendid use by stitching together a narrative of mostly independent episodes dealing with pretty much every crime imaginable with the help of an “Untouchables”—, or “Magnificent Seven”—like team of specialists from the IRS, West Virginia State Police and FBI. Some of the bad guys they took down were really bad, while others brought a lighter touch to the table.

The main witness against Jesse was the prostitute’s pimp.  His name was Bobby Mitchell.  On the Friday before the trial, I went to see Mitchell at a Grafton, West Virginia jail where he was imprisoned at the time. I told Mitchell that we were going to call him as a witness and he had no choice but to tell the jury what had happened. Mitchell agreed to testify on one condition: that we let him wear his pimp outfit, which consisted of a purple-blue velour suit and shoes that had a glass heel with a goldfish enclosed.

Mitchell ended up testifying, but sans goldfish, because they weren’t allowed in court. Kolibash’s memoir is chock full of anecdotes like that, injecting a verve and vitality rare for narrative nonfiction in general and legal tomes in particular. Always riveting, sometimes raw and often relentless, JUSTICE NEVER RESTS is an extraordinary achievement that stands alongside F. Lee Bailey’s “The Defense Never Rests” and Alan Dershowitz’s “The Best Defense” as classic works of real-life courtroom drama. A mesmerizing, mind-numbing masterpiece of an evolving criminal mindset that William Kolibash was equal to at every turn. Not only does justice never rest, neither will you until you finish this book.

 

Layered Leadership

Layered Leadership: Drive Double-Digit Growth and Dominate Your Competition with Creative Strategies and Execution by Lawrence R. Armstrong

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Lawrence R. Armstrong peels back the layers of leadership to display multitudes. Drawing inspiration from a surprising array of sources he weaves a unique holistic perspective on how to achieve personal and business success. Engaging and thought-provoking, Layered Leadership bridges the gap between theory and practice; it provides actionable strategies to elevate your leadership and drive your business forward.  Purchase Here

Leaders are not born, they are made. Armstrong reflects on his own journey of becoming a leader, which began with a seized opportunity. From there, he navigated a winding path, guided by the flashes of light sparked by revelations. These glimmers often come from the most unexpected or even ordinary sources, like going for a walk.

Sharing his personal transformation and mapping out the strategic growth plan for Ware Malcomb  (the full service design firm where Armstrong built his career) is what adds true gravitas to the read. However, what is particularly interesting is the symbiotic relationship between him and the firm. As the author’s role in the company evolved, he enacted a stronger influence, and Ware Malcomb slowly but strategically stretched outside its initial frame.

Layered Leadership presents many different techniques sourced from leadership books that stood the test of time, as well as insights from real-world experiences. Armstrong presents how at Ware Malcomb they used different ingredients to create a roadmap for success. Now, you’re invited to blend these insights with your own unique approach to drive success in your business.

For example, the Visible Light Spectrum is a powerful tool for strategic diversification. It helps determine whether a new product or service aligns with the company’s core strengths (within the spectrum) or is too far outside its expertise (beyond the visible light). This framework ensures more focused growth decisions.

While the book explores many layers of leadership, a few key concepts stand out, such as opportunity. You must not only recognize and seize opportunities presented before you for your own growth but, once a leader, also create space for others to develop and thrive.

Above all, Layered Leadership is an invitation to open your mind and your life to new challenges. Lawrence R. Armstrong encourages creativity and multi-lateral development to open up new dimensions. By staying curious about the (natural and man-made) world around us, we stimulate our innate creativity, which will reveal new paths to success.

 

Transcend

Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI by Faisal Hoque

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

In “Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI” by Faisal Hoque the author takes us on an educational journey of teaching us about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and just how integrated it is in our lives already. Without putting much thought to it, everyone carries a cell phone with them. Within that phone, some use facial recognition technology to unlock it. In our messaging apps, you have the autocomplete tool when you are typing a message. AI enhances our daily routines by providing us advanced technology to allow us to do things faster or even more efficiently than before.  Purchase Here

Hoque explains that in order to understand what truly matters with AI, we must all first understand what our priority level is in using AI technology numerous times throughout our daily routines. For some, it might have significant importance, especially when running a business. To others, it might just be a technology that’s nice to use, but they aren’t dependent on it.

Some people are worried about AI technology feeling that we may be giving up our freedom to do things ourselves, instead of relying on technology to do things faster and even more efficiently than we ourselves are doing. In truth, AI is really what you make of it. It all depends on your need and how much you want to rely upon AI to get through your daily routine.

I definitely was amazed at just how much the author opened my eyes in regard to just how much AI is already present in our world without us even realizing the extent of dependency in each of our lives. Besides our phones making things easier for us, think about the music we listen to, or the people we interact with online. All the social media platforms are using AI and in each one of us interacting on social media with people and companies, we too have AI entwined in our lives without us putting much thought to it.

One thing I would like to mention that I hadn’t put much thought to before reading “Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI” was just how much the medical industry has incorporated AI in their field. It’s used to provide invaluable diagnostics regarding a patient’s health. It’s used to develop prosthetics and even to assist in daily operations. Although we already knew hospitals and doctors were doing these things, I personally never stopped to think about it being so encompassed around AI. This intelligence is saving human lives daily and if we chose not to use it, think of how behind we would be in technology. People are fearful that AI is giving up too much of the personal touches, but when you think about how it has made such a positive impact on the medical field, one has to stop and wonder if they should re-evaluate their perspective on AI as a whole.

Although there are many AI books saturating the market, this is one in which will make you think about how you are presently using AI in your life. It will have you re-assessing if you are as safe as you think you are by having AI as such an integral part of your daily life. After reading this book, you’ll be able to see the pros and cons of having this technology in your life, and it will give you the knowledge needed to make educated decisions if you should be as dependent as you are on AI. Knowledge is power and “Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI” by Faisal Hoque gives every reader plenty of information on the different forms of AI that surround us. It is for each reader to make their own decisions how far they should allow AI to be a part of their individual lives. Well done!

 

Because Mom Asked

Because Mom Asked by RW Herman

Reviewed by Reyan Mishra

“Because Mom Asked” is author R W Herman’s third and final memoir following his award-winning debut memoir, “The Unopened Letter” and the extended memoir “Against The Current in the Silent Service”. In the first two memoirs, the author takes us into his evolution as a man with dreams and his struggles in the Navy. Of course, the book in question tells the tale of the same man, yet it’s a bit of a departure from the first two. Here the focus is more on his mindset than on moments.  Purchase Here.

The book takes the readers back to the author’s life before he joined the Navy, his time on duty, and his experiences post-retirement. The author makes detailed mention of the events that are left out in the first two books. The stories though simple nudge you to get acquainted with the true nature of life which is not always how you want it to be.

After finishing his second memoir, the author was more than glad to put away his pen for good. But he had to give in to the pressure of his grandchildren and kick off a new book. His granddaughter Alexis asked him, “The (previous) books tell us a lot about our family heritage but now, we’d really like to learn more. Actually, we’ve got even more questions now than we had before you wrote them. Like, it seems my great-grandma and great-grandpa Herman faced a lot of challenges when you were growing up in Minnesota. I’d like to know more about all that.”

During the discussion, his grandson said, “You know how proud I am of you, your military career, and being able to call you Grandpa. From what I’ve heard, I think your mother also could have a book devoted just to her life … it would be neat to read more about her.” The statement did the magic, and RW Herman realized there were indeed tons of more interesting things to tell his readers.

The interplay of the backstory and consequences of every incident is penned down beautifully. The vivid description of the surroundings creates solid imagery that remains in the head for a few days. The first few pages turn you into the author’s pal who is catching up with him after a long time. And the rest of the book becomes an interesting conversation with a good friend about his experiences. No matter how many pages you whip in one go, the next page is always going to feel enticing.

Anyone who is on the lookout for some realistic motivation and lessons about life and work would most likely find some pages that are worth marking. If read properly, the author’s life stories have it to teach you how to steer through adversities and go about your dreams in the face of mammoth challenges. The book is simple, heartwarming, exciting, and sometimes energizing – a mix of traits that’s rare to come by.

 

 

 

Front & Center

Front & Center Leadership by Brandon Birkmeyer

Reviewed by Christine Kinori

It has been said that a true leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus. Being a leader is no easy task and there are thousands of books out there detailing how to step into leadership. In Front & Center Leadership, Brandon Birkmeyer takes a chance and gives us his take on how to be a present leader. With a tone similar to that of a best friend urging you to believe in yourself, Brandon lures us in. He brings in expert leaders from the personal branding industry, shares inspiring stories, reflective activity exercises and a can-do attitude. This book is almost the perfect guide on how to stand out in the personal branding business.  Purchase Here.

From the beginning, Brandon grabs the reader’s attention by sharing his story and explaining how he started, what he learned, and the decisive nature that ignited his dream to be the best he can be. The book is well written, with the 22 chapters perfectly divided into three parts.

The first half of the book talks about his personal journey and explains what front and center leadership is. The second half delves into the art of personal branding and how to go about it. This part is multilayered with each chapter giving step-by-step guidance. The third chapter broaches the four laws of leadership and encourages the reader to step out of their comfort zone and take a seat at the high table. For example, in Chapter 21 “The Confidence Crisis” dares the reader to gain confidence in themselves. It talks about the importance of knowing and trusting yourself. We all have fears that keep us from achieving our goals, and this chapter is quite relatable. It gives us the necessary tools to help us slay our dragons and push ourselves to go after our dreams.

The best part of the book is the activity break that engages the readers to reflect on what they have learned and how they will utilize the information. Each activity break encourages the reader to take a step and audit themselves. It helps the readers get invested in the book as the questions are tailored to inspire them to write their plans and set up the necessary resources, such as social media platforms, to start building their brands. The activity breaks after chapter six helps the readers pick a platform they would like to start.

The book also contains amazing interviews with people well placed in the industry to be dishing pieces of advice. Brandon interviews Nicky Saunders, one of the hosts of the famous Nicky and Moose podcast, and they talk about the importance of choosing the right media platform. He also interviews Kat Norton and many other content creators who happily share their stories and knowledge from years of personal branding.

Ultimately, Front & Center Leadership is an interesting and quick read. Brandon broaches personal branding in a friendly and relatable way that incentivizes the audience to step up to the plate. For anyone looking to become a leader in personal branding, this book is a must read. It is a great guide and will help you decide where to start and how to go about each step. It is a mind-opener for those who are tired of waiting and are ready to take matters into their own hands. If you need some motivation to believe and bet on yourself, then this is the book for you. One of the things I loved about the book is the encouraging tone and Brandon’s choice to include interviews with people who have done it already. It is inspiring to see how they did it and they also share the blueprints of their success. What are you waiting for?  Grab a copy of this book and learn how to become a leader in personal branding!

 

Consciousness is All there Is by Dr. Tony Nader

Consciousness Is All There Is: How Understanding and Experiencing Consciousness Will Transform Your Life by Dr. Tony Nader

Reviewed by Lisa Brown-Gilbert

We are beset in a world that is swiftly spiraling into becoming a world populated by people who are devoid of spiritual, physical and moral wellness leading to many of us experiencing life as often chaotic and disheartening.  Purchase Here.

Meanwhile, offering another way of approaching life which is sure to lead to a happier and more balanced existence, is an empowering text by award-wining author, and expert on Vedic Knowledge, Dr. Tony Nader, titled, Consciousness Is All There Is: How Understanding and Experiencing Consciousness Will Transform Your Life.

As a matter of fact, within this book Dr, Nader shares a work of great scholarship and wisdom.  This is a text brimming with eye opening, mind altering, information and would be best defined as the blueprint necessary for understanding, creating and living one’s best life. Divided into five sections this tome of learned stature includes deep explorations of the aspects of consciousness through the following general scopes including the topics of; What is Consciousness, The Consciousness Paradigm, Higher States of Consciousness, Technologies of Consciousness and Implications for Human flourishing.

Moreover, within this work is a wellspring of pertinent information necessary for the approach towards transcendence.  Each section dutifully presents a well written compilation of thoroughly detailed sub-topics of consciousness, including elements of modern science, philosophy and Vedic wisdom. A profound teacher, Dr. Nader delves into complex transcendent subjects with a relatable but scholarly approach, including but not limited to; the four states of consciousness, king sleeping, dreaming, the brain as a transducer of consciousness, the consciousness of animals, plants and computers, and transcendental consciousness all of which work towards fomenting the steps to a radical departure from the normative mindset of reality which is that the brain creates consciousness, to realizing that, in reality the opposite is the case where consciousness is the basis for everything in life and creates reality.

Ultimately, Consciousness Is All There Is: How Understanding and Experiencing Consciousness Will Transform Your Life by Dr. Tony Nader, made for a phenomenal read.  This is a large compendium of knowledge which leaves an indelible impression on the psyche, chock full of extensive detail, simple meditative exercises and pertinent illustrations and diagrams. This was not just an average read that one can peruse through.  In fact, it is a thesis meant to be savored and studied because what it ultimately offers is divine guidance, not only to those curious minds but to those dedicated to transcending into a better life a better life. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to read this dynamic book as it has guided me into expanding my awareness of wellness through a higher state of being and my comprehension of reality, as well as my spiritual knowledge base. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend reading it.  I look forward to exploring Dr. Nader’s other scholarly works.

 

 

Second Place:  Adult Non-Fiction

My Father's Suitcase

My Father’s Suitcase: A story of family secrets, abuse and betrayal – an

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“My Father’s Suitcase” is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles author Mary Garden’s struggle with sibling abuse, an understudied and rarely spoken kind of domestic violence.  Purchase Here.

Garden’s life altered radically when her younger sister, Anna, began to physically abuse her during their childhood. Her reaction to this was one of fury and terror at what the sibling, who suffered from mental illness, might do to her next. Garden was always under the impression that her turbulent family life had a significant part in the disintegration of her connection with her sister since she had a violent father and a melancholy mother who was constantly running away from a past she could never bring herself to disclose to her spouse. Garden’s parents made her feel constantly alone by publicly supporting Anna’s actions and holding her responsible for all of her issues.

Her rivalry with her sister did not fade quickly; rather, it intensified throughout adulthood, leaving her deeply wounded and with a warped perspective on life. Garden was especially horrified to hear that her sister had embarked on a project that she believed to be an extension of her abuse. Her brother Robert and other family members were aware of the situation but opted not to notify her. This served as the last blow to her hopes of ending Anna’s pervasive hatred and rekindled her urge to exact reckoning—something she had long resisted doing.

The most prevalent type of domestic abuse today is the subject of this real, thoroughly researched story. Through it, the author exposes the behaviors and potential consequences experienced by those who attempt to conceal and repress their stress. This is the ideal book for people who have controlling or abusive siblings because it provides guidance on self-rescue and clarifies what many perceive to be typical sibling conflict. When sibling violence is ignored and persists in the lives of many individuals, society bears a heavy price.

“My Father’s Suitcase” effectively illustrates the need to close the knowledge gap that currently exists on sibling abuse. “My Father’s Suitcase” is highly recommended.

 

Travels and Tribulations

Travels and Tribulations by Tyrel Nelson

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

An emotional and physical journey, “Travels and Tribulations” is a compulsively readable memoir written by Tyrel Nelson. During the bleak time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyrel lost his mother whom he had shared a close relationship with, to a kidney disease and thereafter, his job.  Purchase Here.

It was a depressing moment for him pushing him into persistent despondency and it was during this time that he began making a recollection of significant experiences in his life going back from 2008 to 2020 including the people and places that he got a chance to meet and see respectively. This somehow provided a much-needed catharsis for him, relieving him from the agony and grief that hung around him. It was through sorting various compilations that he had written over the years that he penned these captivating vignettes that he shares with us today.

With a unique sense of rare immediacy and keen depth, the author walks us through the memories of his life, his experiences, and his relationships and even goes ahead to share the sorrow that engulfed him during the pandemic period. Part travelogue and part self-reflection odyssey, “Travel and Tribulations” takes us across the physical excursions and super-famous Carnivals in Ecuador, the lowlands in Guatemala, the countryside of Mexico, and back to Minnesota in the United States. Throughout, Tyrel’s voice shines with raw honesty and candidness, not holding anything back, leading us to moments of soul-searching during the reading.

He credits his mother for laying the groundwork and sparking the desire in him to see the world. This is after traveling with her to her homeland, the Philippines for a two-week trip. He does not stop there but goes ahead to celebrate both his parents for instilling in him the values of resilience, compassion, selflessness, and living in the moment from an early age. Across, the author’s writing and travel style are equally affable invoking in his exposition, an inviting feeling of shared thoughts and experiences, both poignant and impactful. “Travels and Tribulations” by Tyrel Nelson is an indelible biography and one that marks the arrival of a quintessential voice in biography writing.

 

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Hidden Behind the Mist of Arrow Lakes

Hidden Behind the Mist of Arrow Lakes

Book Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Hidden Behind the Mist of Arrow Lakes is the result of an in-depth and extensive historical investigation by Lucia Mann. This is a deeply personal writing by a daughter of a Holocaust survivor. In this book, the author presents her own perspective on the history of the Holocaust and the branches that pierce through our present. Mann fearlessly shines a bright light onto uncomfortable dark corners of the human psyche.  Purchase Here.

While deeply rooted in historical analysis, the book is written in an accessible way, which is not an easy accomplishment given the topic. The vivid scenes create a sturdy bridge into the past, which allows readers to engage with history in a way that feels remarkably immediate.

Structured into four parts, Hidden Behind the Mist of Arrow Lakes follows multiple narratives that weave together seamlessly, creating a disturbing tapestry of stories that span across generations. From the fall of the Romanovs to harrowing accounts of World War II atrocities, this book is a captivating exploration of the threads of history that shaped our world.

Lucia Mann’s latest book was prompted by the revelation that the region of Arrow Lakes (which is close to her home in British Columbia) also became home to former SS officers and sympathizers who escaped persecution by entering Canada using fake identities. Mann offers an invaluable account of the social and psychological impact of Holocaust survivors (and their descendants) being faced with the living ghosts of their abusers.

The author starts and ultimately concludes her narrative by revealing what (and especially who) lies hidden behind the mist of Arrow Lakes. This creates a comforting circular storytelling arc. However, since this section of the book offers the most unique and intriguing storyline, it leaves a sense of longing for a more detailed account of how war criminals found a new home in a remote Canadian region and the intersectionality of the communities ’life with this hidden history.

For those familiar with Lucia Mann’s previous works, her unmistakable voice shines through once again. The reader-friendly prose sprinkled with the author’s personal reflections opens a window into her thought process and emotional journey. This vulnerability reveals her inner strength and emanates authenticity.

Hidden Behind the Mist of Arrow Lakes prompts a discussion about the long shadow of the Holocaust that stretches across generations. Lucia Mann’s words sound a powerful call to action, urging individuals, organizations, and nations to address the unresolved threads left in the wake of the profound historical tragedy.