1 comments about Aspirations: Achieving What You Want For Yourself and Your Life.

1. I absolutely loved this book. It's easy to read and follow and it never once lost my interest while reading it. Full of inspiring stories and it inspired me.

No comments about Effective Meditations for Overcoming Self-Doubt (Contemporary Meditation Series).

No comments about I Am Beautiful: Affirmations for Women.

2 comments about Learning to Dream with Your Eyes Open: A Survival Guide for Inner City Youth.

1. LEARNING TO DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN by Melanie D. Geddes is a usable blueprint on how to dream and remove oneself from the dire straits inner city youth may find themselves in. The book is structured in an easy to read manner and each chapter ends with "Lesson Learned" activities to begin the journey. It begins with "Why Dream?" and ends with "Quiet Confidence." In between, the chapters deal with issues such as "Beating the Odds", "Changing Lanes" and "From Impossible To Possible", just to name a few. What I found interesting is that the chapters are no-nonsense, straightforward and if taken seriously, could actually alter a young person's life, no matter the situation.
   
   As I read I realized this book is not only for inner city youth, but youth and adults from all walks of life. Techniques are given on how to set attainable goals, improve academic performance and take ownership for one's actions.
   The author herself was raised in an inner city and she shares some aspects of her story, which fosters believability with the reader.
   
   My favorite chapters are "Changing Lanes" and "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions." "Changing Lanes" highlights the necessity of altering your goals when the realization hits that your stated goal is not what you really want. The author also discusses how our lives can lead to nowhere and how fear and the need to feel safe allow us to accept our current situations. Chapter 8, titled "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions," deals with responsible behavior and how to change a situation, correct mistakes and learn from the mistakes of others. The author cites some real life examples of bad decision-making and the consequences of those decisions. Other reading materials are cited, which are excellent and motivating reads as well. This is a wonderful tool for all to use, whether you are a child, parent, educator, human service worker or volunteer; all will find something useful to help our youth succeed in life. My favorite quote - "circumstances can impact your starting point, but they don't have to necessarily determine your ending point."
   
   Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
   of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers



2. I teach at an inner city school in Miami. Ms. Gedddes' first hand account of growing up in an inner city environment was illuminating and moving. The questions she poses at the end of each chapter were not only helpful to me but have helped me in working with the children at my school. I have already passed my copy of her book along to one of our counselors. Ms. Geddes' book should become an anthem for all of those who who seek to find their way to a better life. No excuses, no nonsense.

No comments about Conquer Yourself: The Way To Self Confidence.

No comments about A Thousand Paths to Zen (1000 Hints, Tips and Ideas).

1 comments about On Life & Other Paradoxes: Aphorisms and Little Stories from Bert Hellinger.

1. This book is a kind of small philosophical manual. Nice parables, teachings and poems that make of this book a jewel you shall have always beside your bed.

1 comments about Dating, Mating, And Relating: How to Build a Healthy Relationship.

1. Don't let the title fool you. This book has very little to say, if anything about dating.
   
   The authors wanted to revise their earlier book about marriage, but for various reasons decided to write a whole new book instead.

3 comments about A Healing Touch: True Stories of Life, Death, and Hospice (Thorndike Large Print Health, Home and Learning).

1. i bought this book on sunday and was so very moved by the stories in it. i lost my husband on dec. 6 2007. it was nice to read about local people and how hospice helped them with their grief. i to am going to hospice and am amazed at the people there and their commpassion for helping others.i started to read it and could not put it down. it is very well written and i was also very glad to see local people writing it. i really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend everyone to buy it. it is not a long book but it is worth every penny. i also would like to see more of these books written. there are so many people out there that have amazing stories to tell and i really feel that people should be reading about them and all the help that this wonderful group of people have to offer. thsnk you



2. As one of the writers who contributed to this book, I feel I have to add to the description above. This is not a sad book; it is truly an inspiring book. I say this having been moved by the experience of interviewing my subjects-- a couple who lost their eldest son in a car accident, plummeted to the absolute depths of despair, and emerged, because of a hospice group for grieving parents, better people.
   Reading these six essays will leave you encouraged about the strength of people who are just like us. It's a hopeful book and a powerful one. So excuse the five stars (are authors supposed to do that?), but I feel strongly that this is very much worth reading.



3. If you are looking for a book that offers hope, inspiration, some tears, lots of smiles, and then leaves you wanting more, this is the book for you. A Healing Touch is a collection of six stories, and though written about people who live in Maine, they could be about anyone, anywhere life happens. The stories are written by six talented authors who craft their respective words with compassion, keen insights and skill. I personally know each of the subjects in this book - some I have known for many years - and in reading A Healing Touch I learned more about their struggles, hearts and souls than all of my time and conversations with them could begin to convey. They each shared their journey with amazing grace, honesty and with the genuine hope their sharing would help others who are faced with what seems like insurmountable odds for survival following a loss. Upon reading the final page and closing its cover you will no doubt, as I did, feel the need to simply sit and hold the book to your heart.

4 comments about Rainbow Connection: How to Use Color and Energy to Transform Your Life.

1. Ms. Carlino provides an almost mystical insight into our most personal thoughts. Not only are Ms. Carlino's words inspirational, the author provides examples and tools that help the reader work through a process of self-understanding and self-improvement. The imagery provided by the seven colors of the rainbow serves to underscore the differences each of us have in measuring the importance of work, play, family, and God in our daily lives. At the same time, the rainbow underscores our common need to keep them all in balance if we are to live happy and productive lives. It is only through a merging of these colors that we are able to truly fulfilled.

   The Rainbow Connection offers something of value to everyone who has the pleasure of reading it, regardless of age or background. Ms. Carlino speaks to the importance of our spiritual needs and how we must attend to them if we are to be complete human beings. The message is clear: don't just read The Rainbow Connection, act on it. The author shows us how.

   This is a must read for anyone who cares enough about themself to want to grow healthy in mind and in body. The attentive reader will recognize the author as an immediate and caring friend.




2. What a treat.The journey of self discovery aided by thought provoking images and ideas. Ms Carlino lets the reader explore their own feelings with out being preachy. A wonderful book to give as a gift to someone you love.



3. If you're feeling lost in a world spinning increasingly out-of-control, reach out and grab "The Rainbow Connection" --- a self-help/awareness book like none other that leaves you not only feeling better about yourself, but your future as well. This book will help you find your own unique path to lead you into the new millenium with a renewed faith and confidence that you never thought possible. What ever your color, you'll find it in "The Rainbow Connection".



4. This book invites you to take responsibility for your own life. It helps you to see how past hurts influence the negative choices we make in our lives in the present. By learning how to forgive and love, who we are right now, taking God as our partner; is all part of the healing journey. The workbook pages are nice. It's introspective and spiritual but people of all faiths can read this book..it is not for "one" religious faith. It's really univeral to all people.