you got to be kidding: the cultural arsonist's satirical reading of the bible by dr. joe wenke

Title: You Got to be Kidding: The Cultural Arsonist's Satirical Reading of the Bible
Author: Dr. Joe Wenke
Pages: 206
Ratings: 3.5/5
Summery:
Why did God turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt? Were there no other seasonings available? Why don't we know anything about the early years of Jesus? Did someone lose his baby book? Who reported the desert encounter between Jesus and Satan? Jesus-or Satan? And why does the Holy Spirit like to show up as a bird?

As irreverent as the musical The Book of Mormon, Joe Wenke's YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING: The Cultural Arsonist's Literal Reading of the Bible is an engaging, provocative and hilarious investigation into the bestselling book of all time. Written to "cause trouble" cultural arsonist Wenke, a keen observer of human gullibility, tempts readers to more closely examine the stories they think they know about the Bible.

Drawing upon the same pool of incendiary and cerebral humor as Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and the late, great George Carlin, YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING is a call for humor to restore our sanity and our ability to think for ourselves. Just as it was written in the Bible-or was it?

My 2 Cents:
Let me get this cleared, I am not a Christian, Catholic etc. I dont know much about the religion and traditions that related to it but I love to get to know new things. I've never try to read any Bible but I have to tell you that his book is hillarious! It has a twist that makes you think even when everything is clouded with humours. My recommendation is please read it before you judge it. I have read a few other reviews and yes, lots of mixed reviews. Some find it very bad, but not to forget that most of readers thought it is great. I understand that a Bible is a Holy book, and I think it would be quite lenghty and need serious understanding. Compared to the author's book,  in my opinion, he has his simple way to make people to understand Bible in such interesting way. Give it a go, and later, you can decide whether it's as good as I claimed it.

About the Author:

Dr. Joe Wenke, an outspoken and articulate LGBT rights activist, is the owner and managing partner of Xperience, a multi-million dollar marketing communications and production company with offices in New York, Boston and Detroit. He is the founder and publisher of Trans Über, a publishing company with a focus on LBGT rights, free thought and promoting equality for all people. His next book, PAPAL BULL: An Ex-Catholic Calls Out the Catholic Church, will be published this summer. He partners with Gisele Xtravaganza in Gisele New World, which produces events for the ballroom community. Wenke began his career as an editor at the Foundation Center in New York City.  He was a speechwriter at Avnet for Tony Hamilton, the founder of the global electronics distribution industry, and wrote speeches for George Conrades, the head of IBM US. As a senior vice president at Caribiner International he served as the company’s lead communications strategist and head of global accounts. Wenke received a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A. in English from Penn State and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Connecticut.

Website: http://joewenke.org/

blogging for smarties by yvonne wu

Title: Blogging for Smarties Blogging for Authors and Speakers
Author: Yvonne Wu
Pages: 43
Rating: 3.5/5
Cover Rating: 3.5/5
Summary:

The Internet is often the first place that people turn to for information about anything and anyone. Company addresses, information about a person, and reviews about a company are a click away. Potential visitors rely on the Internet to learn about specials, book releases, events, and information. Your website is your storefront and it enables you to reach a global market. Having a website that supplies this information is a necessary component of running a business. As an author and speaker, the Internet becomes a business channel to network, advertise your products and services, and build a following on a global level. Learn how to create your first blog, effectively market your blog and create passive income opportunities in our new ebook, “Blogging for Smarties Blogging for Authors and Speakers,” which will walk you through the steps of building an extremely effective website.

In this 43-page guide, you will learn:

• Blogging Basics for Beginners 
• How to Attract Readers 
• Popular Blogging Platforms 
• How to Setup WordPress 
• Discover How to Use WordPress 
• Useful Plugins for Authors and Speakers 
• Discover Effective Marketing Strategies for Your Website 
• Easy Tips on How to Make Money with Your Blog 
• Learn Effective Podcasting 
• How to Market Your Podcast 
• Two Comprehensive Videos on How to Set-up Your Blog 
• Important Links to Resource

My Say:

In my early blogging experience, I have consumed a lot of time setting up one. I have no help from anyone. Although it's good being independent and practically doing it yourself, a help is great indeed. This book will offer you a simple step of how to start setting up a blog. The explanation is simple and instructions are easily understood. Nowadays, anyone can start up a blog. But how determine are you to seriously make it works? Without any help, I was frustrated at first and kept on going back on forth whether I really want to set up one. Seriously, it almost took me 3-4 months before I could launch my own book blog site. I keep fidgeting what links to put on, what icons, badges, pages, etc. I wish I could have any help like a manual book or something like this book. It's like an easy short guidance book but would help a beginner so much. If you don't really know how to set up a blog, this book will give a simple yet a big difference. I recommend beginner bloggers to have a copy!

About the Author:

Yvonne Wu, president of The YP Publishing, provides services tailored to professional speakers and authors, helping them achieve a greater online presence. Yvonne helps clients reach their potential in their business. Her company’s niche is assisting authors and speakers with branding and developing an online presence.

Yvonne has received a diploma in Marketing and Business Administration and has obtained the Entrepreneur edge certificate. Yvonne has successfully completed the Author Assistant Certificate Program. Yvonne has assisted authors with a wide variety of projects across North America, helping them with publishing and promoting their book. Yvonne has been a guest blogger and has been interviewed on various sites that discuss other aspects of the publishing industry. Yvonne is the author of two books, Podcasting Basics Step by Step and Blogging for Smarties.

Find her at: Website | Amazon

interview: Author Peter Lefcourt

What did it mean to become American in the mid-20th century? Peter Lefcourt goes beyond assimilation to take a nostalgic and dramatic look at what makes us truly American in AN AMERICAN FAMILY. Lefcourt reaches back to his own family and memories to inform this saga. “Though this is not an autobiographical novel, it is, in a larger sense, a ‘cultural autobiography’ – specifically, that of Jewish-Americans born in the 1940’s. Our experiences are similar to that of all immigrants – Italian, Irish, Vietnamese, Iranian, etc. – as we all navigate the tide of our new culture.”

To celebrate the release of AN AMERICAN FAMILY, here's some interview I have with him and wanted to share with all all of you ;p


D: Is there a specific element in your writing that you find most challenging?

PL: Writing is not easy and never gets any easier, no matter how much you do it. There is nothing that requires more concentration, patience and inner self-criticism than writing. The more I do it, the more I edit. As the zen proverb goes, words are the enemy of the writer. Trust the music, not the notes.

D: Which author inspires you most?


PL: Patrick O’Brian. The twenty novels in the Aubrey-Mathurin series are consistently readable, absorbing and enlightening. I have read all of them at least twice, and some three or four times.

D: What is your guilty pleasure?


PL: Chocolate and champagne every Sunday afternoon with my wife.

D: You’ve had a long, successful career in Hollywood— what was your favorite project?


PL: “Beggars and Choosers,” the two-year Showtime series that I co-created (with the late Brandon Tartikoff), wrote and produced, 1999-2000. The show was a satire on the television business, a subject I know very well; it was a lot of fun to write about the universe and people that I was familiar with. Moreover, Showtime gave me a great deal of creative freedom. That, and the collaboration with some very talented, co-writers, directors, and actors – made the experience particularly rewarding. It’s not often in Hollywood that creative egos merge and work well together, and “Beggars and Choosers” was clearly a lovely exception. 


D: Do you prefer writing screenplays or novels? 


PL: Novels, because they are yours and don’t have to be shared with directors, actors and producers. And because with novels the writer’s voice still matters. However, occasionally the loneliness of writing books gets to me, and I seek out and enjoy the collaborative experience of screenwriting. HHHooooo



Book Excerpt

His fraternity brothers were in a rowdy mood. There was a keg party scheduled at the house that Saturday night, and the prospect of getting laid was in the air. The brothers lounged around the tables bragging about all the sex they were going to get. Michael filtered it out. Most of it was bullshit. The more you talked about it, the less you got. He had a girlfriend, Naomi Berks, whom he had met last spring and with whom he’d been going steady ever since. They’d been doing it pretty regularly in his room beside the kitchen, but he didn’t have to talk about it. It was nobody else’s business. He was taking Naomi home for Thanksgiving next week. She was from Shaker Heights and had never been to New York City. His sister Elaine had volunteered to share her room. On the phone, his father had asked, Mickey, is this the one?

For more info Click HERE

About the Author

Peter Lefcourt

Peter Lefcourt is a refugee from the trenches of Hollywood, where he has distinguished himself as a writer and producer of film and television. Among his credits are “Cagney and Lacey,” for which he won an Emmy Award; “Monte Carlo,” in which he managed to keep Joan Collins in the same wardrobe for 35 pages; the relentlessly sentimental “Danielle Steel’s Fine Things,” and the underrated and hurried “The Women of Windsor,” the most sordid, and thankfully last, miniseries about the British Royal Family. He is a 30 handicap golfer, drinks too much good wine, and has never been awarded the Nobel Prize for anything.

the beauty book by nancie rue

Title: The Beauty Book
Author: Nancie Rue
Rating: 3/5

Summary (BookSneeze):
Learn with Lily and her friends just what it means to be beautiful in God’s eyes—inside and out!

In a society so focused on the idea that external beauty reigns supreme, it can be difficult for young girls to figure out what “true” beauty is all about. This unique and creative book for girls ages 7–11 answers the common questions girls ask during this often confusing and overwhelming stage in their lives in an inviting and conversational manner.

Filled with fun quizzes, imaginative activities, and cool illustrations, The Beauty Book offers cool, relevant information about everything from great hair styles to tattoos, from skin care to clothes, and much more. Above all, the message that God-confidence is beautiful is highlighted on each and every page.

My 2 cents:

I like the book. It made me remembers  all the things I used to do or wear when I was a kid/tween. I love to wear anything that I think will make look pretty and nice without concerning what others would say. Let say that my taste in fashion or clothes is not as fantastic as my piles of books!

I admit that the book is more related to Christians according to Bible. However, I believe that every religion has their own belief and this book actually quoted some from the Bible which I'm not really familiar about it. And I think good advices are acceptable regardless of what religion you are. I like the illustrations in the book and make it suitable to girls, and more enjoyable. Adding a little bit more details or explanation would make it much better for kids/teens understanding.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. These are my honest review and receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review.

guest post: Author Cynthia Kocialski

To Be Successful or Not? To Live One’s Dream or Not? These Are the Questions?

Everyone has dreams. Everyone wants to be successful. Yet, few achieve what they want or hope. Have you ever wondered why that is? What is it successful people have that others don’t?
If you ask people, they will tell you it’s a talent. If the person is a rock star, people will say it’s because they are a great singer. If the person is a scientist, it’s because they are smart. If they are an artist, it’s because they are creative. Underlying these statements is the belief that those who are successful have an extreme talent for something. They are the lucky ones who were born with something that’s rare.

Yet, many secretly want to be that person. Every year, every child is asked by a multitude of people, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As children grow, what they wanted to be in preschool is completely different from what they want to be in high school. Preschoolers shoot for the stars. They want to be the champion, the best at something. As children get older, they lower their expectations. Why? Somewhere along the way, they are led to believe that extreme success is preordained at birth. It’s the result of an innate talent. But is it? Is there no hope for those who are just average?

Of course not, there is always hope and in fact, the odds of success are actually in their favor. Over my career, what I’ve learned is success in life doesn’t hinge upon having an extreme ability or getting the top grades. There are lots of average people who are highly successful. If talent alone were the determining factor, we wouldn’t see drop outs being billionaires. The best corporations would be headed by the alumni of the top universities, and that’s not true either. Scientific breakthroughs would be discovered only by those with the highest IQ’s, and studies have disproved this as well. So much for the theory of success and talent.

To achieve, it all begins with a change in one’s mindset as to what is truly required. It starts by accepting that an extreme talent isn’t necessary. It begins by dispelling some of those concepts we learned in school, notions meant to help us learn knowledge, but don’t necessarily hold true for reaching our dreams.

In the first chapter, Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success opens with why straight A’s are not required. Too many people equate academic success with future professional success, and this book begs to differ. Why average works for success is because it’s not one single talent that matters as much as the combination of qualities. Any one talent simply needs to be ‘good enough’.

We’ve all heard that talent is a gift. Imagine you bought an item as a gift for someone. When you see them next, you thrust the gift into their hands and say, “Here, this is for you!” Now imagine a slightly different scenario, you purchased the item, wrapped it up, put a bow and ribbons on it, and presented it to the recipient in a unique manner with an eloquent speech. The later just has that WOW factor even if the actual gift is just ordinary. Package up the average and it becomes successful. Don’t package up the extraordinary and it will get a lackluster reception.

The book further discusses some of those misconceptions and half-truths, which when taken for literal or face value will hinder success. It also elaborates more on the packaging needed to reach success. Every school child has heard it, “It’s not whether you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.” It works in a classroom where the focus is on learning. It keeps harmony on the playground. In the world after school, this is no longer true. Yet, many still cling to this concept. Would you engage a lawyer who lost all his cases? Would you go to a physician who patients are never cured of their ills? Would you go to an investment advisor who clients all lost their money? Of course not. You want to employ people who are winners. Success is never easy. It only appears that way in the press and media. In childhood, we learn that it’s easy to accept failure and to not achieve our goals – we played the game without the intention to win. Like it or not, winning matters. It’s not a matter of ‘effort and reward’ because reward doesn’t necessarily follow effort. The middleman is missing. It’s the effort that produces results, and it’s the results that bring the reward. Many unsuccessful miss simple points such as these.

Regardless of whether it’s your dream or your child’s, whether it is lofty or down to earth, each and every child wants the same thing. No one wants their dreams to stay just dreams. They want their dream to become a reality.

If there is any big secret to success, it’s that extreme talent isn’t necessarily required. If there is one big misstep, it’s that success hinges upon perfecting a specific talent, to focus and hone that one skill and neglect all others. It’s the combination of talents and skills that make people a success. Wow, that’s a huge shift in thinking, because it means it is possible for just about anyone to be successful.

About the Author

Cynthia Kocialski is the founder of three tech start-ups companies. In the past 15 years, she has been involved in dozens of start-ups. Cynthia writes the Start-up Entrepreneurs’ Blog www.cynthiakocialski.com. Cynthia has written the book, “Out of the Classroom Lessons in Success: How to Prosper Without Being at the Top of the Class.” The book serves up tips, insight, and wisdom to enable young adults and parents of kids to know what it will take to forge a successful career, no matter what their academic achievement.

the hardline self help handbook: what are you willing to do to get what you really want by paula renaye

Title: The Hardline Self Help Handbook: What Are You Willing to Do to Get What You Really Want
Author: Paula Renaye
Pages: 152

Series: Non-fiction / Self-help
Published: April 21st, 2011
Rating: 4.5/5
Source: Receive for review
Buy at: Amazon IndieBound

Summary :

The Hardline Self Help Handbook challenges readers to find out in this fast-track course of self-discovery and self-empowerment. By taking the "kiss" approach to self help, Hardline cuts to the chase and gives you simple, practical and easy techniques that will transform your life the minute you start working with them. Using a straightforward no-holds-barred approach, Paula Renaye gets in the trenches and shows how we cause ourselves unnecessary conflict, confusion and pain—and how we can stop. Often funny, sometimes sad, and always revealing, the brutally frank firsthand stories help readers connect with similar situations in their own lives, see opportunities for making different choices and find the courage to make them. In this down-to-earth practical guide, you'll sink your teeth into 13 tough-love bullets and learn how two simple questions can instantly clear up confusion about "what to do" and keep you on track with your goals. You'll discover the "Big 4" questions that will forever change the way you look at your "wants" and make it easier to get what you're really after. There are also some creative, practical and useful tips for dealing with negative people—and ways to uncover negative traits of your own that need reprogramming. And much, much more! Each chapter is packed with practical yet powerful tools to make positive changes quickly followed by “Line It Out” exercises that dig deep and make working the techniques personal. Whether it's a relationship issue, a health crisis, career collapse or other personal challenge, you'll gain the insight you need to find your way out of the dark tunnel and into joy. So, if you feel stuck and you're ready—really ready—to make positive changes in your life, this book will show you how to do it. And, the transformation starts immediately, because once you know—you know. Make the courageous choice to do what you know you need to do—to fix what needs fixing—and start living your joy!

My Two Cents:

For once, I thought the book ought to be one of the book that never stop preaching you, dragging over and over about how could we change ourself in being someone much better. That proves me wrong after finishing the book last night. With less than 160 pages, very short and sweet presentation to readers, I was hooked up and the book was very very interesting to put down. Paula Renaye serves much more than a thick book would give. Most self-help book I've read gave very unclear visions, wobbly instructions and lead to nowhere but this book is different. I thimk this is why people say 'less is more'. Less pages, but full of condense, compact and convincing content. Added with a few simple exercises (which has line out at every chapter), readers are spontaniously involve in solving their problem, also buliding up their confidence to let go doubts that stayed to long with us. This book is highly recommended, even I passed it and recommend it to my friend. And glad they are happy with it.

p/s: The book is also available in Kindle version.

muslim women reformers:inspiring voices against oppression by ida lichter

Title: Muslim Women Reformers : Inspiring Voices Against Oppression
Author: Ida Lichter
Pages: 513
Series: Non-fiction
Published: May 26th, 2009
Rating: 4.5/5
Source: Receive for review
Buy at: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Summary :

In a world where the strident demands of Islamic extremists capture the media’s attention, the courageous protests of Muslim reformers barely receive any notice. These include a surprising number of women who are prepared to challenge institutionalized persecution, risking derision, arrest, physical harm, and even death.

In this inspiring compilation of Muslim women’s stories from around the world, the voices of these long-oppressed women ring loud and clear as they question ideology and culture, patriarchal and religious beliefs, and demand the social and political rights women lack in many Muslim countries. The reformers speak out with passion, humanity, and sometimes humor in these compact and often poignant biographies, bringing alive the harsh realities for women in many parts of the world.

By surveying a wide range of Muslim reformers, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe and North America, Lichter uncovers some significant emerging trends. For example, she notes that the majority of Muslim feminists would like to see reform contained within Islam. Many criticize their patriarchal culture for suppressing egalitarian views that they believe the Koran expresses and so they advocate a reinterpretation of the holy text. Some demand changes to discriminatory Sharia-based laws. Others campaign openly for political and educational reforms.

Complete with a glossary and a list of helpful Web sites, this vibrant anthology makes use of reliable translations from original languages to demonstrate the groundswell of grassroots change that promises eventually to bring even the most conservative sectors of Islam into the twenty-first century.

My Opinion:

As a Muslim woman, the book really opened my eyes about loads of thing that happening around across the globe of Muslim country, focusing on women. Most of the researches were collected from past, likely since e few decades before, till present. I must say Muslim women at this moment achieved so many things, likely equal to men (well, almost), they struggles a lot sometimes quite horrific to me. The book was sectioned and organized by country, start up with a little introduction of issues they were going through, then introducing the women reformers behind it. The women activists struggled with a lot of different issues like human rights, justice, education, healthcare, discrimination etc. Each of them showed great courage to stand up and fight even though facing death and severe discrimination. Even though I thought Malaysia is a very overwhelming Muslim country, it's shocking to see we're included in this. But when I read it, I think that is not really a big issues since I know who the reformers were, and for me, when it comes to religion there's some part that you can't turn against it. Personally, the book were focusing on why they were reformed; because of gender, and not because of religion. I strongly believe women in different country are facing the exact same thing towards this kind of discrimination; education, jobs, healthcare, human rights, justice, etc regardless of religion. However, it's very interesting to know when there's a book focusing Muslin women on this. Lichter only compiling what she has researched and stating the facts with a lot of references, in case the readers want to check on it in details of what is going on from it. The book is easy to understand, very brief, while it is not an introduction about Muslim and Islam. I really recommend the book to Muslim readers, for us to know is the women reformers and activists that committed their lives to escape from the struggle we were facing.

About the Author:

Ida Lichter, is a clinical and research psychiatrist and contributor to The Huffington Post. Living in London for over 12 years focused her interest on the large Muslim populations in the UK and Europe and brought her closer to the eye of the storm in the Middle East. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Lisa Roe from Online Publicist for an exchange of fair review. Receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review and these are my honest review.

no he can't: how barack obama is dismantling hope and change by kevin mccullough

Title: No He Can't: How Barack Obama Is Dismantling Hope and Change

Author: Kevin McCulllough

Pages: 256
Published: April 19th, 2011
Rating: 3/5
Buy at: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Book Description:

Nationally syndicated radio talk show host and columnist Kevin McCullough tackles the thorny issue of why the audacity of hope is not found in the current path that President Barack Obama has laid. As the first pundit in the world to predict that President Barack Obama would become president of the United States (verified on-air by Rush Limbaugh), Kevin McCullough was not surprised when Mr. Obama was elected to that office. Yet even McCullough admits he’s surprised by President Obama’s actions since the election. Surprised by the overt falsehoods already carried out by this administration. Surprised by our country’s sudden deficit of clarity and common sense. Surprised by a blatant lack of accountability. In No He Can’t, McCullough stands as the loyal but outraged loyal opposition to the current state of affairs.

My Two Cents:

I don't think I picked up this book in the first place because I want to know anything bad about Obama. Either way, I picked up this book because I thought it would be very interesting to know about one of the biggest influenced person in the world. Reading the book, I caught that McCullough is not a fan of Obama, he's stating a lot of what Obama had promised are not and will not coming. Since I don't really know a lot of what is going on in US so, I guess the author gave quite bad impression of Obama. I'm not really interested to know about the political views of this but the book is actually tell us what is going on if not more, a little about what is happening in the country under Obama. I found the book very interesting, even though you are not very knowledgeable about politics. But here's the thing, I don't think I'll judge Obama base on the book, yes, the book gave great insights about him but, we can't really trust it 100%. This is my opinion about it. Maybe if you are American, then you'll know the difference of what is right or wrong. I thought the book will be good to anyone who has great interest in politics in US.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. These are my honest review and receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review.

guest post: Author Alison Silbert

Today I would like to welcome Author Alison Silbert, to join her virtual book tour of "Boost Your Revenues By Turn People Away: How to Sell More to Your Ideal Client Online " release. It's a non-fiction book, and I'm very confident the book will be great to all. We are very pleased to have her today.

How It All Begin

As a child, I wrote lots of stories in school and did loads of journaling in my teen years. In 2004, I received certification in technical writing at George Brown College.

I started to write simple articles in the second year I was running my internet marketing business as a way to generate prospects’ interest, exposure and credibility. I found that I tremendously enjoyed writing as a way of expressing my unique abilities to teach others about online marketing and constructing websites, that I ended up continuing to write articles.

Boost your Revenues by Turning People Away is a compilation of all kinds of experiences I have had with clients over the last 10 years woven between many useful tidbits of information I had begun to hear and included brief instruction-sets about how to use some simple website template styles, how to use some common content management systems (e.g. Wordpress, Joomla, and Drupal) and some common questions that someone seeking a website company should ask any representative. I also included thought-provoking marketing topics such as “how to refine your ideal client definition” and “how to make your website compel your ideal client to start sales cycles for you”, and a full section dedicated to simple ways the non-technical business-person can promote a website and boost their search engine rank via article writing and social media postings.

About the Author

Alison Silbert is the author of Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away. When not running her business Passionate Web Creations, she is a mentor, coach, and teacher, supporting individuals in living their dream of having a successful online business.

Visit her at: Website | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book

What’s the best way to increase your business? Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away: How to Sell More to Your Ideal Client Online provides the answer in a nutshell. This informative guide that’s backed up by real-life situations is chock-full of business advice that makes success as easy as ABC, with C standing for Computer! Just how can you achieve your business goals? In three simple steps, you will learn to identify your ideal client, see how to design a website, and publicize properly so your ideal client can find your site!

Buy at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Website

dear jane austen: a heroine's guide to life and love by patrice hannon

Title: Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide To Life and Love
Author: Patrice Hannon
Pages: 158
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary (Goodreads):

Jane Austen answers letters from perplexed modern-day heroines-in-training, supplying the reader with the precepts a true heroine lives by and illustrating them with revealing examples from her novels. Written with all the charm, wit, and wisdom one might expect from the author of Pride and Prejudice, reading Dear Jane Austen is like spending a wonderful afternoon with the novelist herself!

My Thoughts:

Dear Jane Austen,

Help! I have reached my age where I wont tell my age and I will die if I don't land a husband soon. Why am I still single?

Wish I Were A Heroine

Imagine if you could send a letter like that to Jane Austen and ask her any doubts about love to her. And beg her to answer or tell you what to do. Imagine you could whine and outburst any unsatisfactory of man to her. Wow. This is so cool! I enjoyed this book. Could you imagine if Jane Austen could have answered all the letters? That would have been awesome!

Austen answered her troubled fan/ any woman that facing problems with their life and love. As she responds to the letters, she quotes from her books and take examples from the characters. It's about love (obviously about man), marriage and friendship. I found it very fantastic and very cute too. It's easy, simple and it's like I'm reading Austen's books and meeting her characters. Honestly, it's lot of fun and I found myself understand her books quite easy by reading this book.

Anyone who has read Jane Austen's novels will find this book fascinating and love them instantly (maybe a bit later for me to feel it instantly *wink*, just saying). Although I found it very amusing, I also found it quite funny to think of that Jane Austen knows a lot of things about our era while she's still at her era.

I think the author really did a good job and bring Jane Austen to life in the book. I love all the answers too, as I think that would probably what Jane Austen would say. That is really my own opinion and I would love to recommend to anyone who loves Austen to read this. I like it myself a lot. I should thank my sister for telling me about the book. I love it so much ;p

jane austen's guide to dating by lauren henderson

Title: Jane Austen's Guide to Dating
Author: Lauren Henderson
Pages: 304
Rating: 4/5

Summary (Goodreads):

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." --Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

There was never a more astute chronicler of the hits and near-misses of love than Jane Austen. Now, she helps readers discover their inner heroines and get the guy in this witty book of romance and dating strategies.

A completely new and amusing approach to dating, Jane Austen's Guide to Dating includes insightful personality quizzes that reveal which Jane Austen character you, and your mate, most resemble. Armed with this knowledge, you can learn what to do if you're a Lizzie, but the object of your affection is a Bingley. You can even find out how to gain the clear headedness and confidence that Anne Elliot had and almost lost in Persuasion.

Full of wit and truly useful advice that has stood the test of time, Jane Austen's Guide to Dating will help readers overcome the nonsense and find the sense (and sensibility) to succeed in a lasting relationship. Fans of Jane Austen and newcomers alike will delight in this fun, fresh, and audacious guide.

My Thought:

I guess I'm lucky to find this book in a local used books bookstore in the courtesy of Jane in June.

I enjoyed reading it tremendously and never thought that it is actually a self help book and dating guides! The book has ten chapters. Each chapter is likely a rule. In one chapter it highlighted the point that you should not play hard to get and try to appear hard to resist.

Here are the 10 interesting chapters;

1. If you like someone, make it clear that you do.
2. Don't put your feelings on public display, unless they're fully reciprocated.
3. Don't pla...more I enjoyed reading it tremendously and never thought that it is actually a self help book and dating guides! The book has ten chapters. Each chapter is likely a rule. In one chapter it highlighted the point that you should not play hard to get and try to appear hard to resist.

Here are the 10 interesting chapters;

1. If you like someone, make it clear that you do.
2. Don't put your feelings on public display, unless they're fully reciprocated.
3. Don't play games or leads people on.
4. Have faith in your own instincts.
5. Don't fall for superficial qualities.
6. Look for someone who can bring out your best qualities
7. Don't settle.
8. Be witty if you can, but not cynical or cruel.
9. Be prepared to wait for the right person to come along (my favorite chapter).
10. If your lover need a reprimand, let him have it.

I was startled when I saw there's actually a quiz at the end of the book to see what kind of heroine you are and a summary of all Jane's novels, and character analysis of romantic character. Believe me I think I'm Emma type! Hah, funny how things like quizzes really affect me how I want to be one of Jane's heroine!

The dating's guide is somewhat hilarious and gives you some best of ideas for a modern type dating base on over 200 years old legend publication of romance fictions. Which I also come up with a conclusion that it is OK to be who you are. Only, you have to follow the chapters #6. There is no rules you should follow, the #0, which there is no rule. If all the 10 rules can't be use or irrelevant, just stick to the rule #0.

All in all, I would recommend all of you to read this. It don't has to be the guides that we are looking for, but the advice behind all Jane Austen's masterpiece. Jane Austen Explains It All For You; I found this post from Susan @ Hooking Up Smart. She extracted some of the dating's guide of the book and I think it's a lot easier for you to digest 300 pages in one post with short notes. Heads over to her blog and read it ;p She leaves us with a closure to think of;

"Are you a Jane Austen fan? Do you think she had it right?"

My answer; Yes she had it right. She lives in different era but she's still alive in every woman's heart. I even think she could be a Professor in Literature if she's still alive. Just saying.

So, do you think she had it right?

twilight and philosophy: vampires, vegetarians, and the pursuit of immortality by william irwin + ebook giveaway

Title: Twilight and Philosophy: Vampires, Vegetarians, and the Pursuit of Immortality (pdf format)
Author: William Irwin
Pages: 273
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The first look at the philosophy behind Stephenie Meyer's bestselling Twilight series Bella and Edward, and their family and friends, have faced countless dangers and philosophical dilemmas in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight novels. This book is the first to explore them, drawing on the wisdom of philosophical heavyweights to answer essential questions such as: What do the struggles of "vegetarian" vampires who control their biological urge for human blood say about free will? Are vampires morally absolved if they kill only animals and not people? From a feminist perspective, is Edward a romantic hero or is he just a stalker? Is Jacob "better" for Bella than Edward? As absorbing as the Meyer novels themselves, Twilight and Philosophy: Gives you a new perspective on Twilight characters, storylines, and themes. Helps you gain fresh insights into the Twilight novels and movies. Features an irresistible combination of vampires, romance, and philosophy Twilight and Philosophy is a must-have companion for every Twilight fan, whether you're new to the series or have followed it since the beginning.

My Review:

Awesome! I've never read any philosophy books before except some of Biodiversity/ Botanical Species and Taxonomic Philosophies. But a philosophy of a fiction book, never! A friend gave me her eBook copy to me last few weeks and I thought, this is a new feeling of peeling the secrets of Twilight Saga. The Saga will always be one of my favorite and well-kept on my bookshelf.

I know I am a twilight-die-hard-fan and I could list 100's of good reasons why we should read it. However, in certain circumstances, a lot of people hate or loath The Saga so much indeed. I've read their reviews some times before (sorry if you are one of this minority group) and a lot of perspectives or ideas came up of why they loath it so much. But I don't blame them. Bella could be so annoying and well, who will be not jealous when Edward adores her?

I read reviews on Goodreads and I can analyzed a review pattern of this book. Anyone who loath/hate/dislike Twilight gave better reviews than people who is a fan of Twilight like me. They even said it as rubbish or crap. However, as a fan, I love the philosophy highlighted in the book.

Trust me, it discussed a lot of fun facts of each characters, plots, conversations, thoughts, actions and the list could go on. Each chapters provide a new fact, or maybe a combination of made up and facts to make it sounds interesting and amusing. But does it worth? The philosophy's contents mesmerized me how he analyzed and peeled the actions or made up fact gave a big impact to make us believed the story is true and believable. He not only compares on significant facts, but also a lot of simple/little facts that you might missed while reading the twilight saga. The philosophy also discussed based on every book in the series.

Privacy and Mind Reading

I ’ m glad you can ’ t read my thoughts. It ’ s bad enough
that you eavesdrop on my sleep - talking.
— Bella, Twilight 9

Mind you, this is not a summary of all the series, only some perspectives of a few person on the book. I would recommend all of twilight fan/non-fan to read the philosophy. I promise you that both parties will appreciate and welcomed to have better understanding of the Twilight Saga. Maybe you'll have better idea; love it more or hate it less =)

The Giveaway:

As the movie of Eclipse and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner will be released in June, I think this book is a pre-welcome to celebrate both fascinating occasions.

Now you have a chance to win a copy of this eBook (pdf format) Twilight and Philosophy by William Irwin! It's OPEN, anyone can enter as long as you are my blog follower. Old and new is welcomed.

Leave a comment with your email address and answer of the question =)

Are you a fan of Twilight Saga?
If yes, who is your favourite secondary character (in any book of the series) and why?
If not, why?

The giveaway is open until May 31st, 2010. I don't know how many winners will win this. But, half of the commenters of this giveaway post will have a chance to win a copy. Yeay! So, the more the merrier and bigger chances! Any twits and links are appreciated even they wont give any extra entries. The winners will be picked randomly.

Winners will be announced on June 1st, 2010.

Good luck!