Review: 50 Best Yoga Positions

50 Best Yoga Positions

Link to buy 50 Best Yoga Positions

Story Rating: 4 out of 5

Blurb:

Yoga is a wonderful way to tone and strengthen your body while reducing stress and improving flexibility. With simple, step-by-step instructions and full-color photography to help you clearly understand and perform each exercise, this compact book of yoga exercises is designed for a compete full-body workout. Ideal for every age and fitness level, it features 50 individual exercises and a unique planner that helps you design your own routine, 50 Best Yoga Exercises is an essential, no-fuss guide for anyone looking to improve their health and form.

Review:

This is a great book filled with photos of yoga poses. There are in depth explanations for each pose with tips and techniques to make each easier for the beginner and more difficult for the advanced. At the end of the book there is a chapter with the chakras. While it is an enjoyable book there were a couple of times I experienced an eye roll at some of the cheesiness in pose descriptions. Overall though, probably best for the novice.

Reviewed by Elizabeth

Review: Nashville Songwriter: The Inside Stories Behind Country Music's Greatest Hits by Jake Brown

Nashville Songwriter by Jake Brown

Link to buy Nashville Songwriter: The Inside Stories Behind Country Music’s Greatest Hits

Story Rating: 3 out of 5

Blurb:

Nashville Songwriter gives readers the first completely authorized collection of the true stories that inspired hits by the biggest multi-platinum country superstars of the last half century—recounted by the songwriters themselves. Award-winning music biographer Jake Brown gives readers an unprecedented, intimate glimpse inside the world of country music songwriting.

Featuring exclusive commentary from country superstars and chapter-length interviews with today’s biggest hit-writers on Music Row, this book chronicles the stories behind smash hits such as:

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”
Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” “Southern Voice,” and “Real Good Man”
George Jones’s “Tennessee Whiskey”
Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova”
Brooks & Dunn’s “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You”
Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned the Night” and “Just a Kiss”
Brad Paisley’s “Mud on the Tires,” “We Danced,” and “I’m Still a Guy”
Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again,” “Crash My Party,” and “That’s My Kind of Night”
The Oak Ridge Boys’s “American Made”
George Strait’s “Ocean Front Property” and “The Best Day,”
Rascal Flatts’s “Fast Cars and Freedom,” and “Take Me There”
Kenny Chesney’s “Living in Fast Forward” and “When the Sun Goes Down”
Ricochet’s “Daddy’s Money”
Montgomery Gentry’s “If You Ever Stop Loving Me”
The Crickets’s “I Fought the Law”
Tom T. Hall’s “A Week in a County Jail” and “That Song Is Driving Me Crazy”
Trace Adkins’s “You’re Gonna Miss This”
David Lee Murphy’s “Dust on the Bottle”
Jason Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor” and “Fly Over States”
And many more top country hits over the past 40 years!

Review:

We have all heard a phrase or sentence and thought "That would make a great country song title!" Well, prepare to have a lot of those while reading this book. Even if you are not a fan of country music the process of writing a song is intriguing. The book is arranged from oldest to newest and is easy to follow.

Reviewed by Joseph

Review: Health By Design: Weight Loss God's Way by Cathy Morenzie

Healthy by Design: Weight Loss, God's Way by Cathy Morenzie

Link to buy Healthy by Design: Weight Loss, God's Way

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Review:

Healthy by Design establishes a 21-day program designed to help readers lose weight in conjunction with their faith. It's geared to a Christian audience and includes passages from the Bible that reinforce each day's weight loss activities. Each day starts with a Bible passage and reflection on the teachings. It's like a mini sermon where the author offers thoughts about how the passage can help the reader achieve his/her weight loss goals. The second daily activity is called a health challenge. This is an action that the reader must take to help move toward weight loss goals. For instance, one of the first health challenges requires readers to select an "accountability partner" to help work through the steps and serve as a support group. The third element of each day's activities is a confession, which is essentially a prayer that reinforces the lesson from each day. For instance, Day 11 addresses the problem of emotional eating. The daily health challenge asks readers to identify emotions that have previously caused an emotional eating response, and the confession demands that readers admit to God that they're guilty of emotional eating, but they have the ability to stop. At the end of the first 21 days, the book provides additional scripture suggestions for continuing the program into the future.

In many ways, this book is an amalgam of other self-help books and self-help programs that encourage readers to think positive, take small steps in the right direction, and focus on the goal. The big difference is that this one is specifically geared to Christians who want to lose weight. You've been told many times before to picture yourself thin (or sober or rich), put your weight loss (or addiction or desire for success) in the hands of a higher power so you can stop obsessing about it, know that you're meant to reach your goal, etc.

Just because the strategies used here have been seen before doesn't mean they're not valuable. Positive thinking and focus on a goal can work wonders. It seems like that would be especially true for Christians who are already eager to learn more from the Bible and strengthen their beliefs. It makes sense to combine faith with health and fitness goals. The author says that a research study showed churchgoers weigh more than non-churchgoers. She suggests that's because of all the food-based fellowship activities like barbeques and bake sales.

If it's true that churchgoers' behaviors cause them to be less fit, perhaps a change in behaviors could improve fitness. What if churches were to install stationary bikes and treadmills instead of pews so parishioners could spend an hour every Sunday strengthening both their bodies and their spirits? That suggestion might sound over-the-top, but it's completely serious. What better way to worship than by attacking the deadly sin of sloth? Nothing in the Bible says people must worship by sitting quietly wearing big hats and uncomfortable clothes.

Since this reviewer isn't a Christian, I approached the book with an eye toward whether it has much value for non-Christians. The answer is a qualified "Yes." For nonbelievers, some of this book's value is lost, but like many self-help books for weight loss or achieving success or curbing anxiety, etc., this one's primary value is reinforcement. It reminds the reader what he/she should do, and reading it provides quiet time to focus on the goal. Also, many of the scripture passages contain valuable advice for Christians and non-Christians alike. For instance, Day 6 is about avoiding excuses. You have to make a choice between "reasons or results," because if you want results you can't be constantly creating reasons (excuses) for why you can't achieve them. Other days focus on additional helpful topics like improving self-image and avoiding blaming others for your problems.

One part of the program that might not work for everyone is choosing the "accountability partner." Some people like to work with partners or groups and feel they provide motivation. Those are the people who go to the gym with a friend or who join study groups in school. Others, however, prefer to work alone and don't want to drag anyone into what they're doing. The author of this book should have made the "accountability partner" portion of this program optional in order to allow for readers' personal preferences.

Reviewed by Peter

Review: Through the Eyes of the Tiger by Jim Peterik and Lisa Torem

Through the Eyes of the Tiger by Jim Peterik and Lisa Torem

Link to buy Through the Eye of the Tiger: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Survivor's Founding Member

Story Rating: 4 out of 5

Review:

Jim Peterik has had a very successful ride as a performer and songwriter. As you read his book you can ride along from his start in Berwyn, Illinois. His stories and anecdotes of growing up can be compared to your own memories through his songs and stories. From his first mention of childhood places and places and events, the reader can place their own past history with his songs. Through Jim Peterik's "eyes" we can see our own high school years and the ups and downs you experience with your friends. People still remember where they were when an important moment in history took place. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on September 11th, 2001. So it is the same with music.

As you read Peterik's words he tries to explain that his life was not all 'Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'N Roll". He is successful in that regard and compared with other "Rock Stars" proves that doing things his way you can be a huge success without compromising your ideals. This is an inspirational book to read and very enjoyable.

Reviewed by Joseph

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Review: The Opa Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work by Alex Pattakos & Elaine Dundon

The Opa Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work by Alex Pattakos & Elaine Dundon

Link to buy The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work

Story Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review:

The premise behind The OPA! Way is that the Greek people have a unique approach to life that helps bring meaning to their daily activities. People around the world have a great deal to learn from this Greek philosophy, and by adopting the Greek approach, everyone's life can be improved. The word OPA! as a twofold meaning. First, it's a traditional Greek word that commonly expresses "joy, excitement, and inspiration." For the purposes of this book, it's also an acronym that represents the three components of the Greek philosophy of life: Others, Purpose, Attitude.

While researching The OPA! Way, authors Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon travelled through small towns in Greece and talked with the people they met. This research allowed them to identify key characteristics of the Greek way of life. They concluded that one shouldn't waste time chasing material wealth or professional success or even something as fleeting as happiness. Instead, personal fulfillment comes from living a life that has meaning. That can only be achieved through connecting with others in satisfying personal relationships (Others), being a positive force in the world (Purpose), and feeling content with what one has (Attitude).

           

This book presents a rather simplistic way of looking at both an entire culture and life in general, but the authors get points for enthusiasm. They clearly have great admiration for Greece and her people. The book is full of stories taken directly from their interviews with Greek citizens that highlight the tenets of The OPA! Way. The stories demonstrate how wise the Greek people are and how much can be learned from them. The book's authors also offer frequent quotes from Greek philosophers like Plato and Democritus that show how The OPA! Way has been a central part of Greek life for thousands of years.

One central element of the OPA! Way is that a person must have the right attitude in order to get the most out of life. By the same token, it's probably best to have the right attitude toward this book in order to get the most out of it. Unfortunately, this reviewer had difficulty adopting the appropriate attitude.

While authors Pattakos and Dundon take a utopian view of Greece, it was difficult for this reviewer to completely forget about the protests, strikes, and violence that erupted in Greece in the wake of its recent financial crisis. It wasn't addressed in the book, but in 2012, austerity measures were passed by the Greek legislature that increased taxes, decreased government spending, and reformed labor laws. The steps were necessary to save Greece from economic collapse. Many Greeks didn't want to lose their government-funded benefits, though, and they fought back – hard. Throwing pipe bombs at police doesn't seem like the behavior of a relaxed populace that's more interested in establishing meaningful personal connections than amassing material wealth. The contradiction was hard to ignore.

Overall, this is an interesting book with thought-provoking stories and quotes. There's certainly something to be gained here. Just don't fall into the trap of believing that any society is without its problems. No matter where we're from, we're only human, after all.

Reviewed by Peter

Review: What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail? by Nina Lesowitz & Mary Beth Sammons

What Would you Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail? by Nina Lesowitz & Mary Beth Sammons 

Link to buy What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail?: How to Transform Fear into Courage

Story Rating: 3 out of 5 

Blurb:

"What would you do if you know you could not fail?" These words, attributed to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, have inspired tens of millions to face their fears and dare to follow their hearts. This can-do compendium is a veritable tool kit for transforming readers from reticent to role model. From the authors of Living Life as a Thank You, this volume present true stories of ordinary people with extraordinary fortitude. Authors Mary Beth Sammons and Nina Lesowitz have gone to the front lines of adversity and fear to surface the brave hearts who took action before they were forced to, confronting and overcoming their fears in inspirational ways. From world-class athletes, to spiritual teachers, to cancer patients, to ordinary people who took extraordinary action to transform their lives, these courage warriors teach readers to turn apprehension into action. Enriched with motivational quotes and power practices, this courage guidebook advises how to live life with guts and gusto. Readers learn to face and transform their fear, apply the art of tenacity when times are tough, embrace the lessons and gifts of a crisis that lead to personal growth, and simple, effective, and proven methods for confidence and courage.

Review:

This book is meant to inspire readers with stories of everyday folks overcoming bad situations in their lives. The thing is though, that after reading a few of these stories it was a real downer. Yes, the people overcame their adversity by the end of their tale, but those back stories really started to take their toll. And for that one success story from escaping abuse, or losing a job, or defeating cancer there are how many who don't? 

The authors had an interesting concept but in the end it was a little too depressing for me, despite the happy endings.

Reviewed by Elizabeth

Zombies: Not Just For Halloween!

One of the most popular shows on television today is The Walking Dead. In case you're behind on current events because you've been in a coma after being shot by a fleeing felon in Episode 1, this show is about zombies overtaking the world and the ragtag band of survivors who must fight for their lives against both the hungry undead and the evil (and sometimes also hungry) living. The show is based on a graphic novel by the same name.

The Walking Dead didn't invent zombies – they've been creeping people out for generations. Who hasn't watched the original black and white version of Night of the Living Dead on Halloween night and then been too freaked out to open the door for trick-or-treaters? Okay, maybe that's too much personal reflection. But zombies are definitely frightening, with their shuffling gate, voracious appetites, overwhelming numbers, and poor personal hygiene.

Because we can't get enough of re-animated corpses, plenty of books have been published about zombies. Fans can get their hands on The Walking Dead graphic novels if they're interested in reading about where the show came from and where it's likely to go in the next few seasons. There is also a wide variety of other books that focus on zombies. For instance, Slow Burn is the first in a popular zombie series, and let's not forget that quirky take on Jane Austen's classic romance,Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Unlikely as is it might sound, nonfiction about zombies is also available, including The Zombie Survival Guide.

An entire cottage industry has grown up in towns where TWD does its filming. "Walker Stalkers" are loyal fans who visit locations where the show is being filmed in hopes of catching a glimpse of a scene or meeting a cast member. A popular destination for Walker Stalkers is the city of Senoia, Georgia, which served as the setting for Season 3's zombie-free town of Woodbury. Now Senoia is playing host to TWD again as Season 5 filming is underway. Senoia businesses are capitalizing on the show's popularity by offering tourists a wide variety of merchandise. Visitors can browsezombie-themed merchandise like t-shirts and scented candles, or they can book walking tours of filming locations for both TWD and other TV shows and movies that have been made in Senoia.

However you choose to celebrate your love for the evil undead, have fun out there stalking the walkers!