Onward: The Art of Leadership by Mark Joseph Huckabee

Onward: The Art of Leadership by Mark Joseph Huckabee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Onward: The Art of Leadership by Mark Joseph Huckabee opens with the great Vince Lombardi, his relentless spirit, his ability not to give up, and to press on even in the direst climate conditions. This is just one example in the book that feature important cultural figures from all walks of life like Sylvester Stallone and Nelson Mandela and how they came to succeed, motivate, and inspire. Think of these people as teachers and learn from them as the author shares their motivations, success stories, and even failures. This is an easy read that is at once inspirational and positive. The examples given are enough to motivate and embolden you to go for it and achieve your dreams. Not just a simple business guide, this is one that will stay with you for a while. Highly recommend.

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Blood Rights: An Athena Carter Mystery by A.L.R. Court

Blood Rights: An Athena Carter Mystery by A.L.R. Court
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blood Rights: An Athena Carter Mystery by A.L.R. Court is a book with crisp writing, astute character development, and a strong plot. Athena Carter is a great protagonist, one with an interesting past and a woman who is just trying to make life better for herself and her daughter. As an insurance investigator, Athena feels she has made a good and more calm career choice, forgoing her former job working at the FBI. But life for Athena doesn't stay serene for long, as she faces new challenges and uncertainty. This novel has a fast pace, plenty of intrigue, a plot that keeps you guessing and characters you will remember. Plenty of twists and turns keep the story going until the satisfying conclusion. If you are looking for a cozy kind of mystery with a little heat and tension, this is the perfect book. Highly recommend.

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Figuring it Out: A Memoir about Connolly, Inc's Journey to the Top by Libby Connolly Alexander

Figuring It Out: A Memoir about Connolly, Inc's Journey to the Top by Libby Connolly Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Figuring It Out: A Memoir about Connolly, Inc's Journey to the Top by Libby Connolly Alexander is a riveting first-hand account of how to make it in business. This book provides a personal glimpse into the meteoric rise of a prominent company, and how that came to be. With a helpful chart at the beginning of the book that provides a timeline, you can see exactly how Connolly, Inc. grew as a formidable force in the world of business. Libby herself joined the company after graduating from college and worked and learned her way up the ladder. This is a positive story, one filled with details of how the company managed to pivot at critical times, capturing the market and gaining business and customers. A motivational and powerful example of what hard work and dedication can do if you simply apply yourself and make sound business decisions. Highly recommend.

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The Res: An American Love Story by G. Michael Madison

The Res: An American Love Story by G. Michael Madison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Rez: An American Love Story by G. Michael Madison is a riveting story and one that touches on a part of America that is not often written about, an Indian reservation. The bulk of the story takes place in the '60s and '70s, a tumultuous time everywhere. Based on the experiences of the author, the three main characters are Johnny, Caj, and Nikki-D, whose life experiences, as depicted, are sobering, maddening, and a reminder of human cruelty and judgment in the form of racism, stereotyping, and class structure. This is a riveting and emotional book, one that resonates on many levels. The concurrent story of Little Mouse is in and of itself quite intriguing, and a clever literary device. Overall a fascinating look at society and its influence on young lives. Highly recommend.

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The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI: Preparing Your Leadership Skills for the AI-Shaped Future of Work

The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI: Preparing Your Leadership Skills for the AI-Shaped Future of Work by Marin Ivezic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Future of Leadership in the Age of AI: Preparing Your Leadership Skills for the AI-Shaped Future of Work by Marin Evezic provides a powerful overview of the impact of AI on business and culture. The future of AI could go in many different ways and the author explores both the good and bad with equal measure. The cartoons at the beginning of each chapter offer a touch of humor or not to the implications of AI on business. With a wealth of information and historical background, this book not only looks to the future and how AI could change things, but also examines the past and its influence. It is a reality that AI is part of our future, whether we embrace it or not. This book lays out the foundation you need to know as we learn more about the possible impacts of AI on business and society as a whole. Highly recommend.

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Terror Trip by Delaney Landon

Terror Trip by Delaney Landon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Terror Trip by Delaney Landon is a thrill ride in the truest sense. A group of people is on a train together, but each has their own perspective on what goes down as the story unfolds. Told from alternating points of view, each character shares their version of events, this approach being quite illuminating. Backgrounds are revealed, personalities are developed, and the story moves forward in this unusual way. There is a deep foreboding sense in this book, the train becoming the backdrop for tension between groups, a divide that ensnares the inhabitants of the train, one that culminates brilliantly. There is good attention paid to the differences in language used by the characters, setting them apart from each other, while also explaining their cultural differences. This is a nuanced book, almost conversational in a way, but riveting. Highly recommend for a truly unique reading experience.

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No Hero Here by Faith Cameron

No Hero Here: Not every love story has a hero. by Faith Cameron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No Hero Here: Not every love story has a hero by Faith Cameron is a wonderfully written historical romance novel that pulls you in immediately with the first few scenes. There is a love triangle of the best kind, the dark and dangerous Silver, the reclusive and mysterious Sebastian, and finally the woman of their dreams, Rose. With two very different men vying for her affection, Rose has an almost impossible decision to make. This is an excellent story filled with conflicting emotions and difficult dilemmas. What could be a rather shallow story is delivered in such a way that you are constantly cheering for Rose, her bravery and fortitude are admirable. Not just a simple love story, but one infused with history, emotion, and turmoil, this is a book you won't want to miss. Highly recommend for a read that does not disappoint.

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The Night Drop by Ian D. Wright

The Night Drop by Ian D. Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Night Drop: Resistance in the Marshlands by Ian D. Wright is a fascinating historical book. The book opens with a gripping scene and the story takes off. The story is about World War II with both the British and French perspective and is an adept mystery filled with historical detail. The marshland itself is wonderfully described with cottages and small homes that sound so cozy, but also harbor secrets and controversy. The story unfolds in the year of 1943, then jumps to the year 1965, giving us a glimpse into the story as it evolves from simply a war saga to a more personal and engaging story as two investigative journalists help Jack figure out who the traitor is from years before during the war. Totally immersive, filled with well fleshed out characters and a gripping plot, this book is one that you won't want to miss. Highly recommend for an exciting and educational historical read.

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Time's Musicians by Mark Paul Oleksiw

Time's Musicians by Mark Paul Oleksiw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time's Musicians by Mark Paul Oleksiw is a fascinating story. This is a coming of age story as we follow Billy, first in the 5th grade when he meets an interesting boy who believes in black holes, then in later years at camp, and finally as an adult. There are flawless and compelling descriptions in this tale whether it is in describing a setting or delving into Billy's mind. The language of the book is thoughtful and provocative capturing your attention as the reader. The world the characters inhabit is magical if a bit unsettling, especially Billy's world. With the slow unraveling of the plot, you are kept engaged by subtle twists and turns, never quite knowing what to believe. Very much a character-driven story, this is a book you won't soon forget, and one you may want to read again for further clarity and further nuance. Highly recommend.

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Transference by B.T. Keaton

Transference by B.T. Keaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Transference by B.T. Keaton is a unique book with an uncommon premise. That is, souls can transfer from one body to another. Right there, this book will grab your interest. This is superb writing, the author having a way with words that roll off the page in a fluid style, wrapping you quickly into the story, as he introduces his characters and the dilemma. With a brisk pace, this book holds your interest, the amalgamation of genres is apropos of the story, a heady mix that fully conveys the terror and tenor of the story. Barrabas as the protagonist is portrayed as cunning, yet finds himself in a devil of a conundrum, facing death for a crime he might not have committed. You travel along his journey as suspense and challenges form the cornerstone for a fascinating and thought-provoking novel. Great book, and highly recommend.

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The Science of the Deal by Parsi Shravan

The Science Of The Deal: The DNA Of Multifamily & Commercial Real Estate Investing by Parsi Shravan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Science Of The Deal: The DNA Of Multifamily & Commercial Real Estate Investing by Parsi Shravan is an inspiring personal story, but also a guide that will allow you to make money in real estate investing. The author goes into a lot of detail about his growing up in India, the influence of his parents, and his eventual decisions. These decisions led the author to create a highly successful commercial real estate investment firm. While not in a typical business-style format, you can learn a lot from the author through his personal experience, and using some of his tips and suggestions to make it in this highly competitive and challenging market. Whether you are experienced in commercial real estate investing or just getting started, this is a compelling book that you must read. Highly recommend.

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