Reviewed by Mary M (May 20, 2013)

How to master the Art of Struggle? According to Steven Snyder, author of the “Leadership and the Art of the Struggle: How Great leader Grow Through Challenges and Adversities,” leadership is the metamorphosis of the leader’s imperfection. “By examining a struggle narrative through the Struggle Lens, new pathways emerge for understanding and managing conflict.” Snyder highlights that failure is a normal stage in the life-cycle of a leader. He states that, in this phase, new ideas emanate to resolve proactively the upcoming challenges in the work environment. In addition, the author reinforces the idea that the leader’s decision must reflect a conscious thinking about the consequences of the “ripple effect” in the well being of the company’s culture. As Snyder affirms “...struggle is a natural part of a leadership and it is often the struggle itself that unlocks the potential for the greatest growth.” This book provides many strategies to embrace failure as a learning tool for personal transformation. Excellent book!

Reviewed by Mary M (May 20, 2013)

Mr. Field is the pleasant school librarian that welcomes the children for a fun tour to the library. In this guided tour, the librarian explains to the school-age children that his mission --as an Informational Professional-- is to help the customers to discover the world throughout the various format of informational resources. The children learn from Mr. Field that the library carries not only materials inside a physical building but also it provides virtual resources that can be found in an online catalog. In this picture book, Gina Bellisario wants to introduce to the children the magic world of knowledge. She highlights, in the storytelling, that the library is an evolving entity that tries to adapt accordingly with the new technological challenges of this century. Finally, the illustrator Ed Myer complements the story with warm colors that suggest to the reader the welcoming environment inside the library. This is a great picture book!

Reviewed by G (May 17, 2013)

I really believe this account of Andrew Carnegie's life and times. There's so much information of Pennsylvania especially Pittsburgh. This book reinforces how a good work ethnic and the willingness to be confident when needed can make your desires an accomplishment. It proves how making the right connections with people you can trust is of the upmost priorty, or what left of your life could be spent trying to correct those choices. Loretta

Reviewed by Mary M (May 9, 2013)

Leadership is a lifetime commitment of self-discipline! The book Secrets of Effective Leadership: A Practical Guide to Success provides useful techniques that can be applied to create successful teams for a lifetime. What is the secret? According with the author of this book, F. A. Manske, the key is to motivate each team member to envision active participation before, during and after the project. As the author states: “Outstanding leaders are future oriented. They love to dream about what could be and involve others in their dream.” Creating a common vision is the most essential leadership skill that a leader must develop in order to transform a dream into an attainable reality. Manske suggests that enjoying the landscape path of success is the most rewarding experience that nurtures the soul of a leader.

Reviewed by Teresa G (May 7, 2013)

Starting From Here is the story of a high school girl who is growing up on her own after her mother's death from cancer. Colby Bingham's father loves her, but he is a long-haul trucker and isn't able to be home very much. Colby is afraid to love again after the loss of her mother, but can't help herself when a stray dog crosses her path. Mo is critically injured and needs amputation surgery which a local vet provides free of charge in exchange for a promise from Colby that she will pay for the medicine, food, and other care Mo needs to survive. Right before Mo came into her life, Colby also suffered the loss of her first love, her girlfriend Rachel. As Colby begins to build a new life with Mo Colby meets and is attracted to a girl, Amelia, who interviews her about Mo's miraculous recovery for the school newpaper. Fresh, honest, and full of quirky, but very realistic characters, Starting From Here is a delight to read.

Reviewed by Teresa G (May 7, 2013)

The Sanctuary Seeker is the first in a series of medieval mysteries featuring Sir John de Wolfe. Sir John has been appointed coroner for the county of Devon, a new position at the behest of King Richard the Lionheart, which is created to investigate deaths. Pitted against his brother-in-law, Richard de Revelle, the Sherriff, "Crowner John" must assert his authority in order to bring justice to bear when two returning Crusaders are found murdered. Full of excellent historical details, humor and wonderful characters, The Sanctuary Seeker is the first book in a long and wonderful series.

Reviewed by Teresa G (May 7, 2013)

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a thought provoking book. Telling the story of her life, Jeanette Winterson holds very little back as she describes growing up as an only child adopted by Pentacostal parents. Mrs. Winterson, her adopted mother, looms larger than life as she refuses to give warmth and love to the child she has been given. Despite the harsh conditions under which she starts life, the young Jeanette refuses to give up on life. After attending Oxford Ms. Winterson goes on to achieve success as a writer. She never completely puts the demons of her past behind her and at a time in her life when she feels loved and safe she explores her adoptive history and eventually meets her birth mother. Her thoughts on adoption are thought-provoking. If she'd been raised by her birth mother would she have become the woman she is today? Despite the harsh realities of her early life this upbringing has made her who she is. Fascinating, at times funny, and always as honest as one can be when telling one's own story, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal is a beautiful book whose words will linger long after the last page is turned.

Reviewed by Mary M (May 1, 2013)

The inspirational stories found in this book elevate the spirit and the heart of the reader. Life is a learning tool that must be explore in all its levels to achieve happiness and joy. The challenging experiences that are found in the person’s walking path help him to open undiscovered doors with potential alternatives and solutions. According to Paulo Coelho: “Difficulty is the name of an ancient tool that was created purely to help us define who we are.” The positive or the negative impact of the ripple effect can be diminished depending of the lector’s perception of solving the dilemma.

The main message of Manuscript Found in Accra is to enjoy life in its simple way with its ups- and-downs. Feeling neglected will bring negative vibrations into the person’s life and future spiritual enrichment. The best approach to any difficult situation is to admire the outer and inner beauty of every creature that is part of the human cycle. Looking at the world’s creation can provide the person in need a sense of belonging to something magnificent. In Coelho’s own word: “Everything has a reason to exist.” Excellent book!

Reviewed by Mary M (Apr 25, 2013)

Jack McKinley, 13 years old, is captured by a group of scientists that live in another tri-dimensional space. The doctors of the Karai Institute wants to help Jack to survive to a rare genetic condition that only the personnel of this hospital knows how to treat it. After the surgery, Jack will have special powers and skills to combat the monster of a lost civilization.

In the story, the author of the book, Peter Lerangis explores the imagination of the reader with a chain of clues and symbolisms that are given in the form of reverse words and artwork fragments. The lector must pay attention to these details in order to discover all the pieces of the puzzle and solve the mystery clue that encapsulates the tale. Adventure is the main component of the story! As the tale progresses, the young lector will get deeper into the protagonists’ personality and their way of resolving a problem: the main goal is to defeat the monster of the Atlantis. In the fifty-one chapters the reader will feel empathetic about the challenges that Jack and his team have to go through in order to accomplish their mission. They must return safe to planet earth to unfold the mysteries of the unknown.

Reviewed by Teresa G (Apr 18, 2013)

Set on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, The Blackhouse is a story of how the past is never really over. Fin MacLeod grew up on Lewis and now he's come home for the first time in eighteen years. Fin has not, however, come back willingly, but has been sent by his commander in the Edinburgh police force to investigate a murder that resembles a recent Edinburgh crime. The story of Fin's life slowly unfolds like the peeling of an onion as the past intertwines with the present. Peter May's description of these bleak Scottish islands brings to life their beauty, but also reveals the harshness that accompanies life in this remote location and how the location molds those living there. While there is a mystery at the heart of this novel, it is more than a "who-done-it." It is a reflection on Fin's childhood and teen years with his close friends, Artair and Marsaili, their turbulent teen years and how events long forgotten have shaped their lives.