Style Eyes

Style Eyes by Taylor Chang-Babaian

I admit it--I am totally inept with make-up. This is a "how-to" book for women (like me) who just don't get it.

I enjoyed the ideas, but honestly, I'm back to my basic neutrals :)

Jack Kennedy

Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews

I enjoy Presidential History. Matthews presents a moving biography of John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy was easily charismatic, yet there seems to be shield of distance and mystery surrounding him. In this biography he is shown as a brother, a son, a friend, a war hero and a politician. The book is more about how he came upon the road of politics, as opposed to what he did along the road.

Whether you agree with a President's policies, or not, there shouldn't be a dispute that it takes a great person to rise to that level. I enjoyed reading about Kennedy's journey on this rare path. I appreciate his spirit of leadership.

The Latehomecomer

The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir by Kao Kalia Yang

 

This memoir is brilliant; beautifully crafted and eloquent, Yang takes the reader through her childhood. Along with thousands of other Hmong families, she made the journey from Laos, to a refugee camp in Thailand and finally to America.

 

The story of the Hmong people is a tragic one. Yang puts a voice to the immigrants that found a new life in America.

 

Yang is a talented writer with an honest, emotional voice. I definitely recommend this memoir.

 

Smitten

Smitten by Janet Evanovich

Any Evanovich fans out there? I have been semi-engaged in the Stephanie Plum series. I decided to try some of her other books. So far, I haven't found any that I enjoyed. This one, in particular, was quite awful.

Anyone have a recommend from her list?

You Can't Lead With Your Feet on the Desk

You Can't Lead With Your Feet on the Desk: Building Relationships, Breaking Down Barriers, and Delivering Profits by Ed Fuller

From the book (description):
"Personal relationships are the real bedrock of long-term success in any business and any industry. But in today's global economy, forging bonds across cultural divides requires a heightened level of sensitivity. In You Can't Lead with Your Feet on the Desk, the leader of Marriott International Lodging, Ed Fuller, delivers real-world advice on how to connect with, manage, and do business with people in any culture, including employees, suppliers, and customers who often have roots in other cultures. Fuller, who grew Marriott's international business from sixteen hotels in six countries to 400 properties in seventy countries, explains how to navigate cultural nuances and language differences, unfamiliar geography, and frustrating bureaucracy. Building trust, shared values, and commitment to a business partnership is harder in cross-cultural situations, but it can and must be done if you want to be successful in today's world.
No matter the country or community, relationships are the currency of every culture. Fuller explains how to build these relationships, how to discover the other person's interests and needs—and why you have to get your feet off the desk, cross the cultural borders, and go meet them in the context in which they're most comfortable. Fuller prepares you for this journey with guiding principles for avoiding missteps and for creating lasting connections crucial to every business leader:

• Build relationships through mutual respect
  
• Earn trust quickly by delivering during a crisis
  
• Understand how verbal and nonverbal cues can make or break a deal
  
• Lead from the front and be willing to give yourself the tough jobs
  
• Learn the local customs and history in order to create positive relationships

Your skills at forming and maintaining close ties with associates and partners give you the competitive advantage. So, ditch the desk, and learn how to overcome differences in today's multicultural business environment."

What I thought:
Inspiring and realistic, I enjoyed learning from Mr. Fuller. His experience is vast and his willingness to pass on valuable lessons is admirable. A definite recommend for the Corporate manager.

Mr. Impossible

Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase

I am afraid I might be outgrowing my love of the historical romance. I used to be able to pick up any book in this genre and be enthralled. Lately, my standards seem to have grown and I have a hard time staying interested. The characters have to be complex and the plot realistic.

Loretta Chase has been a favorite of mine in this genre. However, I didn't find this particular book very interesting or emotionally engaging.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle by Charles Berlitz

I find the mysteries surrounding the Bermuda Triangle quite intriguing. Could it be a portal into another dimension? Alien abductions? A magnetic force beneath the ocean?

Since this book was written, many of the disappearances profiled have been solved.  However, that aside, I found Berlitz to put together interesting and compelling scenarios on what could be happening within this section of water/air. Maybe not 100% realistic, but that would be boring!

If you enjoy conspiracy theories/unsolved mysteries, this is a good read.

Radical Acceptance

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach

In this book, the reader is invited to delve into personal feelings. Many people, myself included, are simply too hard on themselves. Having high expectations minimizes your strengths and your victories.

Brach writes in a clear, compassionate tone. She urges the reader to live fully and to love themselves for who they are.

A definite recommend for those interested in self-improvement and spiritual growth.

Big Bad Wolf

Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson

I am still in the midst of the Alex Cross series. I loved the first few books, then I got discouraged, then I was back on board again. I would love a little more consistency! Usually I either like a series or I don't.

This particular installment was good, but not on par with the first books in the series. There were a lot of pieces that didn't make sense and the ending is super weird.

I'm still on the fence as to if I will continue this series. For now, I am on to the next.

The Great White Bear

The Great White Bear: A Natural and Unnatural History of the Polar Bear by Kieran Mulvaney

Mulvaney provides a detailed, well-researched book on the polar bear.

An animal lover, by nature, I find polar bears to be beautiful! I found this book both interesting and informative. It is so sad that the survival of this species is at stake.

If you are a fellow animal lover, this book is an excellent look at the Arctic, and the polar bears that live there.

The Keepsake

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen

I am still enthralled with this series.Gerritsen never disappoints.

Each book has its own plot, strong suspense and the complex characters I have grown to love.

Gerritsen is an amazing crime/suspense author. If you like this genre, and haven't yet read Gerritsen, give her a try!

Vietnam

Vietnam by Stanley Karnow

For the military history reader, this book provides a complete account of the Vietnam War. Detailed and gripping, this is a powerful read.

To Desire a Wicked Duke

To Desire a Wicked Duke by Nichole Jordan

Historical romance books hold a special place in my book-loving heart :)

This particular book was engaging, but it didn't really stand out. I liked it, but didn't love it.

The characters were likable, but not gripping.

And that is my review for today!