"PAST TENSE"

by Marsha L. Randolph    You don’t read “Past Tense™” by Shawn Kilgarlin and Ron Kilgarlin you keep it by your bed and chew on one section at a time. I don’t know what I was thinking when I read the title, it was not until I read a 3rd chapter that I finally got it. (Light bulb-on!) I have this tendency to grab a book and begin reading without paying much attention to the cover.

The full title “Past Tense™ -365 Daily Tools for Putting Stress Behind You- for Good!” is a semi-accurate description as to what the book is about. What I discovered, why I believe this book needs to be kept at your bedside, is the book is filled with living antidotes. There are 24 Sections which categorize the tools to alleviate the various stressors one might encounter. The following are titles of nine of the 24 sections:

 Section 1- Isolating Your Stressors

Section 2 -Stress Handling Tools

Section 3 -Better Health, Less Stress

Section 7 - Family and Stress

Section 9 - When Stress Leads to Addiction

Section 10- Faith Conquers Stress

Section 11- Dealing With Holiday Stress

Section 15 - Overcoming Heartache

Section 23- Dealing With Abuse

Each chapter presents applicable words of understanding along with notable quotations which reinforce the wisdom presented. In addition to the 365 tools to put stress behind you at the end of the book is an excellent resource guide. 

Some may think “I don’t need this book, I am not stressed” you are the ones who need this book the most. “Past Tense™” is about living thus it addresses everyday events.  I recommend this book and I would definitely purchase this book.

I received a complimentary advance reading copy of “Past Tense™” in exchange for an honest review. 

NOT MY LAST BREATH

by Marsha L. Randolph         Of all the different forms of art I would say painting and poetry can be the most difficult to review, they are both subject to personal interpretation. Fortunately I do not have to review a painting; I am however searching for the right words to describe a book of poetry entitled “Not MyLast Breath- Collected Spirit in Print” by Nadjwa Effat Laila Norton, Artist: Jason V. Roberts.  

Had the author not explained her poems I would have read each poem incorporating how each word appealed to my emotions.  Explaining your work is like telling the end of a movie; it spoils the entire experience. “Not My Last Breath” would have been subject to my interpretation had she kept silent.  If I could disregard her words I would be able to tell you that I loved her poems except I kept remembering what she said.

      I have never read a book of poems in which the writer felt the need to explain the organizational structure of a book. I have read Langston Hughes, Ntzoke Shange, Nikki Giavonni, Willie Joyce Floyd, C. William “Champ” Morris, Bianca Floyd and a few others I don’t recall them ever doing such.  Those I know personally have asked me, upon completion of a poem: “What do you think?”

For example she begins her book (after the traditional acknowledgments of course) on page 8:

“Dear Readers :
“Not My Last Breath: Collected Spirit Talk in Print” was created with the intention  that it would speak to people with a range of spiritualities.”  

    This word “spiritual” is what has caused me pause. For me as a believer in Jesus there is only one God thus there is one Spirit therefore when someone refers to “many spiritual entities” (page 7)  or “enacted our spiritual calls” (page 16) as a Christian I have to double check what the writer is talking about. I walk away disappointed not by the quality of the poetry but by the inspiration behind the words.

    Paintings and poems are art that is subject to interpretation.  I would have enjoyed the poems from a Christian perspective had the writer not went through such pains as to explain her work.  Instead I was taken out of my world and brought into hers, one of which I am only vaguely familiar with. To the few individuals who follow my reviews: my overall impression is this book leans on a Unitarian or New Age way of thinking.

I would recommend this book if you see at a library. (The artwork was beautiful.)

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

BOOK REVIEW: FED UP WITH FLAT FAITH by Kathy Howard

       “Fed Up With Flat Faith - 10 Ways to Pump Up Your Faith” by Kathy Howard  combines life experiences with the word of God to create an inspirational book on how to rejuvenate your relationship with God.  The author discusses both how individuals reach a point in which he or she may be in a religious rut and ways of getting out of it. 

       There are 13 chapters with interesting titles such as “ Who’s The Boss”, “Best Laid Plans” and “Not for Sissies”.  Readers will value the discussion on church attendance.  I appreciated the multiple bible verses that accompany the “Action” steps given as well as the explanation as to why she suggest the believer must “do”.

“Fed Up With Flat Faith” is one of those books that you pick up and start skimming through out of curiosity and then begin to read because there is a need. 

      Its’ publication date is March 5, 2013.I recommend this book though I would not personally purchase it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.