bhouser's reviews from LibraryThing

The Millionaire Course: A Visionary Plan for Creating the Life of Your Dreams by Marc Allen

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:04:54 -0400

bhouser's review: "A disappointment. The description sounds appealing: 12 big lessons about finding your way in life along with 168 "keys" to success along the way. The lesson themes are pretty obvious ("write your plan as a simple, clear visualization", "live and work in partnership with all", etc.) and there isn't much detail about how to implement each one. There are a few useful keys but most are throw-away snippets that could have come from one of those short coffee table books with all the cute sayings about how to live life happily."
New World Library (2003), Paperback, 320 pages

Guilty by Reason of Stupidity by Joel J. Seidemann

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:10:45 -0400

bhouser's review: "It's a pretty fast read, but I was expecting something a bit more humorous. Not all the cases were particularly noteworthy and the author's editorializing falls flat. I was hoping for something more along the lines of the courtroom chapters of Richard Lederer's books. This would make a decent bathroom book since it can be consumed in short segments."
Andrews McMeel Publishing (2008), Edition: Original, Paperback, 208 pages

Eating For Life by Bill Phillips

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:02:45 -0400

bhouser's review: "Part 1 of the book (74 pages) describes how modern society has trained us to eat incorrectly and how a few simple changes can turn weight gain into weight loss. There are chapters on Myth vs. Fact (that covers common misconceptions), and specifics on the four-part formula for eating right (the right foods, right amounts, the right combos, the right times). The chapter where the author describes his own experiences is the weakest (in spots it contradicts the earlier chapters and it has an overly-conversational style), but it does contain a few additional insights. I am finding the eating guidelines very effective because they are sustainable--I don't really feel like I am dieting and believe I am adopting new ways of eating that I can use indefinitely. It's much easier to follow than other diet plans that require counting or buying specific foods. I get the sense that as long as I follow the principles, rather than having to be exact, I'll end up with great results without all the stress. I've lost eleven pounds since reading book and following its guidance (3 weeks). Part 2 contains 248 pages of full color recipes that follow the guidelines of Part 1. It breaks down the recipes by meals with dinners followed by desserts, breakfasts, lunches, midmeals, and nutrition shakes. What really makes this stand out for me is that there are very few recipes I'm not interested in trying. These are practical, mostly easy to make (there are a few exceptions), and very tasty. It has plenty of creative ideas and successfully finds ways to make each dish interesting. The recipes have a few other unique features: each section has a variety of meals that serve differing numbers of people, so it's easy to find a ready-made idea for yourself for lunch or for a family of four for dinner (of course, they can all be adjusted to meet the necessary number of servings). In my experiences so far, the photos with each recipe are faithful to the actual result. Many of the recipes also include a photo of the actual ingredients required, which is an easy way to know at a glance whether everything needed is already on hand. Several of the desserts and most of the nutrition shakes call for Myoplex Lite, the nutrition powder sold by the author's company, but presumably any comparable supplement could be used. The end of Part 2 includes sample meal plan charts, blank plan charts, and grocery lists. These items can be downloaded from the web site and printed by owners of the book. The appendix contains stories and photos of people who have had amazing success with the Body for Life program (which this book could be considered an extension of). It's interesting to look over those case studies but some of them are actually a bit frightening. I think most of us are looking for more moderate success. There are also typical sections including a glossary, descriptions and photos of kitchen utensils, and conversion charts. I have been very pleased with the book and look forward to making many more of the included recipes."
High Point Media, LLC (2003), Edition: 1, Hardcover, 404 pages

Puppies, puppies, puppies by Louise Hawley

Sat, 10 May 2008 16:34:33 -0400

bhouser's review: "A short but cute book about pupies for kids. In 30 pages, the book describes a few common breeds of dogs along with cute black and white photos of them. It touches on thoughts to consider when choosing a breed and discusses the virtues of owning a puppy."
Rainbow Educational Materials, Inc (1975), Paperback, 30 pages

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:00:11 -0400

bhouser's review: "A great little read. The inspirational story of a bird who learns to trust his instincts and break away from society's conventions to discover his true self. Enjoy reading about Jonathan's journey from timid flock member to wise teacher of avian outcasts. It is easy to relate to Jonathan's tale and gather inspiration we can all use in our own lives."
Avon (1976), Mass Market Paperback, 128 pages