First there is the outsider.Then there is a second outsider—lessOutside than the first, but still.Then there is the third outsider,Who is now, actually, inside something,Albeit something slightly less definable.Eventually we all move togetherInto some kind of sanctuary,An estuary,Until someone decides to leave again.And the thorn birds are preening their violet plumageIn the topmost branches of […]
Back when movies were still available on VHS, a friend gave me Akira Kurosawa’s I Live in Fear (1955). (The Japanese title, Ikimono no kiroku, translates literally as “Record of a Living Being.”) Like most of Kurosawa’s films set in contemporary Japan, it was eclipsed by his masterpieces set in the Heian or Sengoku periods, […]
Ange Mlinko’s Venice opens with a prefatory poem recalling a trip from Beirut to Cyprus, the birthplace of Aphrodite. It is Boxing Day 2009. The poet and her children look forward to the new year and the new decade, and, pushing their luck, bid a “good riddance to the past.” How could this decade be […]
In 1991 Margaret Thatcher accepted an invitation to speak in the city that had just ceased to be Leningrad and was now St. Petersburg again. As a demonstration of the ruthlessness that has made it so good at holding on to power, her own Conservative Party had deposed her the previous year as prime minister […]
Pension Schmidt, better known as “Salon Kitty,” was one of the most glamorous bordellos in Nazi Germany. Among its illustrious clientele were foreign diplomats, government ministers, generals, and regime functionaries. The interior of the grand bourgeois building—located at 11 Giesebrechtstraße in Berlin, close to Kurfürstendamm—was elegant, with expensive rugs, crystal chandeliers, plush armchairs, and thick […]
The ‘Tail’ of a Trio follows three dogs that, over time, become friends, despite having extremely different lives up till now. What was the inspiration for your story?
This ‘tail’ is delightfully based off a true story! Addie was a therapy dog owned by a dear mentor and colleague. I had the honor of knowing Addie for several years and can attest to her character portrayed in the book. On a balmy, early summer day, my colleague shared sweet stories of how fond Addie was of their neighbor’s dogs at their lake house. They lovingly built a bridge connecting the two properties so the pups could easily visit one another. Bee is a Blue Tick Hound who was quite frightened by thunderstorms. Her go-to move would be to dart underneath a bed and quiver as the storm carried on with its rumbles. Unprovoked, Addie would sit with Bee and whimper to her, almost as if she were coaching her through the thunderous sounds. Whenever it was not storming outside, Addie could be caught spending time with Rue, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, gently encouraging her to try out toys. Rue had been found on the side of the road, her story unknown. I was touched by these sweet stories and jokingly commented that they could be a children’s book. My colleague chuckled and triple dog dared me to write it. An afternoon later, the manuscript was created!
Addie sadly passed away during the publishing process, however her legacy continues through the playful lives of Bee and Rue, and the healing she brought to so many others.
What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?
Growing up in today’s world, we are taught to only portray the ‘acceptable’ parts of ourselves. Whether our humanness is drowned out by the pressures of social media, or the threat of vulnerability, it can be challenging to build authentic, genuine connections. It was important to me to illustrate the ‘whole’ of each character, even the parts that felt raw and difficult to share with the world due to shame or fear of judgement.
Addie encapsulated relational skills that have faded into the background of our society in such prolific ways. Her empathetic mindset allowed her to not take Bee or Rue’s initial defensiveness personally. She could recognize the ‘whole’ of the dog in front of her, and exuded patience, kindness, and acceptance. Bee showcased how overwhelming anxiety can be, and how this overwhelm can distract from initial positive interactions. Their first interaction held space for the awkwardness that can ensue from first meet and greets, however it also portrayed how to give one another grace. When we hop over to Rue’s perspective, her negative self-talk and shame ooze from her narrative. This challenge was important to highlight because our internal dialogues can be so destructive to genuine connections with others. If we don’t feel worthy of positive relationships, then we struggle to set ourselves up for success.
Again, Addie captured the beauty of giving someone the benefit of the doubt despite abrupt defensiveness. Addie did not demand rationale for Rue’s initial behavior, nor did she judge it. Addie simply showcased how to not judge a book by its cover.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
As a mental health therapist, I am a big proponent of advocacy and breaking stigma surrounding mental health. Whenever we initially pursue relationships, our consideration for one another’s headspace is left out of our perspectives. While I recognize it’s within human nature to make quick judgements, I believe it’s vital to teach our youth how to give one another grace and leave room for the imperfections that come along with being human.
Our mental health is as important as our physical health. This book portrays some common mental health challenges that can be invisible burdens others may be carrying. By gently illustrating and normalizing mental health obstacles, we can encourage positive discussions surrounding mental wellness and raise emotionally intelligent children. Also, it’s helpful to teach mindful interpersonal skills early on, as this can shape a child’s inner dialogue as they grow.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Presently, I am soaking up the joy of this book’s jump into the world. I am bursting with elation that this ‘tail’ gifted me the title of ‘author’ in such special ways. I am toying around with two ideas, as I believe a series could sprout from this momentum. Animals have played such a pivotal role in my life, and I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand their gateway to healing. The next book will either follow the ‘tail’ of two horses as they thoughtfully explore the process of healing from grief, or of a Husky and his journey to adjusting to a new sibling in the form of a scrawny kitten. Stay tuned and be on the lookout for these books in the next year or two!
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Imagine the friendships that could be possible if only we recognized we are all worthy of another’s good nature. Fostering true friendships takes time and a lot of good nurture.
Within these pages you will discover the story of three dogs whose journeys began in far apart places. Rue faced the adversity of abandonment, while Bee grew up behind the gates of a pound. Can Addie, through steady patience and acceptance, bring these pups together and lead them to a place full of healing and friendship?
Dive into the whimsical exploration of a Mental Health Therapist’s take on a true story. Take away significant life lessons pertaining to resiliency and the power of friendship that leaves a lasting impact in the hearts of most ages.
Secrets of a Sales Pro: How to Achieve Wealth, Power, and Happiness is a relatively short book but direct and clear-cut. The author shares a mountain of wisdom on thriving in your enterprises. Author Stephen Serrao is particular about how one can become the best in their field. I like how balanced the book is as Stephen Serrao does not just focus on the business aspect of things but also touches on social skills, building a career, and improving human relations. His words are simple yet carry much weight. I laud him for talking about his experiences and writing about the things that shaped him and the lessons he has learned over the years.
As a reader, you enjoy following the author’s journey from the beginning. The author introduces the reader to his content by highlighting the topics to be covered. After presenting the topics, he delves into deep discussions. The author’s tone alone will give you, as a reader, a positive outlook. I appreciate how assuring he is throughout the book and how cheerful the author is about life. Even with optimism, the author does not ignore the negative realities of life. He addresses positive and negative areas and gives the reader a complete understanding of business and other things complexities.
Stephen Serrao does not just show you how to run a business. He gives you tips on how to attract more customers and make profits. I like how technical the author gets when he discusses the various techniques of pulling customers. The beauty of Secrets of a Sales Pro is how brief and direct the author gets with every topic. Each paragraph in the book carries the key points, and every sentence is simple for readers of all levels to understand. The author also introduces readers to new concepts that many have not explored in the entrepreneur world. Stephen Serrao addresses every situation individually and gives a general method to handle things.
The chapters in the book are well researched, and the author uses data that has been verified. I love that Serrao can get to be casual and then change to a serious tone depending on the subject being discussed. He shares techniques that have worked not only for him but for others as well. For example, the author writes about how you can stand out in building a brand. The insights on marketing, making connections, and branding were fitting. I appreciate the author for being authentic in his writing and for being open when talking about his life.
Chuck Denison has amassed a wealth of knowledge and wisdom throughout his lifetime. In his book, It’s Not about the Money: Creating a Fulfilling Life, he shares his own perspectives in bite-sized chapters, each of which begins with a one-word title that highlights the core theme. After that, he generally plunges straight into the subject, presenting different sides to an argument and reasoning his way out of each of them, thus creating a kind of dialogue with the reader. At the end of the chapter, there’s a list of relevant quotes to help consolidate readers understanding of the idea. The message he is trying to spread is quite convincing. But ultimately, it’s up to us to decide what drives us to do something. Is it all about the money?
This book is dedicated to his son on his wedding day. The author recounts the adventures of a man who has seen it all in these pages. He has been to prison, done drugs, found friends in the most unexpected places, changed his beliefs, studied spirituality, fell in love, had his heart broken, found love again, got married, and lived – what one might call a really eventful life.
There is a lot that readers can learn from the wisdom he provides in this memoir. Particularly about kindness and the urge to be kind to others that may or may not always come naturally to us. It is worth noticing how Chuck never shies away from expressing his own opinions or following his instinct, no matter what others think of it. In fact, he faithfully follows his motto to ‘hurl himself like a spear into Life with all his might’ and bravely endures the consequences of his decisions. Surprisingly, they are often invigorating. Using a language that is both simple and conversational, he cajoles his audience into listening to him spellbound, like one would listen to a wise sermon. Perhaps, this comparison is not so incidental. After all, he has been a preacher too.
Yet, the most inspiring and heartwarming part of this book is not the things he has done but the things he struggled with. His wish to be more kind, his need to acknowledge Grace, and the innate urge to keep his sense of wonder alive. Those are the points that make him genuinely humane and more relatable.
It’s Not about the Money: Creating a Fulfilling Life is an inspiring and interesting memoir from a man that has made the study of life and people his life purpose. Readers that want to experience all that life has to offer through the view of an unfiltered perspective will find this book hard to put down.
Little Lilli loves spending time with her friends and family at her grandparents’ farm. One fine summer day, Lilli embarks on a quest to make some money. The problem is, Lilli isn’t sure how to do it. With the help of her loving grandparents, big brother, and friends and neighbors from all over town, Lilli begins the first business attempt of her very own as Lemonade Lilli!
Lemonade Lilli by Joan Enockson is a charming tale about friendship, family, and building a small business. Featuring sound business and marketing advice that even older readers can greatly benefit from, Lemonade Lilli shows the process of bringing a dream into focus as a realistic and attainable goal. Terminology such as ‘bottom line’ and ‘profit’ are well explained for a young audience, without any form of condescension whatsoever.
Following the adventure of Lilli and her support group, readers new and experienced can see both the effort and the reward involved in bringing a business to life. I loved Lilli’s interactions with her family, her dear grandfather bringing a nostalgic tear to my eye as he reminded me of my own. The balance of hard work and altruistic assistance, as well as advice on how to properly manage money, are important lessons for readers of all ages that Lemonade Lilli gently shares.
This is a lovely story of a girl, a dream, and the friends willing to help her realize it. Endearing illustrations, memorable characters, and delightful storytelling make this heartfelt entrepreneurial tale a true treasure for any library. Perfectly suitable for ages seven and up, Lemonade Lilli is certain to warm your heart and enrich your mind as dreams blossom into reality on a beautiful summer’s day on the farm.
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Back when movies were still available on VHS, a friend gave me Akira Kurosawa’s I Live in Fear (1955). (The Japanese title, Ikimono no kiroku, translates literally as “Record of a Living Being.”) Like most of Kurosawa’s films set in contemporary Japan, it was eclipsed by his masterpieces set in the Heian or Sengoku periods, […]
Ange Mlinko’s Venice opens with a prefatory poem recalling a trip from Beirut to Cyprus, the birthplace of Aphrodite. It is Boxing Day 2009. The poet and her children look forward to the new year and the new decade, and, pushing their luck, bid a “good riddance to the past.” How could this decade be […]
In 1991 Margaret Thatcher accepted an invitation to speak in the city that had just ceased to be Leningrad and was now St. Petersburg again. As a demonstration of the ruthlessness that has made it so good at holding on to power, her own Conservative Party had deposed her the previous year as prime minister […]
Pension Schmidt, better known as “Salon Kitty,” was one of the most glamorous bordellos in Nazi Germany. Among its illustrious clientele were foreign diplomats, government ministers, generals, and regime functionaries. The interior of the grand bourgeois building—located at 11 Giesebrechtstraße in Berlin, close to Kurfürstendamm—was elegant, with expensive rugs, crystal chandeliers, plush armchairs, and thick […]
