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Book Review: Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari

11/6/2018

 
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Buy the book: Amazon

Book Type: Non-Fiction / Civilization & Culture

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Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari was an interesting read (or rather, listen -- as I enjoyed this one via audiobook). As the title indicates, the book explores humankind. One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Today, however, there is only one - homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And in what direction is life going for our species? The author is a renowned historian. He delves into the ways both biology and history have defined us and how they have enhanced our understanding "of what it means to be human."

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Book Review: River Queens - Saucy Boat, Stout Mates, Spotted Dog, America by Alexander Watson

10/25/2018

 
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Buy the book:
Amazon

Book Type: Non-Fiction / Memoir

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Check Out My EXCLUSIVE AUTHOR INTERVIEW HERE!

A delightful memoir written by Alexander Watson, River Queens invites its readers to travel with Alexander, his partner Dale and their wonderful spotted dog, Dorothy Faye as the Texas trio renovate an old yacht and journey through the rivers of Midwest America. I always enjoys well-written memoirs and Watson's book does not disappoint. I also love a good love story - and River Queens is as much that, as it is a well-told memoir. The love story featured in the book is one that exists between Alexander and Dale as well as one that exists between the great number of river travelers throughout the American rivers. The way the river travelers interact, welcome one another and converse shows true connection, respect, as well as humor. Having spent much of my own youth growing up on the rivers of the Midwest, I appreciated this sentiment.

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Book Review: Hola - Let's Learn Spanish, by Judy Martialay

10/15/2018

 
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BUY THE BOOK:  AMAZON 

BOOK TYPE: Non-Fiction / Children's

Hola! Let's Learn Spanish, by Judy Martialay is a beautiful children's book. The book is colorful, bright and inviting. In the book, readers are introduced to characters Pete the Pilot and Panchito the Mexican jumping bean. The book is written for children ages 6-10+ who are interested in beginning to learn Spanish. In the back of the book there are several activities to do at home (or in the classroom) and a small dictionary of words that were introduced in the book (organized by chapter). I found the dictionary helpful to revisit, to practice new words. The book is a great way to introduce children to Spanish.


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Book Review: Better Than New, by Nicole Curtis

10/4/2018

 
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BUY THE BOOK:  AMAZON 

BOOK TYPE: Non-Fiction / Memoir

Better Than New: Lessons I've Learned from Saving Old Homes (and How They Saved Me), by HGTV host Nicole Curtis is an interesting read. I read the hardback of this book (often I read eBooks and listen to audiobooks) and I was really glad to have the hardcopy because of the photographs included throughout the book. Admittedly, I watched Seasons 1-8 of Curtis's DIY Network and HGTV hit show, Rehab Addict - prior to reading her book. This made the book even better as when I was reading, I knew which houses she was referring to. The book is beautifully done and well-written. I could practically hear Nicole saying each sentence as I read the book. The book is filled with Nicole's private struggles, inspiring lessons and her work and personal victories and successes. Nicole shares with readers what she's learned along her life's journey (so far) - and her stories are presented in a way that we can all learn from them.

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Book Review: Not Your Average Grandma, by Stacey Ritz

9/5/2018

 
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BUY THE BOOK:  AMAZON 

BOOK TYPE: NON-FICTION / MEMOIR / DOGS / ANIMALS

Can a dog transform your life? Life-long animal advocate and Executive Director of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc., Stacey Ritz shares her inspiring story in her latest book, Not Your Average Grandma: The Story of a Little Senior Dog with Big Life Lessons. While fostering a little senior rescue dog named Grandma, a connection transpired. From that connection came healing. Healing for Grandma, a terribly abused Chihuahua, and healing for her person. Together, the pair learn how to come to terms with their traumatic pasts and move forward. While the author has been a life-long advocate for animals and has always understood that we can take positive actions to help homeless animals and to change their lives for the better, what she learned through rescuing animals is that pets have a way of saving us, too. Ritz shared: "I've been told that I changed Grandma's life, but what most people don't realize is that the little senior dog saved mine." 


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Book Review: Pursuing Greatness by Stacey Ritz

8/6/2018

 
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BUY THE BOOK: Amazon

BOOK TYPE: Non-Fiction / Motivation, Sports, Coaching

Pursuing Greatness: Strategies to Gain a Mental Edge in Sports and Life is now available on Amazon in ebook and print formats (audiobook edition will be coming later this year) Click here to grab a FREE sample or purchase your copy today.

***FROM THE BACK COVER*** 

"GOALS WORK FOR US WHEN WE WORK FOR THEM


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Book Review: Aspire, by Kevin Hall

7/5/2018

 
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Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Type: Nonfiction, Informative

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Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words, by Kevin Hall is a terrific book! As someone who loves quotes, books, song lyrics...and words in general, this book was very enjoyable. I found myself highlighting frequently. It is not solely of book containing the true meaning of words (and where they originate from), it is full of inspirational stories of how words influence our behaviors and decisions. I cannot recommend this book enough. I will be reading it again, as I feel there is so much to gain from the words between the covers of Hall's book.

A few of my favorite parts in the book include:

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Book Review: Ego Is The Enemy, by Ryan Holiday

10/2/2017

 
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Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Type: Nonfiction, Self-Help/Advice

Ego is the Enemy, by Ryan Holiday is an excellent read! I found myself highlighting a lot of great lines. In today's book review, I'm sharing a few of those highlighted points (below - enjoy!). In addition, the book shares stories of Howard Hughes, John DeLorean, Alexander the Great, William Techumseh Sherman, Katharine Graham, Jackie Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bill Walsh, Benjamin Franklin, Angela Merkel and many more.
  • Quaker William Penn observed: "Buildings that lie so exposed to the weather need a good foundation."
  • "Only when free of ego and baggage can anyone perform to their utmost."
  • "Ego is stolen. Confidence is earned." (I love this!)

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Book Review: Triumph - The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics, by Jeremy Schaap

9/29/2017

 
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Buy the book: Amazon

Book Type: Nonfiction

Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics, by Jeremy Schaap is an interesting read. I'm always a fan of athletic stories and stories about the Olympics. The book is well-written and I learned a lot about Jesse Owens. The book shares Jesse's story from childhood through running at the 1936 Olympics- set against a backdrop of swastikas. Owens won an amazing four gold medals and "single-highhandedly demonstrated demonstrated that Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy was a lie."

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Book Review: Born A Crime, by Trevor Noah

9/27/2017

 
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Buy the book: Amazon

Book Type: Nonfiction

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah is an interesting read (I listened to the audiobook version, read by Noah himself!). Trevor Noah is the most successful comedian in Africa and is the host of the Emmy and Peabody Award–winning The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Born in South Africa to a black South African mother and a white European father, Noah has hosted numerous television shows including South Africa’s music, television, and film awards and two seasons of his own late night talk show, Tonight with Trevor Noah.

From apartheid South Africa "...Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle."

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    Stacey's Book Blog

    Welcome! Stacey's Book Blog shares book reviews on a wide array of non-fiction and fiction books, along with tips for both readers and writers. Find your next great read here! Also enjoy author interviews, and more.

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    Categories

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    The Lost Years: A Novel, explores the question - Why do some relationships fall apart while others endure?
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    Find motivation, inspiration & helpful advice from bestselling author Stacey Ritz! Click the cover to purchase now.
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    Learn how to become a writer. Click cover.
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    90 Treadmill Workouts to get you in shape.
    Click cover for more.

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    Do you find Stacey's Book Blog helpful? Donate a cup of cocoa here!

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    A quiet life, an idyllic marriage. Until tragedy strikes. How far would you go for love? 
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    Who rescued who? Meet the little senior rescue dog who helped transform her rescuers life.
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    Raise significant funds for your non-profit, school or cause!
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    This blog contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.

Books by Stacey Ritz...


Fiction

The Lost Years   

Intriguing Illusions       
Sixty Seconds of Love

The Perfect Divorce

Inconceivable Lives

The Obsession

Keeping Up Appearances
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All the Little Choices

Goodbye, Hello

The First & Last Everything

Motivational

Be Awesome: How to Live your Best Life!
Pursuing Greatness: Strategies to Gain a Mental Edge in Sports and Life

Writing

Write Your Story: How to Jump Start Your Writing Career

Must Love Writing: The Magic of Living a Creative Life
Animal Welfare 
Covered in Pet Fur: How to Start an Animal Rescue the Right Way

Pawsitive Connection: Heartwarming Stories

Cat Connection: Heartwarming Rescue Tales

Letters From Cats: Hilarious & Heartfelt Notes

Not Your Average Grandma: The Story of a Little Senior Rescue Dog with Big Life Lessons

​Fun(D)Raising: 150 Money Making Ideas

Poetry

 Love & Courage
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