After The Rain: Stories by Dina Sokal ; The Narrow by Dan Cornelious; The Love That Wouldn't Die by Anthony Biren; 200 Things Women Can Do After 50 by Permission Press

 

After The Rain: Stories by Dina Sokal

This is a summary of the review. The entire review can be found on LitPick.

This poignant and meaningful anthology focuses on emotional confrontations, secrets, trauma, memories, and how sometimes it takes adulthood and maturity to understand these experiences.

The best stories are:

“Henry and Sally”- Henry learns that his ailing wife, Sally, has secrets that he never knew.

This story is about how we never know everything about the people that we are around the most, spouses, children, and close friends and family. 

Henry cares for his wife through her dementia and finds out her secret on his own. He weighs his suspicion towards her and his guilt in bringing this outcome forward. He has to address the reality of his marriage, not his romantic rose tinted view.

 “The Ritual Committee Meeting”-Christy weighs religious devotion with her uncertainty about her committee leaders Jonathan and Rivka who are becoming quite authoritarian.

This story is only a few pages long but says a great deal about Christy and the other church members. Christy sees the tight hold that the couple have on the committee and when she disagrees with them, they let her know that she has fallen in their estimation. 

She wonders if they are there to lead others to worship God or themselves.

“Mother's Day”-An accident forces Val to evaluate her marriage, motherhood, faith, and behavior.

Val once held a superficial view of her life. She thought that it was an idyllic home as long as she existed on the surface and lived in benign contentment. 

Afterwards she has to weigh her love for her husband and family. She also has to look at her own troublesome behavior and seek to change it.

“After the Rain”- A woman has a magical encounter that forces her to confront her past.

Most of the story is surreal and yet meaningful as a strange box leads her to several human figures, particularly a baby that beckons her to follow it. They have a lot of symbolic touches concerning security, suppression, and confrontation.

The story’s climax is reached when she names the trauma that was done to her. She confronts her assailant and brings her pain to the forefront. Recognizing it gives her the first step towards healing.

 Sokal’s watercolor illustrations are winsome pleasant landscapes that bring a timeless dream-like quality to the stories and provide light to even the darkest moments.

The Narrow by Dan Cornelious 

This is a suspenseful Science Fiction Thriller that combines monster disasters, alien encounters, and conspiracy theories and does some clever unique things with the concepts.

After surviving an attack by a mysterious creature Eli Merritt investigates the encounter. He sees a sealed passage which leads him to a civilization of reptilians called the Zargata. He bonds with one named Ryznk. When a greater evil approaches Eli, Ryznk, and their human and reptilian allies have to work together to fight it.

Most of the book focuses on typical military science fiction thriller tropes. There are the military figures who try to keep the weird stuff under wraps as they fight against it. The scientists and doctors with the analytical questions, devotion to science, and arguments with the military. 

The salt of the Earth protagonist who stumbles on the strange new world but still kicks ass. The religious supporting character that quotes the Bible and fears the End Times. It's all familiar but also kind of fun as a good action novel read for the summer should be. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this book are the reptilians. Most Science Fiction novels that focus on conspiracy theories treat the reptilians as some unstoppable inhuman evil bent in conquest and destruction. Dan Cornelious however took great care to make the Zargata just as important and multi-faceted as the humans.

 Ryznk is actually a well written character more so than Eli, his human counterpart who is alright but stereotypical and cliched. Ryznk however is a proud member of the Zargata community but has enough intelligent curiosity and empathy towards the humans. He draws Eli and others  into their mutual struggles by sharing thoughts and emotions. It is an interesting touch in what might have been a typical Science Fiction Thriller.

The friendship that develops between Eli and Ryznk is the emotional core of the story as they fight against their isolation, assumptions, enemies both human and reptilian, and mental and emotional blockers to work together. It's a twist that elevates this book from ordinary to potentially exceptional.

The Love That Wouldn't Die by Anthony Biren 

This is a beautiful and sinister short novel about the love between parent and child that survives beyond death.

John is devoted to his daughter, Rocky. He is so devoted to her that his final thoughts before he dies in a traffic collision were to always be with her. After death, he watches Rocky as she becomes romantically involved with Derek, a dangerous stalker.

The horror and mystery aspects are well written. John's attempts to communicate with his daughter can be creepy as he speaks to her through her phone and flickers with lights. Also John's attachment to Rocky could affect his memory of her and human emotions leaving him as an angry vengeance seeking spirit.

Besides the supernatural horror, there is also human horror. It is particularly noticeable when John and Rocky are given a chilling vision of Derek's actions and motives. The lengths that Derek went through because he felt entitled to have Rocky are incredibly disturbing.

Above all, this is a strong story about the love between a father and daughter. The opening chapter features a charming moment between John and his then-toddler aged daughter as she watches butterflies. It symbolizes their relationship as Rocky is as beautiful and fragile as those butterflies and John tries hard to hold onto her until he learns to defend when necessary but also to let her go.

200 Things Women Can Finally Do at 50 by Permission Press

If you are approaching 50, don't look at it as old age or think that it is an end to life. Think of it as a potential start to do new things. This is a funny and uplifting book that suggests that women can find fulfillment by living for themselves.

This book covers various areas like social life, beauty standards, work, family, health, tech, and a bucket list. The items suggest similar messages like “It's okay to opt out.” “It's okay to be less than perfect” “It's okay to practice self care.” “It's okay for others to take care of you.” “It's okay to be behind the times.” “It's okay to meet long term goals that were put off by life situations.” “It's okay to be yourself.”

The suggestions are humorous and heartfelt to remind readers that they should make time for themselves. For example in the social life chapter, one suggestion is “Unfriend the Energy Vampire. We all have that one friend. She only calls to complain about her ex, her boss, or the rash on her leg. You have listened to the same loop for 15 years because you are loyal. You are not a therapist, and you are not a garbage can for your emotional refuse. It is okay to outgrow people who only take. Hit ‘Block’ or ‘Mute’ to lift that weight off your shoulders immediately. Rebel Rule: Protect your peace like it is a limited-edition handbag.”

Nonfiction Short Reviews Cookbook, Natural Living, Study Guide, and Home Repair

30 Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Women Over 40 by Aiken Gobble

For Amazon Book Readers 

Women over 40 have specific dietary needs so a book like the Mediterranean Diet Cookbook is ideal for such women to plan and prepare such meals to help with those needs. 

Specific recipes and meals include Avocado and Smoked Salmon Pita Pockets for Breakfast that help energize, Zesty Lemon and Hummus Collared Green Wraps for Lunches that give weight loss, Savory Tomato and White Bean Stew with Olive Oil Drizzle for Dinners that burn fat and help heart health, and Pomegranate and Ginger Spritzer for Desserts and Drinks. 

This cookbook will help women over 40 live healthy happy lives.

 

Ancestral Natural Remedies by Quince Villin

For Amazon Book Readers 

Ancestral Natural Remedies is a guide to prepare and take natural remedies and medicines for healing various illnesses and injuries.

The book includes advice for Gut Health and Digestion, Stress and Anxiety, Immunity, Antioxidant, Circulatory, Building Strong Bones, for Sleep Aids, Energy Boosting, Skin and Beauty Aids, Herbal Recipes and Formulas, Women's Health, Men's Health, and Children's Health.

This book is helpful for living a natural and holistic healthy life.

ATI TEAS Study Guides by Nova Nexus Academy

 

For BBR Group 

The ATI TEAS Study Guides are a helpful tool for future healthcare professionals who will soon be taking the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Exams. It comes with test taking strategies, practice exams, and advice on how to prepare and minimize stress.

There are various suggestions on ways to study like forming small groups, taking copious notes, using flash cards, and other means to simplify the sometimes exhausting process. It also offers advice on how to improve physical and mental stamina like eating protein, getting plenty of hydration, practicing mindfulness and meditation and taking study breaks.

The practice exams will help test takers visualize the real exam and study the kind of questions that will be asked.

The ATI TEAS Study Guides will be useful to help those who will be in the healthcare profession pass a test that is a stepping stone in their careers.

HVAC For Beginners by Andrew McCreadie

For BBR Group 

The HVAC systems are essential for heating and cooling the household. This book gives the inside information on the systems and how they work.

The book goes into detail about how they are designed and installed, particularly the equipment and conduits. The maintenance and management of the systems include troubleshooting various problems and implementing and optimizing improvements to the systems. The comfort and air quality control chapter has sections on managing and improving the indoor air quality. There are also tips to maintain energy efficiency and long term care. 

This book will help anyone who needs advice on installing and maintaining their HVAC.

The Long-Term Wilderness Survival Bible by Chris Tenibor 

For BBR Group 

It's always good to be prepared and whether you are a survivalist planning for dark days ahead, interested in going off the grid, or just want to vacation in nature to get away from it all, this book is a handy guide to learn about wilderness survival.

This book demonstrates how to construct shelters like huts and lean-tos. It includes how to collect and purify water and how to procure food such as identifying edible plants and how to hunt, fish, and catch prey. Readers can also learn how to light and manage fire and navigate through the wilderness. 

Advanced skills include woodworking, using bows and arrows, and making containers and utensils. It's important to take care of oneself in the wilderness as well as anywhere else so the book includes how to prepare and use first aid and practice psychology and resilience like regulating emotions and calming phobias and anxiety.

Essential Air Fryer Cookbook by Mateja Grigic; The Country Living Bible by Jake L. Bryan; The Complete Beginner's Instant Pot Cookbook by Earl M. Levitt; The Flavorful Plant Based Cookbook for Beginners by Richard S. Stone

 The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners 2024: 1900 Days Easy Delicious Budget-Friendly Air Fryer Recipe Book, 15-Minute Homemade Meals for Busy People/Incl. Fry, Bake, Grill Etc. by Mateja Grigic; The Country Living Bible 5-in-1: The Definitive Homesteading for Peppers to Live and Thrive Off the Grid|Including Survival Skills to Stay Independent, Safe, and Healthy by Jake L. Bryan; The Complete Beginner’s Instant Pot Cookbook 2024: A Comprehensive Collection of Easy and Delicious Recipes for Novice Cooks, Designed to Enhance Your Kitchen Experience by Earl M. Levitt; The Flavorful Plant Based Cookbook for Beginners: 1000+ Days of Exciting and Mouth Watering Recipes to Spice Up Your Plant-Based Meals and Create a Healthier Lifestyle by Richard S. Stone

The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners 2024: 1900 Days Easy Delicious Budget-Friendly Air Fryer Recipe Book, 15-Minute Homemade Meals for Busy People/Incl. Fry, Bake, Grill Etc. by Mateja Grigic 

If you have an air fryer and are looking for meals to cook on it, then The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners 2024 offers some interesting ideas.

The introduction offers some of the  benefits that cooking with an air fryer can bring. Such benefits include “Healthier Cooking,” and “Reduced Calories” both by using less oil. They are also described as “Time Efficient” and “Energy Efficient” by cooking faster and reducing energy consumption.

As with many cookbooks, this book provides plenty of varied recipes for "Breakfast, Family Favorite, Fast and Everyday Favorites, Fish, Seafood, Beef, Pork, Lamb, Poultry, Snacks and Appetizers, Vegetables and Sides, Vegetarian Mains, and Desserts." 

The recipes offer some potentially delicious ideas for various meals. They include “Greek Bagels,” “Chinese-Inspired Spareribs,” “Easy Devils on Horseback,” “Moroccan Spiced Halibut with Chickpea Salad,” “Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops,” “Honey-Glazed Chicken Thighs,” “Mozzarella Arancini,” “Garlic Cauliflower with Tahini,” “Stuffed Portobellos,” and “Tortilla Fried Pies.”

An air fryer is a useful cooking appliance and this book is a great companion for it.

The Country Living Bible 5-in-1: The Definitive Homesteading for Peppers to Live and Thrive Off the Grid|Including Survival Skills to Stay Independent, Safe, and Healthy by Jake L. Bryan

Some people dream of living a simple life off the grid. Whether they are concerned about the destruction of the environment, are distrustful of government overreach, have religious or cultural reasons, are nostalgic for the past, or just simply crave a slower pace, living off the grid is a sought for dream. Jake L. Bryan’s The Country Living Bible is an ultimate guide for those who long for a simpler life in a complicated world. 

The book is actually five books in one that takes Readers through the various facets on rural living. It includes chapters on selecting and building a homestead, growing, preparing, and storing food, emergency preparedness, survival skills, energy and water solutions, home maintenance and repairs, safety and security strategies, and holistic, alternative, and natural medicines and remedies. This is a book that caters to one’s physical, mental, and emotional well being while undertaking such a monumental task. 

Many of the chapters stress simplicity and living off of the land. High prices at the grocery store? Grow your own food. Concerned about increased carbon footprints? Use solar, hydro, and wind energy. Concerned about the constant stream of technology and misinformation? Use public WiFi services like the library or pay for a limited basic connection.This book gives clear directions and step-by-step processes on how to do such things. 

Some of the more interesting parts include sections that talk about security and health services. The security chapters cover such things as monitoring and using surveillance around the properties. Above all, an important factor is to trust the neighboring community to assist in protection. People assume living off the grid means living completely separately and away from everyone else, but Bryan shows that the strongest off the gridders actually have thriving communities where people communicate and work together. 

The health section includes various plants and herbs for remedies, fitness routines for exercise, and stress management techniques to improve mental health. While it offers advice on how to apply first aid and treatments for simple illnesses and injuries, it doesn’t dismiss medical treatment offhand. By all means, it says if there is a complex injury or a serious illness, contact emergency services immediately. It’s nice to know that even though one desires to live outside of modern society, the modern society is still there in case help is needed.

Off the grid living is not recommended for everyone. But for those that are interested and are willing to pursue it, this book is a strategic helpful guide on how to get started.

The Complete Beginner’s Instant Pot Cookbook 2024: A Comprehensive Collection of Easy and Delicious Recipes for Novice Cooks, Designed to Enhance Your Kitchen Experience by Earl M. Levitt

For cooks who are just learning or who are looking for a healthy easy meal, Readers may want to check out Earl M. Levitt’s The Complete Beginner's Instant Pot Cookbook 2024. 

This book has a nice variety of foods. Everything is present from Breakfast, to Poultry, Beef, Pork, Lamb, Fish, Seafood, Snacks, Appetizers, Vegetables, Sides, Desserts, Stews, and Soups.

The recipes are plentiful and delicious. They include diverse meals such as “Breakfast Millet with Nuts and Strawberries,” “Cajun Chicken,” “Rosemary Lamb Chops,” “Poached Salmon,” “Bok Choy Salad Boats with Shrimp,” “Indian Okra,” “Traditional Cheesecake,” and “Chicken Enchilada Soup.” 

The Complete Beginner's Instant Pot Cookbook is a great book for those who want a fun, delicious, and easy meal

The Flavorful Plant Based Cookbook for Beginners: 1000+ Days of Exciting and Mouth Watering Recipes to Spice Up Your Plant-Based Meals and Create a Healthier Lifestyle by Richard S. Stone

If you are interested in a vegan diet, then you may want to try Richard S. Stone’s The Flavorful Plant Based Cookbook for Beginners. It’s a nice variety of recipes as well as providing tips and benefits of a plant based diet. 

The first chapter is detailed even before the recipes begin. Benefits such as lower risk of chronic diseases, better weight management, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations are explored. This chapter also includes ingredients and seasonings, tips for maintaining a healthy diet, cooking techniques, tools, and ways to prepare and plan meals. There are also tips for travel and dining out like trying ethnic cuisines, don’t be afraid to ask for a plant based menu, and don’t stress if there aren’t any plant based options. 

The recipes take Readers through Breakfast, Basics, Beans, Grains, Desserts, Vegetables, Sides, Snacks, Appetizers, Salads, Stews, Soups, Staples, Sauces, Dips, and Dressings. They include interesting menu options like “Banana, Date, and Coconut Muesli,” “Mama Mia Marinara Sauce,” “Hearty Veggie Hoagies,” “Cherry Chocolate Bark,” “Garlic Mashed Potatoes,” “Sunshine Everything Crackers,” “Greek Salad in a Jar,” “‘’Don’t Waste the Good Stuff’ Squash Soup,” and “Dreamy Lemon Curd.” The variety of meals show that there are many ways to prepare vegetables. 

This book gives a variety of recipes that not only offer tasty meals but encourage healthy eating,