Productivity: BIG Ideas from The Top 10 Books by Oran Kangas

It’s always helpful having valuable information from a variety of knowledgeable sources condensed in one book for readers to consume. After all, that makes us productive, which is the objective here.

While I found the book to be beneficial for readers, I would have preferred Kangas to restrain what I viewed as an elitist attitude. For example: Saying most people who don’t need a creativity toolkit are either flipping burgers for a living or are dead, wasn’t only unnecessary but untrue.

The techniques and action plans shared by ‘The Masters’ are worthwhile and can be appreciated by all who desire to improve their productivity.

 

Secrets of Professional Organizers Volume 1: Leading Experts Talk about Chronic Disorganization & Hoarding by Donna Smallin Kuper

A compilation of seven experts in the organizing field share their expertise.

With strategies, hints, and tips for those who feel overwhelmed with clutter and need a helping hand, these secrets from the pros might be just what the doctor ordered.

Volume 1 includes the practical while adding the psychological viewpoints for those who see a real problem in themselves while reading this self-help book.

No matter what the range, there are suggestions for readers of all ages.

The Death by Money Report: The Cause of Money Stress And How a $10 Solution Can Save Your Financial Life by Tracy Piercy CFP with Lisa Maxwell (Author)

This less than fifty page book can be summed up using the following advice offered – ‘how can I fund this?’ rather than immediately declaring, ‘I can’t afford it’.

Ten dollars is the beginning of the authors’ strategies to obtain ones financial independence.

Piercy and Maxwell promote their website throughout the book. It may be here where readers may receive additional help with their cause of money stresses.

When Monsters Come Out to Play by Samantha Foster

A cute little bedtime story meant to ease children’s fears of monsters.

Samantha Foster’s first book, When Monsters Come Out to Play, is a short story rich with kid friendly rhymes and outstanding illustrations.

There’s a variety of monsters sure to befriend any child’s imagination.

By the end of the story, children will not only be fearless but will have chosen a favorite monster!

Cloud Dancer by P.A. Bechko

The Spaniards are coming, the Spaniards are coming!

The year is 1598 and the Kere tribe of the Acoma Pueblo were about to be annihilated from their peaceful home in New Mexico.

Being a Kere Native American woman required domesticity, certainly not a hunter and warrior, but Cloud Dancer was having none of that. She couldn’t hide in her teepee any longer when the Spaniards came to take whatever food and supplies they wanted. She knew she had to stand up for her people.

In this battle, she lost. The Acoma Pueblo were wiped out. A handful managed to escape, seeking a new home with nearby tribes, but as a whole, the Acoma Pueblo were wiped out.

Cloud Dancer’s life was saved by a young Spanish warrior, who knew his people were wrong. He risked everything saving her. It was from her new friend she learned to ride a horse and shoot “the stick that thunders.”

Missing her family, friends, and previous lover - Apache warrior and medicine man, White Hawk - Cloud Dancer finds she is alone. As with other survivors from the Acoma Pueblo, she decides to live with an Apache tribe. Their ways are very different from the Kere ways, but she doesn’t want to be alone, wanting to be a warrior and hunter for the Apaches. Her goal is to fight the Spaniards when they attack again.

The story of Cloud Dancer is a brilliant historical novel filled with Native American events and details for the passionate historical fiction reader. The romance added to the story, without lessening the historical significance.

I stumbled upon Cloud Dancer in my search for historical fiction and was so glad I did. I appreciated the research P.A. Bechko devoted to her book and I aspire to write my own historical novel with as much skill and expertise.

Winston & Me by Mark Woodburn

Winston & Me is a book that supports my love of historical fiction. The research Mark Woodburn undertook is appreciated by readers eager to learn a part of history missed in their education. I am embarrassed to admit I knew little about Winston Churchill, but Winston & Me became my private tutor in the most enjoyable way.

The fictitious character, James Melville, was a fifteen year old Scottish young man, who told the story of his relationship with Winston that developed throughout WW1 in Britain, Edinburgh, and France.

I have always felt the best way to learn history is by reading a well written, captivating, historical novel. Mark Woodburn knocked it out of the park!

As with all war stories, events are not always pretty. The reader will experience the horrors of war, yet at the same time, the public and private life of Winston Churchill.

I recommend Winston & Me for the history buff along with readers of all ages wanting to expand their knowledge of WW1 and Winston Churchill.

Book 1 Learn the Numbers (Pre-K Learning Series) by Sandra L. Portman, Illustrated by Kopralzz

Schools today are pleading for more parental involvement and this Pre-K Learning Series is perfect for the parent to get started.

There are four levels and chapters (for age 0-4) in Book 1 where the preschooler learns numbers from 1-10. From imitating sounds of words and numbers, to identifying pictures and answering questions, to pretending to read, to counting from 1-10, the child enjoys appropriate and clear images of numbers, fish, cars, and teddy bears.

Outstanding lessons for the child written with the parent in mind for ease and a sense of accomplishment for both.