Her name means “A song of praise to Yah,” and Tehilayah’s anthology of poetry and prose sings just like the book of Psalms. We can tell the author thought through each piece before she penned it, as each poem is focused and intentional. There are no idle words in this anthology, as the title implies. Each stanza seeks to emphasize the significance of the use of language.
This is a short and quick read, but you will want to take your time with this one. The poems force us to pause and savor the meanings between the lines. Tehilayah speaks with gentleness and wisdom. I can hear the poetry being read aloud, and she makes excellent use of metaphor and imagery.
This author is also a great singer, which is also a testament to her name and why this book reads like a collection of hymns.
Finally, I enjoyed how the author stayed close to the book’s theme. We are reminded that there are no idle words from the opening to the end.
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Title: Black Coffee: From Empty to Overflowing with Peace, Healing, and Purpose
Author: Bree Gordon
Publisher: Bree Gordon
Published: February 18, 2020
Pages: 122
Bree Gordon begins her book with frank sincerity and unabashed vulnerability. We learn about her trials and tribulations as her marriage unraveled and her mental health suffered. Gordon utilizes her therapy sessions as the basis for telling the stories of the women who made a difference in her life, and the revelation about who these women are will leave you speechless.
In this book, we meet not just Bree but also Linda, Gia, Reena, and Trina. It’s got that How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale vibe.
This book’s layout and packaging are both excellent. Gordon welcomes us with a stunning cover of her enjoying a cup of coffee and then weaves this motif across her chapters. From “Brewing” to “Spilling the Beans,” I like how imaginatively she titled the chapters to enhance the story. It brought the narrative and the title together well.
What truly sets this book apart is the inclusion of therapist notes. It will surely help other women who have had to walk in Gordon’s shoes.
To have your book reviewed on this blog apply here. The registry is open UNTIL AUGUST 1ST!
Be sure to apply BEFORE August even if your book releases after if you want a review on this blog.
Stay tuned for our next dope read!
Yecheilyah’s Book Reviews is a reputable review service that features writers from all over the world, both traditionally and independently published. We are listed on Kindlepreneur as a top-tier book review blog and Reedsy as one of their vetted active book blogs that provide insightful, excellent book reviews.
Title: The Weight of Salt: A Gripping Story of Love and Courage (Angelina Pirrello Saga Book 1)
Author: Sandra Montanino
Publisher: Edwards Publishing; 1st edition
Published: January 13, 2021
Pages: 358
The Weight of Salt follows a Sicilian Italian family as they make their way through early 1900s America via the perspective of fifteen-year-old Angelina Pirello. In detail and filled with such emotion you’d think you were in the room, the author opens with Angelina watching her mother give birth for the seventh time. We are in Ybor, Florida, and the year is 1906.
The midwife is not very helpful, the baby is breached, and the doctor is delayed because of other patients since his wife won’t tell him that the Pirellos need assistance.
The reader’s exploration of Sicilian culture, religion, and family life begins with this event. Since the family is deeply Catholic, I sensed from the beginning that Angelina would be unique. She first rejects the idea that her infant brother (the one who passed away during birth) cannot enter paradise and will remain in limbo. The doctrine holds that everyone has Adam and Eve’s original sin, which must be washed away via baptism. However, unbaptized infants who pass away live in limbo and are not entitled to the gates of heaven.
Angelina is floored, and we see glimpses of her impending rebellion against tradition.
As fate would have it, she falls in love with someone her father, Domenico disapproves of. He then tries to give her an arranged marriage. Meanwhile, he is hiding college letters.
A lot is going on here, and there’s something in this book for everyone.
In the beginning, Angelina getting into a fight with the doctor’s wife (yes!) had me dying laughing. (Like, ma’am, why are you fighting this little girl?) For romance lovers, Angelina and Fabian will scratch that itch. For history buffs, there’s something in it for us too. Angelina learns the story of her parents and neighbors’ arrival at Ellis Island and how her neighbor’s family (not being wealthy) endured long lines and cruel examinations.
This book is lengthy, and you would want to savor it slowly. I enjoyed it mainly because it gave me a break from nonfiction, which I’ve been writing and reading a lot lately. (I’ve missed fiction!) It is complex, with numerous facets, themes, fully realized characters, and a masterfully structured narrative. Readers who prefer historical romance should definitely check it out, but historical fiction fans will also love it.
Ratings:
Plot Movement / Strength: 5/5
Entertainment Factor: 4/5
Characterization: 5/5
Authenticity / Believable: 4/5
Thought Provoking: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5 / 5 stars
To have your book reviewed on this blog apply here. The registry is open UNTIL AUGUST 1ST!
Be sure to apply BEFORE August even if your book releases after if you want a review on this blog.
Stay tuned for our next dope read!
Yecheilyah’s Book Reviews is a reputable review service that features writers from all over the world, both traditionally and independently published. We are listed on Kindlepreneur as a top-tier book review blog and Reedsy as one of their vetted active book blogs that provide insightful, excellent book reviews.
Title: A Subtle Art to Eliminating Anxiety and Stress from Your Life
Author: Michael Pukasta Jr.
Publisher: Michael Pukasta Jr.
Published: February 28, 2023
Pages: 104
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in eight Americans between the ages of 18 and 54 has anxiety, the author writes in A Subtle Art to Eliminating Anxiety and Stress from Your Life. It is second to drugs and alcohol in men and is one of the leading disorders in women. We discover that although stress is a natural part of life, if it is not controlled, it can accumulate in the body and cause anxiety and other illnesses.
The author helps the reader identify the compulsive habits causing us to be more stressed, such as obsessive negativity and perfectionism. Compulsive negativity causes us to have a predisposition to negativity where nothing is ever okay. The author calls this the “sour grape” attitude. Obsessive perfectionism causes us to be fixated on doing everything right to the point that we are constantly analyzing or trying to accomplish something instead of smelling the flowers. We might want to redo a task, delete a post because it’s imperfect (only to post it again), and basically drive ourselves insane.
The book is a quick read and a good reminder of the differences between stress and anxiety and provides some tools we can use to become better managers of our bodies (such as diet and exercise). There is even a quiz with questions to help readers to identify if they are depressed or not. While I found this a nice touch, the questions still fit the typical description most people associate with depression on the outside. Some people might answer no to the questions and still be depressed.
Overall, the book is an excellent reminder to keep our bodies healthy and our minds.
“We’ve all experienced worries and anxiety. While worrying can be beneficial when it motivates you to act and solve a problem, worrying excessively can take over your mind, impair your ability to manage your daily activities and wellbeing, interfere with your sleep and appetite, interfere with your social life, and make it difficult for you to focus.” – Michael Pukasta, Jr.
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Yecheilyah’s Book Reviews is a reputable review service that features writers from all over the world, both traditionally and independently published. We are listed on Kindlepreneur as a top-tier book review blog and Reedsy as one of their vetted active book blogs that provide insightful, excellent book reviews.
Title: Menopause and the Black Woman: A Guide to Wellness for African Americans
Author: April S. Lily
Publisher: April Lily
Published: June 15, 2022
Pages: 103
As women learn about the lack of knowledge on the subject, the discussion of menopause and perimenopause is becoming more common. (Even Oprah Winfrey is in on it.) The author highlights the significance of normalizing this topic in Menopause and the Black Woman: A Guide to Wellness for African Americans.
We learn that despite all women going through it, over a third of American women between the ages of 40 and 65 who participated in the State of Menopause research said they had never looked into menopause before going through it. Additionally, almost half were unaware of the distinction between perimenopause and the actual menopause.
The author explains how, in many traditional West African communities, elderhood was to be cherished and respected and held tremendous rank and influence, in contrast to modern American culture, where growing older is something individuals attempt to avoid. We should prepare for and accept these changes as a normal part of life rather than feeling ashamed of our bodies as we age.
“I want my grandchildren to grow up in a world that understands that menopause is normal, natural, and something that women shouldn’t be afraid of anymore.”
-April Lily
In the same way that we had to get ready for our first periods, we should learn about menopause and perimenopause, the symptoms associated with them, and how to prepare for the journey.
The author also shares her journey of experiencing hot flashes and night sweats that stopped her from getting a peaceful night’s rest and other signs and symptoms to be aware of, such as hair thinning, vaginal dryness, weight gain, dry skin, aches and pains, and more. These issues are accompanied by solutions to make the transition from perimenopause to menopause smoother such as exercise, diet, and natural supplements.
Women who have already been on this journey and have already done individualized research may find the book basic as it does not get too deep. It is a conversation starter, though, and I applaud the author for helping us de-stigmatize menopause and perimenopause.
While the title suggests this is exclusive to Black women, I think it is a good beginner guide for all women on this journey across ethnicity as it reads like a message to women in general.
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Stay tuned for our next dope read.
Yecheilyah’s Book Reviews is a reputable review service that features writers from all over the world, both traditionally and independently published. We are listed on Kindlepreneur as a top-tier book review blog and Reedsy as one of their vetted active book blogs that provide insightful, excellent book reviews.
I am dropping this quick update you may or may not have known about.
Amazon is increasing its printing cost on June 20th.
The printing cost is the money you pay to get your book printed.
If you have self-published books on Amazon and the price of your book is too low (less than the new minimum) your royalties could be reduced, or you might not get any.
Printing Cost Changes
All paperback and hardcover books will see an increase in their fixed costs to cover the materials, labor, and supplies.
They are introducing a new fixed and per-page cost for paperbacks and hardcover books with a larger than standard (6 x 9) trim size.
At the same time, they’re also decreasing the cost for some color-ink books ordered through specific Amazon marketplaces.
To see a full breakdown of the updated costs, check out this cost table link that Amazon put together here.
You have two options:
Leave your prices alone and accept the reduced royalties (if it applies to you)
Increase the sale price to offset the increased printing costs.
Here’s what you want to do:
Log into your Amazon K.D.P. Account
Go to your bookshelf
Click on the ellipes (…) next to your book and edit print book pricing.
Check to see if you will still get a royalty when the change kicks in. (It will show you on the page) If not, increase your book price.
Title: Lifeline to a Soul: The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners
Author: John K. McLaughlin
Publisher: Lifeline Education Connection
Published: April 4, 2023
Pages: 237
John McLaughlin uses his skills in education and experiences running his own company to teach entrepreneurship at a minimum-security prison in Lifeline to a Soul. The author’s background is described in depth, including his involvement in assisting his father with launching his sales start-up company. John gains business and customer service skills at McLaughlin and Associates that helps him teach later in life.
I was impressed with his father’s tenacity to launch his own company after years of devoting himself to someone else led to his termination. It would have been simple and understandable to give up, but he didn’t, and his son was inspired by his persistence to keep going until he achieved his goals.
Determined to do whatever it takes to pursue a profession in education and adapt to the rapidly evolving technological environment, John decides to continue his education. Not only does he go back to get his master’s degree, but he ultimately gets his teaching certificate and doctorate.
However, despite having all the education and qualifications, there has yet to be a response from teaching jobs.
That is until there is an opening for a part-time instructor to teach an entrepreneur program in a minimum-security correctional setting.
Getting the job was easy, and Mr. Moose (John’s hilarious nickname) immersed himself in instructing his students with course chapters from books, syllabi, and business plan templates.
But Mr. Moose did not do all the teaching.
When asked about Black Wallstreet by one of the Black students, the author admits to not knowing about it or remembering it taught in school.
“If this is a true story, do you think Uncle Cleve could’ve been a part of Black Wall Street? The time period’s about right, and he had to learn those business skills somewhere.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. “What was Black Wall Street?” I asked.
“Black Wall Street!” Kevin continued, slightly exasperated and looking around the room for support. “Look it up. An affluent Black community in Oklahoma around the turn of the century that was bombed out of existence by the United States Army.”
Laughlin then goes on to learn more about this historical period in time. He explains how his notions about who prisoners were and them getting what they deserved changed. He thought he would be teaching, but they taught him too.
Speaking of humility, the author also opened his class to inmates who weren’t registered but wanted to sit in and learn and gave away books to the men who asked, even though he had to pay for them out of his own pocket.
“Even though I wasn’t given any funds for supplies, I couldn’t deny an incarcerated man a book on my first day, my last day, or any day in between.”
“Anyone who wanted to learn was always welcome.”
Lifeline of a Soul is an inspiring story of one teacher’s experience teaching entrepreneurship and learning more about life for inmates, away from the stereotypes or preconceived notions of what he thought it might have been like. There was a lot about the prison that surprised even me and challenged my own misconceptions about that life. It is the story of how one man’s high level of determination saved the lives of the students he taught.
This book has layers of lessons: How a lack of resources in prison is similar to challenges entrepreneurs face with start-ups; not giving up on your dream; persisting when things get tough; pivoting where necessary, and having the humility to always be open to learning.
I also really enjoyed the presentation and organization of this book, down to the progress report of where some of the men are and their business logos. John is indeed a professional!
To have your book reviewed on this blog apply here. The registry is open for a limited time. Stay tuned for our next dope read.
(I am off for the rest of May. Our next review will be in June. Stay tuned!)
Yecheilyah’s Book Reviews is a reputable review service that features writers from all over the world, both traditionally and independently published. We are listed on Kindlepreneur as a top-tier book review blog and Reedsy as one of their vetted active book blogs that provide insightful, excellent book reviews.
The PBS Blog 