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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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 cutest black history children’s book, I See You HBCU is the ideal resource for parents who want to teach their young children about the importance and influence of historically black colleges and universities.
Beautifully illustrated and just 30 pages, little Ahman discovers a box marked “HBCU” while helping his parents carry boxes as they move into their new, larger home. He is bitten by the curiosity bug as he asks his mom and dad what the letters stand for.
He is in for an exciting lesson on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, from how they helped Black students to fit in when we couldn’t go to the same schools as whites to how Edward Waters College was the first HBCU in Florida.
The story centers on an adorable African American family, and the graphics are reminiscent of Boondocks by Aaron Mcgruder. As they respond to Ahman’s inquiries, the mother and father are kind and patient with him. You might feel like a young child on the sofa as your parents dance to the memories of their historically black institutions.
By the end of the book, the author adds an extensive list of HBCUs as a guide for readers!
This is an excellent book to start the conversation about higher education from an African American perspective if you have kids under 10. I think of this as the first of several books that will follow Ahman’s journey. Let’s hope the author feels the same way!
Ratings:
Age Appropriate for Content: 5/5
Storyline: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Child Self and Self-Identity: 5/5
Thought Provoking: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5 / 5 stars
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. Next up:
Lifeline of a Soul: The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners
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.
Imagine you are traveling and looking for a nice hotel. You have a choice between two that look promising.
One has 100 stars, receives some glowing reviews on its site, and even has reviews on Google Maps.
Photo by Bruno Maceiras
The other hotel looks nice from the pictures, but it doesn’t have a website, and you don’t know anyone who’s been.
You know very little about the amenities, and there is only one review.
Your only guideline comes from the very basic description on a third-party website that popped up when you Googled hotels.
Which hotel are you going to choose?
Books work in a similar way.
Book reviews are just as critical as book sales in the publishing world. They provide social proof that helps the right readers find and purchase your book.
Although our focus is on Self-Publishing, this is also true for traditionally published authors. Like with social media, publishers want to see if your book has an audience, a demand, and what you do to build awareness. Book reviews can help with that.
Start Early
The best way to garner book reviews for your book is to start at least 4-6 months (closer to six months) before the book releases. If you are a traditionally published author, your publisher will likely handle this by sending your book out for early reviews. If you are a self-published author, you can do the same.
Beta Readers
Recruiting beta readers is one of the most common methods. A beta reader is someone who reads a book before it is published in order to point out errors and make suggestions for improvements, usually without being paid. In essence, they serve as a test reader.
You want to recruit people who read within your book’s genre. Be careful only recruiting family and friends. You want people to read your book who will be honest and unbiased.
Give your readers instructions on what you expect from them. Let them know they will receive a free copy of the unfinished book and that you’d like them to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads when it is released. If you want to use their feedback on graphics for social media, say that.
A beta reader acts as a proofreader, your last line of defense before sending the book out into the world.
But, careful not to allow beta readers to change your story. While they can offer suggestions for improvements, a beta reader is not and should not replace an editor. While they can point out obvious typos, they should be looking at the big picture. What’s working? What feels weak? What makes sense in your head but doesn’t translate to the page?
You can find beta readers (paid and not paid) within your social circle (start with your email list or blog followers) on Fiverr, Reedsy, and Upwork to name a few.
Book Bloggers
What the heck is a book blogger?
A book blogger is a blogger who reads and reviews books because they love it! Most book bloggers do this for free, and others (like me) charge a fee. Like most bloggers, I used to review books for free. However, book bloggers receive tons of requests, which can become overwhelming. My list grew significantly after I had reviewed more than 30 books, been highlighted on Reedsy and Kindlepreneur, and established myself as an active, professional reviewer. Either I would stop reviewing books or charge a fee and limit my time. I chose the latter.
As you dig into book review blogs, check on these three things first:
Is the site active? Has the blogger published a post within the last month or so?
Do they have a policy with instructions on how to apply for a review? Submitting your book according to this policy is imperative if you want to be noticed.
Do they charge for reviews, and if so, how much? You want to be prepared for any fees (this should be part of your book marketing strategy).
Are they currently accepting queries? If they’re closed at the moment, it could be months before you hear back from them — if at all.
Recruiting readers can be like pulling teeth. Thankfully, there are paid options. Beta Readers and ARC are sometimes used interchangeably. Short for Advanced Readers Copy ARC is an early version of the book sent to readers to review before the book is released. There are several paid ARC services (such as Booksiren, Bookfunnel), but they can get pricey. Still, if you have a few coins saved, Google ARC Review Services to choose which fits your budget.
Amazon Early Review Program
The Amazon Early Reviewer Program is Amazon’s internal launch program that incentivizes customers who have already purchased a product to leave a review.
Wait…
Now, Amazon. You told us we aren’t allowed to incentivize reviews and post to your site. It’s okay when you do it. It’s a problem when we do it.
Anywho, here’s what you need to know about the program fromJungle Scout:
The Amazon Early Reviewer program allows a seller to submit one of their product SKUs (stock keeping unit) to be promoted by Amazon for review by a specific, pre-vetted reviewer.
The program costs $60 per SKU. However, you aren’t charged until you get one review or one year has passed, whichever comes first.
The product should receive between 1-5 reviews from reviewers who have been handpicked by Amazon.
Reviewers are chosen for the program because they have “no history of abusive or dishonest reviews” and they meet all of Amazon’s “eligibility criteria.”
Once program reviewers leave feedback, Amazon marks the review with an orange badge that reads “Early Reviewer Program.”
I have never participated in this program, but it is an option. If you know more about this or have used it, let me know!
Ask for the review at the back of the book!
Add a short, direct request for the reader to leave a review after they are finished reading as the last page of the book. Something simple like: “I’d love to hear your opinion about this book! Please consider leaving an honest review on the platform of your choice.” Something like that.
Additionally, if someone in your network has read your book, you may send them an email asking for their review. Direct requests are sometimes more effective than mass emails asking for volunteers. It seems thoughtful and personal.
So, how many beta readers, book bloggers, and early reviews should I strive for?
As many as you are able, but I would strive for at least 10-20 Amazon reviews within the first two months after your book release date. That shows your book has traction with real readers. You can also share those reviews (as stated) on social media graphics as social proof.
Be sure that you inform your beta readers/book bloggers to post their early reviews to the book’s Amazon page when it drops.
Title: Pretty Privilege Author: S.R. Graham Publisher: S.R. Graham Published: April 14, 2023 Page: 137
Eighteen-year-old Zuri Natrice Hall is sick of being treated like a caged bird. Constantly complimented on her beauty, paraded across beauty pageant stages, commercial sets, and in the streets of Myrtle Beach, Zuri musters up the courage to accept her win as Miss High School USA, a victory she knew she had in the bag before the contest was over.
Cringing on the inside, Zuri fake smiles through the speech she is forced to give and conjures up the fake tears she is expected to produce. In real life, Zuri despises being paraded around like a trophy. She hates the pageants and yearns to pursue her own dream of being a movie director.
But her mother is not having it.
Dr. Delilah Elise and Mayor Stephen Hall are their town’s Michelle and Barrack Obama, and Zuri, their only daughter of four, is their beautiful princess. Having abandoned her dreams of becoming the first woman in her family to become a doctor, Mrs. Hall expects Zuri to carry on the family legacy of dominating pageants and becoming Miss USA.
Everything Zuri does not want.
Finally, she sets out for college, hoping to live on her own terms. She is finally out of the cage and allowed to embrace her full, authentic self while navigating college life.
When Zuri catches the eye of rich and spoiled Dexter Malone at a party, she has no idea how complicated things will get. She eventually falls in love with the nerdy boy Calvin, but Dexter is determined to make her his no matter the cost.
Books about Black families tend to surround the burden of poverty and racism in some capacity. Rarely do we get to witness the Black family simply living life. I appreciated that about this book. Zuri’s parents successfully contribute to their household and community, are financially stable, and are happily married while raising their four children.
However, Zuri still has to make her own decisions and live life outside of her parents. And like most of us at Zuri’s age, her lessons will be learned the hard way.
The only thing stopping this from being a five-star is it’s a bit erotic for a young adult novel. Not that these kids ain’t out here doing the nasty in real life, but the details seemed a bit much for this kind of book.
Nevertheless, Pretty Privilege is a wonderful coming-of-age story that fans of young adult novels will love. It introduces some critical topics for parents and young adults, such as allowing your children to become their own person. It is also an eye-opener for young people to be careful when they do leave the nest and go out into this loveless world. Everyone is not your friend or has your best interest.
Ratings:
Plot Movement / Strength: 4/5
Entertainment Factor: 4/5
Characterization: 4/5
Authenticity / Believable: 4/5
Thought Provoking: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/ 5 stars
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. Next up:
I See You HBCU!
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: Hierarchy of Needs: Sculptor Series Part II Author: Christa Wojciechowski Publisher: Christa Wojciechowski Published: November 15, 2022 Page: 339
Part two of this wildly psychological series on the strength and depths of addiction continues Ona Price’s journey. She returns to the seedy underbelly of the drug scene due to the tragic event that closed book one. Her methadone will soon wear off while confined to the Plaza Hotel with Antoni, Oz, and Dr. Carver if she doesn’t do something fast. As the withdrawal symptoms take over, Ona fears everyone becoming aware of her addiction. She can’t have that and thus sneaks out of the hotel to meet Jojo, who will give her the much-needed dose to tide her over.
A woman who once celebrated Sonia Orlyk’s birthday gliding through her opulent house in a stunning gown soon finds herself hiding out at an apartment in Alphabet City with a group of Puerto Rican drug dealers. She currently shares a residence with four men—Jojo, Fatty, Lobo, Decoy—and Lobo’s mother who prepares the meals. Dazed most days and sleeping until eleven a.m., Ona returns to her toxic schedule.
Now Antoni is combing the streets of Manhattan in search of her.
We get a deeper glimpse into the internal darkness of drug usage from Ona’s and the other characters’ perspectives in book two, which is much more action-packed. Mr. Orlyk is also unhappy about what happened to his wife and intends to exact the most heinous retribution.
However, even though Ona’s circumstances are worse, it is refreshing to observe her in a world apart from the time she spends with Aunt Vee, the methadone clinic, the sculptor, and his estate.
Ona battles her addiction in Oblivion Black from a position of contentment. She believes she is cleaner than she actually is because of the methadone. She is enjoying her job, driving Aunt Vee’s lovely car, and developing feelings for Antoni. She is on the verge of becoming one of the “normies,” or non-drug users, and everything is flowing.
While this might seem like a good thing, it is the challenges we face that develop our character. So, Ona might have been doing well on the surface, but underneath, she was not really facing her addiction.
In Hierarchy of Needs, Ona is forced to confront both her own and other people’s demons when she descends to the bottom and must use all of her might to claw her way to the top. As the stakes rise and the threats multiply, more interesting characters are introduced.
While book two picks off where book one leaves (and it would be better to have read book one), book two is also a journey in itself. And while Ona and Antoni’s romance takes on a lesser role, I liked it because it highlighted the darkness that readers of dark literature may have been hoping for in the first book, which for most of the story, reads like a romance novel.
Once again, the author does a fantastic job illustrating withdrawal and the filthiness of life with addiction. It is poetic the way she weaves Ona’s words together.
“But if I accepted it as my god, if it was a sacrament to give and take of pleasure and pain, doing it would be an offering and getting sick would be sacrifice, and overdose martyrdom. Dealing would be the job of a missionary, to teach the ritual and spread its dichotomic communion. It was a way to worship any god.”
– Ona Price, Hierarchy of Needs
You’ll get chills down your spine and goosebumps on your skin after learning what happens to people who become addicted to the Russian Sleep Experiment.
It. is. wild.
Much of the specifics of book two are predicated on what happened at the end of book one, so I have to leave it here to not spoil it for you. But, if you liked book one, you haven’t seen anything yet. The second book is a wild ride.
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!
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.
*Books are read in the order they are received. Be sure to check the queue before booking.
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