Nonfiction

"Take a Picture"
I joined an online Trauma recovery group for women. I was reading a young ladies post and had a flashback that took me way back. Way back to a time I thought was long forgotten. It was obviously still fresh inside me. I thought to respond with what I learned from it. Hoping to help. Maybe do something positive with something so negative from my past. The girl writing was talking about something very familiar to a lot of victims who often end up going back to their abusers. Sometimes, several times, and for various reasons. I could go on forever about the various reasons victims of abuse go back to their abusers, but I want to write about one today because this young ladies’ post triggered me to do what I refer to from time to time as “Time Travelling.”
By Dana Mary Colleen Campbell2 years ago in BookClub
Explore the Top 3 Must-Read Self-Improvement Books for 2024: Part Three
1. Optimal: How to Sustain Personal and Organizational Excellence Every Day by Daniel Goleman and Cary Cherniss Achieving peak performance necessitates a profound understanding of emotional intelligence—a crucial factor often overlooked in traditional approaches to success. In their insightful book, Goleman and Cherniss embark on an illuminating exploration of the intricate interplay between emotional intelligence and optimal performance. Through meticulous research and compelling insights, they unveil the intrinsic connection between these two domains, shedding light on how mastering emotional intelligence can profoundly enhance one's ability to excel in various aspects of life.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
Discover Hidden Gems: Award-Winning Nonfiction Books That Deserve Your Attention
1. Afropean by Johny Pitts (Jhalak Prize 2020) The prestigious Jhalak Award annually honors outstanding literary works penned by writers of color residing in Britain. In his expansive and meticulously researched nonfiction masterpiece, Johny Pitts undertakes a profound examination of Black Europe. With a keen eye for detail and a probing intellect, Pitts delves into the intricate intersections of race and geography that form the bedrock of Black European identity.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
Top 5 Self-Enhancement Reads for 2024: Part 1
1. Ten Times Calmer: Beat Anxiety and Change Your Life by Dr. Kirren Schnack Anxiety, a pervasive mental health condition, impacts the lives of over 300 million individuals globally, highlighting the widespread need for effective coping strategies. Recognizing this significant need, Dr. Kirren Schnack, a seasoned clinical psychologist trained at Oxford University and actively serving within the NHS, offers a comprehensive toolkit within the pages of this book. Through her expertise and experience, she provides readers with actionable advice and practical tools to confront and manage this prevalent yet often debilitating mental illness. By empowering individuals with accessible resources and evidence-based guidance, Dr. Schnack endeavors to alleviate the burden of anxiety and foster resilience and well-being among affected individuals worldwide.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
THE ART OF CONSCIOUS COVESATIONS
The book draw attention to the importance of mindful listening in conscious conversations. It teaches the reader to be fully present, focusing Tone the speaker's words, non-verbal cues, and emotions. By listening actively, deeper connections and understanding can be fostered.
By MABHENGU NANDE2 years ago in BookClub
Five Exceptional Self-Improvement Reads for 2024: Part Two
1. Feral Self-Care: 100 Ways to Liberate and Celebrate Your Messy, Wild and Untamed Self by Mandi Em Ah, the ubiquitous topic of self-care—discussed ad nauseam in various circles. However, in this enlightening book by Em, the notion of self-care transcends the clichés of green smoothies and yoga sessions. Instead, Em offers readers a refreshing perspective by presenting a diverse array of self-care activities that ignite vitality and awaken a zest for life. From dancing joyously in the rain to engaging in primal screaming sessions, these unconventional practices serve as powerful catalysts for embracing life with renewed vigor and authenticity. Through Em's insightful guidance, readers are encouraged to explore new avenues of self-care that resonate on a deeper level, fostering holistic well-being and a profound sense of fulfillment. In essence, this book serves as a captivating invitation to break free from conventional norms and embrace self-care practices that truly nourish the soul and invigorate the spirit.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
Books to Assist You in Maintaining Your New Year’s Resolutions
1. Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals With the dawn of a new year comes a sense of promise and boundless opportunity, yet the temptation to set countless goals often leads to spreading oneself too thin. Instead of juggling a multitude of objectives, it's crucial to hone in on what truly matters. In "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman, traditional tips and tricks take a backseat to a philosophical approach toward decision-making in the face of life's finite duration (as implied by the title referencing the average human lifespan). Burkeman's perspective offers a liberating blend of radical acceptance and the freedom to prioritize only the most essential pursuits, enabling individuals to excel in what truly resonates with them. In essence, it's a profound exploration of time management, and in my opinion, the most impactful book on the subject I've encountered.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
The 3 Must-Read Nonfiction Books from 2023 You Can't Miss in 2024
1. Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper This particular book garnered widespread acclaim and secured its place on numerous "best of" lists in the literary landscape of 2023. Notably, it found recognition in Liberty Harding's curated compilation of the top ten nonfiction works that might have slipped under your radar—a distinction it undeniably earned. Cooper's literary prowess is evident throughout the pages as he adeptly leads readers on a captivating voyage through seemingly unconventional topics. With finesse and passion, he delves into realms that might initially appear outside one's usual interests, yet he effortlessly captivates with his storytelling.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
Safe Spaces: A Journey from a Frightened Little Horsegirl to a Global Empowerment Leader by Merja Sumiloff With Lisa Wallace
Safe Spaces is a profoundly insightful and enlightening story of becoming and the beauty of discovering your life passions. A once-frightened little girl learned to go deep within and find her strengths by overcoming a painful childhood, uncovering her superpowers, and going on to be a successful entrepreneur and global empowerment leader. The touching memoir begins with the author discovering her first safe space while sitting on a horse named Donut and how it changed the course of her life. Safe Spaces is unapologetically honest and full of relatable reflections and revelations.
By Lisa Wallace2 years ago in BookClub
"If You Tell" by Gregg Olsen: A Gripping Dive into the Dark Depths of True Crime
Gregg Olsen's "If You Tell" is not merely a true crime thriller; it is an immersive journey into the chilling realms of human depravity, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. In this riveting non-fiction narrative, Olsen meticulously unravels a tale that transcends the conventions of traditional crime literature, leaving readers both captivated and horrified by the shocking events that transpired within the walls of a seemingly ordinary family home.
By Lilly Goldberg2 years ago in BookClub
Decoding the Dynamics of Influence: A Deep Dive into "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene. Content Warning.
In the vast landscape of literature on personal development and leadership, few works have garnered as much attention and controversy as Robert Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power." Published in 1998, this seminal book has earned a reputation for its unflinching examination of the dynamics of influence, offering readers a compelling insight into the principles that govern human interaction and the acquisition of power. Drawing from historical examples, psychological research, and keen observation, Greene distills centuries of wisdom into 48 laws, each serving as a strategic tool for navigating the complex terrain of social dynamics and power struggles.
By haider 2 years ago in BookClub
The Secret To Success
once upon a time there was a young man who worked at a factory his mentor an old technician taught him to talk less do more and never stop developing his skills in every aspect of the factory's operations ten years later the old man retired and the young man became a technician himself he continued to do his work with the same dedication and diligence as he was taught one day he visited his mentor the old man saw that he seemed unhappy and asked what was troubling him the young man sighed and poured his heart out i have been following your instructions exactly all these years no matter what i work on i keep quiet and focus on the job i know i have done good work at the factory and i have learned all the skills that can be learned there what i don't understand is that the guys who don't have my experience or capabilities have all been promoted while i am still making as little as i did before when i was your apprentice the old man asked are you positive that you have become indispensable to the factory the young man nodded yes the old man paced back and forth to think after a while he turned to the young man must request the day off using whatever reason you like it is time for you to give yourself a break the young man was surprised by this advice but the more he thought about it the more it made sense he thanked his teacher and left quickly to make a time-off request when he returned to work after his day off the manager called him into the office to tell him that things did not go well at the factory while he was gone others encountered many problems that normally would be handled by him and they had no idea how to solve them realizing his importance the manager decided to promote him to the position of senior technician to thank him and encourage him to keep up the good work the young man was grateful for his mentor's wisdom surely he thought this was the secret to success from that point on whenever the young man felt like he deserved more than what he was getting he would take a day off when he came back the next day the situation would improve to his satisfaction this pattern continued for months one day the young man found that he was blocked from going into the factory much to his shock he found out that his employment was terminated he could not believe it not knowing what else to do he went back to see his mentor to try to figure out how things had gone so wrong why did i lose my job he asked with wounded pride did i not do everything as you instructed actually you did not because you heard only half the lesson the old man shook his head you understood right away that no one pays any attention to a light bulb that is always on it is only when it goes off that people suddenly take notice and realize they've been taking it for granted you were so eager to apply this understanding that you left before hearing the second half second half it began to dawn on the young man that perhaps he made a big mistake what was the second half the mentor spoke slowly to make his point the second half more important than the first is the realization that if a light bulb goes off frequently then sooner or later it will be replaced with one that is more reliable who wants a light bulb that no one can count on to provide illumination you see in life in your life do you have friends and family members that you take for granted they're always there for you what happens if one day they are no longer there do not wait for such a day to suddenly realize how important they are give thanks today for the good fortune of having them in your life also don't let yourself being taken for granted but at the same time do your work and don't stop everything you do just because it doesn't go the way you want it to go find the balance in life and life will reward you with giving you the balance back this is their to do motivation stories thanks for watching and stay blessed
By vitamin2 years ago in BookClub