Review: Emma Jean Reborn

by Dr. Cupid Poe and Kathi Macias
Publisher: Authorhouse
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by D.S. White of Read Zone Book Reviews

"She paused again, then plunged ahead. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that, no matter what's happened in our lives, there's nothing so bad that God can't carry us through to the other side. The Bible says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Sooner or later, God's good plan for our lives will become clear to us, Emma Jean, if we'll just let it.

Emma Jean was fighting tears now, wishing on the one hand that she'd declined Millie's invitation and gone on back to her apartment where she'd be safe from such emotional revelations, while wishing on the other that she had the courage to open her mouth and tell this dear woman everything that was on her heart. In the end she said nothing, except a silent thank you to God, as the unspoken question echoed in her heart: How many people would He send to her to give her the same message before she finally got it?" - Pg 74.

I approach the writing of this review with unwanted credentials: that of a survivor of abuse. However, it is those very credentials that give me the authority to wholeheartedly recommend this book for those who’d like to:

• understand the face of abuse, or
• move forward from the road called Abuse.

It goes without saying; it was not an easy read for me, not because of poor workmanship, irrelevant content or shoddy grammar. No, it was excellent in all those aspects. Being a bit of an ostrich I delayed and stalled reading the book because I was simply unwilling to “go there” again.

I can now say that it’s the best book I never-wanted-to-read because at the end of the day I applauded Emma Jean’s courage and unfailing spirit, even as I cried when she cried and triumphed when she did and was encouraged to give moving forward a chance, as she also did.
She overcame so much to reach a state of peace: that of her family’s financial situation, their bigoted beliefs, their dysfunction, their rejection of who she was as a person, her life threatening situations…

Even though the book encompasses subject matter that is uncomfortable reading for most, the authors pull it off with a mix of sensitivity, spirituality and practicality that:

• Empathizes
• Motivates
• Moves
• Advocates



• Justifies
• Encourages
• Authenticates
• Nullifies

• Resuscitates
• Educates
• Believes
• Opposes
• Rejuvenates
• Nurtures

But most of all it is a clear-cut roadmap directing abuse survivors towards the healing road called Forgiveness. I have heard it said that “forgiveness is a gift you give yourself,” and I wholeheartedly agree.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Recommendation:

I recommend this title for:

• those wrapped so tightly in their anger they’re blinded by it to all the goodness around them,
• those so mired in memory of the hurt, they can’t live in the here and now,
• those so walled into a pattern of behavior that they’re afraid to come out of their comfort zone because although painful, it’s all they know,
• those who blame God for allowing their situation; and
• those who desire the encouragement needed to transition from victim to victor

Signed,
D.S. White Reborn

Review: The Life of Teenagers Ain't No Joke!

Living a Courageous Childhood, In An Unforgiving World by Keith G. Wright
Publisher: Ain't No Joke Books, Inc.
Category: Self-Help
Reviewed by D.S. White for Active Christian Media

"No Joke Teen Truth #325: The smartest teenagers have already figured out that anything that can happen to someone else, can also happen to them. If someone else makes a decision that leads to dangerous consequences, then surely, by making that same decision, it will lead you to danger as well. There are no exemptions for the many teens that believe that it won't happen to them." - Pg 57

"No Joke Teen Truth #253: The most successful teenagers have figured out that they were born to be great people, that they were born to make history, and that they were born to leave a legacy of their remarkable lives to the world." - Pg 38

About the Book:
The above quotes are two of the many gems to be found in the teen version of the "Ain't No Joke" book series. Throughout the book the author's pride in his mother and sincere heart for teenagers resounds loudly.

The author touches on several issues that if translated into a letter, would probably read as follows:

Dear Teen,

Many don't expect much of you, but I know they're wrong. I believe that it is because society expects so little of you, that you give little. In this book, I turn that all around. I expect a lot of you and I know you can do it! No matter what society says, you can achieve great things!

You were born with everything you will ever need to fulfill your dream already deposited inside of you. However, this does not mean that it will be accomplished without input on your behalf.

• Study - a must
• Application of what you learn - a must
• Reading - a must
• Being open minded - a must
• A Spiritual component - a must

Will it be easy? I won't lie to you. No it won't, but it will be easier for you, than it was for the people in history who paved the way for you through their struggles. Your possibilities are endless and the only one who will be able to stop you--is you!

So let's get started!

Sincerely,
The Author

About the Author:

Born in the south, raised in the north, Keith G. Wright is the son, and only child, to a single mother, educator, and a truly inspirational woman, Evelyn Wright. From childhood, he has gained a real sense of the immeasurable value of women, an appreciation of the importance of our past, and a love for all people of all colors and backgrounds.

Keith G. Wright is the founder and president of Beyond Color Foundation, an organization devoted to racial harmony, multicultural unity, and "empowering everyday people to live famous lives."

As a young and ambitious entrepreneur, by the age of 30, Keith owned and operated a multimillion dollar real estate and business enterprise. He went bankrupt by the age of 35. He states, "Lost it all?... I know how it feels. It’s a lonely, isolating place at the bottom. Yet, the experience and knowledge gained are deeply liberating. I know who I am now, and I know where my power resides..."

Key Positives:

• Highly inspirational
• Attempts to raise the bar of expectations towards teenagers
• Pinpoints the importance of teenagers in society
• Pinpoints the importance of choices
• Pinpoints the importance of education
• Author's genuine caring for teenagers
• Good dialogue starter for parents of teens

Key Negatives:

• Point-of-view shifts in book
• Absence of positive case studies to balance out the negative ones

Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars for Inspiration, high expectations and author initiative, however I would have liked to see a few practical steps to facilitate practice of the teen truths. Maybe a workbook is in order?

Recommendation:

I doubt that teens of their own volition would purchase this book to read. However, this book would be a great tool for parents, youth counselors and youth organizations to utilize to get dialogue flowing. Great start Mr. Wright!

Review: Why You're Still Single

Things Your Friends Would Tell You if You Promised Not to Get Mad
by Evan Marc Katz and Linda Holmes
Publisher: A PLUME BOOK, www.penguin.com
Category: Self-Help/Relationships
Reviewed by D.S. White for Read Zone Book Reviews

"The Power of No: The ability to say no in a relationship, in bed, or anywhere else exhibits the kind of confidence that it takes to walk away and be a happy single and, therefore, be happy in a couple. If you establish your worth, you never have to settle for less." Pg 33

With the above-mentioned quote I have to say, the authors do sum up the plight/condition/life (your word of choice here) of single folk quite well. One must know one's worth.

This passage and others made me think about myself a bit. As they discussed several key behaviors that may be off-putting, the one that jumped out at me was: insecurity.

Me? Insecure?

I know, I know ... shocked me too. For years I had everyone convinced (and myself too) that I had all my stuff together, that I'd successfully overcome the triple threat of abuse, bipolar disorder and rape. I just knew I was All that and a Bag of Chips!

To be frank, I'd done okay with those three, they were upfront ailments and were dealt with as such; but the sneaky sucker was abandonment.

Due to health issues, my mother left Trinidad for the US of A when I was six years old. Although we were reunited at age thirteen, unbeknownst to me, lurking in some small corner of my psyche was the message: the people you love always leave, so do whatever is necessary to ensure that they stay around.

That being said:

I have been known to create a problem where there was none, just because I'm used to the constant struggle of life. In fact, if things go too smoothly, I think something is wrong with it, me and definitely the party involved, so I must then investigate, interrogate, infiltrate and then annihilate the non-existent problem (and of course the relationship as a fallout).

Before I even read this book, I had a little talk with God. Well, actually, He had a little talk with me, for two years ... but I kept hanging up the phone on Him, because He wasn't saying what I wanted to hear, but finally, when you've done the same thing for the fiftieth time and received the same result--you answer the question, "Is it me or?" honestly: it was me!

About the Book:

The subtitle: "things your friends would tell you if you promised not to get mad" is quite on target because certain chapters either make you mad at yourself or at your friends and family for never pointing them out, whether you got mad or not. The book is divided into eight sections:

• You're knocking Yourself Out of the Game
• You're Just Not That into Yourself
• You're Being a Bitch
• You Know How to Be the Girl Friend, but Not the Girlfriend
• You're the Patron Saint of Lost Causes
• You Fight Like a Girl
• You're Boring Him in the Bedroom
• You're Missing the Signals for When to Get Out ... and When to Stick Around

About the Authors:

EVAN MARC KATZ is the founder of E-cyrano.com, an online dating consulting service that partners wht JDate and other dating sites. He has been featured on CNN, Fox, NPR, and the Today Show, and, yes, he is , in fact, single and living in Los Angeles.

LINDA HOLMES writes as "Miss Alli" for Television Without Pity and is a frequent contributor to MSNBC.com. She lives in Minneapolis.

Key positives:

• The authors' voice is that of everyday folk who happen to be single and not gods on a pedestal who have rarified advice to share.
• The authors themselves are still single so you're not hearing about being single from someone who sleeps with a human blanket.
• The authors keep it real (translation: blunt). At times a little too real (for me) in terms of language and approach to topic.
• The book encompasses the male and female point of view, therefore is not one-sided.

Key Negatives:

• Irreverence.
• Blue language.

Rating:

This book earned 4 out 5 stars for humor, honesty and sustained relevance throughout the book.

Comparable books (My List):

• Woman, Thou Art Loosed: Healing the Wounds of the Past by T. D. Jakes
• The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord by T. D. Jakes
• Promises From God For Single Women by T. D. Jakes

Comparable books (Amazon):

• I Can't Believe I'm Buying This Book: A Commonsense Guide to Successful Internet Dating by Evan Marc Katz
• Unhooked Generation: The Truth About Why We're Still Single by Jillian Straus
• Why Men Marry Bitches : A Woman's Guide to Winning Her Man's Heart by Sherry Argov
• I Love You, Nice to Meet You : A Guy and a Girl Give the Lowdown on Coupling Up by Lori Gottlieb
• It's Not You, It's Him : The Zero-Tolerance Approach to Dating by Georgia Phd Witkin

Review: He Talk Like a White Boy

Reflections on Faith, Family, Politics, and Authenticity

by Joseph C. Phillips, Foreword by Tavis Smiley
Publisher: Running Press Book Publishers
Review by D.S. White for Active Christian Media

"...I was determined that if I didn't learn to like rap, I would at least develop a working knowledge of the music so I could discuss it intelligently. I dashed out to the music store and bought CDs by Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, and a list of other artists who were hot at the time. The only ground rule I set was that I had to play each album all the way through at least once. As an illustration of my lack of commitment, I soon decided that playing an album all the way through didn't necessarily mean I had to be in the same room while it played. Strictly speaking, so long as the album played all the way through. I didn't even have to be in the apartment. I will never forget putting NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) on the stereo. I almost broke my neck sprinting across my apartment to turn the volume down when 'F**k the Police' began blasting through the building."

The above quote is one of the many reasons completion of this book was mandatory. By its very title, this book makes a provocative statement which is ably reinforced by its content. The author, Joseph C. Phillips is an actor, writer, lecturer, and social commentator best known for his role on The Cosby Show as the character Denise's (Lisa Bonet) husband, Lt. Martin Kendall. He has also appeared in such films as Strictly Business, Midnight Blue, and Let's Talk about Sex. As a writer and social commentator, Joseph's work has appeard in Newsweek, Lost Angeles Daily News, Essence, Upscale, and USA Today. His weekly column,"The Way I See It", appears in newspapers around the country. He was also a regular contributor to NPR's Tavis Smiley Radio Show. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

The book is a collection of essays divided into the following themes:

• Character


• Family


• Faith


• Idealism; and


• Identity

The author's love of his country is interwoven throughout the book. His dispair for the incremental demise of the family rings loud and clear as well as his battle to be all he can be: as a man who is black, is educated, is a conservative, is a husband, is a man of God--but most of all as a man who wants to be a good father.

He declares his political views with such conviction, that whether you agree or disagree with his stance, you're left with a sense of admiration for someone who is not afraid to stand tall and proud for their beliefs. At times the weight of the author's burden to push himself to the next level, while wading against the tide of unpopularity of his political beliefs, exhibits itself as a tad overbearing or maybe even a bit pompous. But right at the point that you're about to say, "Enough already," he pokes fun at himself with a scene like the one above which compels you to laughter; (out loud on a crowded bus) or another moves you to tears, (again on a crowded bus) and yet another fills you with gratitude and pride in being an American. (Swelling of the chest thankfully not readily apparent on said crowded bus.)

This book does what a good book should: it prods you out of your sense of complacency with your accomplishments in life and causes you to question whether you're trying to be all you can be for God, man and country.

Rating:
This book earned 4 out 5 stars for humor, honesty, faith, marital perseverance, parenting efforts, and writing style. However, I would have liked to see a few less big words.

Comparable books (from Amazon.com):

• The Covenant with Black America by Tavis Smiley


• Letters to a Young Brother : MANifest Your Destiny by Hill Harper


• Never Mind Success - Go For Greatness! : The Best Advice I’ve Ever Received by Tavis Smiley


• Godless: The Church of Liberalism by Ann Coulter


• Race Matters (Vintage) by Cornel West

Recommendation:
I am glad to have had the opportunity to share a piece of the author's heart and soul. I encourage you to purchase yourself a copy.

"Joseph. Thanks for sharing."