Series & TV

Vroom, a world of motorized marvels book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:34:53 +0000

This same collection that brought to my toilet the likes of True Crime and Impossible Questions so far, and now, has brought this one: Vroom, a World of Motorized Marvels. This book is by no means classic material, in the sense of it will never become a classic. But, I can´t think of a better gift for that special guy in your life. Who wouldn´t want to have this book and be able to know tons of useless trivia about cars and other vehicles? Of course, every man would want to! No more awkward silences when meeting a stranger, you can open with “Did you know who holds the speed land record in engine powered cars?” And boom! meeting your wife´s friends´ husband is no longer a burden.

And this book offers over 450 pages of exactly that. Endless bits of trivia to help you survive when on an office barbecue, something to have to talk with your father in law; a way to make more tolerable the building meetings or the PTA´s. Vroom is the solution!

You can´t miss this book if you are a guy. No question about it!

Book Info

Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Portable Press; 1 edition (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160710184X
ISBN-13: 978-1607101840

How to buy this book? Visit this Amazon link.

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Jeff, One Lonely Guy by Jeff Ragsdale book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:05:31 +0000

This book starts as the most compelling read I´ve done in a long time, but it kind of deflates as the book moves along.

It tells the story of a broken down comedian who, as an experiment, while feeling like crap after his girlfriend left him, posts a flyer all over New York saying “If Anyone wants to talk about anything, call me (347 469-3173)” And then the thing goes viral and a bit out of hands, and the book tells the stories that went on by that phone. Thousands and thousands of people calling, texting and needing that connection with someone.

The book, as I said is extremely compelling and it was closing in on becoming my favorite book in a long time, but, the repetitiveness and the monotone of doom and gloom by the stories and characters makes it a bit flat in the end and a bit longer than it should be.

Had it been sixty or so less pages, the book would have been more powerful. Had the book mixed it up with some humor, and other kind of conversations, that I´m sure happened. I mean, statistically they must have been other kind of calls.

All in all, if you are into social media, virality power, psychology. This book is a must. If not, you can start it and kind of navigate through the book without the need of reading each and every message.

Book Info

Paperback: 158 pages
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1612183247
ISBN-13: 978-1612183244

How to buy the book? Visit this link on Amazon.

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Cat Versus Human by Yasmine Surovec book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:09:21 +0000

As we launched the Cat Lady Training Pinboard, we are also reviewing more books about the subject of cats, and after reviewing I can´t believe my cat did that, now it´s time to talk about a comic book based upon a blog by Andrews McMeel Publishing: Cat Versus Human by Yasmine Surovec. The book is taken out of her homonimous blog and is both a book and a blog that you are going to devour in one sitting (if you are a cat person) and you wouldn´t even come close to getting interested into if you are not. Luckily for the world and for Surovec, there are tons of cat persons. (Youtube can attest to that too).

The first time I saw that book was at Book Expo America last year and I knew I´d have to have it. Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publicity department I got it, and beyond saying thanks to them, the fact that I got it has not infuse my critic with any grain of salt nor pepper. The book is awesome if you are a cat person, and irrelevant if you are not.

Book Info
Cat vs Human
Author: Yasmine Surovec
Pages: 152 pages
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN-10: 1449408656

How to buy this book? Visit this link on Amazon.

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Chicken soup for the soul: Here comes the bride book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:39:17 +0000

Are these magical moments that serve as the inauguration for the life to be? I don´t know, I´ve never gotten married nor I intend to (lol). The book has several stories that make me think of different TV shows such as Bridezillas or Say Yes To The Dress.

So, basically this book can be a part of my Dream Weddings Pinboard, but it is once again a book where I´m not the main target audience. Although, in this case I can truly see what the ones who actually are can find enjoyable of it. The stories have lots of humor and not just cheesiness (even though there´s quite enough).

The proposal and the ring is not as big a deal where I come from as in the US, so culturally I found several differences when I read the book to what I wsa used to seeing. (I used to work at weddings as a photographer when growing up as I needed to pay for my tuition).

A book for brides, as it would make a great gift for that instance.

Book Info

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935096842
ISBN-13: 978-1935096849

How to buy this book? Visit this Amazon link.

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Chicken soup for the soul: Messages from Heaven book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:24:11 +0000

This one was hardly my favorite, as it is mainly a book about signs that family members get from almost anything that makes them think that a beloved one who is “beyond” has contacted him/her.

Maybe it´s my skepticism that arises or something, but I just did not click with the book, but I have to admit that it is probably better suited for other audiences.
I can understand the stories as a need to hang onto something rather than true signs. So I guess if it helps the grieving process for someone, it is a good thing, wether I believe or not in it is irrelevant.

It´s I guess easier for somebody who lost someone to see a butterfly as a sign that the other person is around, but my cynical self cannot help to wonder if it was a cockroach or a rat, would they´ve thought the same? Can´t someone watch over from a nastier creature?

If you are not open to this kind of content, run away from this book, but if you are more open to the supernatural and mysticism, go ahead, it is a good read.

Book Info

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul; Original edition (February 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935096915
ISBN-13: 978-1935096917

How to buy this book?

Visit this Amazon Link.

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Chicken soup for the soul: Stay-at-home moms book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:37:43 +0000

Working? Staying at home and raise the kids? Do both? There are decisions that need to be made by moms that are probably tougher than most. And that is what this book from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series tackles. That late twentieth and twenty first century dilemma. How to fullfill both worlds, mom-hood, and a professional career.

The best thing about this book is that it navigates through 101 way different kind of stories about maternity, from moms who decided to quit a career to stay at home with the kids, some who decided to get out and find a job to pay the bills, some that were forced by circumstances to do so, and some that tried to juggle with both.

The 101 stories are divided into ten chapters, and even though I am not particularily the target of this book, I can understand the interest of its target audience in it, and recommend it as a gift.

Book Info

Full Title: Chicken Soup for The Soul: Stay at Home Moms. 101 Inspirational Stories for Mothers about Hard Work and Happy Families.
ISBN-13: 9781935096825
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul
Pages: 416

How to buy this book?

Visit this link on Barnes & Noble.

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The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper and Greg Critser book review @mytrainerbob and The Simple, Nonnegotiable Principles for Getting to Thin

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:15:28 +0000

This is a book by a TV Show celebrity, as this comes from the pen of The Biggest Loser´s trainer Bob Harper alongside Greg Critser, so every fan of the show will easily associate it with this book. As Harper himself says, this book is a response to all those who follow his Twitter account @mytrainerbob to learn more tips to lose weight. Maybe that´s why the book structure is based on short chapters and concrete recommendations that almost everybody could use if willing to commit to the goal.

The book is in three parts, the first being the rules to lose weight, that sets a twenty rules rule-book to follow in order to lose some extra pounds.

Second part is about the menu and foods to eat in order to lose weight, with a cookbook of 1200 calories for women and 1500 calories for men. And the third part with the tools to lose weight.

Probably it´s not a universal dieting book, but for US readers will be a good option. But as they usually put it in the show, the most important step is commitment.

Full Title is The Skinny Rules: The Simple, Nonnegotiable Principles for Getting to Thin.

How to buy this book? Visit this Amazon link.

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Clutter Rehab by Laura Wittmann book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:58:48 +0000

In yet another book review of a book from Ulysses Press I´m now onto Clutter Rehab by Laura Wittmann, a Canadian blogger who manages “I´m an organizing junkie“ in which she promotes a neat house for an organized and simple life. I have to say I “met” the blog through the book, and they are both interesting, with useful ideas and tips on how to declutter your home, some design tips and all.

The book is pocket sized with short texts and articles.
What´s best about it is that it is actually easy to follow and mostly either cheap or free to do it.

Even though I am quite far away from an organizing junkie myself, I have to admit that I succeeded in implementing 13 of the 101 tips either for myself or my girlfriend´s stuff.

I would specially recommend this book for people who lives on small apartments or anyone who has limited space at home. It is not a book that you´ll read all at once as if you were reading Harry Potter or a Dan Brown book, but rather one that you´ll have as a go to guide for tips every now and then, but once you find which are the ones that best work for you, you´ll realize it was well worth it.

Book Info

Publisher: Ulysses Press
Pages: 128
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1569758638
ISBN-13: 978-1569758632

How to Buy Clutter Rehab?

Visit this Amazon link.

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That´s not your mommy anymore. A zombie Tale by Matt Mogk book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:17:48 +0000

I don´t usually review children books here, but this one caught my attention and being from Ulysses Press, a publisher that is quickly becoming one of my favorites, after reading books such as Cannibal Serial Killers, is that I decided to give it a try, since, after all, it is a book with only a few pages and tons of drawings.

The book is a strange mix of horror story, humor story and kids book, and can be called bizarre-ish to say the least, the book tells the before and after of a normal mom (if moms are ever “normal”) and a turned zombie mom.

It is a fun book for kids to read and I doubt they can get scared by it (even less these days kids). A colourdul thing to note: The author, Matt Mogk is the founder and leader of the Zombie Research Society. Now that´s something to brag about while on blind dates, right?

Book Info

Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 156975926X
ISBN-13: 978-1569759264

How to buy That´s not your mommy anymore. A zombie Tale by Matt Mogk?

Visit his link on Amazon.

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The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter by David Colbert book review

Guillermo Paz — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:03:20 +0000

This book, unlike The Unofficial Harry Potter Vocabulary Builder I also reviewed, delves into the myths and legends both based on tradition and older cultures and literature, as well as in JK Rowling own creations and wording. The book tells us the stories of basilisks, hippogriffs, hinkypunks and other magical creatures, as well as the origins and stories of great magicians of all time such as Nicholas Flamel, Merlin, and Dumbledore himself. It also tries to explain us why it was that Rowling picked each name. The book is not an encyclopedia nor it is close to being one, and I guess it is not even the goal of the author to make one, rather than guide us through the first couple of layers from Rowling´s mind when creating the Harry Potter saga and help us enjoy the books even more.

This book is just for those who are fans of Harry Potter, but being so many around the globe, there´s no worries in Colbert´s book as to wether it can find an audience.

The first edition came after only four books on the saga have been written, and the two companion books about Quidditch and Animals, and a revised version came out after Deathly Hallows was published.

All in all, a great read for Potter-verse fans.

Book Info

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425223183
ISBN-13: 978-0425223185

How to buy The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter by David Colbert?

Visit this Amazon link.

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