Book Review: The Big Jump by Shmuel Cohavy

Title: The Big Jump

Author: Smuel Cohavy

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir

Age Group: Adult

Rating: 4 stars

Purchase: Amazon

Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

A life in short stories

In The Big Jump, Shmuel Cohavi narrates charming and memorable moments from his life. The stories touch upon growing up in the young Israeli state, daily life in the Kibbutz, family relations, school and adolescence, love affairs and much more, covering the entire lifetime of the author.

Real-life stories that will touch you

Why did the Kibbutz youth laugh at their elders? What happens when two Kibbutz boys visit their family in the big city? Find out in these memorable anecdotes from the Kibbutz life, Israeli Defense Force service, university life, family gatherings and daily routine at work. All delivered with great charm and unmatched authenticity.

A humorous and charming picture of Israeli life

The short and precise stories in this book come together to create a colorful kaleidoscope. Prepare to meet unforgettable characters from Israeli life and delve into a lifetime of love, laughter and memories.

In The Big Jump, the author shares different short stories about important and memorable events during his life. The stories are about growing up in Israel, daily life in the Kibbutz (which I actually didn’t know what it was, until I read the book), family relations, love affair and more.

People who are from Israel or a similar culture as the protagonist will definitely enjoy this book, and immediately feel at home in this culture. For me, being from an entirely different culture, it took a while until I understood all the different traditions and relations, but I still enjoyed it. The short stories are perfect for if you don’t have much time but still want to read a story or two, and then pick up the book again later.

Book Review: Raking Light From Ashes by Relli Robinson

Title: Raking Light From Ashes
Author: Relli Robinson
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Find light in the darkest hour

Lala, a young Jewish girl, loses her entire family during the dark days of the Holocaust in the Warsaw Ghetto. Thanks to the kindness of a Polish family, Lala manages to survive the war, taking on an assumed identity. By a twist of good fortune and unbelievable coincidence, she is found after the war and eventually immigrates to Israel in 1950 to live with her Israeli relatives.

A child’s struggle to comprehend a world gone mad

Relli Robinson’s true story of survival offers a fascinating panoramic human drama that extends from the dark days of the Second World War to the independent State of Israel. A gripping and inspiringly optimistic narrative based on real life experiences, you’ll enjoy every page of this fascinating journey of hope.

Raking Light From Ashes is an amazing book, a true story of survival that shows a fascinating view into human life, into the sacrifices people can be forced to make, into the horrors of the Holocaust and what true courage means.

World War II was horrible. We all know that, but to read about it, a true account of what happened, makes it all the more gruesome. A little girl, torn apart from her family, who manages to survive the war thanks to the kindness of a Polish family. Raised with new parents, raised with a new name, but still in the middle of the war that destroyed her family.

It was a touching read that brought me to tears. To think there are still people going through these horrors nowadays just make me sick. I wish we lived in a world with peace for everyone. It’s sad that this still hasn’t been accomplished.

This book tugs at your heartstrings, but it’s also very inspiring.

 
 

Book Review: Are You There, Krishna?

Title: Are You There Krishna, It’s Me Reshma. Or Rachel. Or Whatever.; Essays on Talking to Ghosts, Accosting Celebrities, One-night Stands Gone Wrong, Sexism, Race, and First-Generation Woes
Author: Rachel Khona
Genre: Memoir / Humor
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel knew even as a young child that she wasn’t like the rest of her Indian family. While her parents were plotting how she could make it into med school with her mediocre grades in chemistry and biology, she had other things on my mind.

Including such gems as:

  • Why can’t she go to the temple on her period?
  • Why don’t her Indian cousins like her?
  • Why was it OK to be sexualized at a beauty pageant but not for herself?
  • How can she straddle two cultures while retaining her sense of self?
  • Why are women considered sluts and men considered studs?
  • Why do people keep asking her if she was born in India?
  • Should she wax down there?
  • Why does she have crazy eyes?

After leaving home, Rachel got high in Amsterdam, met her pop singer idol in a bathroom, argued with a ghost and got lost in the Pyrenees. But that didn’t stop her from questioning while men still tell her to smile. Are You There Krishna, It’s Me Reshma. Or Rachel. Or Whatever.; Essays on Talking to Ghosts, Accosting Celebrities, One-night Stands Gone Wrong, Sexism, Race, and First-Generation Woes weaves stories of Rachel’s life with observations on race, class, sex, feminism and culture with humor and candor.

In Are You There, Krishna? Are You There Krishna, It’s Me Reshma. Or Rachel. Or Whatever. author Rachel Khona describes her life in a humoristic, down-to-earth style that makes it easy for the reader to connect with her, and the story she has to tell.

The book is part memoir, part criticism on today’s society, and for the most part, an account of the author’s searc for herself, who she is, her culture, her identity, and how who she is compares to what society wants her to be. The author includes a lot of clever, insightful obvervations about topics like race, sex, culture, and more.

One of my favorite parts was the chapter about the ghost, which included a picture of a ghost that looks pretty scary.

Rachel’s writing style is simple and down-to-earth but it works really well to tell this story. I loved the author’s sense of humor, which shone through clearly throughout the book. I even laughed out loud a few times.

An insightful, hilarious memoir about life and its perils.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Are You There, Krishna?

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for nonfiction / memoir / humor “Are You There, Krishna?”

Tour Schedule

February 28th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

March 1st: Promo Post and Giveaway @ Indy Book Fairy

March 2nd: Promo Post @ Stormy Night Reviewing

March 3rd: Promo Post and Giveaway @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

March 5th: Book Review and Giveaway @ I Heart Reading

March 7th: Promo Post @ Mello & June, It’s A Book Thing

About the Book

Title: Are You There Krishna, It’s Me Reshma. Or Rachel. Or Whatever.; Essays on Talking to Ghosts, Accosting Celebrities, One-night Stands Gone Wrong, Sexism, Race, and First-Generation Woes

Author: Rachel Khona

Genre: Memoir / Humor

Rachel knew even as a young child that she wasn’t like the rest of her Indian family. While her parents were plotting how she could make it into med school with her mediocre grades in chemistry and biology, she had other things on my mind.

Including such gems as:

  • Why can’t she go to the temple on her period?
  • Why don’t her Indian cousins like her?
  • Why was it OK to be sexualized at a beauty pageant but not for herself?
  • How can she straddle two cultures while retaining her sense of self?
  • Why are women considered sluts and men considered studs?
  • Why do people keep asking her if she was born in India?
  • Should she wax down there?
  • Why does she have crazy eyes?

After leaving home, Rachel got high in Amsterdam, met her pop singer idol in a bathroom, argued with a ghost and got lost in the Pyrenees. But that didn’t stop her from questioning while men still tell her to smile. Are You There Krishna, It’s Me Reshma. Or Rachel. Or Whatever.; Essays on Talking to Ghosts, Accosting Celebrities, One-night Stands Gone Wrong, Sexism, Race, and First-Generation Woes weaves stories of Rachel’s life with observations on race, class, sex, feminism and culture with humor and candor.

Author Bio

Once upon a time in an exotic land called New Jersey, Rachel used to dream of one day playing tambourine in an all-girl rock band. That never happened.

Instead she became a writer. She has written for The New York TimesThe Washington PostPlayboy, Penthouse, Maxim, and Cosmopolitan among others.

When she’s not writing or designing, she is busy drinking wine and singing off key, bike riding, pretending she’s friends with Mindy Kaling and Amy Poehler, eating absurd amounts of cheese, or listening to rock music at an appallingly loud volume. Sometimes all at once.

Check out her book at http://bit.ly/areyoutherekrishnabook

Links

Amazon

Goodreads

Book Trailer

Book Review: A Simple Life by Giora Amir

5116ds0qchlTitle: A Simple Life
Author: Giora Amir
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Autobiographic memories from the Holocaust in Slovakia

Giora Amir was born in Czehoslovakia in 1928.
When the country was divided in 1939 into German protectorate in Bohemia and Moravia, Slovakia became a country under quasi German rule, a country governed by racial discrimination and under Nazi protection. When the deportation from Slovakia to ghettos in Poland started, he escaped to Hungary – only to return to Slovakia a few years later, after the German army invaded Hungary and commenced the deportation of Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz.

20th century history merges with personal memories into a gripping and inspiring life story

A simple life is an intimate and absorbing report of childhood in Slovakia under racial discrimination; the dangerous escape to Hungary and the return to Slovakia amidst the war; surviving in the woods of Tatra mountains; and, eventually, making a new beginning and a new life from the wreckage.

 

A Simple Life is a story about anything but a simple life. Giora Amir was born in Czehoslovakia in 1928. When the deportation from Slovakia to ghettos in Poland started in World War II, he escaped to Hungary. Once the German army invaded Hungary, commencing deportation of Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz, he returned back to Slovakia.

In this book, Goria describes childhood in Slovakia under racial discrimination, the dangerous escape to Hungary, surviving against all odds, and the dangerous circumstances of war.

History comes to life in this powerful story about loss, survival, and finding the strength to go on. I truly respect everyone who lived during the war, and I’m in awe at the circumstances these people had to battle just to survive. If you want to learn more about the Holocaust and the real effect it had on people, not just people in camps but people on the run, people looking to reunite with their families, people fighting for peace, then I wholeheartedly recommend you read this book.

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Running the Coast for a Cure

runningcoastbanner

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for memoir / nonfiction “Running the Coast for a Cure”. The tour runs from June 13 to June 20. Enjoy the tour!

Tour Schedule

June 13th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

June 13th: Promo Post @ Stormy Night Reviewing

June 14th: Book Excerpt @ POTL: All Things Books, Reading and Publishing

June 15th: Book Excerpt @ The Pursuit of Bookiness

June 17th: Promo Post @ The Recipe Fairy

June 19th: Book Excerpt @ The Bookworm Lodge

June 20th: Book Excerpt @ Just a Little R&R

About the Book

al_Run ebookcoverTitle: Running The Coast For A Cure

Author: Al DeCesaris

Genre: Nonfiction Memoir

Paperback: 366 pages

Non-fiction: Memoir

Published: April 9, 2016

The book is available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692687599/

In 2014, Al DeCesaris set out on a 1,935-mile solo run from Lubec, Maine to Key Largo, Florida. He ran to bring hope to his 10-year-old niece Jenna who suffers with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening neurological disorder. He ran to create awareness and raise funds for medical research so a cure can be found.

For three consecutive months, he battled the rigors of the road, endured numerous injuries, encountered wild animals, and narrowly escaped getting hit by more than a few reckless drivers. Yet, he also experienced the generosity of strangers, had heart-warming interactions with families affected by this devastating disorder, and came to realize – with purpose, determination, and belief – even the seemingly impossible can be achieved.

Running The Coast For A Cure is one man’s journey to make a difference for his niece. Told with humor and warmth, Al candidly captures the adversity he faced and the joy he experienced as he ran close to a marathon a day through 14 states down the East Coast. His journey of love and hope will have you running with him, and leave you inspired.

Author Bio

Al DeCesaris author pic2For the past 10 years Al DeCesaris has volunteered his time and dedicated his efforts to fighting Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening neurological disorder that afflicts his young niece Jenna. Through charitable events, athletic endeavors, and his “For A Cure” books, he has created considerable awareness about the disorder and helped raise significant funds to further the efforts to find a cure.

CHARITABLE EVENTS:

Al’s crusade began not long after the birth of his niece. Recognizing the need and importance of raising funds for the research and treatment of Sturge-Weber Syndrome, he and his family organized a concert and auction fundraiser called Bands on the Bay. The fundraiser proved to be a huge success and motivated them to turn it into an annual event. Since its inception, Bands on the Bay has raised over $1,000,000. This money has directly supported the work of the Sturge-Weber Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute and helped fund research that led to the discovery of the cause of Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

ATHLETIC ENDEAVORS:

Even with the success of Bands on the Bay and the DeCesaris family’s contributions to this ground-breaking discovery, Al couldn’t help but think that there was more they could do to further the efforts to find a cure. More he could do.

In 2013, he set out on a solo cross-country bicycle journey in honor of Jenna. Despite great adversity, he biked over 3,000miles from Santa Monica, California to Ocean City, Maryland. Through his Crossing America For A Cure bike ride, he created awareness about Sturge-Weber Syndrome across the country, raised critical funds for medical research, and brought hope to his niece and countless others suffering with this devastating disorder.

In 2014, he took on another incredibly challenging endeavor, this time on foot. Running close to a marathon a day for three consecutive months, he logged 1,935 miles as he made his way from Lubec, Maine to Key Largo, Florida. Through his Running The Coast For A Cure charity run, he created awareness about Sturge-Weber Syndrome down the East Coast, raised additional funds for ongoing research, and inspired numerous individuals to join the fight against the disorder.

BOOKS:

After both his ride and his run, Al wrote books about his experiences on the road: the things he saw, the emotions he felt, the challenges he faced and of the extraordinary people he met along the way. His books about these athletic endeavors, Crossing America For A Cure and Running The Coast For A Cure, are honest, entertaining and, above all, inspirational.

Al’s “For A Cure” books are available for purchase on Amazon. To further the efforts to find a cure, Al is dedicating all profits from the sale of his books to Sturge-Weber research.

Book Review: We Never Left You by Beth and Rick Olsen

Native Cover_5575821_Front CoverTitle: We Never Left You
Authors: Beth and Rick Olsen
Genre: Non-Fiction / Memoir / Inspirational
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

After unspeakable tragedy, one couple must forge their own path to healing in the bittersweet true story, We Never Left You.

One moment, Beth and Rick Olsen were enjoying an ordinary life filled with all the joys and frustrations of raising their two children, Jessica and Joshua. The next moment, a drunk driver plowed through a red light at eighty miles per hour, hitting their van and changing everything.

The death of both their children launched Beth and Rick down a long and winding path toward simple survival—and eventual healing. As shock gave way to the cruel reality of their loss, they began receiving messages that proved the existence of life after death—a welcome sign that aided them in moving forward.

The Olsens soon attempted traditional healing methods but quickly found that counseling did nothing to help them get a grasp on their monumental loss. They then turned to nontraditional approaches—a decision that led them to Peru. It was there they finally began to undergo the immense physical, mental, and emotional changes that allowed them to understand everything—including the accident—happens for a reason.

Losing a child is the most terrible thing imaginable. Losing two sounds even worse. It can’t be described, so I wouldn’t even dare to begin trying. But that’s exactly what Beth and Rick Olsen went through when a druk driver plowed through a red light, hit their car and thus killed both their children.

It hurts to read this book, because it’s real. It’s not fiction. It details what this family went through. It hurts just to write this review because it makes me think about the tragedy they’ve experienced, and I wish things like that didn’t happen in life. That people didn’t have to go through these kinds of losses. But they do and it’s horrible. And the book is raw too, filled with emotion, about the hardships, about the tragedy, about how tough it is to go on living after that.

There’s some hope though. The Olsens go through the usual healing methods, like counseling, which doesn’t help. Deciding to go the non-traditional route, they end up on a journey to Peru, where they finally start healing, and start understanding everything happens for a reason. They also grow convinced – and for me, this was the sweetest part of the book, the part that completely ripped my heart out yet still made me smile – their children are still with them. This gives me hope.

Anyone who lost a kid, or someone else close to you, like a parent, grandparent…read this. Just do it. You’ll probably cry (I ended up filling half a bucket) and the loss Beth and Rick Olsen went through is devastating for sure, but this book also has a hopeful message. You can heal. You can recover.

Book Tours: Starter Day Party We Never Left You

weneverbanner1

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for non-fiction / inspirational “We Never Left You”. The tour runs from November 16 to December 16. I’ll review the book on December 12. Stay tuned!

Tour Schedule

November 16th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

November 18th: Book Excerpt @ Indy Book Fairy

November 20th: Author Interview @ The Single Librarian

November 22nd: Book Excerpt @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

November 24th: Guest Post @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

November 26th: Book Excerpt @ Books are Forever

November 28th: Book Excerpt @ Cara Correnti’s Blog

November 29th: Book Review @ Bedazzled Reading

December 2nd: Book Excerpt @ Bookaholic Ramblings

December 4th: Book Review @ Stormy Night Reviewing

December 6th: Book Excerpt @ Bookish Madness

December 8th: Author Interview @ Cassidy Crimsons Blog

December 10th: Book Excerpt @ The Book Daily

December 12th: Book Review @ I Heart Reading

December 15th: Book Excerpt @ Hollow Readers

About the Book

Native Cover_5575821_Front CoverTitle: We Never Left You

Authors: Beth and Rick Olsen

Genre: Non-Fiction / Memoir / Inspirational

After unspeakable tragedy, one couple must forge their own path to healing in the bittersweet true story, We Never Left You.

One moment, Beth and Rick Olsen were enjoying an ordinary life filled with all the joys and frustrations of raising their two children, Jessica and Joshua. The next moment, a drunk driver plowed through a red light at eighty miles per hour, hitting their van and changing everything.

The death of both their children launched Beth and Rick down a long and winding path toward simple survival—and eventual healing. As shock gave way to the cruel reality of their loss, they began receiving messages that proved the existence of life after death—a welcome sign that aided them in moving forward.

The Olsens soon attempted traditional healing methods but quickly found that counseling did nothing to help them get a grasp on their monumental loss. They then turned to nontraditional approaches—a decision that led them to Peru. It was there they finally began to undergo the immense physical, mental, and emotional changes that allowed them to understand everything—including the accident—happens for a reason.

Author Bio

author pictureBeth and Rick Olsen

Happily married since 1987, Rick and Beth Olsen survived the death of their two children from a drunk driver in 1999. Now, in 2015, they have written their first book about their experiences in an attempt to help other people undergoing the same kind of tragedy. Beth and Rick live in Glenbeulah, Wisconsin with their three children.

Andrea Cagan

Andrea Cagan has been writing, ghost writing, collaborating and editing for over two decades, with more than a dozen books appearing on the best seller lists, including four #1 NY Times and LA Times best sellers. She focuses on topics of social value, and has worked with such celebrities as Magic Johnson, Marianne Williamson, Grace Slick and many more.

Links

Book website www.weneverleftyou.com

Twitter @wnly99

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wnly99

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/weneverleftyou/

Book Review: With New Eyes: The Power of Perspective by Heidi Siefkas

WithNewEyesHeidiSiefkasTitle: With New Eyes: The Power of Perspective

Author: Heidi Siefkas

Genre: Memoir / Inspiration

Age Group: Adult

Rating: 4 stars

Purchase: Amazon

Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Heidi Siefkas lost her health, her career, and her marriage after she was struck by a one thousand-pound tree branch. While she made great strides in her physical and emotional recovery in the months that followed—an arduous process that she chronicled in When All Balls Drop—Heidi wasn’t content to merely survive her setbacks. The time was right to build a new life. One she could live on her own terms.

But what would a redesigned life look like? In her quest for answers, Heidi returned to her childhood home in Wisconsin, dove into the South Florida dating scene, revisited old flames in New England, sold her first home, jumped out of a plane, and traveled alone to South America. Every leg of her journey provided a healthy dose of perspective.

 With New Eyes is full of mishaps and bold decisions, all seasoned with sassy humor. Through her signature down-to-earth vignettes, Heidi inspires you to conquer your fears, head for adventure, and be the captain of your own ship.

Last year, I read and reviewed Heidi Siefkas’ debut novel, When All Balls Drop. I enjoyed Heidi’s down-to-earth writing style, the short quirky chapters (vignettes) and the author’s sassy humor. Starting the sequel, With New Eyes, I was worried that this great mix wouldn’t convince me the way it did the first time…But I needn’t had worried.

After having the rug pulled under her feet and having to rethink life in general, Heidi wanted to make a new life for herself, a life she could live on her own terms. That involved jumping out of a plane, traveling alone to South America, revisiting her childhood home, and lots more. Heidi’s new life is exciting and thrilling, but it’s also a struggle sometimes to reinvent oneself. The author isn’t afraid to focus on that too.

I liked how the general focus was on finding new perspectives and being brave enough to be open for new experiences. Truly inspiring.

Book Tours: Starter Day Party for With New Eyes

withneweyesbanner

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for non-fiction / memoir / inspirational “With New Eyes: The Power of Perspective”. Enjoy the tour, and stay tuned for my review on September 21.

Tour Schedule

September 8th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

September 10th: Book Excerpt @ Hollow Readers

September 13th: Book Excerpt @ Cara Correnti’s Blog

September 16th: Author Interview @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

September 17th: Book Excerpt @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

September 19th: Book Excerpt @ Books on Fire

September 21st: Book Review @ I Heart Reading

September 23rd: Book Excerpt @ The Book Daily

September 25th: Book Excerpt @ Bookish Madness

September 27th: Author Interview @ Books are Forever

September 29th: Book Excerpt @ Indy Book Fairy

October 1st: Author Interview @ Avenue Books

October 3rd: Book Excerpt @ Paranormal Romance…And Beyond

October 5th: Book Review @ Bedazzled Reading

October 8th: Book Excerpt @ Author C.A. Milson’s Blog

About the Book

WithNewEyesHeidiSiefkasTitle: With New Eyes: The Power of Perspective

Author: Heidi Siefkas

Genre: Memoir / Inspiration

Heidi Siefkas lost her health, her career, and her marriage after she was struck by a one thousand-pound tree branch. While she made great strides in her physical and emotional recovery in the months that followed—an arduous process that she chronicled in When All Balls Drop—Heidi wasn’t content to merely survive her setbacks. The time was right to build a new life. One she could live on her own terms.

But what would a redesigned life look like? In her quest for answers, Heidi returned to her childhood home in Wisconsin, dove into the South Florida dating scene, revisited old flames in New England, sold her first home, jumped out of a plane, and traveled alone to South America. Every leg of her journey provided a healthy dose of perspective.

 With New Eyes is full of mishaps and bold decisions, all seasoned with sassy humor. Through her signature down-to-earth vignettes, Heidi inspires you to conquer your fears, head for adventure, and be the captain of your own ship.

Author Bio

Heidi Siefkas is an author and adventurer. Originally from small-town Wisconsin, she lives in Kauai and also calls the Midwest and South Florida home. Heidi is currently writing her third book, Cubicle to Cuba, which features a humorous collection of stories about her travels to Cuba, Peru, New Zealand, Italy, and other far-flung places.

Heidi invites you to share photos on social media that show where you are enjoying With New Eyes (#withneweyes). You can connect with Heidi at http://www.heidisiefkas.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Links

B&N

Goodreads

Amazon