Rhodes and Easton Reviews

Love at the Center of Grief

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 20:18:21 +0000

Taking the first step into the hallways of high school can be an overwhelming and emotional experience for most adolescents. Imagine tackling this right of passage after losing a parent. In Love at the Center of Grief by Cindy McIntyre, we meet “Grief Girl” Gretchen and “Hardly Speaks” Hayden (as dubbed and by their peers), two motherless teenagers faced with this very difficult task.

Enter Mrs. Marks and the Summerfort Grief Center, with the motto “A Place to Heal, A Place to Hope, A Place to Belong.” Gretchen and Hayden have attended grief sessions at the center since the tender age of six with some success. However, high school is another story.

Through their real and raw journal entries and assignments from Mrs. Marks, readers are shown these seemingly together teens are actually floundering amid a cloud of grief. All the while, each is dealing with a daily dose of puberty and a mostly misunderstood dad. Bonded by grief and fighting to fit-in amongst their two parent peers, Gretchen and Hayden’s friendship grows stronger and becomes more than occasional meltdowns during meetings at the grief center. McIntyre manages to capture the essence of teen angst in such a way that you find yourself strapped into their rollercoaster ride of emotions and it’s exhilarating!

By sharing dark thoughts and secret hopes, Gretchen and Hayden begin to see the importance of focusing on their future rather than dwelling in the past. Will Gretchen become Hayden’s Strawberry Shortcake to his Huckleberry Pie like he so desperately wishes or will the weight of grief drag them both back down into the depths of despair? Only time will tell.

McIntyre relies on her experience as a grief-counselor to create a compelling, coming-of-age story complete with new life and love while leaving you lingering on your own personal loss long after you’ve finished reading this book.

Dirty Science

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:02:51 +0000

Dirty Science will put everything you think you know about modern science into question. Bob Gebelein believes that we, as a society, are ignoring an entire field of scientific research because it has been deemed unworthy by popular science. Parapsychology has been ignored by all major education establishments and universities for years, yet Gebelein says there is evidence to prove it’s scientific value.

To be clear, this is not an anti-science book. Rather, Dirty Science is meant to be read as a commentary on the politics of the current state of affairs in the field of science. Gebelein states at the beginning of the book that he has the utmost respect for science. He even goes as far to say, “Science has so greatly increased the scope and accuracy of our cultural knowledge that I have no words powerful enough to describe it.” He is trying to create a better world by widening what is acceptable as science.

Gebelein feels very strongly that we need to change our current societal rejection for Parapsychology or we will never truly advance in scientific or spiritual research. That if the current science “leaders” in our country continue to dismiss entire scientific fields, we are surely headed for another Dark Age.

He has spent the last twenty years as an advocate for Parapsychology and his expertise on the subject shows in the well documented research presented in this book. To the average non-fiction reader, this topic may seem dense but Bob Gebelein’s writing is fluid and easy to understand, making it very readable to anyone who picks it up. This book puts the last one hundred years of scientific advancement under the microscope, and forces you to ask— What if he’s right? And what does that mean for the future as we know it?

Cooperative Lives

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:27:41 +0000

A building cooperative is the unusual setting for Patrick Finegan’s debut novel Cooperative Lives, in which the residents coexist with their neighbors without ever really getting to know each other. As seemingly individual tragedies and misfortunes befall various characters, they come to realize that their world is smaller than they know and very interconnected. Each resident finds him or herself in a difficult position, which can be helped by or exacerbated by another Cooperative resident.

Finegan does not come across as a debut author in this finely woven story with multiple timelines and plot lines delicately strung together, enriching the narrative in a way that a linear plot line would not. The reader experiences each character’s discoveries and emotions from a very personal viewpoint. While many authors are good at writing emotion, it is often difficult to translate a character’s confusion to the reader, which is one of Finegan’s strengths. His writing style is somewhat chaotic and swimmy and places the reader in the bustle of New York City and the characters’ hectic lives. The characters’ problems, reactions, and dialog all feel realistic. Finegan has a wonderful grasp of understatement and subtext that allows the reader to realize the intended point without being overly prodded by the author.

The sheer volume and scope of the various coincidences that define the interconnections of the characters lives feel, at times, a tad contrived and unlikely. However, taken as a satirical microcosm of society, the narrative is both effective and enlightening.

What at first seems to be simply a study of relationships in a closed community, spirals outward to involve everything from extra marital affairs to international espionage. Finegan explores a multitude of issues, but does so with a relatively light touch.

The Road to Nablus

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 15:48:14 +0000

In The Road to Nablus, Bassam Hadi tells the unbelievable true story of his father, Abed Abdulhadi’s remarkable journey from poor refugee, to renowned scholar, to medical doctor.

In 1948, Abed was a little boy of eight when he and his family were violently forced from their home in Lydda, Palestine by the Jews who were establishing the state of Israel. His family was marched to Askar Refugee Camp in Nablus where hope was in short supply. But Abed was a bright boy and allowed to attend a makeshift school. This decision led to an unexpected rift in his family, with his father encouraging work over school and his mother secretly hoping education would lead him to a better life.

This story is an epic journey tracing the path of one small boy who never settled for the life that he was thrust into. He knew there had to be something better than living out his days in a refugee camp and he dreamed of more. To achieve that dream, sacrafices had to be made and risks had to be taken to succeed.

Hati’s writing is poignant, especially showing the monotony and humiliations of daily life in a refugee camp. He also gives a comprehensive history of Palestine in 1948, helping to put the story into context and shed light onto a time not covered often in the history books.

The photo insert takes the real people from the book and forces you to remember that while it reads like fiction, this is the story of people who lived courageous lives and succeeded despite all odds. That ability to create such a compelling narrative while staying true to the real people who lived the story is what makes this book a read for everyone who is interested in history or just believes in the triumph of the human spirit.

ISBN: 978-0960090914

Burgers Bowls Jars

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 22:00:33 +0000

Eric LeVine eats better than you. In Burgers Bowls Jars he explains the importance of shopping local, eating in season, and how we should be shopping more often at local farmers market than at the big box grocery store. He is leading by example and is eating better because of it.

Chef Eric is the real deal and he has the chops to prove it. After years of working under legendary chef David Burke at the River Café in New York, he traveled the globe to learn how different cultures put passion and love into their cuisine. In 2011 he competed in Food Network’s Chopped and went on to become Chopped Champion. In Burgers Bowls Jars, Eric does not hold back. He showcases all the worldly techniques he honed combined with his years of hands on experience to give us a collection of recipes close to his heart.

The book is split into four sections, one for each season. So, no matter what time of year or what produce is currently in season, there is a delicious dish perfect for any meal. One such highlight is found in the Fall section. The recipe for Maple-Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake is simple enough for any home cook to make, but will wow at holiday parties and leave everyone begging for more.

The recipes in Burgers Bowls Jars are carefully thought out and clearly tested to perfection. While there are different techniques in his cooking, nothing is overly complicated or difficult. The simplicity of the recipes make his book a perfect gift for the practiced chef as well as someone new to home cooking. To top it off, Eric has added chef’s notes to almost every recipe in this book, making these dishes at home even easier so we all can eat as well as Eric LeVine does.

Rosie and Mr. Spooks

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 10:54:50 +0000

This picture book debut from sister author-illustrator duo, Alexa Tuttle and Carlie Tuttle, introduces readers to Rosie, a pink-haired witch curled up on Halloween night wishing she had a friend to share “this feeling of home.” Startled by a spider watching her with “big, bright, wide eyes,” Rosie’s actions and emotions grow increasingly chaotic as her fear intensifies and blinds her to the spider’s friendly intentions. Readers will be amused by Rosie’s hyperbolic reactions to the plump, purple spider who clearly wishes her no harm, providing an excellent opportunity to explore young readers own fears and worries and to explore perspective and intent.

The author immediately establishes a distinct rhyme scheme, creating a jaunty tempo that lends itself well to being read aloud.
“She loves the fall weather, the smell of the air, / and the breeze through the window that rustles her hair.”
At times, however, the author reaches for a rhyme that feels forced and the closing line falls disappointingly flat.
“The spider advances. He’s getting real close! / Rosie’s afraid it will land on her nose.”

The cartoonish illustrations are colorful and expressive, but sometimes inconsistent: Rosie’s candy corn patterned pajamas are a charming addition to her moment of understanding with Mr. Spooks, the spider, but the stack of movies central to the spread are labeled only as “movie” and “Rosie’s Favorite Movie,” resulting in an unfinished effect. Still, the detail and clear sense of emotion successfully convey Rosie’s anxiety and fear and her relief and delight upon discovering a new and unexpected friend. A great addition to your Halloween collection, this one has a message that’s worth celebrating year-round.

Publisher: WonderCorp, LLC
ISBN: 978-0998023014

Basic Training for Per$onal Military Finance

Rhodes and Easton Reviews — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 21:36:45 +0000

With the rise of independently published books, there seems to be a book for every niche someone can imagine. At first glance, Basic Training for Per$onal Military Finance might appear to be one of those books. But Michael Hamlin does not just sit down and share his story. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the very unique realm of finance for service people, and he enlisted other service members to make it a well rounded guide.

“The book you’re holding…is not a treasure map,” Hamlin states in the first line of the book. And it is not. What it is though is an accessible reference. Hamlin has laid out his book to take the reader from wherever they might be in their career to financial stability, literally starting with basic training– specifically a Private completing basic training and rushing off to finance a new car. Because this book is for service members specifically, he is able to show how they are in a unique position compared to others when it comes to investments because they have steady income, limited financial obligations such as benefits and housing, and the opportunity to start younger than many in most cases.

Other personnel offer points for Hamlin to use as illustration. From small cost cuts to U.S. Savings Bonds, a lot of real world examples are offered up. Real world temptations are not ignored though. Addressed in the book are the mentality of some that they risk so much they deserve a reward, as well as some tendencies to accumulate unnecessary things just to have them. Hamlin offers short, firm, and practical advice for overcoming those instincts.

While Basic Training for Per$onal Military Finance has a niche audience, it is a great book for that audience.

Publisher: Military Millionaires, LLC
ISBN: 978-0960086504