Die Smart: Consumer Reference Guide to Death and Dying by Kathy Lane and Christine Hughes

Death, a subject most don’t want to think about much less openly discuss and plan for. Unfortunately if you have family or simply don’t want the state to end up with everything you have worked in your life for, it’s something you should think about and plan for.


Death is a complicated. Even for those who don’t have much in the form of an estate, need to do a little planning. This book is a great starter. It guides you in the right direction. The companion website also has wonderful tools to help you protect your family and assets. No book is going to give you all the answers because each situation is completely different. This book will show you what you need to know to head in the right direction. Four out of five stars.

This book was provided by the authors.

The Transition: Winning in the 4th Quarter of Life by Dennis Niewoehner

While I’m still in the 2nd quarter of my life (even though sometimes I feel like I’m in the 4th quarter), when I look at the current political, social and economic climate, I know I need to plan for my future security now. Niewoehner’s The Transition: Winning in the 4th Quarter of Life offers excellent advise for the retirement generation. It is also a great resource for all generations. When we are young, we think we have all the time in the world; we’ll start planning “tomorrow”. No matter what stage of planning one is in, this book offers sound advise for making the transition from one stage of life to another smoother. 4.5 out of five stars.


This book was provided by the author.

Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Memory Loss by Monica Vest

There are millions of diseases out there, but few are as heart wrenching and devastating as Alzheimer’s and Dementia. When it comes to our minds, few prospects scare us as much as the thought of losing ours. For anyone who has dealt with a loved one who has suffered from one of these diseases of the mind, you know how hard it can be. These illnesses don’t just affect the victim, they affect everyone around them.


Having experienced how Alzheimer’s, Dementia and memory loss has affected those I love and the people around them, I know how hopeless and lost everyone involved can feel. In her book, Monica Vest has taken some of the despair out of these diseases. She gives practical information and advice. She offers wonderful tips that will help all of those involved communicate more smoothly by understanding all sides and perspectives. This book is an excellent resource for anyone whose life is touched by these diseases. Five out of five stars.

This book was provided by the author.

Book Review - The American Evolution by Matt Harrison

The American Evolution: How America Can Adapt to the Political, Economic and Social Challenges of the 21st Century by Matt Harrison captures the diversity of America. As an American heading into middle age (no, really I am older than I look), I am often terrified by the thought of our younger generation eventually running our country, even the world. In a time when it seems parents only have children to say they have them and expect the rest of society to actually raise them and be responsible for them, one has to wonder where our youth will find their morals, sense of right and wrong, ability to solve problems, even the ability to be a positive part of society. Our leaders today, too often are in power to serve their own needs and not societies. What is even sadder is that the masses are becoming apathetic. Let’s face it, our world, our legacy appears to be sliding into a deep cesspool. Even if we try, can we really make a difference? Absolutely!


Out of the negative that surrounds us and seems to indicate future doom, comes the voice of Matt Harrison. A twenty-something that gets it and shows that maybe there is hope for the future after all. Maybe the youth aren’t all directionless, self-absorbed, video game junkies after all. Maybe they haven’t become so jaded about the world around us, that they are still inspired and have hope that the world can be a better place. Even better, they have the energy and exuberance to stand up and do something.

This book is not an easy read. It reminds me of a text book and let’s be honest, who enjoys reading those these days. But this is a book that we all should read, enjoyment aside. (well, I enjoyed it, but admittedly I’m a little different than most.) It shows us a compelling look at our times and offers a view of the fact that we have a choice. WE can decide out future, we can evolve and we can make the future brighter. Harrison doesn’t take sides, but simply points out that we must learn from the mistakes of the past without condemnation and be open to change, be willing to adapt.

Hope is a rare gift and it is that gift Harrison gives us with The American Evolution. Five out of five stars.

This book was provided by the author.

Book Review - A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt

Let's follow Jeff Alt on his 2,160 mile journey through 14 states as he hikes the Appalachain Trail. The 'sunshine' of the title is the Sunshine Home. Sunshine Inc. provides services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Jeff has an even more personal reason to undertake this journey. His brother, Aaron was born with cerebal palsy and mental retardation. Sunshine has been there for Aaron and his family. At a time when people are struggling to stay afloat and are often obsessed with their own lives and what other can do for them, it is heartwarming to come across a book that displays one man's journey to give something back.

Call it my background in the film and TV industry, but one of my first thoughts when starting this book was the disclaimer, "now, don't try this at home". The thing is, A Walk for Sunshine doesn't need such a disclaimer. Not that I would try it, Alt made me tired just reading it. Alt does such a wonderful job of sharing how he prepared for and fulfilled his journey, that one does feel as though he has given you the formula to undertake your own 2,160 mile hike. While this is a great book about hiking the Appalachain Trail in all its glory and with its challenges, this book is also a look at the people you meet, the generosity of others and how the ability to laugh at oneself can see you through.

If you want a book to motivate you to reach for your dreams and achieve your goals, this is one you want to pick up. I give it 3.5 out of 5 walking sticks.

This book was provided by the author and will be passed on to one lucky commenter.

Book Review - Glenn Beck's Common Sense

With my favorite holiday, Halloween, less than a week away. I'm devoting this week to all things scary and horrifying. Originally, I was going to review Glenn Beck's Common Sense with Hail To the Chief, however neither book turned out to be what I expected them to be. Hail To the Chief wasn't an Obama lovefest and Common Sense isn't an Obama hatefest.  I had a preconceived notion that Common Sense was going to spend most of it's time bashing the Obama Administration, as Glenn Beck is very vocal in his dislike of Obama. I was actually very surprised when I read this book, to find out, it's not really about Obama. It's about what our government has become in general. What makes this book qualify as a scary post, is not that it's a bad book. It's because Beck hits the nail on the head in this book. What is truly horrific is the state of our government. Scarier is the fact that we do not do anything about it. And the most frightening thing of all, is that "common sense" is no longer common in our society!

This book is an excellent eye-opener. Beck uses the example Thomas Paine set in 1776 with  his penning of Common Sense. Like Thomas Paine, Beck is encouraging us, the citizens of America, to take back control of our future and freedoms. He makes excellent points and gives examples throughout the book of how corrupt and power hungry our government is. He doesn't choose sides. He's not in favor of the Republicans or the Democrats. He unabashedly show the flaws and misuses of power by both. He also shows how we are just sitting back and letting these politicians steal more power for themselves and break laws without having to have consequences for breaking them. Our Congress and House of Representatives have placed themselves above and outside the law. But can we really blame them? Or are we just as responsible by not standing up for our rights and the priniciples our founding fathers established. America used to be a super power, we were a land of hope, freedom. And now we are quickly becoming the laughing stock country that other countries look down their noses at. Is this the politicians fault? Well partly, yes. But the real blame lies with us, every individual American, for not stepping up to the plate and demanding to be heard. Do our votes really count? Right now, no, they don't! Why is that? It's because we don't do our homework, we take the easy way out. We vote for who they tell us to vote for, who we think our friends and family are going to vote for. We vote for a party instead of the values and ideas the individual is representing. We vote for the person who has been in office for many years, because they have the experience, right? Wrong!!! They know how to use their power to stay in power. We believe their lies, because we want the easy answers, the easy life. An easy life we aren't getting, they are! Beck is right, we need new blood in our politics and we need to limit how long they can hold their position. Until we are willing to do that, to take that risk, to shake things up, we will continue to see our wonderful country spiral into Orwell's 1984 society.  I personally think Beck is loud, obnoxious and I don't always agree with the things he says. But this book, is Common Sense, whether we want to face it or not., whether we like Beck or not, whether we agree with is views or not. I give this book 5 out of 5 votes. Not because I will read it again, not because I think it's an easy or great read, but because I think it has an important message. We can all complain about government, and this politician or that one, but unless we start doing something about it, we aren't using our common sense and we have no right to complain if we have buried our heads in the sand instead of fighting for our Democracy.

I want to share a passage from the book, that for me sums up the message behind it. This is from page 21...

" There was a time when our political leaders inspired America to greatness and motivated us to face daunting challenges with courage and resolve. Our political leaders led us to successfully revolt against the British. they convinced us to defeat Nazism, fasism ans imperialism by fighting it in the homelands that gave birth to those ideologies. they encouraged us in our fifty-year-long struggle against the spread of communism-- and they captivated the world as we watched it collapse under its own weight.

There was a time when our political leaders cited their leadership, temperament, experience, judgement, character, and merit in order to gain the trust and support of a skeptical electorate. Today they purchase votes and campaign cash by boasting about the pork they've secured for their pet projects or the billions they've passed along to their powerful political allies.

With a few notable exceptions, our political leaders have become nothing more than parasites who feed off our sweat and blood. They fail to appreciate America's potential or recognize hersuperiority and instead they view her as just another country to be sucked dry for their own benefit, without regard for the health of the host."