Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ

Author: Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing
Publisher: Worthy Books
Genre: Christian / Advent
ISBN: 978-1-5460-0452-3
Pages: 208
Price: $24.00

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Every Christmas, we hear the story of the angel announcing to Mary that she has been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. And we see Mary kneeling in front of Jesus with Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men in our manger scenes. But is this all we know about Mary’s role in this miraculous birth? If we read deeper in the Bible, we can see a lot more that Mary would like us to know.

In Mary’s Voice we visit with Mary as she experiences the angel’s visit. But we also see her as she goes in haste to see her kinswoman, Elizabeth, and hear the words they both exclaim to each other. We worship with her at the manger, and then we share in the sorrows and joys she feels, as she brings Jesus to the temple in offering to God. Throughout all of these events, Mary ponders in her heart all that she sees and hears.

I often wish the Bible recorded more of Mary’s thoughts or words, but Mary’s Voice offers us plenty to ponder in our own hearts. I highly recommend this wonderful Advent book for anyone seeking to more fully experience Mary’s role in the birth of Jesus.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Toll Booth

Author: John Feloni
Publisher: Kallisti Publishing
Genre: Business / Self-improvement
ISBN: 978-1-7359792-5-0
Pages: 116
Price: $14.00

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A young man timidly approaches the office of Mr. Robert Campbell, the chairman and president of his multinational employer. He has just received the company’s newsletter which asks the employees to commit to the company’s goals. But it also encourages them to dream big dreams. This young man has finally realized that he wants to pursue his own big dreams that don’t have anything to do with the company, and he’s come to Mr. Campbell for advice.

Mr. Campbell immediately senses something different in this young man, and drops everything on his agenda to speak with him. He offers an old notebook that has been filled with 40 days of journal entries, written by an anonymous toll booth operator. The young man reads sections of the entries and he and Mr. Campbell discuss what is written.

I won’t give away the spoiler on who the author of the notebook is, although most readers will probably guess it for themselves. But this notebook shows how this toll booth operator’s thoughts and feeling progress over the 40 days, as he begins to find clarity about his life and its direction. Mr. Campbell takes on the role of mentor as he explains this process to the young man.

Following our dreams when they run counter to what we’ve been raised to believe is the right way to live is downright scary. Fears of failure loom large and we need all the support we can get – both spiritual and the folks around us. The Toll Booth offers wisdom on how to tackle these challenges, believing in our own success. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Mindful Moments with Maude

Author: Pamela Cappetta, EdD
Illustrator: David Gnass
Publisher: Mascot Kids
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-63755-377-0
Pages: 38
Price: $18.95

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Addie wakes up stressed out after a stormy night. But even though the thunderstorm raged around them, Grammy’s dog, Maude had a peaceful rest. Addie wants to know her secret, so Maude begins to explain the concept of mindfulness.

Maude starts her lesson in asking Addie how she feels. Then she explains the idea of mindful breathing, and they practice it together. As the day unfolds, Addie notices how soft her clothes feel, how bright the sun is, and how the carpet feels against her toes. Grammy joins in mindfulness exploration by inviting Addie to visit the chickens, enjoy her breakfast, and stroll to the lake. And even though Addie tries to bring her phone, Grammy asks her to leave it behind so she can really experience the day without any distractions.

Being mindful allows Addie to really take notice of her world around her, making everything even more pleasurable. Kids will enjoy reading Maude’s (and Grammy’s) helpful advice in living their own lives in a more mindful way. I highly recommend Mindful Moments with Maude.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Monologues for Young Adults

Author: Mike Kimmel
Publisher: Ben Rose Creative Arts
Genre: Acting
ISBN: 978-1-953057-10-5
Pages: 142
Price: $14.99

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Acting is a difficult profession to break into, and it’s easy to use the wrong monologues for auditions. Many actors choose violent, dreary, depressing, and sexually inappropriate monologues in an attempt to stand out, but industry professionals get tired of seeing the same old tired thing. So instead of dark material, Monologues for Young Adults offers enthusiastic, hopeful, and optimistic messages.

Along with detailed helpful hints on how to present a great monologue, sixty short monologues are provided for the aspiring actor. “Birds in My Head” shares a young adult’s dream of becoming an artist, and how he ultimately convinces his father that he’s doing the right thing. “Quirks and Eccentricities” encourages people to follow their own path, even when others disagree. “The Difference We Can’t See” explains how the hidden actions we do to perfect our craft will always show up best when we perform. And “One Day or Day One” takes a hard look at procrastination and keeping our goals in sight. These and many other inspiring monologues showcase the young actor in a positive light.

Aspiring actors will gain confidence in proclaiming these positive messages that can’t help but to lift them up with their optimism and hope. And industry professionals will enjoy hearing something more light-hearted that will bring a smile to their faces. I highly recommend Monologues for Young Adults.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Covenant Secret

Author: John Feloni
Publisher: Kallisti Publishing
Genre: Business
ISBN: 978-0-99-702549-1
Pages: 128
Price: $14.00

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Bill Rand is desperate. His start-up company needs cash quickly and he’s determined to chase after it, no matter what it takes – even if it means alienating his whole team in the process. Finally, his business partner recommends he meet with Tom Crawford for some advice. She knows something needs to change before there’s a mutiny at the company.

Tom runs a successful company, so Bill figures he can learn from him. If nothing else, he thinks he’ll find out how to raise cash quickly. After all, Tom needs cash to run his own company and has to have some good ideas on how to get it. But Tom’s approach is not quite what Bill expects. In fact, Tom seems to value people more than money.

Over the course of a few days, Tom shares his wisdom with Bill. Using the idea of a covenant secret, Tom explains how to create a trusting relationship with customers and employees. And this relationship, when properly cultivated, will lead to a successful business model.

The Covenant Secret is an enjoyable and quick read that imparts some really great advice. Although this short fable is written from a business perspective, the seven principles of this secret would also work in other relationships, including family and friendships. I highly recommend it.

The Lapone Sisters

Author: Barry Wilker
Publisher: Archway Publishing
Genre: Women’s fiction
ISBN: 978-1-6657-2343-5
Pages: 314
Price: $28.95

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Yvonna Lapone was born in Romania, and suffered a terrible tragedy during World War II. After losing most of her family in a bombing, she decides to name her three daughters after her sisters – Shmellda, Sorina, and Esmerelda. The Lapone Sisters follows the family during the summer of 1976, after an unusual bank robbery in Nashville affects them all.

From multiple viewpoints, author Barry Wilker visits the lives of all three sisters, their parents, and a few other Nashville residents. We see Shmellda blossom after altering her appearance and her career. Sorina discovers hidden talents and overcomes her biggest weakness. And Esmerelda takes off on an adventure that will change her life. Yvonna and Frank Lapone can only smile as they watch their daughters grow into such beautiful young adults.

The Lapone Sisters is a feel-good story full of sensory imagery that provides a happy ending for almost everyone involved. It would make a fabulous vacation read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Billy Joins the Circus

Author: Anna Christina
Illustrator: Jenika Ioffreda
Publisher: Music Audio Stories
ISBN: 978-1-8383892-0-8
Pages: 34
Price: $18.99

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Billy the monkey has always wanted to join the circus, but his parents are less enthusiastic about the idea. One day a circus comes through the forest, and Billy jumps at the chance to join. But first he has to convince the Ringmaster and the flying dolly that he’s the right fit. Both ask him what he can do, and Billy sings to them about his skills.

Since this is a music audio story, the song is repeated three times with mounting enthusiasm. Billy shares his mobility skills, and kids will be able to join him as he stamps his feet, claps his hands, spins around, and jumps up and down. They will laugh with glee as they experience Billy’s joy in finally experiencing his dream of joining the circus.

Billy encourages kids to also follow their own dreams, because you never know when a circus will show up and offer you the opportunity you’ve always waited for. I highly recommend Billy Joins the Circus.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Something’s Happening in the City

Author: Paula Merlán
Illustrator: Concha Pasamar
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-84-18302-50-3
Pages: 32
Price: $18.95

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Hannah is delighted to go for a walk in the city with her dog, Pippin, on a lovely spring day. She passes her neighbor, who is looking down and barely notices her. She sees a man walking with his head down who doesn’t see the red squirrel above in the tree. And she sees a father with two boys, who is busy with something in his hand, not watching the boys as they play.

What could be causing such unusual behavior? Everyone appears to be under some kind of spell, she thinks. Finally, Hannah notices the problem. They are all holding their cell phones in their hands. The next day, Hannah has a plan to break the spell, because so much is happening in the city that they have all been missing.

Something’s Happening in the City is a gentle reminder that life is passing us by and we can too easily become distracted by our phones. If we want to enjoy our lives, we need to put the phones away and actually see and experience what’s going on. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac

Author & Publisher: Old Farmer’s Almanac
Genre: Home & Garden
ISBN: 978-1571989260
Pages: 288
Price: $9.95

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The Farmer’s Almanac has been a trusted resource since 1792 and is filled with new, useful, and entertaining matter. Topics include: trends, amusement, astrology, astronomy, calendar, farming, folklore, food, gardening, genealogy, home remedies, husbandry, miscellany, nature, sports, and weather.

Although this almanac is most known for its weather and farming information, the articles in this magazine are enjoyable and informative. Ads are also targeted to the reader and provide helpful products for the homesteader. However, we’ll have to wait to see if the weather forecasts are accurate or not!

As it has been for the past 231 years, the 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac will be a useful guide for the coming year. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Where the Heart Is

Author: Irma Gold
Illustrator: Susannah Crispe
Publisher: EK Books
Genre: Children, nature, animals
ISBN: 978-1-925820-87-4
Pages: 32
Price: $18.99

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A tiny penguin washed ashore in Brazil, covered in oil. Joao cleaned him up and fed him, and named the penguin Dindim. When Joao tried to set him free, Dindim didn’t want to leave. They spent many months together before Dindim finally waddled down to the shore and paddled away. Joao was sad to see him go, but knew it was for the best.

But Joao was surprised when one day Dindim came back to him. Dindim now spends eight months of the year on Joao’s tiny island, before heading to the Patagonia coasts of Argentina and Chile.

This wonderful true story will warm the hearts of parents and children alike. I highly recommend Where the Heart Is.

Reviewer: Alice Berger