Forget the New Year's Resolutions

The 1% Solution for Work and Life: Book Review

by Tom Connellan

Sites of Interest: Author's site | Buy the Book

Publisher: Peak Performance Press | Published: December 16, 2010

Hardcover | 138 pages | ISBN: 978-0976950622

Source: The Cadence Group

I've been through this book highlighting, underlining, writing in the margins once and then felt the need to begin again!  It is a brief book that claims to "make your next 30 days the best ever."  I've already taken on the challenge!

The story begins with an unhappy businessman named Ken attending his son's soccer game.  Once again, his son's team wins the game this season.  The previous season they did not win a single game.  Ken approaches the coach to find out what his secret for success was.  Coach Jim tells him that he actually studied the phenomena of what makes some athletes better than others.  He reviewed the Olympics looking at the differences between first through fourth place and discovered that the only difference in most of the categories of the Olympics between a medal and no medal was only about 1.08 seconds or 1%.

I knew that no matter what I did, our team could never be 100 percent better than all the others but 1 percent? We can all be 1 percent better at hundreds of things.

Coach Jim continues to share with Ken his thorough study of Olympians and Ironman competitions.  He then shares with Ken about a group he belongs to that help others who are ready to make changes in their life and to achieve excellence.  Ken goes home with thoughts of what to do next and if he truly is ready to make those changes in his life.

When Ken decides to go forward with the club he discovers he will be meeting with 4 additional people to complete the process.  Each person has a piece to offer, breaking down what could be a complex process into a simple stage each time Ken meets with someone new.  The characters range from a motivational speaker to a physics professor to a CEO then to my favorite, the psychologist and finally a former Olympic triathlete.

From every stop in the circle, Ken added to his notebook simple, yet profound tools to keep in mind in every aspect of his life, from relationships at home to work and hobbies.  For us procrastinators the best tip is action = motivation, not the other way around.

If you increase your action, your motivation will increase. (p. 28)

And when Ken got ready to throw in the towel and simply make New Year's Resolutions (isn't the timing appropriate!) he meets with the psychologist who gives him the statistics and facts on New Year's Resolutions.

For instance, a psychologist by the name of Richard Wiseman, a professor at a University in the U.K., looked at the outcomes for people who had made New Year's resolutions......88 percent of those people failed to keep their resolutions. (p. 87)

Another problem with New Year's resolutions is that normally people make resolutions that are too general, 'I'll make more money; I'll lose more weight; 'I'll be nicer to the neighbor I've never met, etc. etc.'

The psychologist suggests that rather than making a New Year's resolution why not choose one small, specific habit to change.  And then do it, for 30 days.  After the 30 days then it will be a new in-grained habit - but the better one.  Continue choosing something each month and you'll have changed 12 specific habits a year!  I know that's more resolutions than I have ever kept!

The 1% Solution for Work and Life surprised me with its applicability.  When I first began reading it I thought it might just apply to professionals, but it works for everyone in any type of position - even the stay-at-home mom!  I do have to admit the whole "Ken" story was cheesy at times; however, it did make the concepts easy for anyone to understand.  I even shared some of the storyline with my 9th grader, and he got it.  Of course it was dealing with music so I can't imagine he wouldn't!  My boyfriend who works in corporate America and does not read anything for pleasure actually picked it up and is reading it too!

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Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler: Book Review

 

Sites of Interest: Author's Site | NEDA |

Publisher: Harcourt Graphia | Published: October 18, 2010

Paperback | 180 pages | ISBN 978-0547341248

Source: publisher via NetGalley

Product Description from Goodreads:

"Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world." 

 

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? 

     Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home—her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power—and the courage to fight her own inner demons? 

A fantastical method of tackling anorexia. Did it work for me? well, actually, yes.  Let me explain why.  In Hunger, we catch only a brief peek into the inner-workings of a teen with anorexia - the demons they fight every day, every hour, every minute.  Hunger is a book to get people talking about the issue - it's for tweens and teens and parents.

In this book the parents are represented as clueless, busy with their own lives.  Unfortunately, I've seen this happen in a real-life situation.  Parents get caught up with work, other children, spouses, whatever and lose touch with what is going on in a child's life with devastating consequences.

If you have tweens or teens please put this book in their hands.  You might just save a life.  Oftentimes we can connect through characters in a book and Lisa is a teenager whose relatability factor simply increases the faster the pages turn.  James, her boyfriend, is drawn as the caring, deeply concerned boyfriend that Lisa continuously pushes away.  And Death? Well, Death is the rock star come to give her the choice - become Famine or ......

I'm giving Hunger 4 quills based on  subject matter, length, depth of topic, and character development of Lisa.  And is the cover just not fantastic?!?

For more information on the subject of anorexia please visit The National Eating Disorders Association.  A portion of the proceeds from Hunger will be donated to NEDA.

And I just have to point out Jackie Morse Kessler has another book coming out April 2011. This one is entitled Rage and deals with the self-inflicted injuries teens commit like cutting.  A portion of the proceeds from that book will be donated to To Write Love on Her Arms.  I am quite familiar with this organization - I hope you will check out both Ms. Kessler's books and both of these non-profits dedicated to helping our youth.

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno by Ellen Bryson: Book Review

 

Sites of Interest: Author's site | P.T.Barnum History | Buy the Book

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company  | Published: June 22, 2010

Hardcover:  | 352 pages | ISBN: 978-0805091922

Source: publisher

         In Ellen Bryson’s first novel, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno, a dark and intricate story is woven. One doesn’t know if they should be horrified or intrigued by the events that unfold in its pages. The tale is told in the perspective of Mr. Fortuno himself, the thinnest man alive. Fortuno is a member of P.T. Barnum’s famed circus made up of side show freaks and talented performers. Fortuno considers his thinness a gift, and separates his fellow acts into the truly gifted, and the fools, acts that he refers to as ‘gaffs.’ While Fortuno has always loved his life, safe behind the museum walls, he is suddenly discontent. He has performed for a decade for Barnum, and nothing ever seems to change. That is until one night when a mysterious carriage arrives in front of the museum.

          Usually the sight of a carriage means a new act that will be introduced to the other performers in a day’s time. As Fortuno watches out his window, a mystifying veiled woman steps out and is hurried into the museum in the dark of night. The performers’ wait anxiously to find out about the puzzling woman and how she will affect their place in the museum. When she is finally revealed, Fortuno sees just how important it was to keep her hidden this long. She is the most marvelous and wondrous act that the museum has ever seen. She charms almost everyone she meets, but she is not all she seems. As Fortuno searches for answers about the extraordinary young woman, he also searches for the cause of all the mysterious fires that are being set throughout the museum. What he finds out will not only shock and thrill, but keep the reader hanging on until the last syllable, and leave them hungry for more. As Fortuno unlocks the secrets of the peculiar woman, he also unearths secrets of himself that will change him forever.

          I recommend Ms. Bryson’s novel to anyone who craves an escape from the ordinary hum drum book. This story is like none you’ve ever read and will leave you ravenous to sink your teeth into this intoxicating tale. I was extremely impressed to learn that this was Bryson’s first novel due to the intricate web she weaves. While I sing her praises I ask only one thing from the lovely Ms. Bryson….please write a sequel!

-Melony

The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry: Book Review

 

 Sites of Interest: Authors site | Chapter 1 | *History Matters

Publisher: Ballantine Books  Published: November 23, 2010

Hardback | 464 pages | ISBN 978-0345505491

Source: purchased for my kindle

I discovered Steve Berry several years ago while on vacation at Jekyll Island, Georgia.  I was in my absolute favorite bookstore in the entire world (more on that in a bit) and came across The Amber Room.  I tend to lean towards books that have intrigue, history, chases around the world.....and this book filled all my mystery requirements.  After reading The Amber Room I had to read all of Steve Berry's books and have since been one of his biggest fans!

His latest book, The Emperor's Tomb, is a continuation of the Cotton Malone series.  If you have not read any of Mr. Berry's books, I suggest you begin with The Templar Legacy - Cotton Malone's first appearance.

Are you familiar with Chinese history? I certainly was not!  The Emperor's Tomb takes Cotton Malone on a wild ride to rescue Cassiopeia Vitt after he received a live link (is technology just not too much sometimes?!?) showing Ms. Vitt being waterboarded.  Cotton must work with the Russians and his former Justice Department handler, Stephanie Nelle, to find Cassiopeia and stop a war stirring in China.

The history of China included in The Emperor's Tomb is amazing!  One of the things I truly appreciate about Steve Berry's books, although they read as a fast-paced thriller, the history is fact-based, researched thoroughly, and I learn something new every time I read his books!  Did you know that the Chinese invented the watch 1,000 years before the Western world figured it out? Or that eunuchs were so prevalent and ruled from behind the scenes - one invented paper, one became the "Father of History" and one sailed around the world by the 15th century!  On a much somber note - did you know that more than 70,000 children are reported stolen in China each year?

These facts and more can be found in The Emperor's Tomb.  If you are a Cotton Malone fan, you may want to check out the interview with him on Steve Berry's site!

To say I am amazed at the depth of history Mr. Berry included in the story line and in such a fashion that it flowed relatively seamlessly would be an understatement!  My only frustration is with one character who was also in The Venetian Betrayal before as a double/triple agent - Viktor Tomas.  I was able to keep up with his character for the most part until closer to the end, and then it became quite confusing as to what he was doing and why.  Without giving away any spoilers, I either never got the point of his character or Viktor just did not live up to his expectations in the end.  However, I still thoroughly The Emperor's Tomb! Cotton and Cassiopeia have both grown in their roles and settled not only in their respective characters but in their relationship dance.  Stephanie Nelle - wow! If someone else is following along with this series and wants to talk trash - let me know! I'd love to have a twitter book club meeting about this one!  The Emperor's Tomb gets 4 quills from me!

side note:  my favorite bookstore in the entire world and the one I want to fashion my dream bookstore after is Jekyll Books at the Old Infirmary.  It is in one of the old millionaire row homes on the island with books stowed away in every room - cookbooks in the kitchen; spa and relaxation books in the bathroom; romance in the bedroom, etc. etc.  If you ever make it to Jekyll Island I highly recommend stopping by! 

*History Matters is a foundation started by Steve Berry and his wife, Elizabeth, for the preservation of all things historic.  For more information please visit the site.

Sunday Serenade: Zibilee from Raging Biblomania

I had the good fortune of meeting Heather at the SIBA Trade Show this past fall and she humbled me with her kindness, generosity and friendship.  Many of you may know her as "Zibilee" across the blogs as she frequents many daily.  And if you have not had the pleasure of reading one of her reviews, well, what are you waiting for? Jump right on over to Raging Bibliomania (after reading her Serenade!) and check out her latest review! She is thorough yet concise and deep - oh my goodness, does she dive into the depths of a book and pulls the meat of the pages apart.  Heather - you are a blogger to be a serenaded!

What do you do when you're not blogging or reading?
 
I actually love to cook and bake and find myself in the kitchen a lot of the time baking goodies for my family and friends. I have a habit of using my kitchen as a test area where I modify recipes and try new flavor combinations. I recently came up with a recipe for coffee toffee cupcakes with coffee frosting that were to die for, but they were gone rather quickly! During the holiday season, my kitchen is in overdrive and I am baking like a fool with my daughter.

Describe your favorite place to read and why you love it so much.

I love to read in my love seat because it is the single most comfortable place in the house. It's close to the light, and I can see out both windows. It's not right under the air conditioner vent, so I don't get too cold, and it's a rather soft couch and fluffy couch, so I can sink in and get really comfortable for hours on end.

What is something we don't know about you and haven't been able to read in your "About Me" section?

I am really actively involved with my church and teach a Sunday School class that consists of quite a few 4 year-olds. You will always find me up to my neck in glue and cotton balls and crayons on a Sunday morning, helping the kids with crafts and learning the stories of the bible.

Heather and Emma Donoghue

If you could invite 3 authors over to your home (ANY authors) for a luscious beverage and the most divine cheese and yummy chocolates, who would you invite?

I would definitely invite Ian McEwan, because I find his books oh so savory and amazing. I would also invite Diana Gabaldon over so that she can tell me just when she plans to end her Jaime and Claire series. But my guest of honor would have to be Emma Donoghue. I got the chance to meet her, and take a photo with her, and she is not only very personable, but I bet she could regale me with stories for hours! We would all have tea and eat pepperidge farms cookies and discuss the nuances of literature. Then we would go out and play with my dogs.

If your bookshelves caught on fire what 5 books would you save?

Oh no! This question makes me nervous! I would go crazy if my house were on fire and try to grab everything! In fact, I think I will go right now and stack a few empty boxes by the door, just in case! But if I had to choose only five they would be: Room by Emma Donoghue, Atonement by Ian McEwan, Vurt by Jeff Noone, The Third Policeman by Flan O'Brien, and Possession by A.S. Byatt

Name 3 songs on your playlist right now. Do you listen to music while you read?

No listening to music while I read. I need a lot of silence to fully digest what I am reading, but everything else I do requires music. I sometimes like to drive around just so I can blast my music. Three songs on my playlist right now are There's No Secrets This Year by The Silversun Pickups, Frankly Mr. Shankley by The Smiths, and anything by Guns and Roses. Specifically the Appetite for Destruction album. Great question!!

Name a quality you admire in others and a quality you admire in yourself.

I admire honesty and bluntness in my friends, and I have one friend who embodies that beautifully. She is a great person and will always tell it like it is. That is very valuable to me. The quality I admire most in myself is my loyalty. I will go all the way with you, and never turn tail and run, no matter what we come up against!

Name 3 things on your bucket list. (things to accomplish in your lifetime)

I'd like to go to England, and to India and I would also like to learn how to knit properly!! 

I hate to admit I have not read Room yet.  But I have read Possession! Does that count? And oh, how I can agree that I would love to learn how to knit properly! Heather, I am so glad I was able to meet you at SIBA and look forward to many more to come!

Merry Christmas!

From my sweet North Georgia town, the Merriest of Christmases to You and Your Family!

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And may your weekend be filled with peace, hope and love.

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Blessings this Holiday Season!

The Christmas Glass by Marci Alborghetti: Book Review

Publisher: Guideposts Books | Published October 1, 2009

Hardcover | 304 pages | ISBN 9780824947767

Source: Publisher

An INSPYs shortlist book. A Christmas story. And a novel about the intricacies of familes.

The story  begins with Anna, a kind-hearted woman running an orphanage and safe-house for Jewish children in 1940 Italy.  When Mussolini joins in World War II she realizes she must send her precious family treasure to her cousin, Filomena who lives near Naples.  Filomena and her husband Paulo were planning to emigrate to America so she knew the treasure would be safe with them.  The family treasure was passed down to her from her mother:

Many years ago, a glassblower in Lauscha and his family made our Christmas Glass. We do not know their names, but they fashioned the glass with a love for the Baby born on Christmas Day, and that love sparkles in every piece. When my mother-your Nana-got married in 1875, her mother wanted to give her a very special gift, an heirloom she could give to her own daughter someday.  She wanted something different, something wonderful, something that would make everyone who saw it sigh with pleasure and envy. But she didn’t know what such a gift would be. Until one day she saw the Christmas Glass……

“The ornaments seemed to be alive with light, and Elena fancied that if she touched them, she would feel their warmth.  Each was a different shape, and their colors were so vibrant they appeared to glow.  There was the Holy Family, with streaks of indigo coloring Mary’s dress, while green marked Joseph’s robe and the Babe shone with gold.  Three were long and thin, each in the shape of a wise man, and their robes were marked with scarlet and purple and deep green, all flecked with gold.  There was a crystal star with just the slightest sweep of fiery yellow lighting it from within, and an angel in joyous flight, his wings lined with silver.  A starfish, awash with blue and green, winked from the box, and a long icicle, such as we sometimes see here in Varese but often appear in the German mountains where the glassmakers live, flared with a thin spiral of silver and gold.  There were two fish, symbols of our Lord: one spun with blue, green and silver and the other with red, orange and gold. And finally, Elena saw two perfect globes, crystal clear each, one with the merest sprinkle of red and gold, the other with green and silver…..” (pg. 10 – 11)

We go from 1940 Italy with Anna to December, 2000 and Filomena’s family and friends.  We learn that Filomena has slowly given pieces of the Christmas Glass to worthy and needy family and friends throughout the sixty years she has been in the United States.  She gave Pastor Louis the translucent blue and green starfish when he baptized her grandson, Jack.  Filomena gave Guillermo the taxi cab driver and friend to her best friend, Sarah, the crystal star shot through with gold filaments and the message “To light your way.”  Although Filomena has been generous with the Christmas Glass she has been controlling, conniving and hard to deal with according to her daughters.  One daughter moved to the other side of the country so she could live her own life.

The Christmas Glass is a story about forgiveness, love and family.  It’s problematic to follow along with all of the characters involved – 13 pieces of Christmas Glass and at least that many characters.  The story is told through the viewpoint of several main characters.  The novel has a good premise but would have been much better received if it had been told from one or two viewpoints rather than 13.  Also, in the beginning Anna was so insistent that the Christmas Glass must stay together and then there’s not really an explanation about what happens to Anna (that’s assumed) nor is there a good explanation about why Filomena starts passing out the Christmas Glass.  Now, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing – I think it’s wonderful, but there’s just a jump that’s not explained well in the novel. Or I missed that part.  Have you read it? What did you think?

Do you have a treasured family heirloom?  Or one that is in your family that comes out at certain times of the year? What’s the story behind it?