John Tesh is a man of many talents: sportscaster, musician, composer, host, and author. I met John in California during the late 1990’s. We had a great conversation on music in general, and playing the piano specifically. He was sincere and honest. John makes you feel good about yourself – That might be his greatest talent! In 2008, John released the book Intelligence for Your Life.
My Review:
John uses a life full of experience and detailed research to suggest how to improve your life; whether it’s keeping your job, finding your calling, respecting your money, or just putting life’s challenges in perspective. You will enjoy this reading experience. It is a quick and crisp read. You will find it to be a very positive!
I give this book a 4 out of 5!
Details:
Title: Intelligence for Your Life: Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth
Author: John Tesh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Version: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Follow-ups to previous posts:
I ran into Craig Lancaster (author of 600 Hours of Edward) at Borders last Saturday. His new book The Summer Sun is due out in January! I can’t wait.
In my recent post – 3 Ways to Find a Good Book, I mentioned a free monthly publication that I get at my Library. It’s called BookPage and it is chock full of book reviews!
Travel Safe and Read Often!
Bill C
The more I travel, the more ideas I have about travel and reading! When I take a bike tour in Europe, I usually take three books with me and budget to pick up a fourth at an airport while traveling. I try to vary the type of books that I carry with me. My mix is usually: one fiction, one biography, and one inspirational. So it will not come as a surprise that my next review is an inspirational book.
I first discovered Andy Andrews when he came to Billings, Montana in the spring of 2007 to speak at a fund raising dinner. His speech was electrifying! After the dinner I bought three of his books – which are all life changing! The title that stuck with me is The Traveler’s Gift, which was published in 2002.
My Review:
The Traveler’s Gift is the story of a guy by the name of David Ponder. Once a successful executive, he is now scratching out a living. He can’t seem to figure out what went wrong in his life. I’ve been there and I know how painful it can be. Nothing in his life is working! At the verge of giving up, he is propelled through time and meets wonderful and well known figures from history that basically “puts his mind right”. Everyone, and I mean everyone should read this book. You will feel refreshed and renewed!
I give this book a 5 out of 5!
Details:
Title: The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success
Author: Andy Andrews
Publisher: Nelson
Version: Hardcover (Trade Paperback available)
Pages: 210
Follow-ups to previous posts:
Craig Lancaster, author of 600 Hours of Edward (last weeks review), won the High Plains Book Award for Best First Book, last weekend in Billings, Montana….Congrats Craig!
Back on September 22nd, I promised you that I was going to upgrade my Border’s Reward membership to Border’s Reward Plus. I did that and I’ve already saved $5.24!
Travel Safe and Read Often!
Bill C
Sometimes I review travel books, and other times I review books that are great reads that you can enjoy while flying to Europe or on the veranda after a great day of biking in Tuscany. This next book fits into the “great read” category! The novel is “600 Hours of Edward” by Craig Lancaster.
Mr. Lancaster has written a gem! The hero of the story is a gentleman by the name of Edward Stanton who fights the complex difficulties of dealing with Asperger’s Syndrome in modern day Billings, Montana. The book started as a local hit and is now garnering a national following.
You are drawn to the character immediately. It is a wonderful page turner that pulls at all your emotions! I came away from this book refreshed. If you enjoy great writing – I Promise you will love this book!
My Review:
In my 54 years of reading this book is in my top 5 favorites of all time!
I give this book a 5 out of 5!
Details:
Title: 600 Hours of Edward
Author: Craig Lancaster
Publisher: River Bend Publishing
Version: Trade Paperback
Pages: 280
Travel Safe and Read Often!
Bill C
In 1995, Patrick Dobson decided that time was fleeting. He was feeling cramped, stifled and unfulfilled. Have you ever felt that way? Dobson decided to do something about it! He planned and then executed a walk/ hitch-hike across the Great Plains from Kansas City, Missouri to Helena, Montana.
This book is as quirky as Dobson’s personality. He meets, sometimes reluctantly, some strange and colorful people. He slowly learns a lot about himself during his sojourn. Through Dobson we learn that American is much more complex than we think. It reads well. Patrick leaves us in Helena, Mt about to paddle down The Missouri River back to Kansas City. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a paddling book to review next year!
My Review:
I like the book because the kid has issues (don’t we all? I sure do!), and he deals with them. Then he has the spunk to write a book about it.
I give this book a 4 out of 5!
Details:
Title: Seldom Seen – A Journey into the Great Plains
Author: Patrick Dobson
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Version: Hardcover
Pages: 279
Travel Safe and Read Often!
Bill C
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything to Bill’s Book Corner, but we thought we’d get it fired up again, so I hope you enjoy. I’ll usually be reviewing a travel-related book, but sometimes I’ll offer some valuable reading tips as well. The books I review will either be travel books or just plain “good reads”. Today I’ll be sharing a few tips on acquiring books!
#1: Book Stores and Affinity Programs:
I hang out at book stores. I don’t always buy, sometimes I just look. It’s amazing what you can find out just buy walking by a “New Release” display in a Borders or Barnes and Noble. Although I’m an avid reader and watch/listen to talk shows, there are new books being released every week that I’ve never heard of. That’s why I regularly visit book stores! Local independent books stores are also an important part of your “book plan”. For example Susan Thomas runs a neat independent bookstore in downtown Billings, Montana. Her customer service is second to none and she has the best Montana Book Department in the state.
Sign up for all Affinity/Loyalty programs. I’ve been a member of The Barnes and Noble program since it began in 2000. It costs $25.00 a year but I average $150.00 a year in savings. I joined The Borders Rewards program when I moved to Billings in 2006. It was free, now they have introduced a pay program that I’m joining the next payday. Most independents have their versions. Example: Thomas Books in Billings gives you 50% off you next book after buying ten.
# 2: The Library:
Although some libraries are better than others, they should be on your book search schedule. Our library in Billings has an excellent Children’s Department. It also has a growing Audio Department. Sometimes I get a book on tape or CD, especially for a car trip. Also our library co-publishes an excellent monthly book review magazine. It’s free and is full of book reading ideas.
#3: Used Books:
The advent on the internet brought about Amazon and other great on-line book sources. These web-sites sell both new and used books. I admit, I was at first very slow to buy used books, but once I started I couldn’t stop. I buy used books for two reasons:
- It is the only way to get a title after they stop publishing a book.
Conclusion:
Reading and Travel go together like “peas and carrots”! Do you have any tips to add to the list? Please leave them in the comments below.
Travel Safe and read often!
