Dual Discovery, an Historical Fiction of Mitzrayim Life

Dual Discovery is a historical drama, meaning that it is a really good novel. It takes you back to Egypt of Biblical times. This is a well written story that makes the story of the 10 Plagues easy to relate to.

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

I really like this cover. It features a clear title, with a light drawing background that is slightly dramatic and mysterious.

Some Details I Liked:

This is a classic read, meaning that it will still be interesting in the future. It is written so that you feel like you are in the past.

Who This Book is For:

I found Dual Discovery to be entertaining and educating at the same time. I would recommend it for any age for both purposes.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

There isn't enough information to prepare a lesson or to depend on to fully understand that period of time. 

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

Where is book #2?

In Conclusion:  

This a book that I would read once a year for Pesach and again for when it is relevant to the Parsha. It is great for kids and adults alike. 

Awareness, The Guide to Self-Understanding

After All for the Boss, this is seriously my favorite book. I feel that after reading Awareness, I was able to go through life with a whole new perspective. 


Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

The cover doesn't give much information about the book, but it does show that awareness comes in different colors. 
It also has the subtitle explaining that it is "the key to acceptance, respect, forgiveness and growth."

Some Details I Liked:

As much as this book has a lot of information, there is also a lot of review and examples to make sure that it is understood. I especially enjoyed the charts, which provide a visual aid for easy comparison. 

Who This Book is For:

Ironically, in this book, the author writes who will read this book cover to cover and why. There are three types of people that will read it, either for emotional or intellectual satisfaction basically. 
The idea is that this is a self-help book. Anyone can read it and/or use it as a reference.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

Some types will not be interested in this book. It is a serious read with a lot of factual information. It is well-written, but can seem dry and hard to read in one sitting. 
Also, it might not be a good idea for someone with a low level of self-confidence to try to categorize themselves. They might get defensive and instead of being aware, they end up more in denial.

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

This isn't something that would make it better about the book, rather the reading experience. It is important to note that Miriam Adahan has another book, Appreciating People, which focuses on the Myer Briggs system.

In Conclusion:  

This book has helped me understand myself better, as well as family, friends and peers. Once I understood the person's type, I was able to figure out how to deal with them better, appreciate their good traits and tolerate the harder ones. 

Dating Smart, the Newest Intelligent Approach to Dating

Rosie Einhorn and Sherry Zimmerman, two experts in their field, produced Dating Smart, which I must say is very smart. 
After several years of dating and going through probably more dating books than dates, but being disappointed by both, I gave up on a dating book that would be thorough enough for me and still apply to a wide enough crowd. 
I, thank G-d, no longer need this book for myself, but I highly recommend it for any and every person who is potentially dating, dating or has a child that is in either stage. 


Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

The cover is simple, a girl conversing with a boy. Each in their own color and the speech bubbles to match. The book is setup so that dating can just be as simple as a conversation. It can be about building a relationship slowly through multiple, well-paced meetings and then develop into a life-long pact. 

Some Details I Liked:

I very much enjoyed that each chapter had a summary at the end that is visually appealing. This allows the book to be read cover to cover and later as a reference. 
I also appreciated the structure of the chapters. It is literally a guiding hand through the dating process.

Who This Book is For:

I was most impressed at how the authors were able to get down to the basics in a way that almost any dating person could appreciate this book. I would even say that a person that has trouble with a relationship, even prior to dating should read this book. 
There are specific pointers for baalei teshuva, but not a tremendous focus. Parts of the book also cater to older or more frequent daters. Both extras are more bonuses than detractors. Sometimes a young dater can experience similar emotions to an older one and not realize it or a person with a large family may feel that they don't need to network, but this book will nicely open their eyes and help them through. 

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

If a dater feels that the next step in life is up to his/her parents and doesn't want to build a mature relationship with a potential spouse, then they should for sure not even think about reading this book. 
If someone is looking for juicy stories and happily ever after or a miracle from the heavens, this book is not the one for them. 

What I Didn’t Like /Would Have Made it Better: 

As usual, this is the toughest section for me. My pointer here is not against the book, rather something that I would appreciate reading about in relation to this topic. I would love to read a similarly laid out book going from engagement to marriage and maybe even through the first year.

In Conclusion:  

If you feel that you might be interested in dating or are dating and want improvement, read this book, take a serious look at yourself with its help and hopefully, you will have good news to share soon. 

Disclaimer:

I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

11 - 15 : Upcoming Book Reviews

• Dating Smart
• Awareness
• Dual Discovery
• Forever One
• As Long as I Live

Rav Nosson Tzvi, A Gadol from Our Times

B"H there are a lot of books of Gedolim or great people, but most of them aren't written by the person's mother and student. Rav Nosson Tzvi was written by Sara Finkel and R' Yehuda Heimowitz. When a mother writes something, you know that it is true.  

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

Just my personal opinion, but I think it would be nice to see a Gadol more in his youth on these covers.
This cover also features the UV technique in which the picture stands off the cover. 

Some Details I Liked:

The fact that Mrs. Finkel was able to explain various points of R' Nosson Tzvi's upbringing and how he got to where he got. To read how middos are innate and then developed is incredible. 
I also enjoyed the Mir history. 

Who This Book is For:

I would say this a great for anyone who wants to gain an appreciation of frum people, yeshivos and learning as an occupation. 

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

I really feel that anyone can enjoy this book.

In Conclusion:  

Every Gadol is unique, but R' Nosson Tzvi's story is particularly inspiring.