What's He Really Thinking by Paula Rinehart

This book is written from a female perspective and discusses interactions with the men in one’s life. In most cases, the text pertains to a significant other, but it could usually also be applicable to other men, such as fathers, sons, brothers, etc. The book has three sections. The first one discusses how to understand the man you love and the second part advises on how to love the man you understand. In the last part of the book, there are numerous useful resources such as scripture verses to be used when praying for your man, questions that can be asked as conversation starters, and a study guide with questions that can be used as you read through the book.

I recently read this book as part of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger program http://brb.thomasnelson.com/ and found it a worthwhile read, but not an essential read. I liked how the author discussed men’s vulnerabilities, how important respect is to a man and how to exhibit that respect, and how to “get through” or effectively communicate with a man. A lot of what was shared seemed like common sense or repeated information I already knew, so I felt like it served as more of a reminder of the uniqueness of the inner workings of males. I will admit it took me awhile to read through this book. This might be partly due to the fact that I recently read a similar book entitled, “Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps”, which actually kept my interest better. Maybe if I had read this book first, I might have a different opinion. This book was not a difficult one to read, and it contained useful information, but it was just not that interesting to me.

Fearless- Max Lucado

In Lucado’s book, "Fearless", he addresses some of the most common fears in life and mixes in personal examples, scriptural examples, and appropriate scripture verses to help people deal with each of these fears. He doesn’t make a person’s fears seem irrational or dumb, but instead the opposite. By sharing his own personal experiences, as well as examples from scripture, the reader knows that having these fears is common. There were no quick fixes or cures in this book, just reminders of scriptural promises and the author’s applications. Each person must still apply to his/her own life the principles Lucado shares, in order to benefit and live a life without fear.
While this book was written in an easy-going style, and thereby making it a fairly quick read, it is a book that should be read and re-read in order to truly be absorbed. The chapter divisions allow for easy reference if someone desires to re-read certain portions addressing specific fears. This book was not as long as I originally thought, since there was a discussion guide at the end (about 35 pages in length) that the author states can be used by individuals or groups. One of my favorite chapters was called “Woe, Be Gone” which focused on worry. Not only was it easy to relate to, but the eight steps given to deal with worry, so that it didn’t have a hold on a person, were basic and effective. I recently read this book as part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program http://brb.thomasnelson.com/ and while I would not go so far as to call it a “must-read”, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to address and deal with the fears in his or her life.

The X and Y of Buy

As a reviewer for Thomas Nelson’s book review blogger program, http://brb.thomasnelson.com/ I recently read The X and Y of Buy, by Elizabeth Pace. It is a well-organized and interesting book. The author does not portray either sex in a discriminatory or derogatory way, but rather in a straight-forward, matter-of-fact manner, without being too technical. She explains how to market to both sexes and why there are differences in how sales are made to each sex, based upon the variations in the male and female brains. At the end of the chapters there are male/female summary charts and paragraphs which allow for review of what was covered, as well as serving as quick reference tools in the future.

Even though I am not a salesperson, I found the information about the differences in the male and female brains to be fascinating and useful in everyday life. For instance, I learned why men and women view maps and math problems in different ways, why men can more easily parallel park a car, and why women are able to multi-task. The pointers shared on how to communicate with both sexes in ways that they will actually hear you, can certainly benefit anyone, not just people employed in the world of sales. It seems to be particularly relevant for anyone in the workplace as they must often “sell” ideas to a boss or a co-worker. I learned why some of the ways I talk and listen to males are not ideal, and discovered more effective ways to do both. It is easy to relate to the information and makes sense as you think of people around you and the corresponding relationships. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the differences in male and female brains and how these variations relate not only to the retail world, but to life in general, as well as to anyone hoping to improve communication between the sexes.

I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse: Insider Tips From a Former Mob Boss - by Michael Franzese

This book offers advice to people interested in the area of business, particularly those looking to become an entrepreneur. The author draws on his own personal experience and the experiences of others to comment on what works and what does not in the business world and in life. The book contains eleven chapters, each about 10-15 pages in length. At the end of each chapter, there is a summary of sorts, entitled “Get the Message” wherein the author repeats the main points from that chapter in list format. Throughout the book, Franzese makes comparisons using references to, and quotes from, two historical figures with very different perspectives - Machiavelli and King Solomon. He asserts that people cannot conduct business following both of these examples, but rather they must choose one or the other. Near the end of the book, there is a series of five questions, wherein the reader can test themselves on points addressed earlier in the book, in order to determine if they tend to respond more like Machiavelli or King Solomon.

This book is straight-forward and written in an easy-going style, at a level appropriate for most readers. While I wouldn’t consider it a page-turner, it was certainly readable and applicable to all people, even those not particularly interested in business as a profession. There is a good mix of points made and corresponding examples from the mob life provided, and the connection between the two is easy to understand and does not seem forced or contrived. It’s clear from the beginning that the author believes there is no success apart from working hard, but at the same time, he warns against work becoming your life. What is shared on the issues of integrity and honesty, as well as his advice on the importance of listening and thinking before speaking is beneficial for everyone.

http://www.thomasnelson.dev/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0785261842&title=I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse&authors=Michael-Franzese