Aisha Urooj's Blog - Posts Tagged "book-review"
Educated by Tara Westover
In today’s edition of Things You Might Not Have Seen, I will talk about the memoir Educated by Tara Westover.
When I started this book, I didn’t realize that it was non-fiction. I had heard so many people praising the book, that I wanted to see it first myself. The writing is compelling and gripping. It is raw and emotional.
I think that saying that the book reads like a great fiction would be ignorant. Educated is the true life account of a woman’s struggle with family abuse, and how her education allowed her to finally break free. Despite getting her PhD under extraordinary circumstances, we watch Tara struggle in trying to stay connected with her family.
What this memoir says truthfully is this: You might recognize the abuse, you might even learn
what to do to keep yourself safe, but you still can’t stop loving your family. It is ok to want a better life for yourself. It is also ok to grieve weakening of family ties.
By the end of the book, you might have a few revelations. You might realize what education can provide:
It can stop financial dependency.
It can stop others from dictating your lifestyle.
It can stop others from dictating your own thoughts.
That is powerful.. and you can only realize this is significant, once you take a step back from the situation.
You can only understand what you are missing, once the chains weighing you down emotionally, mentally and psychologically are slackened. Once your thoughts are allowed to breathe on their own. Getting an education gives you that chance.
Education is a privilege, in every sense of the word. Don’t ever take it for granted.
I hope that you liked today’s blog post. Check out Educated by Tara Westover, if you haven’t already. I wish you good health and happiness today, and always.
When I started this book, I didn’t realize that it was non-fiction. I had heard so many people praising the book, that I wanted to see it first myself. The writing is compelling and gripping. It is raw and emotional.
I think that saying that the book reads like a great fiction would be ignorant. Educated is the true life account of a woman’s struggle with family abuse, and how her education allowed her to finally break free. Despite getting her PhD under extraordinary circumstances, we watch Tara struggle in trying to stay connected with her family.
What this memoir says truthfully is this: You might recognize the abuse, you might even learn
what to do to keep yourself safe, but you still can’t stop loving your family. It is ok to want a better life for yourself. It is also ok to grieve weakening of family ties.By the end of the book, you might have a few revelations. You might realize what education can provide:
It can stop financial dependency.
It can stop others from dictating your lifestyle.
It can stop others from dictating your own thoughts.
That is powerful.. and you can only realize this is significant, once you take a step back from the situation.
You can only understand what you are missing, once the chains weighing you down emotionally, mentally and psychologically are slackened. Once your thoughts are allowed to breathe on their own. Getting an education gives you that chance.
Education is a privilege, in every sense of the word. Don’t ever take it for granted.
I hope that you liked today’s blog post. Check out Educated by Tara Westover, if you haven’t already. I wish you good health and happiness today, and always.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
🌸 What does it mean to have a happy life? Why do we seek happiness? 🌸
For this edition of Things You Might Not Have Seen, I will talk about the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. I thought that perhaps this book was a good way to start the new year 2021 😊 May it be a year of healing, Ameen.
The book tells us that our ikigai is hidden deep inside us, something that we carry with us, even if we remain unaware. To find it, we need to search for it patiently. The secret of a happy life is as simple as it is difficult: it is to find our purpose to each and every day.
The book ikigai talks about the steps we could take to a healthier lifestyle, including diet and exercise. It talks about the dangers of stress, living a life of frantic pace and constant competition. Ikigai is letting go of harmful practices, living life with serenity and enjoying the journey. Ikigai is a journey of self-discovery, and finding a newfound passion for life that helps us overcome obstacles and face our sorrows.
I asked two questions in the beginning of the blog, I will try my best to answer them.
What does it mean to have a happy life?
It means to live your life with purpose.
Why do we seek happiness?
This is more difficult to answer. There is a constant internal battle within, between what is expected of us, and what we truly want… perhaps this dichotomy leads us to searching for a better way, a better answer. This is part of Eleanor’s struggle and journey too, and part of the reason I wrote the love and friendship series.
Japan is one of twenty-one countries that Ellie visits in Eleanor’s Travels. Even in the first book, My Dear Ellie, we hear her speak of the Japanese philosophy that touched her deeply.
Have you found your ikigai? When Ellie asks Cassie this question, she mumbles an indecisive answer.
I can’t remember whether I looked up the philosophy of happiness and Ikigai to write this scene, or if I wrote this scene because I had learned of Ikigai. Regardless of the order of how it happened, I am very glad I came across this philosophy.
I wish you a long and happy life. I hope that you discovered something new today. Thank you for reading! 😊
For this edition of Things You Might Not Have Seen, I will talk about the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. I thought that perhaps this book was a good way to start the new year 2021 😊 May it be a year of healing, Ameen.
The book tells us that our ikigai is hidden deep inside us, something that we carry with us, even if we remain unaware. To find it, we need to search for it patiently. The secret of a happy life is as simple as it is difficult: it is to find our purpose to each and every day.
The book ikigai talks about the steps we could take to a healthier lifestyle, including diet and exercise. It talks about the dangers of stress, living a life of frantic pace and constant competition. Ikigai is letting go of harmful practices, living life with serenity and enjoying the journey. Ikigai is a journey of self-discovery, and finding a newfound passion for life that helps us overcome obstacles and face our sorrows.
I asked two questions in the beginning of the blog, I will try my best to answer them.
What does it mean to have a happy life?
It means to live your life with purpose.
Why do we seek happiness?
This is more difficult to answer. There is a constant internal battle within, between what is expected of us, and what we truly want… perhaps this dichotomy leads us to searching for a better way, a better answer. This is part of Eleanor’s struggle and journey too, and part of the reason I wrote the love and friendship series.
Japan is one of twenty-one countries that Ellie visits in Eleanor’s Travels. Even in the first book, My Dear Ellie, we hear her speak of the Japanese philosophy that touched her deeply.
Have you found your ikigai? When Ellie asks Cassie this question, she mumbles an indecisive answer.
I can’t remember whether I looked up the philosophy of happiness and Ikigai to write this scene, or if I wrote this scene because I had learned of Ikigai. Regardless of the order of how it happened, I am very glad I came across this philosophy.
I wish you a long and happy life. I hope that you discovered something new today. Thank you for reading! 😊
The Phantom Tollbooth
It seems a little frivolous to be working on a blog post, especially with what is currently going on around in politics, but I will at least try to make it relevant.
For this edition of Things You Might Not Have Seen, I will talk about a children’s book called The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster. How could this book possibly have relevance to what is happening today? I am glad you asked that question.
We find Milo, a bored ten year old, who is disinterested with everything in his life. He doesn’t have any friends. He finds no joy around him. Not in his school lessons, not in his surroundings. One day, he receives a gift of a magic tollbooth and, having nothing better to do, drives through it in his toy car, transporting him to the Kingdom of Wisdom.
The magical kingdom was once prosperous, but now is troubled. The source of the kingdom’s trouble are two kings who refuse to listen to one another. One king wants to declare words to be more important than numbers. While the other says that numbers should be more important. They both have locked the two princesses, Rhyme and Reason, away in the Castle in the Air.
It is Milo’s quest to bring Rhyme and Reason back in the kingdom and make the two warring kings listen to one another. Without Rhyme and Reason, the Kingdom is under threat of being taken over by dark forces that thrive on chaos and disorder.
See the relevance yet? Lol
I love fantasy stories like these for many reasons, but I will talk about the message in the Phantom Tollbooth that was especially moving.
1. Apathy is never the solution, rather it is the problem. Milo learned how how he was drifting through life without seeing the wonder around him. As his spark for learning was ignited, so was his appreciation and love for life.
2. Sometimes, only one voice is enough to change the world around you for the better. That voice can be anyone’s. That voice can be yours.
The Phantom Tollbooth is an imaginative story with wonderful imagery. I especially loved how daily things were seen with a different lens, where a sunset was a symphony of colors played by an orchestra.
I hope that you liked today’s blog post. Thank you for reading! 😊 Stay safe and healthy
For this edition of Things You Might Not Have Seen, I will talk about a children’s book called The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster. How could this book possibly have relevance to what is happening today? I am glad you asked that question.We find Milo, a bored ten year old, who is disinterested with everything in his life. He doesn’t have any friends. He finds no joy around him. Not in his school lessons, not in his surroundings. One day, he receives a gift of a magic tollbooth and, having nothing better to do, drives through it in his toy car, transporting him to the Kingdom of Wisdom.
The magical kingdom was once prosperous, but now is troubled. The source of the kingdom’s trouble are two kings who refuse to listen to one another. One king wants to declare words to be more important than numbers. While the other says that numbers should be more important. They both have locked the two princesses, Rhyme and Reason, away in the Castle in the Air.
It is Milo’s quest to bring Rhyme and Reason back in the kingdom and make the two warring kings listen to one another. Without Rhyme and Reason, the Kingdom is under threat of being taken over by dark forces that thrive on chaos and disorder.
See the relevance yet? Lol
I love fantasy stories like these for many reasons, but I will talk about the message in the Phantom Tollbooth that was especially moving.
1. Apathy is never the solution, rather it is the problem. Milo learned how how he was drifting through life without seeing the wonder around him. As his spark for learning was ignited, so was his appreciation and love for life.
2. Sometimes, only one voice is enough to change the world around you for the better. That voice can be anyone’s. That voice can be yours.
The Phantom Tollbooth is an imaginative story with wonderful imagery. I especially loved how daily things were seen with a different lens, where a sunset was a symphony of colors played by an orchestra.
I hope that you liked today’s blog post. Thank you for reading! 😊 Stay safe and healthy
Indie April Book review: The Long View by Mark Hurst
When I joined Twitter nearly a year ago, I learned about #IndieApril. During the month of April, many readers vow to read more books by Indie authors (writers who might be self-published, or work with smaller, independent publishers).
I remember how supported I felt then as a newly published author when other people gave my books a chance 🥰 I am also grateful for all the authors in the writing community who took interest in my books or shared my tweets.
This year (and hopefully from now onwards), I want to dedicate my April blog posts to reviewing Indie books. My first book is going to be The Long View by Mark Hurst.
I chose The Long View because I was captivated by the book description and I loved the mysterious cover. So what is the book about?
They say the Dead don’t tell tales, but it depends on who’s doing the listening. Ever since Sophie Lydon was a little girl she’s been able to speak with the dead, a gift she inherited from her late mother and grandmother. Now it’s just Sophie and her dad, looking after her uncle and the family funeral business.
She tries to carry on her mother’s work, the tradition of guiding lost souls into the afterlife, but it’s hard and sometimes scary without her mother’s guidance. And the latest crop of arrivals in the mortuary have something new to say, bringing her disturbing messages from the place between living and dying, the vast hinterland across which all souls must walk. A killer has been awoken in the town of High Towers, where Sophie lives. A killer with links to Sophie’s past, a killer known to the voice of The Long View… and it’s coming for Sophie..
I have a confession to make… I spook easily and I had no idea how grim this book will get. I hope I don’t get nightmares 😱
I had no preconceived ideas on where the story will head but The Long View surprised me at every turn… and the killer? You could guess who it was but still be surprised.
I liked that the characters in the books are all flawed, struggling, and ordinary, in the best sense, as they are relatable. There are no caped heroes… just ordinary folks with courageous hearts or lost souls trying to make sense of what is wrong or right.
The Long View (where the souls go after death) is a barren, dark place that will have you mesmerized. It is surreal and imaginative; a nightmare too real caught by the writer and stuffed into the pages of this book.
As always, I won’t give away the ending. I hope I have intrigued you enough to give this book a chance. Please consider supporting an Indie author especially during the month of April. There are many gems you will discover. 📚
Thank you for reading! 😊 I hope you have a great day!
My Twitter handle is @Aisha__Urooj (if you want to follow me there too).
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
Indie book review: Mark of a Demon
For my second Indie book, I chose the paranormal romance short story, Mark of a Demon by Despoina Kemeridou.
What is Mark of a Demon about?
When Heather was born, everyone thought she would die due to her weak heart. Upon her mother’s callings, a demon showed up and saved her life by sharing his heart with hers. There was only one condition; she would live until the demon’s powers ran out. Not knowing anything about the mark she had on her chest from the day she remembers herself, she falls in love with the demon, marking the start of a forbidden love…
What happens when she finds out the secrets her aunt and the demon have been keeping deeply hidden from her?
There is a lot of story and heart in the pages of this novella. The story was fast-paced but I wished it had explored the love story of Nube and Heather a bit more. Their love story seemed a bit sudden. I was touched by the scene where Heather meets her mother again. Portrayal of family relationships, especially the one with Heather and her aunt, Sara, gives Mark of a Demon warmth, depth, and realism.
I hope that you consider Mark of a Demon for your next read. I will be back with a review of another Indie book for Indie April in my next blog post. Until then, stay safe! I wish you a great day.
Thank you for reading 😊
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
Indie Book Review: The Vampire wants a wife
Dating can be hard… maybe even harder when you are a hot vampire.Theodore is 126-years-old and has had a thousand girlfriends during his life, but unfortunately, none of them have been a good match. He just wants a wife to spend his eternal life with. What can a poor vampire do?
Theodore takes the next logical step… he fills out a dating application and sends it to a dating agency. He feels that his luck will finally turn around. That is unless he scares away Shelley, the human who runs the dating agency.
Come to think of it, Theodore finds Shelley ravishing… even if she is a bit crazy to throw garlic naan at him (to check if he was really a vampire). Theo finds out that she is single too.
Hmmm… 😏
For my third Indie book for Indie April (see previous blogs for more info), I chose the romantic comedy, The Vampire wants a Wife (Supernatural Dating Agency Book 1) by Andie M. Long.
This book is steamy even if it has a cute cover. There is swearing and mature content and situations (Oh my!). This book wasn’t for me but the book had a fun concept and endearing main characters.
This is a vampire story with modern twists which gives the old concept a new feeling. Theodore loves sharing pictures on Instagram, for instance, and even uses Facetime to chat with Shelley.
Theodore also frowns at the idea of sparkling vampires 🤭🌟🧛♂️🌟 There is also a role reversal as Theodore is the one with the ticking biological clock ⏰ and who wants to be a father soon.
Shelley’s and Theodore’s path to one true love is paved with intrigue and danger. There are strange accidents occuring around them, branches falling out of trees, and friends seeing ominous visions, and Shelley having nightmares. Someone or something in their hometown of Withernsea do not want them dating one another. But why?
Will they have a happy ending or will one of them get hurt or killed? Why is Lucy Fir (head of Hell) after Shelley? How can they escape the evil forces?
I hope that you choose an Indie book for Indie April. I will bring you more book review posts during this month.
I will try to squeeze in two more books for Indie April. I am trying to include as many genres as possible so there will be a scifi book and a epic fantasy/dark fantasy book review coming soon.
Thank you for reading!
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
Indie Book Review: Demonheart by J.J Egosi
My fourth book for Indie April is the dark fantasy Demonheart (Raging Elementals, #1) by J.J. Egosi.
The book has an action-packed start, involving orcs, a gold coin, and a dragon… even if it was only dreamt up by our protagonist. The main character Michael is an oddity. He is a light bringer in the dark realm. His white hair and blue eyes makes him stick out in the sea of dark hair and eyes of the people of his village.
Michael’s adoptive parents treat him worse than a servant, despite being the richest family around (and having oodles of gold 👑💸). They favor his younger stepsister, Isabella, who will be the heir of the Asmodai estate and billion-gold empire. Michael tolerates the verbal and physical abuse, until one day, he is thrown out unceremoniously by Isabella from the place he called home for most of his life.
Michael is perplexed. Why did his sister throw him out now? Why did she look sad about it? What dark secret is she hiding? Michael sets out to investigate this mystery, and so his journey begins in Demonheart.
Here is the description of the book:
In dark medieval times, a young man serves under the family of the wealthiest jewelry estate in all the land. He believed he’d be nothing more than an instrument of ridicule for all those that crossed his path. Until a violent tragedy exiles him from the only home he knew. Now, he must explore the world on his own in search of a new purpose. Where he meets an assassin in search of the world’s rarest creature: Elementals. Soon, he encounters a witch from another place; existing from a time long ago. Who tells him of a secret to his past he had to experience to truly believe. Now, he must search all corners of the world for something he never knew he had. During a life he never knew he lived. Before the demon king puts an end to all things he finally came to fight for.
This is a dark novel which gets more intense as you read it. There is violence and swearing… and lots of bodies 😱 Michael goes from one dangerous situation to another, so the story remains fast-paced. There are many unexpected twists and turns, such as Michael taking on the job of an assassin by accident... until he is caught in his lie 😆
Demonheart is an interesting story that will keep you riveted on what happens next. I hope that you give this book a chance. Remember to choose an Indie book for Indie April. I am sure that the authors will appreciate your support.
Thank you for reading today’s blog post. I hope that you have a great day 😊
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
The book has an action-packed start, involving orcs, a gold coin, and a dragon… even if it was only dreamt up by our protagonist. The main character Michael is an oddity. He is a light bringer in the dark realm. His white hair and blue eyes makes him stick out in the sea of dark hair and eyes of the people of his village.
Michael’s adoptive parents treat him worse than a servant, despite being the richest family around (and having oodles of gold 👑💸). They favor his younger stepsister, Isabella, who will be the heir of the Asmodai estate and billion-gold empire. Michael tolerates the verbal and physical abuse, until one day, he is thrown out unceremoniously by Isabella from the place he called home for most of his life.
Michael is perplexed. Why did his sister throw him out now? Why did she look sad about it? What dark secret is she hiding? Michael sets out to investigate this mystery, and so his journey begins in Demonheart.
Here is the description of the book:
In dark medieval times, a young man serves under the family of the wealthiest jewelry estate in all the land. He believed he’d be nothing more than an instrument of ridicule for all those that crossed his path. Until a violent tragedy exiles him from the only home he knew. Now, he must explore the world on his own in search of a new purpose. Where he meets an assassin in search of the world’s rarest creature: Elementals. Soon, he encounters a witch from another place; existing from a time long ago. Who tells him of a secret to his past he had to experience to truly believe. Now, he must search all corners of the world for something he never knew he had. During a life he never knew he lived. Before the demon king puts an end to all things he finally came to fight for.
This is a dark novel which gets more intense as you read it. There is violence and swearing… and lots of bodies 😱 Michael goes from one dangerous situation to another, so the story remains fast-paced. There are many unexpected twists and turns, such as Michael taking on the job of an assassin by accident... until he is caught in his lie 😆
Demonheart is an interesting story that will keep you riveted on what happens next. I hope that you give this book a chance. Remember to choose an Indie book for Indie April. I am sure that the authors will appreciate your support.
Thank you for reading today’s blog post. I hope that you have a great day 😊
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
Indie Short Story Review: As Black Roses Bleed by Morgan Wright
For today’s Indie April pick, I will talk about the dark fantasy short story, As Black Roses Bleed, by Morgan Wright.
If darkness be hidden,
And thorns persist,
Let peace live on…
But if thorns be slit,
And eyes reopen,
Let death befall.
It is tricky to review a short story without giving away the story or giving spoilers (I think this is my first one), so I will try my best 😁
As Black Roses Bleed is about a witch, a curse on a village, and a boy at the centre of it. Theirs is a grim world, where hope and happiness is but a fool’s dream.
Reading this story is like opening Pandora’s box and being caught in the chaos. It is like screaming without making a sound. It feels like a prelude to an epic dark fantasy novel, rather than just a short story.
There is enough intrigue and mystery to stay with you long after you read the final sentence. As Black Roses Bleed lingers on in your mind like a nightmare you can’t escape when you close your eyes.
I hope that you give this short story a read. It is great writing by a fantastic writer.
You can read the short story for yourself here: https://commontonguezitne.com/article...…
I have one more book remaining for Indie April. I hope that you choose an Indie book for your next read.
I hope that you have a great day 😊 Thank you for reading today’s blog post.
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
If darkness be hidden,
And thorns persist,
Let peace live on…
But if thorns be slit,
And eyes reopen,
Let death befall.
It is tricky to review a short story without giving away the story or giving spoilers (I think this is my first one), so I will try my best 😁
As Black Roses Bleed is about a witch, a curse on a village, and a boy at the centre of it. Theirs is a grim world, where hope and happiness is but a fool’s dream.
Reading this story is like opening Pandora’s box and being caught in the chaos. It is like screaming without making a sound. It feels like a prelude to an epic dark fantasy novel, rather than just a short story.
There is enough intrigue and mystery to stay with you long after you read the final sentence. As Black Roses Bleed lingers on in your mind like a nightmare you can’t escape when you close your eyes.
I hope that you give this short story a read. It is great writing by a fantastic writer.
You can read the short story for yourself here: https://commontonguezitne.com/article...…
I have one more book remaining for Indie April. I hope that you choose an Indie book for your next read.
I hope that you have a great day 😊 Thank you for reading today’s blog post.
This blog can be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
Indie Book Review: Black Ships by A.G. Claymore
Hi everyone,
For today’s blog post (and the last book featured for Indie April) is the alien invasion Sci Fi thriller, The Black Ships by A.G. Claymore.
I chose a genre that I don’t normally read (but definitely watch), so this was a new thing for me.
What was the story about?
First in the Black Ships Series. Our planet was just one small island in the midst of a vast, empty sea. For millennia, we thought we were alone – until we took our first tentative steps out of the cradle. As the nations of Earth struggle to establish a fragile colony on the surface of Mars, we suddenly lose all contact with our settlers. In the days that follow, it becomes abundantly clear that humans are not the only ones intent on exploiting the resources of the solar archipelago. In a desperate bid for freedom, Humanity must undergo social and economic changes on a scale previously unheard of. In the midst of growing turmoil, the struggle to build an effective defense leads the species to a turning point. The smallest of chances may determine the difference between freedom or eternal subjugation.
The book delivers on its promise and starts with an nail-biting alien invasion. The year is 2026 (not too far away), and aliens have attacked a human team sent to Mars. The US government (and others) on Earth must decide whether or not this is a threat, a mistake, or something else, while being limited to the fact that they are a planet away.
There is a rush to expedite a space-based combat fleet, despite not knowing the aliens’ intentions, because as Admiral Kelly states, “I would rather meet them with force and be wrong than meet them in peace and be wrong.” The enormity of the task dawns on everyone as does the financial implications of having such a fleet (The expected cost is a eye-watering $34 Trillion USD).
The book had smart exchanges between the characters. There are multiple players in the book, as there should be, but the author makes each of their personalities and voices distinct. There were a lot of technical terms (The researcher in me was itching to read up on them more), but it doesn’t feel gratuitous.
Black Ships is an engaging story and feels realistic. The story is unique as it is set only a few years from now and not a futuristic take on it.
I hope that you choose this book as your next read. Black Ships certainly gives us a lot to think about.
Thank you for reading today’s blog post. I was happy to review so many good Indie books for Indie April, and I hope to do it again next year. I will go back to my regular posts, including writing updates.
I wish you a great day, and hope that you discover something new today.
This blog post can also be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
For today’s blog post (and the last book featured for Indie April) is the alien invasion Sci Fi thriller, The Black Ships by A.G. Claymore.
I chose a genre that I don’t normally read (but definitely watch), so this was a new thing for me.
What was the story about?
First in the Black Ships Series. Our planet was just one small island in the midst of a vast, empty sea. For millennia, we thought we were alone – until we took our first tentative steps out of the cradle. As the nations of Earth struggle to establish a fragile colony on the surface of Mars, we suddenly lose all contact with our settlers. In the days that follow, it becomes abundantly clear that humans are not the only ones intent on exploiting the resources of the solar archipelago. In a desperate bid for freedom, Humanity must undergo social and economic changes on a scale previously unheard of. In the midst of growing turmoil, the struggle to build an effective defense leads the species to a turning point. The smallest of chances may determine the difference between freedom or eternal subjugation.
The book delivers on its promise and starts with an nail-biting alien invasion. The year is 2026 (not too far away), and aliens have attacked a human team sent to Mars. The US government (and others) on Earth must decide whether or not this is a threat, a mistake, or something else, while being limited to the fact that they are a planet away.
There is a rush to expedite a space-based combat fleet, despite not knowing the aliens’ intentions, because as Admiral Kelly states, “I would rather meet them with force and be wrong than meet them in peace and be wrong.” The enormity of the task dawns on everyone as does the financial implications of having such a fleet (The expected cost is a eye-watering $34 Trillion USD).
The book had smart exchanges between the characters. There are multiple players in the book, as there should be, but the author makes each of their personalities and voices distinct. There were a lot of technical terms (The researcher in me was itching to read up on them more), but it doesn’t feel gratuitous.
Black Ships is an engaging story and feels realistic. The story is unique as it is set only a few years from now and not a futuristic take on it.
I hope that you choose this book as your next read. Black Ships certainly gives us a lot to think about.
Thank you for reading today’s blog post. I was happy to review so many good Indie books for Indie April, and I hope to do it again next year. I will go back to my regular posts, including writing updates.
I wish you a great day, and hope that you discover something new today.
This blog post can also be found as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
The Successful Author Mindset by Joanna Penn.
For this edition of Things You Might Not Have Seen, I will talk about the book The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook For Surviving the Writer’s Journey by Joanna Penn.
A successful mindset is important in any career; it makes sense to be in writing too. Joanna Penn highlights problems that haunt authors, such as self-doubt and perfectionism. She also offers antidotes to these situations. Her best advice: Don’t let self-doubt stifle your creative spirit. Keep writing.
Joanna offers to the readers snippets from her journal, which adds a personal touch to the book. Her voice is clear and compassionate. She has been on the writing journey too and it can be lonely at times. For instance, Joanna shares how anxious she used to get before her early public speaking appearances, but onstage, she would mask her nerves with a smile. She talks about about uncreative she used to feel, and how she took ownership of her self-doubt by naming her podcast and blog as the ‘Creative’ Penn.
Joanna encourages writers to keep a journal to write out their thoughts and feelings when going through a really tough phase. She says that writing about your challenges can help you to become more objective about the situation and perhaps even find a solution. I think that keeping a journal is a successful habit that can help in other professions too.
I haven’t finished this book yet (because I am in the editing stages for my next book, soon to be released 😬) but I know that I will read Joanna’s book time and time again for all the wonderful advice and insights.
This is a great book to learn from if you are a writer, want to be a writer, or are just interested in reading about the creative challenges that writers go through.
I hope that you liked today’s blog post. Thank you for reading! 😊
You can also find this blog post as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
A successful mindset is important in any career; it makes sense to be in writing too. Joanna Penn highlights problems that haunt authors, such as self-doubt and perfectionism. She also offers antidotes to these situations. Her best advice: Don’t let self-doubt stifle your creative spirit. Keep writing.
Joanna offers to the readers snippets from her journal, which adds a personal touch to the book. Her voice is clear and compassionate. She has been on the writing journey too and it can be lonely at times. For instance, Joanna shares how anxious she used to get before her early public speaking appearances, but onstage, she would mask her nerves with a smile. She talks about about uncreative she used to feel, and how she took ownership of her self-doubt by naming her podcast and blog as the ‘Creative’ Penn.
Joanna encourages writers to keep a journal to write out their thoughts and feelings when going through a really tough phase. She says that writing about your challenges can help you to become more objective about the situation and perhaps even find a solution. I think that keeping a journal is a successful habit that can help in other professions too.
I haven’t finished this book yet (because I am in the editing stages for my next book, soon to be released 😬) but I know that I will read Joanna’s book time and time again for all the wonderful advice and insights.
This is a great book to learn from if you are a writer, want to be a writer, or are just interested in reading about the creative challenges that writers go through.
I hope that you liked today’s blog post. Thank you for reading! 😊
You can also find this blog post as a podcast at anchor.fm/aisha-urooj
