Peace, Love, and Maki Rolls: A Guide to Creative Kindness

by J.D. Estrada

For over a decade, Puerto Rican indie author JD Estrada has signed off his blogposts, videos, forewords, and letters with a curious little Peace, love, and maki rolls.Equal parts catch phrase and life mantra, it is in essence what Estrada wishes upon all the people in the world in regards to getting along, sharing the best we have to offer, and good food.This Guide to Creative Kindness shares a lot of examples of how we can be kinder more often in our daily lives, because with all that goes on in the world, a little kindness can go a long way to changing someone’s life.

252 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2018

About the author

After years of working in advertising, I figured there were better ways to write fiction. Born on August 13th, I share birthdays with Alfred Hitchcock and Fidel Castro... an interesting coincidence since mom is Cuban and I love a good story.

Truth be told, ever since I was a kid I dreamt about being an inventor, I just didn't know I'd end up doing it using words. Where some people choose to invent new products, I’ve chosen to invent worlds through words.

In college, I studied psychology for 3 years before realizing that if I finished, I'd need a psychologist for myself. Not being too enticed by the whole full circle nature of that trajectory, I switched to Marketing, Advertising... and Psychology. Seems I just couldn't let it go.

A lover of Science Fiction and Fantasy, I’ve always loved writing and connecting with people. Mind you, although I love these genres, my reading tastes are as eclectic as my musical passions. So from rock to salsa to classical music, I also read and write in a variety of genres and am just as satisfied writing a review or a poem as I am working on my next novel. My obsession with the human aspect of who we are is deeply embedded in most of my work and my first book is no exception. Only Human is the first link within the Human Cycle, a three-book exploration of humanity through fiction.

I’m currently working on several projects, consistently put out free material on the blog (jdestradawriter.blogspot.com) and I rant with zest on Twitter via @jdestradawriter. I also have and instagram account (@jdestradawriter) if you want to see what I’m getting up to or what delicious beer I may recommend pairing with the book your reading.

My favorite band is Pearl Jam, I was born in Puerto Rico, I bodyboard and to me, playing a guitar is as therapeutic as a bleeding into a notebook with my pen. So by all means, visit, say hi and connect.

Peace, love and maki rolls.

JD

Reviews

[Marianna Defendini Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a long time to finish this book, but it's because I was reflecting a lot during my time reading it. This book is the type of book that you read and whilst reading you say "Well yeah, that is obvious." but then, you start reflecting, meditating and questioning yourself if you are truly doing the best good you can do. I did laugh at some points, got a little pissed at another, but overall thoroughly enjoyed it and most importantly, I learned ways that I may need to do better at doing good. The only situation I came upon that I did not like is that sometimes it was a little repetitive. Other than that minor situation, I had fun reading it and grew from meditating with it. I recommend it if you want to grow a little more overall as a human being.

Ps. I also felt pain when he narrated he's massive back spasm. If you somehow read this, loco, i'm glad you are better. Eso es un dolor increíble.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mesmerized immediately reading the title "Emotional Alchemy"
The subject of feelings – our life’s main provisional value.
JD Estrada interprets many experiences and expresses them uniquely through each chapter with clear summary and tips. Time, Life, Choices - all beholding our paths.
This is a perfect life mantra of a collection and we should always remember, there are no problems only situations. Bravo Mr. Estrada for you have once again brought light to my days!

[Margaret Pinard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me tripping down many lanes, trails, and byways. The author meanders through his own experience, picking and choosing choice titbits for the rest of us to cogitate on, and shares heartfelt lessons from hard times. His sentences might be a little long for my taste, but the lessons are primo. It's a good companion book for someone looking to delve deeper and get at the root of their problems/issues/success. As a reader of many self-help books in another lifetime, this one had a great structure, and is set to help the reader reflect and "DO GOOD, DAMN IT!' :D (a writer's review)

[Trina Dubya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn to the title and the subtitle, and I'm so glad I read this book! I knew some of these things already, such as making sure I acknowledge the people who clean up after me and the people who rarely get anything other than complaints in a normal day. But I appreciate the reminder and these things being put in such a way that makes it feel even more important. There are reasons and ways to be kind that I hadn't thought of, and I'm glad that the author has brought them to my attention.

[W.A. Ashes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quirky self-help book

Peace, Love, and Maki Rolls is a quirky self-help book that reads a bit like a keynote speaker’s speech. It’s overall theme is to do good and it has great tips on how to be a respectful, caring individual who is aware that every person is living a vivid life!

Also, on a completely other note, I love the cover of this book! It’s so sleek, clean, eye catching, and creative.

[D. Howlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an inspiring read. JD is such a motivating and relatable author who pulls from life experiences to live your best life. There are a lot of great tidbits I pulled from this book that left me feeling a little lighter and more understanding of the people around me. I cannot recommend this book enough. For an inner boost to your soul, pick up this book (and some maki rolls 😉).