Chief Complaint: Brain Tumor by John Kerastas

Fun and enlightening with a side of emotion

I just want to start by saying this is one of the most humorous books that I have read in a while.

(this could be due to the fact that I usually read  crime novels/thrillers… but moving on..)

John has a unique way of dealing with his diagnosis of a brain tumor. He uses humor.

He takes you through his diagnosis and procedures dealing with his tumor and makes it an interesting experience.

This book is great for anyone looking for a memoir of someone going through a similar experience or for family members as well. Whats great about it is that is also great for the average reader.

John has a great writing style that keeps you hanging on throughout the whole book. It is short as well, it only took me a few hours to read.

Clear an afternoon and pick up a copy. You will not regret it.

5/5 stars. I loved John’s sense of humor and his ability to tell his story through this.

Also, it takes place in Chicago, so I liked it even more… haha. 

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Read ahead for spoilers

This Möbius Strip of Ifs by Mathias Freese

This Möbius Strip of Ifs is not a book for those who do not wish to think a lot while reading.

This is a collection of short essays and memoirs by the author Mathias Freese. It is a very intellectual writing with a hint of emotion as well.

I found each different essay to be interesting in its own ways. Reading through each one was thoroughly enjoyable.  

I find it hard to review books of this sort because they are all different. The writing styles are different, the subjects are different, and so on.

So, I will say this. If you want to pick up a book that reads sort of like an intellectual diary, I would pick this up.

Note that when I say diary, I am not lessening the effect of what Mathias has to say. I mean it in the way that he is the man behind each of these essays saying how he feels about different topics.

Overall 4/5 stars I really enjoyed it, but a few of the essays lost me. Bound to happen I supposed. 

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Oil, The 4th Renewable Resource by Shawn Alli

This book is in direct contrast with the one I just read in the way that it is really short! So much so that I got through it in only a few hours – with taking breaks as well.

Shawn Alli argues in his book the legitimacy of the oil shortage scare.

He provides many examples as well as in-depth research to further his arguments.

I feel like this book is very eye-opening. It is short, and easy to read. I believe it is a book that anyone interested in the topic or wanted to know more should pick up.

It should also be a side read in Universities, but Im not sure they would change their curriculum that easily. Maybe some day.

5/5 stars. For a book all about oil and fossil fuels (not a topic I enjoy TOO much), it was really interesting and kept my attention.  

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Crochet Saved My Life by Kathryn Vercillo

My first impression of this book – Wow, this is long!

Now, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometime books must be long to achieve its goal. I feel like this one could have been condensed though. There were times where I felt that what I was reading was a bit redundant.

That being said, it was a very interesting book. I was wondering how a book completely about crochet could be interesting all the way through, but it was.

Kathryn explores many different mental and physical ailments that can be helped by the use of crochet. I didn’t know something so simple could help many symptoms of these complicated disorders. It was interesting to read each different section.

She gives a brief description of each disorder and then explains how the use of crochet helps different symptoms. She shares her own persona stories as well as stories of other individuals. I think this is what keeps the book interesting and not feeling like a text book.

Anyone who needs a new hobby, something to help a disorder you are suffering from, or if you already enjoy crochet, I would say you should pick this up and at least read the sections that pertain to you. Or you can just read it the whole way through.

3.5/5 stars. A bit redundant at times, and long – but, overall, it was very interesting. 

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Not a book review

I know this isn't a book review but I have to post about it anyways. 
The NHL and NHLPA have finally agreed to a tentative deal to end the NHL lockout!!
I am so excited. I just want my hockey back and my Blackhawks back out on the ice!

Sorry I just had to share this excitement!
-Courtney 

The Life of a Stripper: 50 Exotic Dancers Confess Their Personal Experiences in the Adult Entertainment Industry by Romana Van Lissum

As the title suggests, this book is a compilation of stories about Exotic Dancers’ experiences with their jobs. 

Some are current dancers, and some are retired. No matter the age, they all have their set of stories.

Al of their stories seemed to be a little similar, but they were all different as well. It was interesting to read about the different circumstances that led them to joining this field of work as well as their good and bad experiences.

I feel like this book could be an eye-opener for those who think dancers are just drug-users and prostitutes. It is way beyond that. These are just girls that either need the money, or genuinely enjoy dancing. That’s why I feel this is a good book. It shows both sides of that.

I also feel like any aspiring dancer should read this just to see the experiences of other ladies.

Over all, I this was a really good book. It was really interesting.

5/5 stars

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Sons of Suicide by Dan Andrews

Sons of Suicide is a non-fiction novel told through the eyes of the author, Dan Andrews.

This book is the story of him as a young boy having to deal with the loss of his mother. She had committed suicide, and his life was never the same.

This tragedy made his childhood rough, but as he began to grow older and mature, he found a way to turn his pain into a positive thing. He decided that he wants to help others, whether through this book or by coaching in a gym.

Dan’s story is very real. It is one that not many people experience, but at the same time, too many people experience it. The pages of this book are filled with emotion that you may not find in many other writings. It was truly written very well.

Sons of Suicide is not a sob story. Dan isn't trying to get the world to feel sorry for him. It is quite the opposite. He is opening up and sharing his experience to show that it is possible to get through tragedy. You will always have the scar, but you can turn your life around and become a better person.

This is a great read, I loved every bit of it. It was emotional, sad, and happy as well.

5/5 stars. The writing was great, the purpose of the writing was even better. 

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Guilty Wives by James Patterson

Patterson does it again!

He nails the suspense and mystery that are evident in the majority of his novels, and this one will take you on a crazy ride all the way to the end. I feel exhausted just reading it, but it was well worth it.

Imagine going on an innocent vacation with a few of your friends, and after a night out partying you wake up to being accused of the crime of the century.

You know you are innocent, but will your words mean anything?

This novel takes you on the journey of Abbie’s time in jail and her desperate attempt to prove her and her friends’ innocence.

You could not imagine what she has to go through while she is in prison, and it may leave you cringing in your seat.

This novel is pretty long with 400+ pages, but in normal Patterson fashion, the chapters are short, and it is really easy to get through. I didn’t want to put it down once I had started.

5/5 stars This was an excellent suspense novel and there was never a dull moment. 

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Through the Crimson Mirror by Daniel Alexander Dinnie

This book is interesting. It is a non-fiction/memoir book.

I feel like it read sort of as a journal, but was also trying to teach a few lessons through the author’s past experiences.

I felt like the beginning of the book was setting it up to be more about parenting from a child’s perspective, and while that theme did come up in every chapter, I don’t feel as though it was the main point of this book as I continued my reading.

It became more of a book about communication and how the author felt certain people in his life were not communicating properly, often referring to an ex-girlfriend and also bosses in the workplace.

So, at times I was a little confused as to what the actual purpose of this book was.

You can approach it in two ways, I think.

1.       You read it as though it is just a memoir. The author is only telling his past experiences and what he has learned from them.

Or

2.       You read it as an educational book, but with a lack of real structure.

I feel like the intro set it up to be an educational book, but it ended up as a memoir, which as I said before was a little confusing. It wasn’t mainly focused on parenting like I feel it was set up to.

That being said, it was a very interesting read. The author gives interesting insights into the topic of correct communication.

He does state that you should read this book with an open mind, and I think if you remember that throughout, you will be able to take something away from it.

3/5 stars. The way it was set up didn’t really equal what it ended up being, but it was indeed an interesting read.

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Broken Christmas by David Henderson

Broken Christmas is a compilation of short stories centered around Christmas.

Each story has its own feel and its own details that make them special in their own ways.
These stories are heartwarming and also heartbreaking all at the same time.

It is a great Holiday read though. It makes you grateful for what you have.

Now that it is the day after Christmas, and some of you have gotten some new reading tablets, I would suggest taking just a moment to relax and read this book. The stories are short, so it won't take long, but it will be worth it!

5/5 stars. All three stories were interesting, and none of them stood out more than another, they were all great.

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