Niel K

Shots of Wisdom by Dr. David Levy is a collection of short self-reflective chapters that revolve and grow around the author's life, where each chapter ends with something beautiful, and sometimes introspective, that demands a moment of pause to live with that thought. Even though the chapters, or we can say "essays," of this book are written across the life progression of the author, its chapters can still be read independently because it does not rely on the continuation but the essence that each life lesson or "shot" delivers. The author, while being a professor of psychology and a therapist, seemingly binds life instances through his wisdom that resonated with me. What did not work for me is the uneven depth in chapters. While there are reflective chapters that provide good clarity and humor merged with life instances, there are some chapters that lack the depth and warmth and feel a bit general. The short chapters are good for quick readers or those who lack the commitment for lengthy chapters, but it would have been even better if the wisdom or life lessons could have been explored and explained thoroughly and in more detail. This way, the readers would not just get to know life instances but more emotional wisdom. Apart from that, while reading this book, the experience also felt like sitting with a long-lost friend and listening to his experiences over coffee and moments I missed out on. The writing is not rushed but calm, more like a one-sided conversation where we as readers listen to the author and once in a while have some chuckles in between thoughtfulness. Overall, Shots of Wisdom stands strong at its title by engaging the readers and delivering self-reflecting reminders. A good read for readers who take one day and one step at a time to read one small chapter at a time.

The Stewardship Advantage by David Grau Sr. is a book written with the intention of helping small business owners make a significant and positive impact on the people and environment around them. It shows us that small businesses aren’t just about growing, scaling, and exiting, but about managing them in a way that gives meaning to one’s life and plays a vital role in helping others follow the same blueprint. The book is divided into three parts. Part one discusses the foundation of business stewardship, highlighting the key requirements and awareness needed to be a good steward—having a clear vision, mission, and purpose, as well as technical clarity, such as taking a stakeholder-first approach in order to thrive in the long run. What fascinated me most is the author’s in-depth understanding of small business operations, and how precisely he puts forward certain points: from the harsh truths of the “Founder’s Treadmill,” with statistics about how quickly and why some businesses run out, to the holistic approach explained through analogies. The second part gets technical, and I believe it is best suited for people who come from a business background or already have some footing in it. While much of this section was a bit difficult for me to comprehend, I found it intellectually stimulating, demanding extra attention and effort. The third and final section builds on the foundational knowledge from part one and the technicalities from part two to help develop a stewardship plan. It feels as though it holds your hand, guiding you to become a good steward by providing insightful advice and showing how to adapt those strategies into your business. What stood out as a highlight for me—and I would say my favorite part of the book—was the Stewardship Spotlights section that the author includes throughout. These feature businesses around the world that are thriving and making impactful strides toward building a better society and world. Overall, it was worth reading, and I deeply resonate with the author’s belief that one doesn’t need to own a big business to make an impact. Even small businesses are capable of doing so if they remain faithful to their values and greater purpose. I highly recommend The Stewardship Advantage to individuals who operate small businesses, feel lost or doubtful, or need strategies and approaches rooted in meaning.

I enjoy reading science fiction books that blend multiverse or parallel dimension concepts, and Callasandra Fractured by Stephanie Douglas turned out to be a YA sci-fi dystopian thriller that delivered just that. It follows Cassi’s journey into another dimension, in a country called Cimerrion—governed by strict rules and constant monitoring that control individuals’ behavior and choices. The world-building reminded me of 1984 by George Orwell, mixed with the glamor and spectacle of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. This blend works exceptionally well, especially when the author introduces themes of power, leadership, and a highly controlled economy. The story begins at a fast pace, especially in the first few chapters. Though the narrative slows slightly later, the intense psychological tension makes up for it. The transformation of Cassandra into Callasandra—to blend in and avoid being identified as a “Disunited”—adds depth and suspense. The plot takes an unexpected and darker turn when the illusion of glamor fades, and the brutal reality of being an “entertainer” is revealed. Cassi must then fight to find her way back to her family before time runs out. Characters like Marissa and Joren serve as Cassi’s emotional backbone, while the sadistic Sergeant Leonard adds a horrifying layer of tension that lingers throughout the book. What stood out most for me was the unique integration of music into the story. The author collaborated with various artists to produce exclusive tracks, accessible through QR codes in the book. This was my first time experiencing something like this, and it truly elevated the reading experience—almost cinematic in nature. One drawback, however, is the lack of scientific explanation, which is notable for a science fiction novel. For instance, Cassi’s shift from one dimension to another is vague and underdeveloped. It’s possible the author is saving those details for the sequel, especially since the book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving several questions unanswered. Also, I found Cassi’s character a bit weak and overly dependent on others. Aside from her efforts to adapt to Cimerrion’s rules for survival, her personal growth felt limited. Overall, I appreciated the world-building and immersive storytelling, and I would definitely recommend Callasandra Fractured to fans of 1984 or The Hunger Games.

Doom Phage is a supernatural horror fiction with a classic trope and setting, where seven friends decide to sneak out of their summer camp and explore an abandoned prison—only to unknowingly release a nightmarish creature that starts hunting them down. What begins as a carefree summer camp adventure soon turns into a killing ground, forcing the characters into a desperate survival game of hide-and-seek—and running for their lives. It's been a while since I wanted to read horror fiction just to experience a different premise, apart from my usual thrillers and non-fiction. Doom Phage turned out to be a bullseye hit with the way the author brilliantly executed the story. The first 60% of the book takes its time setting up the main characters—Maddy, Sasami, Eva, and Marianna—along with three boys who, I was sure, were included just to meet a dreadful end. As I mentioned, there isn’t much horror until the latter half of the book. But once it starts, the mayhem takes over with full-fledged chaos that kept me on edge, and some atmospheric details even gave me chills. The author certainly knows how to use darkness and eerie details to heighten the horror, making this a gripping and fast-paced read. There aren’t any extreme gory descriptions that might make readers uneasy, but the sense of survival, psychological tension between the characters, and the helplessness they feel while being chased by the creature—amid the piling bodies of their friends—deliver a frightening and entertaining reading experience. It’s a short book, with less than 150 pages, but that was a bit of a downside for me. I would have liked a more elaborate buildup, exploring the characters of Maddy, Sasami, and Marianna separately—where they come from, their families—and a more detailed origin of the supernatural creature. In conclusion, I would certainly recommend this book for its immersive premise and suspenseful supernatural horror. If you’re looking for a quick and gripping horror fiction to get your adrenaline pumping, Doom Phage is definitely a book worth trying.

In my review of the second book in this series, I mentioned finding it repetitive, but with this third book, I feel the author overcompensated by adding too much to the story. This book picks up right where the second one left off, following the aftermath of a massive storm and exploring its impact on both humans and marine life. While the main plot revolves around Samantha and Peter’s trip to Cuba for the Summer Reef Symposium—where things take a drastic turn, leading them into seemingly inescapable situations (avoiding spoilers here)—it added a thrilling element to the story. The sense of helplessness experienced by Samantha and Peter, combined with the efforts of Charlie, Mark, and Jerry, made for a compelling and well-rounded read. I also appreciated how this book presents two parallel storylines—Samantha’s and Charlie’s—each contributing significantly to the main plot. Charlie, Runt, and Learner made a great team as they worked to understand and teach the wild broods, ultimately playing a crucial role in the book’s satisfying conclusion. The bond between Samantha and Peter also strengthened, and I can see where it's heading. I’m not usually a fan of romance and wouldn’t have enjoyed it if their relationship had been overly emphasized. However, the author handled it naturally, keeping it minimal and ensuring it didn't overshadow the main storyline. Overall, this was a fantastic read—more fast-paced than the previous book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated how well the story was executed from beginning to end. I hope the next book maintains the same level of engagement and consistency.

After creating a nail-biting premise in the first book with a state-wide power outage that forced people into survival mode during a cold winter, and escalating conspiracy theories in the second book with the spread of a virus and speculations about the forces responsible for it and the attack on the power grid, this third book takes the story a few steps further by uncovering the mystery and addressing questions that pose a threat to national security. For any book series, it is very important to have consistent character development for its protagonist or main characters, as well as a linear storyline that revolves around them. However, I found this aspect missing in this book. The focus Thom received as the main character in the first book shifts to other characters. In the second book, Dominic took center stage, and in this book, the story is carried forward by Dominic, Commander McGinnis, and Captain Murdock with the LST 325 battleship and armed forces as they fight against a Chinese invasion and work to challenge the high-ranking politicians who aim to strip America of its superpower status. Although this book was packed with adrenaline-filled action and was as fast-paced as the first two books, I didn't enjoy the genre shift it went through. From being a survival thriller, it transitions into a military thriller. Some important elements—such as the power outage, the virus spread, and the helplessness of ground-level people—were not given the significance and weight they deserved, which could have helped maintain the consistency established in the first two books. Overall, it was an entertaining and gripping thriller. I assumed the story would conclude with this book, but the way it ended left me anticipating even more. It’s clear there will certainly be a fourth book in this series.

Cafe De Sophia is a kind of conversational book that relies entirely on the dialogue exchanges of its characters rather than a definitive storyline or plot. It has a very simple premise where, one day, Nate comes across Plato at one of the cafes in Paris called Cafe de Sophia and is later introduced to Protagoras, Luqman, Alfred, and Hypatia. This group of philosophers meets at Cafe de Sophia to discuss various topics such as knowledge, logic, love, personality traits, perfection, justice, and equality. What makes it more interesting is the way they investigate and examine each topic thoroughly with logic and reasoning through Socratic questioning. There's always an argument and a counterargument, followed by a synthesis of their diverse opinions and beliefs. Even though the writing of this book is quite simple, the conversations can be a bit complex at times to process and reflect on. I also liked the structure of this book and the way it's written. Each chapter covers a certain topic, and readers can read any chapter of their interest without following the sequence. This book made me realize, with a sense of gratefulness, that I too have certain people in my life who make me feel as if I am at Cafe de Sophia.

In the second book of this series, we follow the story of Samantha, who has started a new chapter of her life by joining college and managing too many things at once while also being an active part of the research on Caribbean reef octopuses and developing diplomatic relations with them. I liked seeing how mutual understanding has been established between humans and the sentient beings of the ocean. I feel as if this book had too many subplots, which resulted in clouding the main storyline of Charlie and Archimedes learning more about the human world, interactions with adapted wildlings, and Samantha attempting to make them understand how the consequences of global warming are caused by humans. I believe that learning about this will influence Nest's attitude towards humans and their perspective on relationships with them. What I also feel is that the book's biggest drawback is that it feels repetitive at times. Except for Samantha and Charlie, as a reader, I didn't feel any connection with the other characters. Even their dynamics with one another felt surface-level. Sam's bonds with her brother and her boyfriend, Peter, were explored more in this book, but there's still room for more depth in their characterization. My favorite part of this book is its ending when things get very intense and serious as a Category Six storm adds an unexpected twist to the story and changes everything. I doubt if things will go back to being normal for Samantha, Charlie, and his nest, or how the nest will perceive humans after realizing the storm is the result of human greed and ignorance regarding the impact of climate change on other animals. Overall, it was a decent, fast-paced read that sets up anticipation for the next book.

The second book in ‘The Cold Winter Series’ resumes the story exactly where the first book ended, making it one of the most commendable sequels I have read recently. The premise, events, and characters established in the first book made it easy to navigate through the plot since, as a reader, I was already familiar with the world Chris Underwood created. The plot revolves around Thom's struggle with his drug addiction and his journey to reclaim the best version of himself, as portrayed in the first book. I felt deeply saddened by Thom's condition, which stemmed from the events that unfolded during the previous book's climax. Toni's concern and worry for Thom added an emotional connection, making their struggles even more heartfelt. What stood out most, however, was the character of Dominic and his sidekick Kirksey. They seemed to take control of the story, elevating it to new heights. The face-off between Dominic and the national guards was the highlight of this book for me, creating a tense and unpredictable atmosphere, teetering on the brink of bloodshed. This installment adds even more suspense to an already intense storyline by exploring probable theories surrounding the power outage and a rapidly spreading virus. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, I suspect the third book will provide answers. I was captivated by the mind-boggling possibility that the government itself might be behind the power outage and the virus, which has already affected millions. With the healthcare system in disarray and resources stretched thin, the author has steered the story to an unprecedented and gripping point. I found the characterization in this book to be even stronger than in the first. The author has enhanced the development of returning characters such as JP, Dominic, Carl, Linda, and Allen. Meanwhile, the integration of new characters like Scott, Pete, and Adam felt seamless, with each given a well-written backstory that contributed meaningfully to the narrative. The book concludes with an unnerving cliffhanger, setting the stage for the action and revelations expected in the third installment. I also noticed a subtle shift in the protagonist's power dynamic—from Thom to Dominic. By the end, Thom seemed more like a liability, whereas Dominic emerged as a leader capable of carrying the story forward on his shoulders. I have high hopes for the next book and the revelations it promises. The stakes are incredibly high, and there’s no way to predict what card the author will play next.

I have been reading one intense book after another where the stakes were too high. Even though I love reading thrillers, there comes a time when I get overwhelmed and strongly crave something different or light-hearted to read. Charlie's Story by Ann McNicol was one such book for me that provided a fresh and unique reading experience. The story is set in 2045, where rising sea levels have flooded a significant part of the world, forcing humans to relocate to elevated places. It revolves around our protagonist, Samantha, and her passion for exploring and studying coral reefs. Her journey takes an interesting turn when she comes across Charlie, a Caribbean reef octopus that appears to exhibit intelligent signs of communicating with her. A talking octopus? No! This is where the book excels in staying grounded and believable as a science fiction novel, especially in its portrayal of the technology used to establish interspecies communication. It highlights real-world challenges in communicating with animals and how tricky it can be. I admire the author's approach in crafting a speculative narrative without making the plot or the description of the technology overly complex. I found the second half of the book more captivating, with plot developments that kept me glued until the end. Samantha, as a protagonist, shines in this book for being noble, curious, and resilient. Her character arc is not just limited to her role as a mediator for interspecies communication; it also provides significant depth in her academic progress. Her work in the field could contribute to understanding the marine ecosystem better and taking necessary steps to protect intelligent species like octopuses. Other characters, such as Dr. Kelly, Jerry, and Samantha's mother, Amanda, play significant roles, but their characterization is somewhat limited. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to them, except for the bond between Peter and Samantha, which I believe will be explored further in the next book. The climax took a perilous turn and kept me hooked with its tense and worrisome build-up for Samantha. It was hard to put the book down until it concluded with a satisfactory closure. Final thoughts: this was indeed a good read, and I enjoyed it for being light-hearted while still addressing serious issues like climate change and the protection of endangered species. I am more eager to learn the crucial and environmental impact of the collaboration between humans and Caribbean reef octopus.