Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but how do you use these strengths and defeat these weaknesses in order to stay our of your own way as you make your way through life? The in your face, no nonsense book by Justin Loeber, Get Out of Your Own Way Guide to Life: 10 Steps to Shift Gears, Dream Big, Do It Now, is a quirky read that is pitch perfect because of the personal experiences shared by Loeber that stretch back to his time in the 70s Disco Era. He has been a waiter, a Wang Word Processing operator, a substitute go-go dancer and almost made it big as a solo pop star. He then created a boutique digital and public realtions agency in 2006, all of which helped him to create this book. Continue reading “Get Out of Your Own Way Guide to Life Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Perry Cockerell’s third book in his trilogy, Tatiana’s War, focuses on Tatiana, who has married fellow journalist Oliver Smith. Their relationship has been shown throughout the course of the books and now Tatiana is focusing on reviewing books exceptionally quickly. She loves to read and is challenging her fellow journalists to do the same. Not only is she working on this project, but she is also investigating Andre’s childhood and his connection with Sister Camille and St. Peter’s Catholic Church. When the journalists receive a script for a strange play revolving around something called the Deep State titled “Fake News” Tatiana finds herself manifesting strange scenes based on books she has read in combination with the comedy play that the theater is putting on. Her dreams are becoming a reality and all of the characters become drawn into them, which leads the reader to question what is real and what is a dream. Continue reading “Tatiana’s War Book Review from @kleffnotes”

The sequel to A Private War, A Private War II, focuses on Andre’s return to Alabama, where he struggles to cope with his life after the war. Beyond dealing with what would be a typical adjustment period, Andre will also begin working at the paper that covered his trial, which is an additional element to cope with when it brings up elements of his childhood that he had thought were answered. This story brings previous characters back together and involves another intensive climax for everyone in Alabama. Continue reading “A Private War II Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Perry Cockerell’s A Private War is the first of a trilogy, all of which I will be reviewing for The Nerdy Girl Express. This first book focuses on two African American Army privates who are fighting in the European and African campaigns during World War II. When one African American soldier is accused of shooting the other, the first African American war correspondent finds himself conflicted on how to cover this particular case in the press. The story is told with two separate plots that come together in the middle. Continue reading “A Private War Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Joe’s Alamo: Unsung delves into the rich history of the Alamo as well as other elements of American history by focusing his narrative primarily on minority populations that were a vital part of the battle. The title character Joe is originally presented to readers as a slave who finds himself being sold to a young school teacher, who has grand designs for the future. These two men wind up traveling to Texas and during their time together Joe learns to read and ultimately speak Spanish, which would ultimately help him survive. Continue reading “Joe’s Alamo: Unsung Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Katherine Forbes Riley’s debut novel The Bobcat is a beautiful read that showcases nature and the connection that can be found even when you are trying to stay isolated. Laurelie is a young art student who is struggling to get through her the day after one terrible evening. As she tries to find ways to keep herself safe in her own little world, the outside world slowly begins to open back up to her. One young man and a bobcat bring her back into an element of her former self, but when a young boy she babysits disappears she worries that she won’t be able to keep her fragile new world together. Continue reading “The Bobcat Book Review from @kleffnotes”

A societal change is happening, which is leading many people to stumble as they try to understand and become more knowledgeable as sexual partners. As we look at the world today it might baffle some people that the idea of victim blaming still exists or that people are judged by the kind of sex that they do or don’t participate in. Good Sexual Citizenship: How to Create a (Sexually) Safer World works to promote empathy and understanding in order to break down hostilities connected to sex. Ellen Friedrichs examines the historical and factual backdrop of gender disparities, women’s rights, sexual violence, and a number of other topics. All of this is designed to help the reader use this information, along with guided exercise, to determine their ability for good sexual citizenship. Continue reading “Good Sexual Citizenship Book Review from @kleffnotes”