Books
The Neurotic’s Guide to Avoiding Enlightenment : Chris Niebauer, Ph.D.
The Neurotic’s Guide to Avoiding Enlightenment: How the Left-Brain Plays Unending Games of Self-Improvement
More than ever people are on a quest for self-improvement and enlightenment.
People are “watching” their egos or losing their egos in order to find peace of mind or to get along better with others. And yet, the more we try to lose our ego, the more of it there is to lose. The more we try to make peace, the more we find conflict. It is exactly what happens when we try not to think of the number 3 and that is all we can think about. Our efforts seem to have the opposite effect, and this is due to the way the left side of the brain processes information.
Neuroscience discovered that the left brain makes up elaborate stories and convincing explanations. It is the left brain that makes up the most elaborate and convincing story of all, the story of who you think you are. And the more we try to get out of this story, the deeper we find ourselves in it because it is the function of the left brain to work on the law of opposition. Try not to be anxious, and that’s exactly what happens.
Try not to worry, and you will be flooded with anxious thoughts. And the same is true for self-improvement. The more we try to improve our story, the more the story needs to be improved. The left brain excels at these games even when it plays by pretending not to play. If I said that all attempts at self-improvement are futile, how would you respond? Would you reflexively think I’m wrong? Is there any way not to play these games of the left brain? Which part of your brain do you think is asking this question?
This book was written for the ordinary person who has an extraordinary curiosity for who they are, how thoughts work and why they cannot control their thoughts. It is a practical guide that uses examples from my kids, favorite movies and TV shows from the 80s and 90s along with simple exercises so you can see for yourself if any of this is on track.
While no special knowledge of the neurosciences is required, you may understand many of the examples if you’ve seen an episode or two of Star Trek or Seinfeld. While this work is based on the teachings of Alan Watts and Eckhart Tolle it integrates the findings of modern neuroscience that surprisingly reveals a similar message. It is the desire for enlightenment that is the biggest block to happiness and peace, in fact; it is the only block. It is not until one gives up the quest to find oneself, improve oneself or be more spiritual that one can ever find the peace they are looking for. And it is not your ego that gives up this quest, it is you.
Book Links
Goodreads
On Amazon
The Volunteer : D K King
The Volunteer
Houston Police Homicide Detective Frank Tipton is a man who goes to work every day into the underbelly of the Texas Bayou City. The things he has seen and the people he has interacted with during his 30 plus years on the force, has given him nightmares for years, and left him a cold and angry man.
Frank’s life and career spiral out of control when his partner is killed during a routine investigation. He feels personally responsible for her death and decides that after thirty years, he just can’t do it anymore. He turns in his retirement papers and turns to the bottle in order to cope with his depression. With pressure from his ex lieutenant, Frank is asked to volunteer to help train a young detective in Magnolia, Texas. A woman with a striking resemblance to the partner he had just lost.
But all is not what it appears to be in this sleepy country town. Can Tipton muster the strength to solve a series of murders, or will this case be the one that finally takes him down?
My Beautiful City – Austin : David Heymann
My Beautiful City – Austin
In My Beautiful City Austin David Heymann crafts seven masterful tales of a young architect who fails again and again to dissuade his clients from their bad decisions. So the houses he designs aid and abet the ongoing erasure of Austin’s ambrosial charm.
These sharp, humorous stories explore consequences of Austin’s rediscovered allure. Fueled by the dubious intentions of its inhabitants, this is a town growing madly while ignoring the pain of a thousand small cuts.
The Woman Who Sparked the Greatest Sex Scandal of All Time : Eli Yaakunah
The Woman Who Sparked the Greatest Sex Scandal of All Time
Journalist Ishtar Benten is promoted to the most secret department of the News Agency that monopolizes information. Soon afterwards, her erotic-coffee colleague disappears mysteriously, and she starts a very dangerous investigation to find him.
What is the sexiest of all possible worlds? How would you act when Love conflicts with Truth? The Woman Who Sparked the Greatest Sex Scandal of All Time is a dystopian adventure like those of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, Anthony Burgess, and Philip K Dick. At the same time, it is a captivating and emotionally charged novel, and it offers readers high doses of passion, eroticism, suspense, and mystery. It has been given “The Kirkus Star,” a distinction that is “Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit,” and has been listed among the “Best Indie Books of 2013” by Kirkus Reviews.
“This delicately intricate work provides a full dance card of themes: sex, romance, mystery and a grim peek into a devastated future… Touches of wry humor reinforce an already sturdy novel… A virtuosic, erotic sci-fi debut.” -Kirkus Reviews
“The wonderful and powerful imagination of the author brings all the characters and the situations they find themselves in very real and believable… All in all a wonderful story and one that I will read again in the future.” -The Scribes Library
“…despite its steamy tone, it is, in fact, a thoughtful work of philosophy – not vulgarity – that explores and humanises the universality of love, justice, faith and consequentiality.” -Self Publishing Magazine
“The writing is beautiful, erotic, poetic, intense, imaginative, intelligent – and gripping enough that I could barely put it down… Ultimately, this is one of the most delightful books I’ve ever read.” -Francis James Franklin (Alina Meridon) Literary Blog
“Compelling stuff, getting better as the book goes on, and a brilliant way to end the book too.” -YeahYeahNoh, Amazon.uk top 1000 reviewer
The novel is recommended for ages 16+. It contains unconventional descriptions of explicit sex, but they do not deserve any kind of censorship or adult filter, as discussed in the blog denouncecensorship.blogspot.com. If you prefer to avoid such descriptions, you may want to check out an abridged version of the novel on Amazon.
Book Links
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
On Amazon
Isabella’s Dilemma : Diana Persaud
Isabella’s Dilemma
Wolves have many secrets….
Izzy, the first and only female Werewolf Soldier, is a proud member of the Hoyden Pack. When a series of rapes threatens to reveal the existence of Werewolves to humans, Izzy is tasked with finding the Rogue. To protect their secret, Izzy executes the Rogue werewolf, a member of the Clodpoll pack. Enraged, Clodpoll wolves capture her and demand her life, especially Jackson, the Rogue’s younger brother.
Jackson, a Clodpoll Soldier, is focused on one thing: vengeance for his brother’s death. Imagine his surprise when he finds out that his brother’s murderer is his mate. To complicate matters, his mate is a Soldier who refuses to accept his claim.
On a secret mission for her Alpha, Izzy will not be deterred by her newfound mate. More focused on completing the mission than mating, Izzy is determined to refuse Jackson’s advances and fight the mating instinct.
Can Jackson convince his mate to give up her position as a Soldier to be his mate? Will Izzy abandon Jackson to keep her independence and a position she fought hard to accomplish? Can this tough Soldier find a balance between her career and love or will she sacrifice one for the other?
Book Links
Website
Barnes & Noble
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
The Cartographer : Craig Gaydas
The Cartographer
While exploring a cave in a remote section of Carlsbad, New Mexico, 16-year-old Nathan stumbles upon someone unexpected – The Explorer’s League Science Officer Satou.
Equally surprised when Nathan breaks through a security barrier inside the cave, Satou does the only thing he can and abducts the human interloper.
This action sets forth a chain of events that will forever change the balance of the universe. Nathan is introduced to the Consortium, an intergalactic league comprised of explorers, science teams, soldiers and diplomats.
He discovers the Universal Map, an ancient artifact which has been locked away long ago by a person simply called “The Cartographer.” After accidentally unlocking it, Nathan unknowingly begins a chain of events which will threaten to tear at the very fabric of the universe.
With the assistance of the Explorer’s League, can Nathan stop the war before it reaches Earth and threatens everything he holds dear?
Book Links
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
Your Invincible Power : Pamela Hamilton & W.T. Hamilton
Your Invincible Power: Open the door to Unlimited Wealth, Health and Joy
“The law of attraction works in our lives all of the time and has been written about in many books, giving us various views on the way we interpret this subject. Pamela Hamilton and W. T. Hamilton, who are mother and son, clearly write with different views. W. T. offers his ideas with a light humor attached to his life experiences and offers you inside depth to help you succeed in business as well as your personal goals. Pamela writes with more exploratory details and uses particular points from the inside info she has examined and learned on the way.
The differing approaches the authors present here complement each other’s vision and opinion of this subject in ways that can bring you to the ultimate goal in your life successfully.
Within these pages you can find clear insight to change those distinguishable parts of you that get in your way. You can change your perspective and the way you think by using spot-on concepts, creative plans and ideas that can move you forward through your own desired intention.
W. T. and Pamela’s wish is that you have fun with these ideas, because life is exciting.”
Book Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
On Amazon
Benvolio : Emily Whitaker
Benvolio
Verona, Italy struggled with vicious sword fights and certain death for over 100 years due to the battle between the Montagues and the Capulets’ hatred toward one another. Although the source of this hatred has never been known, the children of these two enemies are resolved to end it. Hidden deep in the sycamore grove on the outskirts of Verona, Benvolio Montague and Rosaline Capulet fall in love and quickly realize the need and urgency to end the hatred between their families.
During one of their night time gatherings in the sycamore grove Rosaline tells Benvolio that her father is planning her marriage to a man in the Prince’s court. Benvolio can’t hide his love for her any longer and his mission becomes clear; he will stop the hatred and the killing between these two families with love. He will be the man to marry his beloved Rosaline.
After Rosaline refuses to marry her father’s choice, she vows to join a nunnery. Here she will wait for Benvolio’s plan to take effect and then they will marry. Meanwhile, Benvolio learns that his cousin, Romeo, has fallen in love with Lord Capulet’s daughter Juliet. Knowing that their love will certainly end the hatred he begins to plot the demise of all this hate.
Benvolio uses clandestine strategies to discover Romeo and Juliet’s love. The necessity of ending the hate calls for late night trespassing into the Capulet gardens; begging secrecy from the Friar, who is eager to help; and recruiting Juliet’s nurse to assist in planning Romeo and Juliet’s concealed meetings, secret marriage, and wedding night rendezvous. With his stealthy skills Benvolio never tells Romeo about his plan.
However, there is an obstacle in Juliet’s angry cousin, Tybalt. He is out for Romeo’s blood. To stop this madness Benvolio encourages Romeo to answer his threats with peace. Mercutio, a friend of the Montagues, is all too happy to fight Tybalt. Trying to stop this sword fight Romeo steps in between them. The tragedy that ensues is enough to convince Mercutio that this family war will only end with love.
The fight continues and the death count climbs. With Romeo’s exile from Verona, Benvolio’s determination to end the hate with love escalates. But he quickly realizes that all his actions to support his cousin’s love and guarantee his own happiness have set in motion the Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
Book Links
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
The Generosity of Strangers : Thomas E. Antonaccio
The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli
The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli chronicles the real life experiences of a young girl and her family in Italy in the 1940s. The story is set in the town of Fornelli–a tiny hilltop community in Italy’s mountainous heart.
For Lucia and her family, life in Fornelli before the war is anything but boring. There are fields to work and animals to care for. Life is difficult, yet tranquil. But soon the war comes, and life in Fornelli is tranquil no more.
The Generosity of Strangers is an accounting from the eyes of Lucia about faith, hope, and courage in the midst of war and its aftermath. it shows us how even in dark, desperate times, people can open their hearts and rise above adversity.
Book Links
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Author
On Amazon
Curly and Tubs and the Galloping Rot : Kim Montgomery
Curly and Tubs and the Galloping Rot
Two young brothers, Curly and Tubs and the galloping rot and Tubs, own a set of encyclopaedias called “The World of Knowledge”. An accident, involving spilt tea, threatens to damage volume 5, Nature.
The Council, guardians of The World of Knowledge, decide that the damage would be too great if they wait until the boys realise what has happened, and transport Curly and Tubs from Reader World into The Land of Nature, to do battle with The Galloping Rot.
The boys are standing on a footbridge waiting for a steam train to pass underneath, and envelop them in smoke. An unexpected train approaches, which they recognise as a full size version of one of their toy trains. When the smoke clears Curly and Tubs appear to be in The Land of Nature. They are, in fact, in Essence World, which is where The Council live, and which sits over the lands of The World of Knowledge like a two-way mirror.
The magic train carries the boys across the land to meet The Council, and then on to The Cover Desert, where The Galloping Rot is making rapid progress. The boys have to find a way of defeating the rot, helped by unexpected new powers.
Book Links
Goodreads
Smashwords
On Amazon UK
On Amazon
