BOOKS IN A BLOG

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Lord Skyler and the Earth Defense Force


In his book, ‘Lord Skyler and the Earth Defense Force,’ author Matt T. Schott tells the story about an alien invasion on earth and a group of teenagers who fight to retake the planet from the aliens.

Jacob Skyler is a typical teenager unsure of his future and feels the pressure of a father wanting him to make important life decisions. One night, Jacob and his friends Terry and Doug are driving to a movie when they are suddenly confronted with a series of lights and thunderous rumblings and then lose consciousness. When they wake up, they find that life as they knew it is gone forever. An alien force called the Titans has invaded earth and killed much of the human population and enslaved others to help take all of the earth’s natural resources. Jacob, his friends, and other teenagers are rescued by another alien race, the Flarconeans, who are “galaxy protectors of peaceful societies.” Jacob and the others are taken to the Flarconeans’ home planet where they train for a year to fight the Titans and retake the planet. When they return to earth, they embark on the fight of their lives.

As science fiction, ‘Lord Skyler and the Earth Defense Force,’ is an exciting alien adventure with vividly described aliens, spaceships, and fierce battles. Readers will identify with Jacob Skyler, once an insecure teenager, who undergoes significant character growth as he transitions into manhood. The relationships of the young teens emphasizes a “band of brothers” united against a great evil. A common theme throughout the book is the resilience of the human spirit. As well, the theme of revenge evolves to that of fighting to save humanity. Although Jacob did have a close relationship with one of the female characters, there was no real love plot to the story. A love story would have been an interesting plot as teenagers tend to have budding hormones.

The story reminded me of a blend of the movies’ ‘War of the Worlds,’ and ‘Wolverines.’ ‘Lord Skyler and the Earth Defense Force,’ is highly recommended to readers who enjoy fast-paced science fiction stories with non-stop action and adventure.

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ten Statements: The 10 Success Recipes for Romantic Relationships


We are now living in a society where the divorce rate is beginning to outnumber the marriage rate. This trend has resulted in exploring why so many people are having problems maintaining a long term relationship. In his book, ‘Ten Statements, The 10 Success Recipes for Romantic Relationships’ Author, Philosopher, and Motivational Speaker, JL Shash, presents an analysis of relationships and a self-help guide on how to obtain and maintain a successful relationship.

In ‘Ten Statements,’ Shash provides 10 statements to relationship success that involves a step-by-step process of understanding the meaning of relationships that involves identifying and explaining what love is, understanding and defining what one’s needs are, identifying and explaining what love isn’t, and finally learning what it means to love ourselves first before we can love another.

Shash provides a no-nonsense, practical, and logical approach on how we understand relationships. Shash points to the importance of romance, but identifies how romance can often overshadow the practical elements that go into finding and building a solid relationship. He debunks many myths about what our expectations are about relationships and clarifies the meaning of love and how it has been misconstrued, resulting in unrealistic expectations. The goal is to help people make informed decisions regarding their relationships.

Fundamental themes include: helping readers engage in self reflection about their expectations, how society puts pressure on us to marry, and the need to develop such attributes as self-love and self-esteem before we can have a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship. As Shash states, “We must know who we are and what we stand for.” His moral commentary at the end of each of the 10 statements puts each chapter into a unique philosophical perspective.

Shash’s book provides clarity in an often confusing topic. Well-written, with a number of witty anecdotes, ‘Ten Statements’ is highly recommended to those seeking a rational and better understanding of relationships.

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