One thing I love about having my own blog is the opportunities I’m given to out and give my opinions on new products. Whether they’re books, movies, toys for the kids or cosmetics (would love computers, iPods and other tech stuff, but we’ll work on that); having the opportunities to try these things out are awesome.

With that being said…

Welcome to my weekly post up of the Read-it Roundup! I happily accepted this book reviewing opportunity because we (my family and I) enjoy spending our “family-time” walking around the local book store, reading & sharing books we find and well, playing some soft tunes in the background at home while we sit back, relax, open a book and enjoy our quite time- together. So, on behalf of this new venture of mine; I will be posting a weekly “Read-it Roundup” post with information on books I’ve received along with a few of my views on the book. I hope you enjoy this post.

Without further a due:              

“So What?” 

 ISBN-13: 978-0-13-715826-3

 Business Communications

 $12.99 US/ $15.99 Canada

  BY: Mark Magnacca

  www.sowhatbook.com

SO WHAT? Is a simple “how-to” guide that will help you learn practical techniques, examples and exercises for selling, communicating and marketing your product(s). Mark Magnacca shows you how to answer the “So What?” questions, brilliantly-every time. It will definitely transform your ways of communicating in terms of business/life ethics, styles and skills.

About the Author: Mark Magnacca is president of Insight Development Group; a leading sales training, coaching and consulting company that helps sales and management teams become more effective. His clients have included EMC, Pacific Life, Pioneer Investments, Blue Cross Blue Shield and a wide range of executives and entrepreneurs around the world. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and on CNN, Fox, ABC News and MTV.

The Center Of The Universe: A Memoir

ISBN: 978-0-307-27090-0

 Biography

 $24.95 US/ $29.95 Canada

 BY: Nancy Bachrach

A truly compelling story that absolutely captured my heart and the hearts of others around me (yes, I shared). This memoir is one of the few I’ve ever read that would dominate the box office if it ever was turned into a motion picture. It was by far the most “grabbing” books I’ve read; a book you won’t want to put down for a second…

About the Author: Nancy Bachrach worked in advertising in New York and Paris glorifying her clients’ beloved denture adhesives and powdered orange-juice substitutes. Before that, she was, sequentially, a clumsy waitress at Howard Johnson’s, an overzealous customer-service rep fired for making genuine apologies, a stenographer for an insomniac poet, and a teaching assistant in the philosophy department at Brandeis University, where she was one chapter ahead of her class. She lives in New York City. This is her first book.

Smart But Feeling Dumb 

 ISBN 13: 978-0-615-15276-9

  Guide/ medical

   $24.95 US

   BY: Harold Levinson

Having a dear friend who is the parent to a child with the diagnosis of being dyslexic and having ADD; it was a truly compelling read. It is an amazing source of valuable information and arms you with the tools to comprehend some of the more difficult things to understand when it comes to this disorder. I highly recommend this book to anyone who may parent a child with this disorder, is a friend/family of, or personally copes with it themselves.

About the Author: Dr. Harold Levinson, Author of SMART BUT FEELING DUMB (Stonebridge Publishing), uses the term ‘dyslexia’ to describe not just the sever reading disorder we are familiar with-but rather; an overall condition or ‘syndrome’ that encompasses hundreds of diverse symptoms – all resulting from a signal-scrambling impairment within the inner-ear and its supercomputer, the cerebellum – the lower fine-tuning portion of the brain which controls movement and enables you to sense where you are.                            

The PeTA Practical Guide to Animal Rights

ISBN-13: 978-0-312-55994-6

Guide

$18.95 US/ $23.95 Canada

BY: Ingrid Newkirk/ Foreword by Bill Maher

As the title states; this book is an evasive, practical guide to Animal Rights. You’ll learn hundreds of simple ways to stop thoughtless cruelty. Included are topics, tips and resources that will help you connect to a whole community of others who share the same ideas. It’s a compelling resource guide for those that would like to follow PeTA’s beliefs. FYI: have an opened mind when opening this book.

About the Author: Ingrid Newkirk is founder and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The largest animal rights organizations in the world. Her campaigns to save animal lives have made the front pages of The Washington Post, The New Yorker, People Magazine and other national periodicals. She has appeared on many national television shows including The Today Show, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Nightline and 20/20; among others, she is also the subject of the HBO special I Am an Animal.

How to Instantly Connect with Anyone

ISBN: 978-0-07-154585-3

 $16.95 USA

 HOW-TO GUIDE

 BY: Leil Lowndes

How to Instantly Connect with Anyone is a wonderfully detailed book on “how-to” connect with others through business and everyday life. It’s funny, truthful, amusing and well worth the time to read it. The book is loaded with details, situations and illustrations on common situations people face, but with 96 all-new little tricks for big success. If you’re looking to better your connection in relationships, friendships, etc…this is the book you’re looking for; so, take a deep breath, feel calm and relaxed and read!

About the Author: Leil Lowndes is one of today’s most sought-after communications speakers and consultants through her company, Applause, Inc. She is the author of international bestselling books, including “How to Make Anyone Fall in Love With You” and “How to Be a People Magnet.” Her books have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Lowndes has been featured on every major network, and is regularly interviewed by outlets ranging from Men’s Health and Match.com to Glamour and Cosmopolitan.

For more information; please visit Leil Lowndes’ website at www.lowndes.com

There’s More To Life Than The corner Office {The Secret to Total Life Prosperity} –

 ISBN: 978-0-07-160930-2

  Business/How-To

  $17.95 US

   BY: Lamar Smith & Tammy Kling

Once you open this book; you’ll be hooked. It’s one that will make you think and re-analyze your priorities; it’s a how-to guide for personal gain; one that, with the right information and help through fable, can lead to more happiness and success. I enjoyed this book. It was totally inspirational and motivational.

About the Author: Lamar Smith is a first generation college graduate who was a successful entrepreneur as he put himself through school. After college he entered the Air Force where he was a highly-decorated attack pilot who flew 114 combat missions. For 15 years he was the CEO of First Command Financial Services, a retail brokerage firm with more than 300,000 clients and he is currently the chairman of a non-profit organization and director of Torchmark, Inc. He and his family reside in Texas.

Solemate {Master The Art of Aloneness & Transform Your Life}

 ISBN 078-1-4019-2143-9

Guide/ How-To

US $24.95/ $30.95 Canada

BY: Lauren Mackler

I would have to say that this book falls high on the scale of Must-reads. It has the most intriguing information about how to enhance your relationship with yourself. Reading it will remind you and teach you about loving yourself, accepting yourself and loving yourself; which is the key to happiness. Solemate will captivate you; it will excite you and motivate you to realize your self-worth. It’s a true devotional for every person; young or old.

About the Author: Mackler is a fellow author of “speaking of Success” with Jack Canfield, Stephen Covey, and Ken Blanchard. She is the host of the weekly Life Keys radio show on www.hayhouseradio.com, a popular radio and TV talk-show guest, and a sought-after keynote speaker in the U.S. and Europe. In 2001 she founded the coaching and consulting firm Lauren Mackler & Associates.

For more information; please visit Lauren’s website at www.laurenmackler.com

How NASA builds Teams {Mission critical soft skills for scientists, engineers, and project teams}

ISBN 978-0-470-45648-4

 $39.95 US

 Business/ How-To

BY: Dr. Charles J. Pellerin

A very interesting book dedicated to enhancing leadership effectiveness and team performance; you don’t even have to be a NASA “Team Member” to enjoy the benefits of the teachings in this book. The techniques you read in this book will help you prepare for team work, enhance your skills and improve your talents. It’s a book worth reading, especially if you own a business that involves team work to get the jobs done. In a funny “ha-ha” way, after reading this book; I could use this information to help my family become not-so dysfunctional…Team work-that’s what it’s all about, but in all seriousness, this book is a great asset to any business (small and large).

About the Author: Charles J. Pellerin was NASA’s Director of Astrophysics where he oversaw $750 million in contracts per year, launched a dozen satellites, and formed the team that successfully repaired the Hubble Space Telescope. He is the recipient of two NASA “Outstanding Leadership Medals,” NASA’s highest honor, the “Distinguished Service Medal,” and the American Astronautical Society’s’ highest honor, the “Space Flight Award.” He also served as a professor at the University of Colorado, where he taught the highly-popular course Twenty-First Century Leadership to undergraduates, MBA’s and executives…and he is the founder and president of 4-D Systems based in Boulder, Colorado.

And there you have it; these are the books that I was so graciously gifted with this past week. I enjoyed every one of the books and am eager to take on the task of reviewing more in the weeks and months to come.

Take care and we’ll see you at the next “Read-it Roundup”!!!