DragonWing

Read this book and stop procrastinating

Revisado: 02-26-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's not enough to *read* this book of course. One has to actually utilize all of the advice given in order to break the habits that cause us to procrastinate. That's the thing made clear here - we procrastinate out of habit, really. Habits are learned, so habits can be unlearned and new, better habits learned to replace them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

One thing the author points out that I thought was important was that *some* procrastination is good - it all depends on what you do *while* you're procrastinating, if you're using this time as a way to "refresh your batteries" rather than actually procrastinate.

Which character – as performed by Christian Erickson – was your favorite?

I'm a procrastinator, which was okay until just recently when i needed to start using my time more productively. Over the course of 50 years I've ingrained quite a few procrastination habits - this book made clear to me how I can break those habits and what I need to replace them with.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from How to Stop Procrastination & Get More Done in Less Time!?

The narrator did a good job of keeping my interest - a good narrator is always important in audio books.

Any additional comments?

Time is precious. I regret all the time I've wasted in the last few years - strictly because I procrastinate. Wish I'd read this book a long time ago.

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A Must Read for those with Social Anxiety

Revisado: 02-06-17

If you could sum up Social Anxiety in three words, what would they be?

An excellent workbook for anyone who is afraid to get out into the world.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author goes through all types of social anxiety and how to overcome it with the power of the mind.

She points out that the dismissive "It's just in your head" phrase that those who do *not* suffer from social anxiety use to try to get us to just "magically" start acting "normally" is an awful and useless thing to say.

Although, as she points out throughout the rest of the book, it is *because* our minds/head is so powerful that we can overcome our social anxiety by implementing the advice and tips she gives us in this book - and Alison goes through every aspect of social anxiety - from work to going out with friends (if any! and how to deal and lesson the anxiety that results.

What does Rebekah Amber Clark bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Clark is an excellent narrator who keeps the narrative moving forward with her voice, keeping the listener's attention.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Many of the situations Alison discussed in this work resonated with me, as I've gone through them in my own life. Wish I'd found this book 10 years ago. Still...it's never too late.

Any additional comments?

Don't wait. Get this book today.

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Everyone can benefit from this book

Revisado: 10-21-16

If you could sum up How to Talk to Anyone in three words, what would they be?

If you watch a lot of romance Tv, even the classic Friends or other sitcoms of that nature (Big Bang Theory, anyone?), you'll find that most of the humor comes from one of the characters not being able to communicate with someone they're interested in because they're too shy, don't know what to say, etc. And we find this funny because we can relate to it in real life - the exact thing happens to everybody, but particularly people who lack social skills - in whose ranks I belong!

What did you like best about this story?

(Since this book isn't a story, I will review it for what it is, a non-fiction self-help book).

Alison spends the first chapter talking about the hazards of today's social media - people spend so much time texting each other, sending emails, etc. that it doesn't even occur to them to pick up a phone to call someone, or meet to talk face to face.

That's certainly me - I recognized myself with every word. It's easier to control the conversation when you can do it from behind a keyboard, which is where I feel safest.

Which character – as performed by Rachel Austin – was your favorite?

After examining the causes of social awkwardness, and the harm it can cause - people don't advance at work, avoid parties, etc. etc., the rest of the book provides exercises and tips in how to overcome social anxiety and learn how to communicate with others. TO some people it comes naturally, but it is a learned skill, as I was hoping and as this book made clear to me.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Practice, practice, practice. The only way to learn how to talk to people is to actually talk to them - putting yourself in comfortable situations (one on one's to start with) and just getting the experience you need.

Any additional comments?

I have definitely been held back in my career because I'm not really comfortable talking to people. I decided it was finally time to take matters into my own hands and do something about my social awkwardness and inability to even think of things to talk about with other people. This book helped me alot.

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Fantastic narrator, fun book

Revisado: 10-13-16

What did you love best about The Stately Home Murder?

There's an old cliche about actor's voices - that those with the best voices could read names from the phone book and still hold listeners entranced. For me, that's the case wth the reader of this book, Robin Bailey. His command of voices, his inflexions, his emotions, are all masterful.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Catherine Aird's plots don't really keep people on the edge of their seat. It's not a suspense book, it's a "cozy" mystery. The plot was intriguing and I loved the description of the "stately home" and the "armor." (Note that The Cold Steel is actually the same book with a different title, by the way.)

The book is leisurely paced, with Detective Sloan's thoughts carrying on in a strea-of-consciousness way, as with all Aird's books. They may be turned "slow" but I think they're fun.

Have you listened to any of Robin Bailey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I first saw Robin Bailey in Mystery's Charters and Caldicott 20 years ago. Over the past five or six years I've made a special point of collecting all of his audio performances. (Except Ruth Rendell. Even for the sake of hearing Bailey's voice, I don't care for Ruth Rendell). My favorite of the books he narrates is actually The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This is a mystery story, not a romance, so I'd have to say.... no.

Any additional comments?

If you're not sure what a fiction book on tape should sound like (as far as the narrator is concerned) - get any of Robin Bailey's narrations. (Yes, probably even the Ruth Rendell books). They'll set the standard for you.

As for Catherine Aird, I suppose I like the books as much as I do more because of Bailey's performance of them. in print, they are definitely "light" reading. The mysteries dont' seem to be fair play to me. But they are fun.

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Great for those who wish to improve their lives

Revisado: 10-13-16

If you could sum up Self-Esteem: Fast Proven Treatment for Recovery from Low Self-Esteem in three words, what would they be?

It's not possible to sum up this book in three words.

When I was looking for a book on self-esteem, I checked out the descriptions and table of contents of a few books on the subject, before opting for Self-Esteem by Jennifer Alison. The ToC revealed that the book had chapters on subjects that I particularly wanted to know about, in particular “putting a stop to bad habits forever,” as well as “You and your family: building healthy relationships with ease.”

Self-Esteem is divided into three parts. In part one, the author gives a background on self-esteem and how it manifests itself. I had always thought that it was obvious who had low self-esteem - shy, mousy people. But actually, as Alison points out, the reality is quite different.

“Often, people with low self-esteem are the exact opposite of what you might expect. They might be known for their intense need to be the best at everything they do. Being constantly active or busy, being bossy or regularly in positions of power, having issues with authority, and constantly seeking to appear as though everything in their life is perfect. All of these qualities are possible indications of people with low self-esteem. The need to over-compensate for one’s negative feelings about themselves can manifest in these positive-looking personality traits.”

I thought that was a pretty interesting observation and caused me to look at certain people in my life with new eyes.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part examines self-esteem and how it manifests itself. The second and third parts are where she goes into detail about how to overcome self-esteem issues, regardless of how this manifests itself – and it does so differently in different people - when dealing with family, friends, colleagues and even just people one passes on the street.

This book was well written and covered the subject very thoroughly. I had no questions when it was over, just a lot of notes of things I intended to implement in my own life.
The narrator is extremely important in a non-fiction book, since there is only one “voice,” rather than a cast of characters with different accents and different emotions that helps the listener get “into” the book. Too many non-fiction narrators sound monotone and droning. Narrator Heather Tuya did a good job in this respect. She spoke clearly and animatedly.
In summary, if you suffer from low self-esteem – and people with low self-esteem *do* suffer – and go through this book thoroughly, I think it will help you. I know it’s going to help me.

What other book might you compare Self-Esteem: Fast Proven Treatment for Recovery from Low Self-Esteem to and why?

This is the first book on improving one's self-esteem that I've read.

What about Heather Tuya’s performance did you like?

She spoke crisply and cleanly.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Self-Esteem: Fast Proven Treatment for Recovery from Low Self-Esteem?

There are too many to list. What I found most interesting, actually, was how low self esteem can manifest it in totally opposite ways - from being shy and retiring to actually being the life of the party (over-compensation and a need to feel loved). You'll never look at people the same way again.

Any additional comments?

I don't think improving one's self esteem will happen over night. But there are so many tools, exercises and advice here that I think if I work at it I will succeed.

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Not the best Paul Temple

Revisado: 04-04-11

There are 10 Paul Temple radio serials extant that starred Peter Coke and Marjorie Westbury (the 11th serial they made is missing, believed lost.) Westbury had also played Steve to Kim Peacock's Temple for several years - none of those recordings seem to exist.

This is the only serial that was 6 episodes long instead of 8, and thank goodness, because it's really not that good. It's atypical in other ways - Westbury must have had laryngitis throughout the recording because her voice is definitely hoarse. A few actors have scenes where either Paul or Steve aren't present - that wasn't normally done. In addition, the mystery just isn't that compelling.

But then, we don't listen to Paul Temple for the mysteries. They are invariably extremely complicated, with the same old puzzle pieces mixed and matched. We listen because of the chemistry between Coke and Westbury, the fun of the other actors - in particular those who essay - and fail - American accents, and of course for Simon Lack, who played in 10 of the 11 serials, as either the villain, a red herring, and on one occasion, the obligatory police officer.

In this serial, he plays film director Vince Langham.

If you're new to the Paul Temple series, this is not the one to start out with. (Might I suggest Paul Temple and the Alex Affair. Quintessential Paul Temple.) However, if you already like Paul Temple, you'll want to have this one in your collection.

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