Author: Biz India

Author: Sarah Brokaw Publisher: Hyperion – Voice – 270 pages Book Review by: Laxmi Chaandi The author – Sarah Brokaw – with a master’s degree in social work fromNew YorkUniversityis a licensed therapist with a practice inBeverly Hills,California, offers women advice on many of the common issues they face. She is the daughter of legendary newsman and author Tom Brokaw. Some of those issues women face have to do with: being conflicted by the plastic surgery question, changing careers, dating in your 40s,  dealing with the loss of a family member or friend,  finding work-life balance, health concerns, infidelity, infertility, maintaining sexual vitality and reigniting the flame with your spouse. She answers questions such as why some women feel comfortable turning 40 while others become overwhelmed by the life challenges inherent in entering he fifth  decade. She explains why do some women celebrate their achievements while others mope on what they have not accomplished what their former classmates have. As a certified professional coach she helps women typically aged 35 to 55. She has found that the happiest ones are those with five qualities: accomplishment, adventure, connectedness, grace, and spirituality. The reason why women feel overwhelmed, Sarah Brokaw pints out, is because society expects them to be what I would “superwomen,” being able to be successful in their careers as well as be beautiful and dutiful  wives, moms, and...

Author: John J. Tassone: A Practical Guide to Success for Everyone Publisher: Cypress House. 163 pages This is a compact work of inspiration and guidance for those who want to “make it” in life and perhaps, make it big. The book cover shows a little ant carrying an outsized leaf. This demonstrates a “can-do” attitude. Unfortunately most people do not dream big. So they do not reach high levels of success. The causes of not achieving big success are many but based on several books I have read on the subject of success, I believe it has to do with self-image, self-worth and a desire to help others. John J. Tassone started making money early in life, doing jobs such as having a newspaper route, shining shoes and delivering meat. In his later years he went into teaching. He got into insurance sales and for much of his working life, he sold insurance, eventually setting up his own company in this field. Early experiences shape a person’s later life, even to a point that the jobs they do or the activities they engage in have a greater influence than formal education or getting a degree in a particular field. I know some successful entrepreneurs who have become millionaires, even though they have degrees in engineering, law and even medicine. Tassone’s definition of success is different from the images we...

Author: Graduate Management Admission Council Publisher: McGraw-Hill – 840 pages Book Review by:  Paiso Jamakar This is a huge book of 840 large-size pages but almost all of its content consists of sample questions, and answers or solutions to math problems. This preparatory guide to the Graduate Management Admission Test which is reportedly taken yearly by 200,000 people in the United States and more than 1.25 million people worldwide contains more than 800 actual test questions and their answers taken from past tests. It contains a diagnostic section that helps you determine in which of the various you are weak and therefore you where you need to spend your time and energies. The book also has insights that help you get rid of misconceptions you may have and throw out fears about the exam that you may have developed. It is advised that you get first get a birds’ eye view of the 10 sections this guide contains, as well as the subheadings of each section so get a clear view and decide which pages to study and review on. Before jumping into particular sections that contain the test questions and answers (sections 4 through 10) it makes sense to prepare yourself adequately by going through the first three sections, namely What is the GMAT, How to Prepare and the Diagnostic Test. You probably are wondering: why take the...

Author: Susan O’Brien Publisher: Da Capo Press-Lifelong Books – 226  pages Book Review by:  Laxmi Chaandi Veganism is the avoidance of animal products such as meat and seafood as well as animal by-products such as honey, milk, butter, cheese and other dairy foods. Gluten is a protein from wheat, barley and rye. Gluten-free foods are those that do not contain this protein. Gluten-free vegan meals therefore do not contain meat and seafood and the items mentioned above. And what are comfort foods? They’re foods that make you feel good and satisfy your hunger quite well. You’d think that with all these exceptions and qualifications, there would not be much left to eat. But this is because the typical American diet contains mainly meat, seafood, and a lot of items made from barley, rye and wheat. You will be surprised to know that there is an immense variety of foods waiting to be discovered by you. Susan O’Brien, who previously wrote The Gluten-Free Vegan, offers a large variety of comfort foods you can make to satisfy yourself, family and friends. Besides family classics like Vegetable Potpie and Eggplant Parmesan, she offers new ones like My Favorite Lasagna and Barbara’s Special Marinated Tempeh. She has organized her book into 10 chapters, offering breakfast ideas, snacks and party items, favorite dishes loved by kids, “All-American” and familiar side dishes, thick, filling soups...