Blog Archives
Kissed the Girls
Anthony Silman’s Kissed the Girls dives deep into the sleek, poisonous world of power, privilege, and corruption. The novel weaves several storylines together, a pair of ruthless lawyers, a naïve designer lured into a predator’s den, a celebrity couple undone by scandal, and a grifter who thrives in the cracks of bureaucracy. The book opens with a cry of outrage from the press against a man “beyond the law,” setting the tone for what follows: a series of interconnected tales where greed, lust, and moral rot fester beneath elegant façades. It’s satire, thriller, and social commentary rolled into one.
Reading it, I found myself both fascinated and uneasy. Silman’s writing is crisp and confident, filled with sharp dialogue that makes his characters sound alive, even when you wish they weren’t. Inigo and Archie, the slick lawyers who bend law and ethics like soft metal, are drawn with wit and venom. Suzanne Pickwick’s story hit harder for me. Her innocence, her polite compliance, the quiet horror of what she endures, it all builds slowly until you’re holding your breath. I could almost feel the weight of the room she’s in, the polished menace of the people around her. There’s anger beneath the words too, a fury aimed at the smug invulnerability of men like Omar, and it bleeds through in the best way.
At times, the story feels like a moral fable hiding behind a crime drama. Silman’s world is full of people who think they can buy decency, and for a while, they almost do. But there’s a pulse of resistance running through the book. Suzanne’s defiance, the small flickers of conscience from unexpected places, they make the darkness sharper. The style isn’t smooth or sterile. It stings, it laughs at itself, it jumps from the wickedly funny to the deeply grim. That volatility made me enjoy it more. I felt irritated, amused, disgusted, and even oddly hopeful, often within a few pages.
In the end, Kissed the Girls left me rattled but satisfied. It’s not a pretty story, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s clever and brutal, and it doesn’t let you stand comfortably on the sidelines. I’d recommend it to readers who like their fiction bold, cynical, and grounded in the uncomfortable truths of modern power. If you enjoy stories that peel back the glossy surface of success to show the greed and cruelty underneath, this one’s for you.
Pages: 408 | ASIN : B0FHQFRBGN
The Unexpected CEO: My Journey from Gas Station Cashier to Billion-Dollar CEO
When I first opened The Unexpected CEO, I thought I’d be reading another standard success story, but it turned out to be much more. Shirin Behzadi takes us from her childhood in Iran, through the revolution, exile, and survival in a new country, all the way to her rise as the CEO of a billion-dollar company. It is part memoir, part leadership guide, and part testament to resilience. The book moves from deeply personal family stories to the cold realities of business, weaving them together in a way that shows how character and conviction are built over a lifetime of trials.
The writing surprised me. It isn’t polished in the glossy, distant way you sometimes see in business memoirs. It feels raw, often intimate, as if she is telling you the story over a late-night coffee after years of holding it in. Some chapters hit hard, especially when she recounts her experiences during the revolution and the losses that came with it. Others feel like a quiet conversation about values, leadership, and how to carry empathy into places where profit usually reigns supreme. I found myself moved, sometimes even shaken, by how open she was about trauma and recovery. The sections on illness and learning to walk again made me pause, close the book, and just sit with my own thoughts.
Some sections gon on longer than I expected, while others fly past events that I wanted more detail on. Life is messy, and she doesn’t try to iron out the wrinkles for the sake of a neat story. Her ideas about leadership resonated strongly with me. She refuses the cutthroat style so often celebrated in business, insisting instead that culture, trust, and compassion drive success. I believed her because she lived it, not because she wrapped it in fancy management speak. It’s rare to read a business book that makes you tear up, and yet this one managed that more than once.
I walked away feeling inspired. This is not a fairy tale of overnight success. It is a story of grit, survival, and the slow shaping of a person who carried her scars into the boardroom and refused to let them harden her heart. I would recommend The Unexpected CEO to anyone who has faced adversity, to entrepreneurs who think they have to choose between kindness and profit, and to readers who want to be reminded that success is possible without losing your humanity.
Pages: 320 | ASIN : B0DVD24YV7
The Black Wall Streets of America: Towards a Black Stock Exchange
This book takes the reader on a journey through the history of thriving Black business districts across the United States, from the Greenwood District in Tulsa to Sweet Auburn in Atlanta and Bronzeville in Chicago. Author Woody Clermont recounts their origins, their rise, and the deliberate forces that brought them down, whether through racial violence, redlining, or highway construction. Beyond its historical context, the book pivots toward the future. It lays out a detailed framework for rebuilding economic power, including the call for a Black stock exchange, the use of AI for empowerment, and policies to ensure wealth creation that can last. It is both a historical record and a forward-looking manual, blending storytelling with strategy.
I found myself deeply moved while reading. The writing has a clear rhythm, direct and unpretentious, almost like a conversation with someone who refuses to give up hope. The stories of Tulsa, Rosewood, Overtown, and Hayti broke my heart. These communities built so much from so little, only to see it wiped away. I could feel the injustice in my chest, but I also felt admiration for the resilience. Clermont’s framing of each city through metrics like business density, land ownership, and cultural vitality made the past feel real and measurable. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was proof that prosperity was built, and proof that it can be built again.
The vision of a Black stock exchange is bold and inspiring. I caught myself wondering how much of this could really be implemented, given the political and financial climate of today. Still, the conviction in Clermont’s words carried me through those doubts. The chapters on AI as a leveling tool stood out. They challenged me to stop seeing technology as something distant or threatening, and to instead think of it as a weapon for independence. That shift in tone, from history to possibility, was what kept me turning the pages with real excitement.
I would recommend this book to anyone who cares about history, justice, and the power of ownership. It’s not just for economists or scholars. It’s for community leaders, young entrepreneurs, and even everyday readers who want to understand the depth of what was lost and the potential for what could be regained. If you’ve ever wondered how to make lasting change, this book offers both the reasons and the roadmap.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0FPB4HKHR
Understanding Economics
Why You Should Give a Damn About Economics a passionate and plainspoken call to action aimed squarely at the average American voter to help them understand how government spending and economic principles shape their daily lives. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Most citizens have not had basic economics, and it is important for them to understand that in order to understand the economic policies we are following and the dangers we face. So, part II delved into the key issues and severe problems that most people do not think about. We must get there attention and hope they will recognize the serious nature of our economic problems, AND let their elected representatives know they want it fixed.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Basic economics first, both micro and macro in an easy-to-understand condensed version but covering all the major topics. Then introduce the problems in a way that they can relate to and understand. I try to get across how serious the problems are and what we can do about them.
What is one thing about economics in politics and its impact on the average American that you think is misrepresented in the media?
The bias is widespread, and it leans left in almost all cases. I want them to understand good economic policies beget good results, and our out-of-control spending to buy votes, is killing this country. Limited Government + fiscal restraint + reasonable regulations will get us back to growth and prosperity, as we used to have it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Why You Should Give a Damn About Economics?
Our spending is out of control and the deficits will eventually destroy this country for our kids and grandkids. Our debts today are around $37 trillion and moving in 10 years to nearly $70 trillion if we stay on our current course. That will destroy us. But the politicians are focused on the next election, not the next generation, so they do anything to get elected, and if we are uninformed about the consequences, we will keep supporting them as they buy our votes with endless give-a-ways.
America is facing a fiscal crisis. The accumulating national debt now reaches into the tens of trillions—and shows no end in sight. Meanwhile, our leaders in Washington have done little to mitigate this threat. In Why You Should Give a Damn About Economics, business executive and former CPA Leslie A. Rubin explains why this pressing issue matters to every American.
In simple, straightforward language, Rubin explains how national economics affects our daily lives. He aptly outlines the basics of US economic policy, the crisis we face today—and both the pitfalls and benefits of proposed solutions. A concise but comprehensive handbook, Why You Should Give a Damn About Economics provides the tools we need to disarm the debt bomb before it’s too late.
Why You Should Give a Damn About Economics: The US Debt Crisis and Your Future
After reading Why You Should Give a Damn About Economics by Leslie A. Rubin, I found it to be a passionate and plainspoken call to action aimed squarely at the average American voter. The book is split into two parts. The first explains foundational economics concepts like supply and demand, fiscal and monetary policy, and different types of economic systems, all in accessible terms. The second half focuses on the United States’ growing national debt, the dangers of inflation, entitlement programs, and governmental inefficiencies. Rubin argues that an uninformed electorate is a key reason behind poor economic policy, and he believes that basic economic literacy is the only way to correct our course.
Rubin is not an academic economist, and that turns out to be one of the book’s strengths. He writes like a concerned citizen, not like someone trying to prove his intellect. The tone is direct and sometimes emotional. There are moments when the fear of economic collapse feels almost like a doomsday warning, but Rubin keeps it grounded with historical context and real-world examples. He even manages to inject humor through little sidebars and “KISSEs” (Keep It Simple, Stupid Examples), which made me smile more than once.
Rubin clearly emphasizes concerns about government overreach, and he makes an effort to stay nonpartisan. His perspective brings a clear and focused argument, though readers from different viewpoints might see things differently. His tone throughout carries a strong sense of urgency, especially when discussing the national debt and entitlement spending. At times, it feels intense, but it comes from a place of concern and care for the country’s future. His passion is clear, and his message is meant to prompt action.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who feels left out of economic conversations or overwhelmed by jargon-filled debates on fiscal policy. It’s especially helpful for young adults, new voters, or anyone who wants to understand how government spending and economic principles shape their daily lives. If you’re someone who’s been tuning out because economics sounds boring or too complicated, this book might change your mind.
Pages: 202 | ASIN : B0CY2W2J6H
17 RUNS: The Unbeaten Path to Unlock Life’s True Potential
17 Runs is part memoir, part self-help, and completely heartfelt. It follows the story of Olivia Chadwick and her evolving friendship with Garnet Morris, a former client turned mentor, as they literally and metaphorically run through the challenges and transformations that shaped their lives. Each “run” serves as a launchpad for a deeper exploration into topics like self-worth, resilience, and breaking cycles of trauma. Structured around their weekly training sessions, the book combines vulnerable storytelling with reflection exercises, making it both deeply personal and broadly applicable.
What really struck me was how raw and real the writing is. There’s nothing polished for the sake of image here. Olivia opens up about the belief systems she inherited, ideas like not deserving success or needing to earn love through self-sacrifice. Garnet shares how he reframed these inherited limitations as “bricks” to be removed one by one. It made me think about my own mental roadblocks, the things I assumed were just “how it is.” Their honesty made me trust them, and in a genre full of empty platitudes, that’s rare.
Another thing I really appreciated: the way this book blends life stories with actionable advice without feeling preachy. When Garnet talks about breaking his smoking habit and reshaping his life after a wake-up call in a Toronto airport, it’s not just inspiring, it’s practical. He doesn’t just say “change your life,” he walks you through how he did it, and the steps are small, human, doable. The idea of celebrating tiny wins and not waiting for some big moment to make changes? That stayed with me.
The emotional depth of this book is profound. Both Olivia and Garnet recount experiences of trauma, ranging from childhood abuse and eating disorders to the devastating loss of siblings, with a level of care and intention that avoids sensationalism entirely. Their storytelling is grounded in reflection, not dramatization, making it both powerful and respectful. The chapter on “Chosen Family” is particularly affecting. It offers a poignant meditation on the idea that family is not solely defined by biology, but by the people who support our growth and stand by us during life’s most difficult moments. It’s a deeply moving section that lingers long after reading.
By the end of 17 Runs, I felt like I’d gone through something with them. This isn’t just a read, it’s an experience. And I’d recommend it to anyone who feels stuck, tired of the same internal monologue, or like they’ve been living someone else’s version of their life. This is the perfect read for those who enjoy memoirs; it’s real, it’s gentle, and it’s hopeful.
Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0F6WYNND5
Confessions of a Section 8 Landlord
In Confessions of a Section 8 Landlord, Sara Aviles, a young and ambitious entrepreneur, articulates the gritty realities of achieving financial independence via real estate. Despite her initial lack of experience, Aviles illustrates a trajectory marked by determination and tenacity, grappling with managing a 12-unit apartment complex in the face of multifaceted challenges, including plumbing issues, electrical faults, and potential legal predicaments. Alongside her husband, Aviles confronted these issues head-on, improving both the infrastructure and the tenant experience in the building.
The text is far from a catalog of hardships; instead, Aviles’s account is imbued with captivating, engaging, and educational narratives. Particularly noteworthy are the episodes involving Eileen, the live-in caretaker, that underscore the richness and complexity of life within an apartment complex. Confessions of a Section 8 Landlord offers a vivid tableau of tenant experiences, the implications of decision-making on a macro and micro level, and an education in problem resolution.
Despite the book not being a formal guide to property management, the wealth of practical knowledge Aviles delivers makes it an invaluable resource. The narratives woven throughout the book provide unparalleled insight into the landlord experience and the myriad challenges tenants can face. Aviles’s journey attests to the truth that the road to success is often paved with significant effort, creative problem-solving, and an investment of time.
Rather than simply highlighting success and positivity, Confessions of a Section 8 Landlord is a refreshing exploration of real estate’s human side, emphasizing collaborative relationships. This unvarnished look at the world of real estate renders the book an essential read for those aspiring to enter the field, offering a realistic perspective on the rewards and demands of the profession. Aviles has penned a book of substantial value to anyone interested in real estate.
Pages: 84 | ASIN : B0C5PG17XF
Secrets of a Sales Pro
Secrets of a Sales Pro: How to Achieve Wealth, Power, and Happiness is a relatively short book but direct and clear-cut. The author shares a mountain of wisdom on thriving in your enterprises. Author Stephen Serrao is particular about how one can become the best in their field. I like how balanced the book is as Stephen Serrao does not just focus on the business aspect of things but also touches on social skills, building a career, and improving human relations. His words are simple yet carry much weight. I laud him for talking about his experiences and writing about the things that shaped him and the lessons he has learned over the years.
As a reader, you enjoy following the author’s journey from the beginning. The author introduces the reader to his content by highlighting the topics to be covered. After presenting the topics, he delves into deep discussions. The author’s tone alone will give you, as a reader, a positive outlook. I appreciate how assuring he is throughout the book and how cheerful the author is about life. Even with optimism, the author does not ignore the negative realities of life. He addresses positive and negative areas and gives the reader a complete understanding of business and other things complexities.
Stephen Serrao does not just show you how to run a business. He gives you tips on how to attract more customers and make profits. I like how technical the author gets when he discusses the various techniques of pulling customers. The beauty of Secrets of a Sales Pro is how brief and direct the author gets with every topic. Each paragraph in the book carries the key points, and every sentence is simple for readers of all levels to understand. The author also introduces readers to new concepts that many have not explored in the entrepreneur world. Stephen Serrao addresses every situation individually and gives a general method to handle things.
The chapters in the book are well researched, and the author uses data that has been verified. I love that Serrao can get to be casual and then change to a serious tone depending on the subject being discussed. He shares techniques that have worked not only for him but for others as well. For example, the author writes about how you can stand out in building a brand. The insights on marketing, making connections, and branding were fitting. I appreciate the author for being authentic in his writing and for being open when talking about his life.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0791LSN5B
LITERARY TITAN 