Blog Archives
The Magic of Imperfection
The Magic of Imperfection surprised me with how quickly it got to the heart of its message. Author Jason McLennan argues that most great work reaches a sweet spot long before perfection. He calls this the ¾ baked moment, the point where an idea is clear enough to stand yet rough enough to grow. He shows how this mindset speeds up creativity, opens the door to real innovation, and breaks the grip of fear and overthinking. Using stories from architecture, mentorship, cooking, leadership, and even childhood, he makes the case that embracing imperfection helps people make more progress, take smarter risks, and actually enjoy their work.
Reading this book, I found myself nodding, smiling, and sometimes groaning because the truth hit a little too close. McLennan’s tone is warm and grounded, and he mixes personal stories with quick lessons that feel almost like friendly nudges. I liked how he ties big ideas to everyday moments, like pulling cookies out of the oven before they look done or watching asparagus cook just a little too long. These simple images stuck with me more than some productivity books stuffed with charts or buzzwords. Sometimes the message was repeated, but I didn’t really mind because each angle gave it a fresh spark.
I especially loved the honesty around failure. His stories about projects that collapsed, ideas that bombed, and designs that broke apart mid-demonstration made the book feel relatable. And his point about people who cling too tightly to perfection really landed with me. I’ve watched talented friends freeze themselves in place, and I’ve done it too. The way he talks about letting the universe finish what you start made me laugh at myself a little. The writing isn’t fancy. It’s straightforward and warm. Sometimes it feels like someone thinking out loud. I liked that looseness because it matched the whole philosophy.
Anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to put their work out into the world would get a lot from The Magic of Imperfection. It’s great for creatives, leaders, students, and anyone who carries too much pressure on their back. If you enjoy books that teach through stories instead of strict rules, this one will fit you well.
Pages: 192 | ASIN : B0FGPLMPKG
Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be
Stephen Rue’s Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be is a powerful self-development guide that blends memoir, psychology, and motivation into one steady climb toward self-discovery. The book unfolds in three parts, Exploration, Implementation, and Integration, walking readers from personal reflection to purposeful action. Rue doesn’t just talk theory. He builds each idea from his life: the trauma of losing his stepfather, the pain of abandonment, the struggle of self-worth, and his long road to forgiveness. His “Must Mindset” is the core concept, the inner conviction that becoming your best self isn’t optional; it’s necessary. Rue mixes practical strategies with deeply human storytelling, making his lessons feel lived-in and real.
I admired how Rue handled pain without drama. His voice is calm and steady, but it carries weight. I found myself pausing often, thinking about my own limiting beliefs. The simplicity of his writing keeps the ideas grounded. He pulls in research from thinkers like Carol Dweck and Brené Brown but never lets it turn academic. I liked how he invites you to ask questions about your life, right there on the page, as if you’re part of a workshop. At times, the reflection prompts felt heavy, but in a good way; they make you stop scrolling through your day and actually think.
Emotionally, the book hit me hardest when Rue described forgiving his father. That scene, holding his father’s ashes and realizing he could no longer be angry, stuck with me. It’s rare to see that level of vulnerability in a self-help book. Rue’s writing sometimes drifts toward the inspirational-speech style, but it’s balanced by sincerity. I didn’t feel like he was selling me motivation; he was sharing hard-earned peace. The pacing allowed me to sit with his thoughts instead of rushing to the next “tip.”
Must isn’t just about becoming successful; it’s about becoming whole. I’d recommend this book to anyone standing at a crossroads, especially those who’ve felt broken or stuck for too long. It’s for people who want practical tools but also crave meaning behind them. If you’re willing to be honest with yourself and do the work, Rue’s words will meet you where you are and nudge you toward who you could be.
Pages: 564 | ASIN : B0FN993723
Get Your Mind Right
Kenneth Wyche’s Get Your Mind Right is part life manual, part personal manifesto, and part spiritual pep talk. It’s a deep-dive into mindset, self-worth, manifestation, and personal growth, told with the energy of someone who’s lived through hard lessons and came out the other side with clarity and purpose. Structured in 31 chapters, it mixes practical advice with spiritual insight, touching on everything from privilege to resilience, from frustration to faith. Wyche’s central message is this: your mind is the driver of your reality—so get it in gear.
Wyche writes with the conviction of someone who’s both been broken and rebuilt himself with intention. He’s not afraid to say things like, “Life wants to happen for you not to you,” or that pain “isn’t meant to be solved, it’s meant to be endured.” That’s raw, but it’s real. There’s a rhythm to his writing that feels almost sermonic, like spoken word—very fluid, very now. It might not be polished in the classic literary sense, but that’s part of the charm. It feels like a conversation with your wise, slightly intense older brother who’s done the work and just wants you to level up too.
What stood out the most was how Wyche links personal evolution to mindset shifts, particularly in the chapters on manifestation and belief. His breakdown of “The Law of Attraction” and “The Law of Vibration” is surprisingly accessible—none of the overcomplicated spiritual fluff that often clouds those concepts. He’s upfront about his own struggles during the pandemic and how he turned his life around not by magic but by changing his thoughts and actions. The story about going from jobless to focused because of a mental shift was the kind of gritty honesty I appreciate.
Wyche has this tendency to go philosophical for stretches—like in Chapter 6 where he dives into the origins of privilege, hierarchy, and human development. It’s smart, for sure, but these moments made me pause and wonder if the average reader would stay with him through those detours. Still, there’s real value in those explorations—especially when he links them back to the self. His reminder that “you don’t need to work harder; you need to relocate” was a standout—practical and profound. It’s a reminder that sometimes the grind isn’t broken—it’s just misaligned.
Chapter 29, The Value in Adding Value, really struck a chord with me. Wyche flips the usual success narrative by asking not what you can get, but what you can give—and how that giving defines your worth. He challenges you to think deeply about your personal ROI not just in money but in energy, purpose, and impact.
Get Your Mind Right is a mindset in book form. Wyche doesn’t just preach improvement; he outlines how to live with intention, even when life’s messy, painful, and unfair. It’s not a soft read—it asks things of you. It’s for people who are tired of surface-level inspiration and are ready to actually do the work. If you’re in a life rut, if you’re trying to build your confidence, or if you’ve got big dreams and no roadmap, this is for you.
Pages: 163 | ASIN : B0D9WT95PG
Realizing Our Dreams
Sally Mitts and the Land of Imagination follows a curious cat who steps through a magical door into a world where creativity knows no bounds, embarking on an adventurous journey to restore the joy of imagination. What inspired you to create a character like Sally, a curious cat?
Sally’s a real persona to me. She isn’t a superhero, she’s vulnerable but she finds the courage to explore and grow in her stories. In her first book, she faces tough circumstances in a shelter and follows her instincts to choose a kind man for her new family.
In this second book, Sally Mitts And The Land Of Imagination, she discovers how powerful her creativity is when she embraces it and learns to believe in herself. Her potential for real friendships, aspiring, and healing all bloom when she enters the Land Of Imagination, where you can be whatever you imagine. And so can everybody else – sometimes hilariously. But that’s part of the joy of it.
The theme of imagination plays a central role in the story. What message do you hope young readers take away about the power of creativity?
I believe that a healthy imagination is essential to our well-being. It’s the path to realizing our dreams and desires. But this priceless gift is too often repressed as we “grow up.” Something invaluable is lost, without which our capacity for hope and beauty withers. Where there was life and color, there is only sterility and fitting into the status quo.
I hope Sally Mitts And The Land Of Imagination encourages young readers to treasure their unique creativity and facilitates a life-long love affair with their capacity to imagine. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Can you share more about the process behind the hand-drawn illustrations and how they complement the narrative?
I draw by hand because it allows me the greatest ability to capture the emotional content of my stories. Although time-consuming, I find this way I can best express the story’s nuances – from my heart to the readers.
When and where will the book be available?
Sally And The Land Of Imagination is available for half-price with pre-order on Amazon. It will be published on October 26th on Amazon and Ingram Spark. Audiobooks will be available on Audible and Find-A-Voice.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Amazon
It all begins on an ordinary day when Sally spies a pair of shoes walking – without any feet! Curious, she follows them to a mysterious red door with the word Imagination etched above it. Beyond its threshold, Sally discovers a fantastical world of creatures living out their dreams:
A tender-hearted rabbit who loves long blingy gowns and singing opera. A shirty mole who believes he’s too smart to bear other’s company. A snail who floats through the stars and the joyful dancing Gollyphants who make the Rainbow Lake’s waves shake. And threatening them all; the hungry fog monster who steals hopes and dreams.
Full of wonderfully odd characters and unexpected twists and turns, this enchanting tale is a must-have for every child’s library.
Winner of The Golden Wizard Book Prize in Children’s Literature and The Literary Titan Book Award.
How Do Children Play
The Adventures of Molly & Ollie: Golfing Around follows a young girl who has no one to play with, so she uses her imagination and toys to create a miniature golf course. What inspired you to write this story?
There is a small neighborhood park across the street from my home. It has a paved treeline oval path with a grassy field in the center. On any given non-school day, it is bustling with children playing. However, when walking the path during Covid lockdown, the park was eerily quiet. I knew the children were all home in their separate houses. So I wondered, how do children play when no one else is around? That was the inspiration for Golfing Around.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
When I wrote this story, I wanted a tale that could show kids that their imagination and creativity are magic and can turn any day into a very fun day. I also wanted to make the game inclusive, highlighting each animal’s strengths and ensuring everyone could join in.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I loved the scene of when Molly, Ollie, and the animals first met Lilly Frog, who liked playing LeapFrog. The imagery of Harry Hippo trying to leap made me laugh!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am currently working on The Adventures of Molly & Ollie: Playing Ball, which will follow Molly’s efforts to join a football game. I’m working to have it ready next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Don’t miss the first book in the Molly & Ollie series, Moving Day, where Molly and Ollie first meet and become fast friends. And be on the lookout for their next adventure in book three, coming soon!
Everyone Has a Story
Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders is a structured exploration of storytelling; sharing with readers how this approach can make them better leaders and show them how to communicate impactful messages to their audiences. What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always loved stories. I was sent down the rabbit hole of learning about storytelling when I was guided through telling a silly story about a bad tattoo on a massive financial podcast, just because the host thought it was funny. The way he interviewed me about the story made it sound far more valuable and insightful than I ever noticed before.
I launched my company in 2022 to help teach people how to be great podcast guests to grow their brands. I’d focus on crafting their stories in a way that connects with an audience while positioning them as experts.
What I heard from so many of the people I spoke to was that they didn’t have a story, or their story was not worth telling. I remembered thinking that this stupid tattoo story wasn’t worth telling either, and yet learning how to tell it the right way changed my life. So, I wrote the book to help others discover the same impact in their own stories and realize they’re worth telling, too.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The obvious one is that everyone has a story, but the chapters that really stand out to me are the ones on imposter syndrome and expertise.
I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome my entire career and I know basically everyone else has, too. I wanted to share my experiences with imposter syndrome so that others in the same position could see that they’re not alone and maybe start to give themselves a little grace.
The chapter on expertise was also important to me because it was almost like I was writing it as a letter to myself. Going back to imposter syndrome, it was hard to convince myself to write a book because “at 28, how can I possibly think I’m an expert in anything?” Reframing expertise into something far more accessible was something that I needed to do for myself to get past the roadblock. Hopefully, someone reading it will have a similar reaction.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
There will always be another room. Especially when I worked in finance, I spent a lot of time in rooms that made me feel like I had to be something other than myself, literally and figuratively. I would put on the facade of who I thought others wanted me to be as I tried to earn a seat at the table.
It took far too many years for me to realize that any room that makes me feel like I need to be someone else is not the room for me. It isn’t my job to change the opinion of the room that I belong there. I’d rather find a different room.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Open This Book?
My biggest hope is that they’ll realize they do have a story worth telling!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Ever think that silly story you tell to break the ice could actually be a breakthrough for your career?
Welcome to Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders, where we’re ditching the textbook definitions and embracing storytelling as the heart of authentic leadership.
This isn’t your average “how-to” guide. Imagine it as a heart-to-heart with a friend who’s seen their fair share of life’s plot twists and learned how careful word choice and a smooth delivery can turn chaos into clarity and mishaps into powerful messages.
Because the secret to being a thought leader–a content creator, podcaster, speaker, author–is knowing how to transform those “just another day” experiences into an arsenal for connecting in a world that’s scrolling past the same old content.
Open This Book is your backstage pass to understanding why storytelling isn’t just for the Shakespeares and Spielbergs of the world. Designed as part book, part journal (but no part textbook), this book is for anyone who’s ever had a “you can’t make this up” moment (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?). From crafting your narrative to delivering it in a way that feels like a mic drop, we’ll explore the ins and outs of telling stories that connect, challenge, and change the game of leadership.
So, if you’re ready to turn your misadventures into your mission statement, you’ve come to the right place. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best stories are hiding in plain sight—they just need a little nudge (or a full-on shove) into the spotlight.
This isn’t just about finding your voice; it’s about discovering that your voice, quirks and all, is exactly what the world’s been waiting to hear.
What are you waiting for? Open this book.
Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders
Open This Book, by Sara Lohse, is a structured exploration of storytelling divided into three insightful sections. The first part delves into Lohse’s own narrative style, effectively using her personal experiences as a teaching tool for the reader.
Through her use of emphasis, humor, and suspense, Lohse not only entertains but also educates, subtly imparting storytelling techniques. The second section builds on the foundations laid earlier, providing readers with a practical breakdown of storytelling elements. Lohse exemplifies these through her own narratives, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. This part is particularly beneficial for readers looking to enhance their storytelling skills with clear, actionable guidance. In the final section, Lohse shifts focus towards thought leadership, discussing how leaders can communicate impactful messages and inspire their audiences. This segment addresses the role of a thought leader and explores methods for sharing valuable insights effectively.
One of the standout features of Open This Book is its use of visual aids and concise summaries, which not only augment the learning experience but also make the content more digestible compared to other books in its genre. Each chapter concludes with a journaling space, encouraging readers to reflect on and retain the key lessons learned. Additionally, the book is peppered with valuable insights on various storytelling techniques and the pivotal role of emotion in narrative. Lohse emphasizes the importance of authenticity in storytelling, carefully noting that authenticity does not necessitate over-sharing.
The visual summaries and targeted content are particularly beneficial for professionals in the creative and sales industries, making Open This Book a recommended read for those looking to refine their communicative prowess and storytelling skills.
Pages : 214 | ASIN : B0D11KRP2X
The Night Blooming
The Night Blooming, by Sally and Jonah Ismael, offers an engaging and thoughtful examination of resilience and identity set against the challenges of adversity. This memoir recounts the twins’ progression from a modest garage dojo to the illustrious world of international Taekwondo competitions, presenting more than just an athletic journey. It thoughtfully addresses the complex themes of racism, rejection, and abuse, weaving these issues into the broader narrative of their personal and athletic growth.
The memoir’s strength lies in the heartfelt honesty and vulnerability of the narrators. Sally and Jonah Ismael draw readers into their world, sharing both their difficulties and achievements with striking openness. The depiction of their journey, tackling societal barriers and inner struggles, is presented with an authenticity that is both engaging and motivational. The narrative occasionally fluctuates between introspective exploration and story progression, but I feel these shifts do not affect the memoir’s overall impact.
The central message of hope and persistence effectively dominates The Night Blooming. Significantly, the book also highlights the twins’ philanthropic efforts through the establishment of “The Power Within.” This nonprofit organization, created in response to their own experiences, emphasizes the memoir’s message of turning personal challenges into opportunities for wider community support and empowerment.
The Night Blooming transcends a mere account of sporting achievements to become a poignant narrative about carving one’s path in a sometimes hostile environment. It is an inspirational read, showcasing the power of courage and collective effort in overcoming obstacles. The story of Sally and Jonah Ismael is a compelling testament to the potential within each of us to face challenges and aspire toward greater goals. This memoir is recommended for anyone seeking inspiration to overcome personal barriers to pursue their dreams.
Pages: 439 | ASIN : B0C46GTM6F
LITERARY TITAN 