Blog Archives
Meaningful Improvement
One Percent 365 lays out a simple but powerful idea: small daily efforts, as little as one percent, can add up to huge changes over time without feeling overwhelming. Why was this an important book for you to write?
To share what I have found to be useful in improving outcomes and personal perspectives in my life. TO break it down to be manageable, no matter the stress endured, real or perceived.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
To show the possibilities and value of applying this to many aspects of our day-to-day living.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
That I have revoiced a known one percept concept and shown how applicable it can be to many aspects of our lives besides weight loss and work metrics. Kindness and forgiveness, as applied, appear to impact my readers.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from One Percent 365?
This concept can be tailored to each of us in a way that is palatable and shows a meaningful improvement over time.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
The author takes the reader on a journey to illustrate the possibilities of change that we can examine, address, and begin to make progress one percent at a time, each day. The simplest truth will become evident that each of us can tackle any aspect of our lives and work toward a desired goal with small incremental efforts while making steady, daily gains.
Embracing Your Inner Villain: Becoming Unstoppable
Embracing Your Inner Villain is a fiery manifesto about owning your light in a world that often punishes those who shine too brightly. Clermont dives into the psychology of envy, the social costs of standing out, and the resilience required to stay unapologetically authentic. He reclaims the word “villain” as a badge of independence, urging readers to reject conformity and embrace audacity, even when it triggers discomfort in others. Across chapters, he blends cultural references, sharp storytelling, and straight talk into a roadmap for becoming, in his words, “untouchable.”
Reading this book felt like being shaken by the shoulders in the best way. The writing is bold, punchy, and raw, and it carries the cadence of someone who has lived through the very shadows he describes. I loved how he pulled apart envy and projection with such clarity. It made me think about times I’ve felt people pull away when I was stepping into my own growth. His words gave me both comfort and a kind of defiance, reminding me not to shrink.
What stood out most to me was Clermont’s refusal to whitewash the reality of standing out. He talks about betrayal, gossip, and subtle sabotage with unflinching honesty. That resonated deeply with me, because those are the parts of success we rarely name out loud. I felt both affirmed and challenged. The constant rallying cries, while energizing, risked becoming predictable. Still, the passion never wavered, and that consistency left me with a lasting sense of strength.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt out of place for daring to want more. It’s for creatives, entrepreneurs, leaders, or anyone tired of dimming themselves to fit in. If you’re ready for a call to arms wrapped in sharp prose and unapologetic truth, Clermont delivers exactly that.
Pages: 156 | ASIN: B0FLWQ5GSB
Prepare to Quit
After reading Prepare to Quit: Finding the Keys to a Spirit-Filled Life Beyond Alcohol by Rose Ann Forte, I found myself deeply moved, both as a reader and as someone who values honest, faith-centered transformation. The book is a heartfelt and structured guide for those who are considering breaking free from alcohol dependency. It walks through eight “keys,” each representing a step toward not just sobriety, but a more meaningful, Spirit-filled life. Forte combines personal testimony, Scripture, neuroscience, and actionable exercises to help readers reframe their relationship with alcohol. Rather than jumping straight to quitting, she focuses on preparing to quit mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, which feels more compassionate and more effective.
Reading this book felt like listening to a wise friend who has been through it. Forte doesn’t lecture or shame. She opens up with real vulnerability about her own drinking habits, the way alcohol snuck into every part of her life, and how hard it was to admit it had become a problem. I enjoyed the honesty. And then she ties that into how God led her through recovery, not with force or fear, but with patience and truth. The writing is plainspoken, sometimes even chatty, but always sincere. I liked how she used simple, relatable metaphors like puzzles, paths, keys, and crosses to illustrate big, complex ideas. It helped the book feel grounded and made the process of quitting alcohol feel like a journey you can actually take.
What I appreciated most was how practical the book is without ever being rigid. Forte suggests journaling, support groups, visualization, and self-investment, but never in a “this is the only way” kind of tone. She invites you in. She gives tools and Scripture, then steps aside and lets you wrestle with what works for you. That level of grace and flexibility is rare in self-help books, especially those tackling addiction. I did sometimes wish the writing had more variation in tone, it leans on encouragement and Scripture, which is beautiful, but I think a little more narrative storytelling or emotional contrast might’ve made certain moments land harder.
I’d recommend Prepare to Quit to Christians who feel stuck in a cycle with alcohol or who are just beginning to question their drinking habits. It’s gentle, but not soft. It’s hopeful, but not naïve. And most of all, it’s built on a foundation of faith and renewal, rather than shame. Whether you’re exploring a sober-curious path or seriously considering giving up alcohol for good, this book can help you feel less alone and far more equipped.
Pages: 120 | ASIN : B0F1TMH2D2
How to make life simple, happy and successful the Taoist way
This book is part memoir, part guide, and part manifesto. The author, Gerard Wouters, tells the story of how he went from an unhappy financial manager to the only Taoist Niranam therapist in the world. Along the way, he introduces the reader to the Niranam method, a Taoist-based approach that blends physical, mental, and spiritual healing. Through stories, reflections, and bold claims, the book lays out a vision for living more simply, more happily, and with a stronger sense of purpose.
I found myself pulled in by the raw honesty of his journey. He doesn’t write like an academic or a polished self-help guru. The language is simple, direct, and sometimes almost conversational. I liked that. It made me feel as if he were speaking to me across a table, not at me from a stage. Some parts struck me as deeply moving, especially when he described how his teacher saw his unhappiness just by looking at him. Those moments felt almost magical.
I couldn’t ignore the passion running through the pages. The way he connects everyday struggles, like relationships, stress, and feeling lost, to Taoist philosophy gave me new ways of looking at things. I caught myself nodding along more often than I expected. The book sometimes drifts into criticism of society, religion, and politics. His frustration with a materialistic world came across as genuine, not just ranting.
I think this book will resonate with people who are searching for meaning beyond the usual routines. If you’re open to unconventional ideas, if you like stories more than theory, and if you’re curious about Taoism but don’t want a textbook, this could be a good fit. It isn’t for everyone. If you’re willing to let go of rigid expectations and just take in the message, there’s wisdom here that can make you pause, reflect, and maybe even shift the way you live.
Pages: 199 | ASIN : B0F44H7RSR
Pathways to Inner Peace
Diane Dreher’s Pathways to Inner Peace is both a personal guide and a practical workbook. The book lays out nine distinct “paths” toward cultivating a calmer, more connected life. These include mindful presence, community, kindness, nature, meditation, purpose, intuition, the arts, and joy. Each chapter weaves together ancient traditions, modern psychology, and Dreher’s own lived experiences. The structure invites the reader into a nine-week journey, with small daily practices designed to build connection and hope. What I appreciated most was how the book blends personal vulnerability with research and timeless wisdom, making it feel accessible while still grounded in depth.
As I moved through the book, I felt an unexpected closeness to the author. She shares the rawness of her losses, the grief of losing loved ones, and how she used these pathways to rebuild her life. That honesty softened the book’s guidance, keeping it from feeling like just another self-help manual. I found myself pausing at the exercises, wanting to try them instead of rushing ahead. The way Dreher speaks about awe in nature or the simple healing of a mindful breath resonated with me. It reminded me of things I know in my bones but often forget. The writing has a gentleness to it, a kind of quiet encouragement that never feels preachy.
Certain points about mindfulness or the benefits of nature are repeated across chapters. The repetition itself becomes a practice, a reminder that peace is found in consistency. The research citations were helpful, but I preferred when she leaned into storytelling and metaphor. That’s where her voice shone brightest. I especially loved her descriptions of everyday moments, like sipping coffee while watching a sparrow at a feeder. Those simple images made the ideas feel real and relatable.
I walked away with a sense of calm and a handful of practices I want to try. I’d recommend this book to anyone who feels scattered or disconnected, especially in these uncertain times. It’s not a book you rush through; it’s one you live with, week by week. If you’re open to small daily steps, if you want to reclaim a little hope and steadiness, then this book will meet you exactly where you are.
Pages: 229 | ASIN : B0FJRQTLMV
Be Free and Fly
Drums of a Distant Tribe is a memoir that weaves together moments of joy, recklessness, grief, and revelation, sharing with readers your story of survival, resilience, and the search for truth about life and what may come after death. Why was this an important book for you to write?
From the Book, Drums of a Distant Tribe: A Son’s Message from the Great Beyond:
As I reflect on this amazing journey, I realize I’ve been visited by nothing less than miracles that prove the greatest gift to mankind is real. Perhaps we should not be so surprised. Those who chose to follow Jesus in antiquity reported many miracles. The Gospel of Mark 16:20 says, “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”
When these followers experienced miracles, they felt compelled to report what they witnessed. This, I also feel compelled to do. I cannot keep this to myself. But how can I tell this story in a way that will make sense to others? I can only do my best to explain these events as accurately as possible to help others during their challenging test of life.
Perhaps a message I received on Wailea Beach after discovering the Church of New Beginnings explains this sense of responsibility better than I can. As I read old notes from a special evening under the glow of torches, protected now in a plastic bag and only being weathered slightly from hours spent on the beach and the many years that have transpired between, and looking like they had been penned yesterday, I notice the following entry: “You are beginning to see the good in what your life has come to. So, you will see the greatness in our experiences . . . Be like a freedom fighter . . . The tide on Earth is changing. Catch the wave and help to pioneer a new consciousness . . . Your pen will fly with the excitement of many souls. And like the crashing of waves on the massive rocks of the shore that slowly break them into sand, our words will reduce the rigid structure of conventional wisdom and help to create a palette that will form the foundation of life’s effervescent force.”
I ask, “Why is it important that we share these experiences with others? People are set in their ways, and most will dismiss our words.”
“There are important reasons. It is part of evolution. It is a path toward order. It is a path toward goodness. It is for relief of suffering and the pursuit of wisdom. The quest is endless, but it is the quest that is important . . . Act with love and there will be love. Quest for truth, and there will be truth. Search for beauty, and there will be beauty. To share our experiences is to spread the joy and happiness we found. This in itself is the reason. What becomes of this knowledge after we share it is like asking, ‘What happens to a beam of light?’ Nothing and everything. It is still just a beam of light. The fact that it is light is what is important . . . this light will survive into eternity, it is its own end . . . Thus, it is with our work. Even those who do not believe will be illuminated by it. They may not recognize it, but they will benefit, whether consciously or not. . . May the light we shine illuminate the darkness!”
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life tends to be overwhelming and out of our control at times. I think it’s important to take a step back periodically and view the picture as someone who will survive all the challenges and come out the other side. Hopefully this book will help provide that perspective.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing this book was doing the subject material justice. After all, those much greater than I have already covered the important part of the message. The most rewarding part of writing the book was doing an honest job of telling the story. Whether I told it effectively is up for the reader to decide. But I am satisfied that what I have written is an accurate description of the events that occurred.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope that the readers can relate personally to the story and gain a sense of freedom from the message that we will survive; the afterlife is real. “It’ll be alright. It’ll be alright. Be free and fly.”
Author links: Facebook | Amazon
Walk slowly lest you miss your turn in the forest.
One Percent 365
One Percent 365 lays out a simple but powerful idea: small daily efforts, as little as one percent, can add up to huge changes over time. Joyner walks through how this principle can be applied across life, like health, habits, relationships, work, athletics, and even random acts of kindness. He mixes straightforward math with personal reflection, showing how incremental progress compounds in surprising ways. The tone is approachable, with stories and examples that make the concept easy to connect with.
I’ll be honest, at first I was skeptical. A whole book about one percent? It sounded like it could get repetitive fast. But Joyner’s style is conversational and, at times, playful. I liked how he broke things down into bite-sized chunks. His sections on “Spousal Approval Units” made me laugh, and they gave a very real reminder of how little things add up in relationships, too. I found myself nodding along, thinking of my own routines, and realizing how often I expect big leaps instead of small wins. That realization made me pause, and I felt a mix of relief and guilt. Relief because the book reminded me that I don’t have to overhaul everything all at once. Guilt because I know I’ve ignored those small steps too many times.
The math examples were clear, and some parts leaned into motivational talk. I found myself craving more stories from real people who had applied the one percent rule. Still, the honesty of Joyner’s voice carried it. He doesn’t come across as a guru preaching from a mountaintop, but more like a guy who has tried things, stumbled, and wants to share what’s worked for him.
This book doesn’t promise instant success, and that’s refreshing. It’s a steady nudge, not a shove. I’d recommend One Percent 365 to anyone who feels overwhelmed by self-improvement books that demand too much too fast. It’s especially good for readers who like practical, no-frills advice with a human touch. If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book might be the gentle push you need to start moving forward, one small step at a time.
Pages: 92 | ASIN : B0DZYV1QZY
LITERARY TITAN 