Ross Cavins
RCG Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9780982772003
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views
Follow the Moneyis a hysterical collection of short stories that share a connection about a cache of stolen money. The stories begin with two bumbling brothers who get outwitted by their kidnapped victim. The adventure escalates when she takes off with their money. Well, it really is her money, since her dad paid it for her ransom. As she embarks on her new life, she encounters some scammers who manage to talk her into letting them invest it for her. In spite of her worldliness, especially for a teen, she learns a hard lesson about something being too good to be true.
Each story tells a quirky, hysterical tale about where the money goes. The author, Ross Cavins, gets an A+ for creativity. How he manages to connect all of his ideas into one book, I will never figure out. The only thing that comes to mind is that he randomly opens a dictionary and chooses topics from the words that are on the pages that fall open. I love this aspect of the stories, because nothing is predictable, except that the money will soon end up in someone else’s hands. As the stories progress, things seem to come around full circle, demonstrating the interconnection of all things in life. This of course is not always a good thing though.
I am truly glad that I didn’t read Follow the Moneyin a public place because my inability to hold in my laughter would have strangers assuming that I am in serious need of some kind of psychotropic medication. I highly recommend this novel to people who enjoy a good, laugh out loud adventure, and who are not offended easily!
###
Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery: Twenty True Stories from the Soul
Barbara Sinor, PhD
Modern History Press (2010) - Amazon
ISBN 9781615990375
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views
This is the second book of Barbara Sinor’s that I have had the privilege to read. As a psychologist I am a firm believer in letting others share their stories in the hope that it may spark recovery in others. Many of those who are attempting recovery, or are in recovery, don’t like being told what to do or be lectured to. Stories like these are gut-wrenching, sad and hopeful, with many ups and downs.
Recovery, for whatever the reason, is not an easy process. Many think that just stopping the negative behavior will lead them to be happy and as you read these stories that the author has collected, you will see this is not so.
I loved the way the author decided to get her information to include for this book, “A Call for Stories,” what a great way to get others to share. As I read some of these stories I thought to myself, “I know this. Have I read this book before?” No I had not; some of the contributors are authors I have read and done reviews for.
The other part of the book which I really loved was the author sharing her own experiences about her son Richard. She wasn’t asking for pity; she was letting the readers know of her own experiences with trying to save someone we love from falling into the depths of substance addiction. In her own thoughts and those of her husband, she discusses enabling, begging, pleading and making threats to finally cutting her son off. Mothers are supposed to take care of their kids till the day they pass; they are supposed to protect them from the evil world, yet as the author says, “You can only change yourself.” I certainly can relate to what she speaks of as my own brother drank himself to death. My family expected me the “therapist” to save him and couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t.
Dr. Sinor also discusses the dreaded “system” that really didn’t seem to care. There were so many hurdles to pass through that one just gave up. For those who are in recovery, or thinking about going into recovery, it will not be easy; you will fight, stay clean of your addiction and fall into it again. This might happen time after time.
Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery: Twenty True Stories from the Soul is another great book that I have recommended to my college students who are going into the field of psychology. We learn more by listening to others experiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment