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The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy, Book 1: The Hero Revealed

Recommended for ages 8-12

Imagine growing up in a city where everyone has some sort of superpower. Everyone, that is, except you. That’s the situation for the main character in The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed. It’s the first in a series by William Boniface. Here’s why I think it deserves more attention.

Ordinary Boy, who lives in Superopolis, doesn’t have any powers, so he just wears jeans and a t-shirt, unlike his friends and the rest of the citizens, who wear tights, capes, bodysuits, and other outfits that match their super capabilities.

He and his friends are part of a team called the Junior Leaguers. The other members are Halogen Boy, who glows brighter depending on the amount of apple juice he’s been drinking; Tadpole, who can stick his tongue out twenty feet; Plasma Girl, who turns into a jelly-like substance; and Stench–yup, you can guess why he got his name!

When a set of new collecting cards comes out, the group rushes to buy some and tries to collect the entire set. To their horror, they discover an evil secret about the last card they need. The rest of the book details their search to find that last card, and all the adventures they encounter in the process.

The comic-style illustrations throughout the story are great. Heroes have broad shoulders and square chins, and villains are evil and bizarre, like the mysterious Professor Brain-Drain, who wears a lab coat, un-see-through glasses, and a colander on his head.

This reads like a comic book story, although it isn’t presented in comic book format. It’s like a chapter book, with lots of clear, intriguing illustrations, such as a picture of Ordinary Boy’s father, Thermo, setting a teddy bear on fire in his hand. It really makes you wonder what the heck could be coming up next.

Reluctant readers and boys especially will love the non-stop action and crazy cast of characters. There is a complex story line full of surprises, which keeps them wanting to read more. And with such interesting town folks in the city of Superopolis, you know there have to be more and more adventures to come.

I’m really surprised this isn’t as popular as the Captain Underpants series, because it’s much more imaginative and less silly. Kids who like the animated movie The Incredibles will enjoy The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed by William Boniface.

Let’s face it, who is not at least mildly intrigued by the word: Tantra?

I saw the book, was intrigued by the title and that word Tantra in the subtitle, and truly did not know what to expect when I picked this book up to read it. The cover managed to capture my attention, even though it’s not a genre I would typically read.

Several pages into the book, I knew I would not be disappointed! I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t stop reading it until I finished it, even fighting sleep to stay up late into the night to read the rest of the story.

Don’t Drink the Punch is well written, but in a style that is rather unexpected–first person, present tense! There are very few authors who have the capacity and talent to write in present tense, first person, and draw the reader into the story. Typically, we read in third person and/or past tense, more like reading a ‘movie’ that we play out the scenes in our own minds. First person present tense requires precisely written scenes that keep the reader captivated as though they are inside the story, as it is happening, part of it.

Don’t Drink the Punch achieves this requirement and then some! I found as I read Kamala Devi does this expertly, by making the reader feel completely connected and involved in the story, and I could identify with the main character on a personal level, and he is a MAN (I’m not!)

The story begins with the lead male character, Sal, in the Bangkok International Airport, where he spots a redheaded woman who captures his attention, so much so that he had to follow her and initiate conversation. Little does he know that this innocent conversation would lead him down a path with the beautiful and free-spirited redhead, Sara, through the streets and back-alley sex commerce of Bangkok, to the ancient cemeteries of India, with several stops in between.

Readers experience first hand Sal’s experiences from body massages (where the masseuse uses their entire body to massage, not just their hands), dealing drugs, life threatening illness, participating in a sex cult and questioning every belief he’s ever held dear to him, to experiencing the emotion of painful decision to choose between true love and sanity, and eventually to experiencing and understanding loss, remorse and guilt. Readers will learn in the end whether or not Sal learns from these experiences, how they change him-for better or for worse-and the fate of his love for Sara.

With steamy, erotic and sensual scenes interspersed with romance and affection, friendship and understanding, and plenty of adventure to keep it all exciting, it’s no wonder I had trouble putting down this book.

Hidden in the pages of a fantastic fiction story readers also find historic information about specific locations and inside information to the inner workings of certain religious and spiritual beliefs in different parts of the world, without any judgment or attempts to preach or sway anyone’s opinions.

It was a real page turner and a beautifully written story about love, passion, Tantra, obsession… and ultimately about personal fulfillment and finding one’s own true path in this world, and not blindly following someone else down a path not their own. Steamy and sensual but also light and humorous, I found it both sad and uplifting at the same time, something that takes a talented writer to accomplish effectively, and Kamala Devi does not disappoint.

I have already recommended this book to several friends to read, because it is just that good. Highly recommended.

Don’t Drink the Punch

By Kamala Devi

Book Specifications:

* Paperback: 303 Pages

* Publisher: Zendow Press

* ISBN-10: 1879097990

* ISBN-13: 978-1879097995

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By: Sourcebooks The ultimate organizing resource for book-lovers and a self-published hit, Read, Remember, Recommend gives readers a one-stop shop to keep track of their reading. Featuring 60 cross-referenced lists of literary awards and notable picks (Pulitzer, National Book Award, 100 Best Books of the Century), this journal offers more than 2500 suggestions to help readers discover great literature and new authors. The journal also provides room to record books read, jot down thoughts and ideas, and keep track of recommendations, books borrowed and loaned, and book club history.

Unlike anything on the market, Read, Remember Recommend keeps readers coming back to bookstores to purchase recommended books, creates opportunities for add-on and return sales, and celebrates the readers' love of books.

Read, Remember, Recommend: A Reading Journal for Book Lovers

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The modern information age has us all dizzy with information flow. Everywhere you look there is more of it, so much you could never review it all, and so much of it is not worth the paper, blog or TV ticker strip it was written on. So, what should one read?

Well, recently, I asked myself this question and so, I have been going through a personal library of some 4,000 books and tossing out a few, donating a few and sending a few to friends along the way. Every so often, I pick one up and notice that it is interesting and thus re-read it. Re-reading goes fast, as you remember much of it already, once you refresh the subject matter in your brain.

So, may I ask what books did you read this week? Well below are a few of the books that I re-read and would challenge others to read as well. It seems most Americans do not read much once they leave High School, as it is not required and so why bother? This is unfortunate because, one should never stop learning.

Let me tell you of the books that I read this week and maybe one of them might strike your fancy and perhaps get you thinking about the books that you can put on your list to read next week. Here they are;

“The Kennedy Wit” edited by Bill Aber – 1964.

JFK had a real sense of humor. This book is full of excerpts of humorous remarks, speech and writing of JFK. The book is a quick read, a few hours at most, it is a great collection of the Kennedy Wit, he sure knew how to get his crowd to think and laugh.

“Getting to Yes – Negotiating Agreement without Giving In” by Roger Fisher and William Ury – part of the Harvard Negotiation Project – 1985.

There are many great tips in this negotiation book such as: separating the people from the problem, stop bargaining over position, focusing on interests not positions, invent options in order to gain mutual respect even if they are more painful, the other side will not play or the other side uses dirty tricks. There are many strategies in this book of value and to find common ground, reach agreement and understand perspectives, without making enemies or giving in.

• Power Through Responsibility
• Power Through Trust
• Power Through Integrity
• Power Through Knowledge and Information
• Power Through Respect
• Power Through Training
• Power Through Belief

That alone makes you think a little bit doesn’t it?

“Starting and Succeeding in Your Own Small Business” by Louis L. Allen – 1968.

What are the characteristics of a small business? How do you raise the money for your small business? How are you going to get the customers to buy? How can you decide which products to make and market? How will manage your small business? Yes all covered in this book, some great common sense, real case studies and definitely worth reading. Also in the book is a chapter on the Philosophy of a Venture Capitalist. Have you ever thought of starting your own business? Do you know how? Do you own a business and want to make it more successful? Perhaps a business book is in your future then.

“Competitive Intelligence – How to Gather, Analyze, and Use Information to Move Your Business to the Top” by Larry Kahaner – 1996.

The book starts with some quotes from Sun Tzu and one interesting one from Frederick the Great; “It is pardonable to be defeated, but never to be surprised.” Thus competitive intelligence is paramount in business and this book has plenty of case studies and tactics. This book first answers the question; what is competitive intelligence? How has competitive intelligence evolved, what are the tactics, what are the ethics involved, what can it be used for, the difference between information and intelligence, what does it mean to be stuck in the information age?

This book describes both in-house competitive intelligence to make decisions and gathering intelligence to beat the competition, and even more importantly knowing when another company is gathering intelligence on you. Knowing how to do counterintelligence is often of supreme value. For a business owner or someone considering a business of their own, it makes sense to know the reality behind the game, so you can play to win.

“Funny Money” by Mark Singer – 1985. The books sub-heading is: “The wonderous tale of the Penn Square Bank, the high-rolling oil and gas loan broker in Oklahoma City shopping center whose collapse staggered America’s banking community.”

Well there was this little bank that was working with big banks, which were flush with cash to loan, that became a go-between for banks and oil and gas companies. Things were great during the boom period, but when it all collapsed, the problems were much greater and deeper than anyone had suspected. This is an interesting book to read for those who remember the S & L scandals and the more recent real-estate market collapse. This book goes into the reality of what really happened there, you will not believe the truth. Considering what is going on in the world today, this might be a very interesting book to read right now?

“The Power to Get in – a step-by-step system to get in anyone’s door, so you have a chance” by Michael A. Boylan – 1997.

Salesmen often complain about the difficulty to get into meet the decision makers, as they are busy and go to great lengths to be hard to get at, and for good reason. This book explains how to break down those barriers and how to get in to meet them. The book explains several strategies, some unique, some obvious and all worthy of note if this problem persists in your endeavors. Boylan explains how to do your home work, why things are the way they are, how to know your competitors, what attitude to have, when to blitz and how to leave the perfect voice mail, more importantly how to leave one.

The author continues to explain what to do once you do actually get in. There are lots of stories of success, and case studies along with encouragement, understanding of the numbers game and how to incorporate the author’s strategic access system into your sales career.

“Fair-Weather Flying – for VFR pilots whowant to improve their skills and flying enjoyment” by Richard Taylor – 1974.

Mr. Taylor also wrote the book “Instrument Flying” and probably sold a heck of a lot more of these books than that one. Richard writes with a sense of humor and does not hold back on the reality when it comes to safety issues. If you are a pilot then you will really enjoy this book, it is very interesting, well paced and fun to read. It makes you want to go flying and so even if you are not a pilot, it might make you think about getting your pilot’s license or learning to fly?

“Innovation and Entrepreneurship – practice and principles” by Peter Drucker – 1985

By the time Peter Drucker wrote this book, he had already written the following books:

Management:

• The Changing World of the Executive
• Managing in Turbulent Times
• Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices
• Technology, Management and Society
• Managing for Results
• The Effective Executive
• Concept of the Corporation

Economics, Society and Politics:

• Toward the Next Economics
• The Invisible Revolution
• Men, Ideas and Politics
• The Age of Discontinuity
• The Landmarks of Tomorrow
• America’s Next Twenty Years
• The New Society
• The Future of Industrial Man
• The End of Economic Man

This book brings all of Peter Drucker’s philosophy and focuses it on entrepreneurial endeavors and helps those interested in going all the way, re-balance their strategies so they can. It is relevant and having been an entrepreneur all my life, I would say that his wisdom is worthy and I wish more people would learn how to do it right the first time, because the hard knocks along the way, well many can be avoided you see?

“Personality in Business and Life” by Louis Thorpe and Evan Croft – 1951.

This is a very old business book that tells of days gone by and business etiquette, how to dress and how to adjust one’s personality to succeed in business. The book talks about character, ethics, social skills, leadership, personality, dealing with conflict, statesmanship, taming emotion, hygiene, appearance, conversation, phone techniques, selling, business letters, Career and diplomacy.

Boy have things changed and yet in a way they have not changed at all, things have just been re-labeled, re-packaged and re-taught. What an interesting case study on it all. Looking at the pictures of someone in a suit with labels attached to how everything must look if one is dressing for success, is fascinating indeed.

“The Art of Case Analysis – A guide to the diagnosis of business situations” by Robert Ronstadt – 1980.

Often business students work with case study analysis, yet how do they know that they are interpreting what happened correctly, as much of the real data and information is laced with PR and opinion, worse the victors re-write the history. If the company lost the competitors tell us of their mistakes and the writers of the era have the last word. If the company won, then they sugar coat the truth and thus, nothing is as it seems.

This book discusses how to read a case efficiently, effectively and correctly. Then how to analyze and various strategies and approaches that can be used and combinations thereof. The authors speaks to discussing cases in a classroom situation, playing devil’s advocate, debate and hypotheticals. Next, how to write a very good case study report. Still the author then describes how to look at financials in determining the case study analysis.

Learning should be a life-time endeavor and you should never stop reading books, you can learn something in fiction and non-fiction books. Please make a list of books you might like to read and start reading more today. It will serve you well.

Authors: Amy Wall and Regina Wall

ISBN: 1592573401

How often have we heard the statement that someone is a prolific reader or that he or she is well-read? At first this may impress us, however, when you think about it, you have to ask how much these individuals retain and what are they getting out of their reading? As Amy Wall and Regina Wall point out in The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Critical Reading, there is a difference between being well read and knowing how to read well. What counts is not quantity but rather the quality of your reading.

As mentioned, one of the principal ingredients of critical reading is the ability to effectively analyze what you are reading, which entails questioning and thinking about the material in front of you. It is taking an active role rather than merely passively accepting words on a page-something that unfortunately many of us were not taught while we were students.

Amy Wall is a writer and poet by night, and a TV news producers and newsroom manager by day. She has authored many instruction books and has published her poetry in an online literary journal. Regina Wall is currently a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She began her career as a writing teacher at Michigan State University and eventually became a professor of Literature, Humanities and Women’s Studies at Vanier College in Montreal, Canada. Together, they have teamed up to produce a manual that grabs you from page one, holding you captive until the very last page.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Critical Reading strikes just the right tone: direct, upbeat and accessible. The authors have taken pains not to sound preachy, while at the same time providing readers with dozens of pointers that provide tools and maps in helping us understand fiction and non-fiction. We are shown how to become relentlessly inquisitive about any book we have chosen to read from the moment we commence its reading until the last chapter.

Divided into twenty-one chapters, the Walls impart readers with informative and interesting detailed chapters on developing a critical eye towards reading different types of fiction and non-fiction literature. Each section takes on an A to Z approach with its uniform distribution of information wherein readers receive tutorial guidance as to how to become skilled at reading poetry, history, historical fiction, science, philosophy, essays and memoirs, newspapers, magazines, short stories, plays, understanding why an author tells a story in a particular way, literary techniques, and how to connect the dots in making sense of what you are reading.

For example, if you refer to the chapter “Developing Your Critical Eye,” we are given in depth instruction as to how to understand the facts an author presents in a work of non-fiction. Is the author expressing an opinion or is he or she interpreting the facts. Is there some kind of bias in the writing and how does the author’s perspective compare against what we already know or believe.

Ending each chapter, the authors provide a summation of the basic principles expounded upon and what is the least you should know. Moreover, the text is enlivened with user-friendly side-bars and concrete examples taken from well-known fiction and nonfiction books as Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and several others.

Finishing up in perhaps true academic fashion, the manual provides chapters testing our knowledge of fiction and nonfiction. It is here where you are taught to connect the various pieces of writing to each other. Also included is a comprehensive recommended reading list pointing the way for readers to track down must read novels and non-fiction and a helpful glossary. This is a “keeper” book and one that you will constantly refer to when assessing the quality of a book you have read.