Book Review 30: 30 Minute Resume Makeover

30 Minute Resume Makeover, Rev Up Your Resume in Half an Hour

Louise Kursmark

The book seems low key. You probably not notice when you are browsing to purchase or at the library.

However, the condition of the book seems like it has been checked out many times.

I reviewed another book earlier and this feels like a summary of everything you need to know.

There are examples of before and after resumes. Explanation of what your future employer may be looking for. A quick chapter on cover letter and additional chapter how to get the job hunting started.

Of course it takes more than 30 minutes to read and understand this book before you are able to make amendments to your resume.

Overall it is a good book to start with.

Book Review 29: Knock 'em Dead Resumes 12th Edition

Knock 'em Dead Resumes 12th Edition
Martin Yate

When I was browsing for a book in library, I saw a book series called Knock 'em Dead by Martin Yate.
These include Resumes, Ultimate Job Search Guide and Cover Letter.
The editions have a gap of 1 to 2 years between them, which means if you are reading this in 2018 and beyond, you should be looking for at least the 13th edition.

So, what's good about Knock 'em Dead Resumes?
If the header "Over 5 million Knock 'em Dead Books Sold" doesn't hook you in, then this marketing piece "A killer resume get more job interviews" should.
If you are still not sold, then hear the title for the first chapter.
"Your Resume-The Most Financially Important Document You'll Ever Own"

And I have to say the bait was hooked.

The book has samples of before and after resumes.
What should a resume look like and what it shouldn't look like.
A list of keywords that recruiters and employers are looking for.
How the job market works, in brief.
How to create your own "killer" resume.
Samples of resumes which you can use.

Whether you are a fresh graduate or professional seeking to change your job today, this a book you should first read before sending out that the next resume of yours.

Book Review 28: This is How to Get Your Next Job

This is How to Get Your Next Job: An Inside Look at What Employers Really Want
Andrea Kay

Recently, I have been a number of books on job hunting skills.
The last time I was looking for a new job it was almost 10 years ago.
As technology gets better, how we do things also change. It doesn't mean it gets easier or its much better now. We used resumes and cover letters then, we still use them now.
However, the environment is different. Social media took off in a really big way. This affects how we look for jobs now.

These are subjects discussed in this book.
Let's review.

The author breaks the main topics in the following chapters.

Chapter 1: You are what you seem
(The employer's point of view.)

Chapter 2: Tell and show
(Important keyword, how will you be remembered?)

Chapter 3: 15 things you should never do
(This chapter is all about mindset.)

Chapter 4: 15 things you should never talk about or say
(I feel this is an important chapter especially when attending interviews)

Chapter 5: 10 things you should never wear
(A good chapter on interview preparation. The key word that keeps coming back to me, good judgement. This chapter is not limited to attire to wear.)

Chapter 6: 15 things you should never do once you get a job or in your career-ever
(Author doesn't stop before and after interview, she presses on after you land the job. Least important but a good read)

Overall a fantastic book and a must read if you out looking for a job today.

Book Review 27: Manuscript Found in Accra

Manuscript Found in Accra
Paulo Coelho

Imagine this. Your city is under siege. There is panic, blood and fear on the streets. What would you do? Run? Hide? Fight?

A group of people decided to hang around a wise man.

This book is a compilation of all the wise man's advice to the people under siege in the city.
It has everything about love, regrets, sex and everything in between.

Some of the quotes from the books.
"Love is free and is not ruled by our will or by what we do."
"Elegance lies not in the clothes we wear but in the way we wear them."

It is a good read and something that will probably you want to read twice.

Book Review 26: Essence of the Dhammapada

Essence of the Dhammapada: The Buddha's Call to Nirvana
Author: Eknath Easwaran

Compiled and written posthumously, this book is sort of review or summary of the Dhammapada. There is no mention of God because Buddha leaves us to find out the answer for ourselves. So in a way it may be a good read for agnostics.

Written in seven chapter it gives broad strokes and examples of how one begins life towards the pursuit of Nirvana.

Easwaran takes excerpts from the Dhammapada to explains it in detail. There is a glossary of Sanskrit terminology and selected verses from the Dhammapada.

A great book to finish over a few weekends. I would categorize as a life changer.

Book Review 25: Bhagavad Gita Introduced and Translated

Translated: Eknath Easwaran

By now you would already know, Bhagavad-Gita is not written by Eknath Easwaran. It was originally a text in the epic Mahabharata. It was set of guide and knowledge handed down from Lord Krishna to his devotee, Arjuna.

Although, another I read version of the Gita translation, I find this to be a better understanding of the Gita.

Eknath doesn't seem to push any agenda except to try his best to reveal the secrets of the Gita. It has a glossary of words from Sanskrit which a person may not understand, which was very useful. Simple language is definitely a bonus.
This is definitely a gem.

Book Review 24: My Pocket Guru: Find Peace Amidst The Madness

Author: Uncredited
This "pocket guru" delivers. It does exactly as what the title says.

It has 7 forms teachings which ranges from meditation, Buddhism, yoga, Ayurveda, Reiki, Chakra Healing and Law of Attraction.

For saw who is beginning on their first steps to spiritual journey, the book gives a insight into each teachings, something like catalogue of sorts.

It was good read, and the pocket book size was easy to carry around.

Book Review 23: Spiritual Paths and their Meditation Techniques

Spiritual Paths and Their Meditation Techniques
Author: Nan Huai-Chin, William Bodri

For those have tried different meditation techniques or followed different religious or spiritual path may find themselves confused or not knowing if the path they taken is the right one.
This book I think clears all of that or at least some of it. The authors look at different spiritual paths and practices and compares them. What works and what doesn't. I wouldn't recommend this to a novice reader as the material is quite difficult to digest. It makes a great reference material for those advanced on the spiritual path.

Book Review 22: Conquest of Mind

Conquest of Mind
Author: Eknath Easwaran

I have not heard of Eknath Easwaran before. So when I Googled his name, I was very surprised with the number result searches that came up. Blue Mountain Meditation Centre was establiaed by Eknath Easwaran and wife.

Anyway, more on this book. I would really recommend this book for individuals who are on the spiritual path. Beginner and intermediate a like.

A beginner should read the entire book. The intermediate should too but if you are in a hurry these chapters should suffice. They are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 11 and the Eight Point Program at the end of the book.

Book Review 21: Awakening to the Infinite

Awakening to the Infinite

Author: Swami Muktananda of Rishikesh

Before starting, I think the first thing I would advise before reading this book is the reference to the author. There is an infamous Swami Muktananda of Siddha Yoga Path. This is not the same person.

The book's theme is "Essential Answers for Spiritual Seekers from the Perspective of Nonduality".

The book starts of on the background of Swami Muktananda and his teacher Swami Chidananda.

It has seven chapters starting with

Chapter 1: A Few Basic Principles

Chapter 2: Spiritual Practice

Chapter 3: Difficulties on the Path

Chapter 4: Actions

Chapter 5: Daily Life, Relationships, Family, Work

Chapter 6: The Relationship with a Teacher

Chapter 7: Awakening to the Spirit

I like how each chapter has a little story/ stories to relate with the reader and how the book is arranged in a question and answer format.

This book is for spiritual seekers or at least for those who are on the path of life asking the big questions like "What is the meaning of life?" or "What is the purpose of life?".

It was absolute joy reading this book.

If you like to find out more about Swami Muktananda click on the link below.

http://www.muktanandarishikesh.org/

I will end this review with my personal favorite quote from the book.

"Spiritual life is like an apple. It has outer dimension, which is connected to names and forms, and an inner dimension, in which life matures while awakening you to the Spirit. Until you have reached a certain level of maturity there are some answers you cannot understand. But with time what had once seemed incomprehensible becomes clear."

Book Review 20: Samurai: The Japanese Warrior's Unofficial Manual

Samurai: The Japanese Warrior's Unofficial Manual
Author: Stephen Turnbull

When the word Samurai is mentioned, a few things come to mind. This includes honour, sacrifice, katana (Japanese sword), tradition and warrior.

Rarely, you would think headhunter, suicide, torture, anti-Christian, protocol and racisim. Unfortunately, that's what a real samurai mostly, is.

Stephen Turnbull takes a fictional persona of Umawatari Bogyu, explaining the details of a samurai's lifestyle and code of conduct.

Detailed here includes expectation of respect from the lower class (that means everyone else besides the royalty and aristocrats), methods of torture, doing business with different nationality, suicide methods, preparation for death, dress code and some little bit on strategy and also art of war.

Honestly, I was very surprised. I thought if you were writing a manual about warrior class, there would be more information on art of war and strategy.

Here are somethings that is just so wrong.

Let's get rid of the Christians.

In today's day and age, this is what we would call hate crime.

Feudal Japan believed that Christianity would usurp power from the ruling class.

Although they allow foreigners in, Christianity is absolutely not tolerated.

Samurais also have code of how to handle foreigners.

There seems to be utmost prejudice to the Koreans.

Handy ways to torture for information extraction.

We know today. people who are tortured just say anything to stop the pain they are in.









In conclusion, I am not sure how to rate this book except read at your own caution.

Book Review 19: WordPress Web Development for Beginners

WordPress Web Development for Beginners
Author: Daryll Bartlett



I don't use WordPress but I have always been quite intrigued by the simplicity of its use.

Yes, there is a WordPress.com and WordPress.org, if you want to know the difference and how to work them both, this book is a good place to start.

As the book implies it is purely a book for beginners. So, if you are into hardcore coding, skip this book altogether.

There are good number of pictures and samples on how to get started with blogging and I think it is easy enough for someone who is getting into blogging.

Buy it or borrow it from your local library and tell me what you think.

Book Review 18: The Golden Rules of Blogging (& When to Break Them) - Robin Houghton

The Golden Rules of Blogging (& When to Break Them)
Author: Robin Houghton



It is a useful book for beginners or novice level bloggers trying to improve their game.

It encompasses good points including content and entire outlook of the blog.

Each chapter starts with the rules, followed by when you should break it and comments or actual bloggers' perspective of the rule.

An interesting point, I like to point out the book covers are made from brown paper.

A very nifty book but I would still recommend to very novice level bloggers as there are better books out there including "Dummies" collection.

Book Review 17: A Survival Guide For Life - Bear Grylls

A Survival Guide For Life

Author: Bear Grylls

A self help book by TVs number 1 survival guide host. While a lot of the things by Bear Grylls in this book is nothing new but I like the way how it is compiled and arranged. Look closely and Bear will reveal the 3 hidden secrets of the universe. Good read to have and something to re-read on regular basis.

Book Review 16: Jesus, CEO - Laurie Beth Jones

Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership
Author: Laurie Beth Jones

Don't mind the old tethered covers for this paperback. It is the essence and the content that matters the most. When I speak of essence, one is very prevalent in this book; Love.


A great book for motivation, especially when if you are leading organizations or just the head of your local book club.
A must read!

Book Review 15: The Valkyries - Paulo Coelho

Valkyries
Author: Paulo Coelho


Valkyries are angels of death who take fallen Vikings to Valhalla. This book from Paulo Coelho has no reference to the Vikings’ legend.

Female motorcycle gangs, a wife, a sorcerer and a trip to the Mojave Desert.

In short, Paulo finds a motorcycle gang who are also into magic and they help him find his, angel.

He brings along his wife Chris, who learns a little about herself and the magic practices of her husband, Paulo.

What is the secret to find your guiding angel? There are 3 rules

• Break a pact
• Accept forgiveness
•  And make a bet

The meaning of each rule will be different for every person seeking his or her angel. Still with me so far?

This is one of those books where an open mind is required from the start to the end. Put logic away and drift into the world of magic and possibilities.

Book Review 14: Poems by Heart – Laura Barber

Poems by Heart
Compiled By: Laura Barber

This is a nice little book with compilation of poems by great poets.

There isn’t much to say except to quote a few verses.

Christina G. Rossetti

Remember me when I am gone away

Gone far away into the silent land

When you can no more hold me by the hand

William Blake

To see a world in a grain of sand

And heaven in a wild flower

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour.

Book Review 13: The Wise Men Talking Series: Lao Zi Says

The Wise Men Talking Series: Lao Zi Says

The book contains drops of wise words of Lao Zi. The book is written in both Mandarin and English. Mandarin readers will enjoy it more as there is further explanation after each "wise words".

Some are difficult to get. I guess I would it would of been better if there Mandarin explanation was also presented in English.

Still there are some, which I got, and my favourite is "A huge tree which fills one's arms grows from a small heap of earth; a high terrace which has nine storeys rises from a small heap of earth; a journey of thousand li begins with the first step."

Book Review 12: How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life - Scott Adams

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
Author: Scott Adams


If you heard of Scott Adams, then probably you have heard of Dilbert or vice versa. The comic strip about the work place and interaction of the engineer Dilbert, Alice, Wally, evil HR director Catbert, the-know-it-all Dogbert and the pointy haired boss that we all love to hate.

What does a cartoonist know about writing a self-help book? Easy, he just tells his life story.

I, Scott Adams will change the world.

Scott includes everything from his failed projects, his corporate career, his health issue, his tennis game and even his own diet program.

Rarely does self-help books feels like biography, product advice, diet and exercise manual but somehow Scott pulls it off wonderfully. A must read!

I, Scott Adams am a great writer.

Book Review 11: Surviving The Toxic Workplace - Linda Durre

Surviving The Toxic Workplace, 
Author: Linnda Durre

Ever wondered how do you handle Dania-The Day Job Worker or Priscilla the Procrastinator?

Apparently there is an entire science of handling people in the work place and you are not alone.

The Toxic Workplace is nothing new.

Written by Linnda Durre Ph.D, this is genuinely a good hand book every HR should provide to every new employee.

I still feel the “Am I The Only Sane One Working Here?” is much better, mainly because it is a book you can use in every situation, any place.

“Surviving The Toxic Workplace” is much suited if you live and work in the USA.