reference

BOOK REVIEW: The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Gentle Ways to Stop Bedtime Battles and Improve Your Child’s Sleep by Elizabeth Pantley

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Book Length: 396 pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Parenting, Reference, Self-Help

Goodreads’ Synopsis: Guaranteed to help parents reclaim sweet dreams for their entire family New from the bestselling author of the classic baby sleep guide! Getting babies to sleep through the night is one thing; getting willful toddlers and energetic preschoolers to sleep is another problem altogether. Written to help sleep-deprived parents of children ages one to five, The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers offers loving solutions to help this active age-group get the rest they–and their parents–so desperately need. A follow-up to Elizabeth Pantley’s megahit The No-Cry Sleep Solution , this breakthrough guide is written in Pantley’s trademark gentle, child-centered style. Parents will discover a wellspring of positive approaches to help their children get to bed, stay in bed, and sleep all night, without having to resort to punishments or other negative and ineffective measures. The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers tackles many common nighttime obstacles.

Read Start Date: December 26, 2023

Read Finish Date: January 29, 2024

My Review: My daughter is 2 years old and has never been a good sleeper. We have tried everything, but nothing seems to work. I bought this book from Amazon, as it came up in one of my Google searches. I thought it sounded like a good book to read. I only gave it 3 stars because while well written, thoughtful, and informative, I didn’t really find anything in the book that I hadn’t already known from Google. That being said, it was nice to have all the information in one place for simplicity.

Additionally, the suggestions in the book seemed to worsen the situation (e.g., white noise and telling stories at bedtime) rather than improve the situation. My daughter became more stimulated, not more relaxed. So the opposite of the intended result was achieved. I’m sure the book is great when you have a normal sleeper who just needs a little bit more of a routine. When you have a child such as mine, however, I didn’t find it helpful, or I should say, any more helpful than free Google searches.

I don’t know whether the author is a doctor or what her education is in (e.g. whether she has studied sleeping, child development, etc.). However, it seems that she has written lots of books on “No-cry” solutions for everything from naptime to potty training. She does mention a few signs of sleep disorders in children (not sure where she gets this information from) and recommends to seek professional help if your child exhibits any of these symptoms.

In conclusion, I think that this book is good if you have a child who is capable of sleeping normally, but you want to get into a better routine. Then this book will give you some helpful tips as to how to make that happen.

BOOK REVIEW: Your First Novel by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb

/ E.A. Hoffmann / 5 Comments

Title: Your First Novel

Authors: Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb

Book Length: 312 pages

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Writing, Reference, Self-Help

Read Start Date: January 10, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 11, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads:  Your Expert Guide to Writing and Publishing a Novel.

In this revised and expanded edition of Your First Novel, novelist Laura Whitcomb, seasoned literary agent Ann Rittenberg, and her knowledgeable assistant, Camille Goldin, team up to provide you with the essential skills needed to craft the best novel you can–and the savvy business know-how to get it published. Complete with updated references, analysis of new best-selling novels, and the same detailed instruction, Whitcomb will show you how

   • Practice the craft of writing, using both your right- and left-brain
   • Develop a flexible card system for organizing and outlining plot
   • Create dynamic characters that readers love–and love to hate
   • Study classic novels and story structure to adapt with your ideas

Featuring two new chapters on choosing your path as an author and understanding the world of self-publishing, Rittenberg and Goldin dive into the business side of publishing,

   • What agents can–and should–do for your future
   • Who you should target as an agent for your burgeoning career
   • How the mysterious auction for novels actually goes down
   • Why you should learn to work with your agent through thick and thin
Guiding your first novel from early words to a spot on the bookshelf can be an exciting and terrifying journey, but you’re not alone. Alongside the advice of industry veterans, Your First Novel Revised and Expanded also includes plenty of firsthand accounts from published authors on their journeys, including Dennis Lehane, C.J. Box, Kathleen McCleary, David Kazzie, and more.

My Review: Your First Novel Revised and Expanded Edition: A Top Agent and a Published Author Show You How to Write Your Book and Get It Published is a comprehensive guidebook that offers valuable insights and expert advice on the process of writing and publishing your first novel. In this revised and expanded edition, a highly regarded literary agent and a successful published author join forces to provide aspiring writers with practical techniques, step-by-step instructions, and industry secrets to help bring their literary dreams to fruition.

This book covers a wide range of topics, including developing compelling characters, constructing engaging plots, crafting authentic dialogue, refining writing style, and polishing manuscript drafts. It also delves into the intricacies of the publishing industry, providing guidance on query letters, book proposals, finding the right literary agent, and navigating the submission and publication process.

I am only giving it three stars because I was disappointed in the publishing aspect (the reason why I bought the book). First, a lot of the advice was not useful to me. Of course, this is a subjective review, and therefore subjective reasoning. You might like the book more, or find it more useful if you had a degree in writing, had published somewhere, or live in America. For example, she advised that 1) you have to have writing credentials already (I am an unpublished lawyer, so nothing like that in my background) and 2) you need to go to conventions and meet agents, or you need to do readings in bookstores, etc. I live in Austria so none of these things are possible.

While the first portion of the book (how to write your first novel) was interesting to read, I feel like in order to fully make use of it, one would have to take notes. I was also not familiar with a lot of the novels referenced / used as examples in the book (or if I knew of the novel, I had not read it).

Lastly, I was a little annoyed before I even read the book because I came across the book on the website of Ann Rittenberg’s literary agency when I was researching agents to query. The link on her webpage brought me to the old edition of the book being sold on Amazon. It wasn’t until I went to start reading it and entered it into Goodreads, that I discovered that there had been a newer version of the book published years later. Obviously a book published in 2018 is going to have more timely and up to date information on the industry than a book written in 2006. So I ended up having to buy the book….again. Why would you not update your webpage? Or at least make sure the link was correct?

So in conclusion, am I saying this book isn’t a good resource? No, it could definitely be. It just wasn’t for me.

BOOK REVIEW: Rental Property Investing Quick Start Guide by Symon He

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58168972._SX318_Title: Rental Property Investing Quick Start Guide

Author: Symon He

Audiobook Length: 7 hours and 5 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Business & Investing, Reference

Read Start Date: April 29, 2022

Read Finish Date: May 5, 2022

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: THE ULTIMATE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO RENTAL PROPERTY INVESTING IN THE POST-PANDEMIC MARKET

INCLUDES 8 HOURS OF ONLINE REAL ESTATE COURSES FROM THE AUTHOR + MULTIPLE FREE REAL ESTATE INVESTING TOOLS – FREE!

Do you want to learn how to leverage rental property investment to produce lasting passive income, achieve financial freedom, create freedom of time, and build true wealth?

Have you purchased rental property investment ‘training’ with so-called ‘gurus’ and come away with a lighter bank account and no clear path to rental property investing success?

If so, look no further than Rental Property Investing QuickStart Guide, the most comprehensive, practical, beginner-friendly rental property investing book ever written.

Owning rental property is the best way to generate a passive income stream, period.

While other investment vehicles may come and go, rental property investing has stood the test of time. Direct real estate investments—and the income generated by rental properties—play a major part in minting millionaires on a regular basis.

Not only do rental property owners enjoy positive cash flow in the form of rents paid, but each of the properties they own appreciates in value. With tax-advantaged profits and a high degree of control over your investments, rental property investing is an attractive and streamlined approach to wealth creation.

In Rental Property Investing QuickStart Guide, bestselling author, course instructor, real estate investor, and veteran consultant Symon He breaks down everything that aspiring real estate investors need to know to build a thriving rental property portfolio.

With over 300,000 students in nearly 180 countries and a bestselling real estate investing book under his belt, Symon knows exactly what new investors need to get right, what they should avoid, and how they can protect themselves from risk on their rental property investing journey.

Successful rental property investors enjoy lasting financial freedom.

Whether you are a complete beginner or want to grow an existing rental property portfolio, with Symon’s expertise at your disposal you can accelerate your rental property investing journey and live the life you deserve!

Rental Property Investing QuickStart Guide Is Perfect For:

– Complete newcomers to the world of rental property investing or anyone looking to generate passive income streams through rental property investing
– Existing rental property investors looking to expand their portfolios and maximize their rental revenue
– Anyone who has struggled to find success in the past with complicated books or expensive rental investment training

Rental Property Investing QuickStart Guide Will Teach You:

– How to Find and Finance Lucrative Rental Properties Into a Self-Sustaining Passive Income Stream
– How the Real Estate Market Works, How to Anticipate Market Cycle Changes, and – How to Find the Perfect Investment Entry Points
– How to Maintain Properties with Minimal Effort, Upgrade and Grow Your Investments, and Cash In Your Equity
– How to Maximize Your Rental Income, Develop a Productive Portfolio of Rental Properties, and Generate a Thriving Rental Income
– How to Analyze and Compare Rental Investment Properties,How to Spot and Act on Hot Deals, How to Maintain a Positive Cash Flow, and More!

*LIFETIME ACCESS TO FREE REAL ESTATE INVESTING DIGITAL ASSETS*
– Valuation, terminal value, and rental comparison worksheets
– Advanced Rental Income Analyzer, Wholesaling Deal Analyzer, Symon’s Exclusive Fix & Flip Property Analyzer, and more!

My Review: I received this audiobook as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be really interesting and informative! Some of the principles are a little complicated, and the author refers to various charts and tables. I would have liked to have had these references available visually (I only had the audiobook). I think therefore that this book is probably better as a text book (paperback or ebook).

Nevertheless, as I was reading, I was excited to use the many tips that the author gave in my own fledgling rental investment.

I would recommend this book to anyone who was thinking about investing in rental properties, or to those who are at the start of their journey.

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Professional Reader

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.