Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Self-Help Books

On the 7th Day of Christmas, Chanticleer Brings to Me 7 Non-Fiction Divisions| 12 Days of Christmas 2024!

Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas – One Day at a Time

And the Seventh Day of Christmas brings us a New Year!

“But Jiminy Crickets, it’s after December 25th! Is it not too late for the 12 Days of Christmas?” you say.

Not to fear, Chanticleerians! The 12 Days of Christmas begins on December 26th! And it continues to the 6th of January – Three Kings Day. The four weeks leading up to Christmas is known as the Advent.

So if you haven’t finished wrapping presents, sending out those cards, and baking cookies—don’t worry—you’ve got an extra six days!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Seven Swans-a-Swimming

Six Geese-a-Laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens (Chanticleer’s favorite #justsaying)

Two Turtle Doves

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

The 7th Day of Christmas is January 1st! A new year means new beginnings, new habits, new routines, and new hopes and dreams for the future.

The Seven Swans symbolize Seven Graces: Service, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving and Sharing, Planning, Leadership, and Reaching Out to Others

What are your favorite ways to mark the new year? Resolutions? Thorough cleaning? A polar plunge?

On the 7th Day of Christmas, Chanticleer brings to me….

Seven Non-Fiction Divisions!

At Chanticleer, we’re proud to honor these remarkable stories through our seven Non-Fiction Divisions, each one representing a unique facet of the human experience. Whether overcoming adversity, inspiring others, or sharing expert insights, these authors remind us that there’s much more beneath the surface.

The Journey Awards for Overcoming Adversity in Non-Fiction

The Journey Awards honor memoirs of pain, survival, and endurance. These books will have you on the edge of your seat, pulling at your heartstrings and keeping you hooked until the very last page. Authors in this division share stories that explore the depths of human struggle, yet they also reveal the strength it takes to overcome the greatest of obstacles. These are stories that not only survive hardship but turn it into a testament of the human spirit.

The Hearten Awards for Uplifting and Inspiring Non-Fiction

If adversity fuels transformation, then The Hearten Awards shine with the light of hope. These books embody the courage to face hardships head-on while remaining a beacon of inspiration. Authors in this division tell tales of kindness, resilience, and triumph, showing us the best of humanity even in the most difficult times. Their works inspire us to rise above challenges and make the world a better place.

The Military and Front Line Awards for Service to Others

In the spirit of selflessness and community, the Military and Front Line Awards honor those who serve others. Whether through the military or community service, these authors’ stories remind us of the dedication and sacrifice required to serve others. This division was inspired by figures like Florence Nightingale and aims to shed light on those whose service makes the world a better place. Their stories are a testament to the power of giving and serving others.

The Mind & Spirit Awards for Metaphysical Non-Fiction

Sometimes, we need to expand our view of the world. That’s where The Mind & Spirit Awards come in. These works span from self-help to memoir, guiding readers on their personal journeys of transformation, healing, and spiritual discovery. Authors in this division offer wisdom and insights that encourage introspection, growth, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

The I&I, Instruction and Insight Awards for How-To and Self-Help

In our busy lives, we all need a little guidance from time to time. The I&I Awards recognize how-to and self-help books that provide practical solutions and insights. Whether offering expert advice or simple, actionable tips from those who’ve been there, these books are an essential tool for navigating everyday challenges and taking the next steps in life, business, or personal growth.

The Nellie Bly Awards for Longform Journalism

For those who seek depth and thoroughness in their reading, the Nellie Bly Awards celebrate longform journalism. These works offer well-researched, in-depth dives into subjects both timely and timeless. Whether investigating social issues, politics, or human rights, these authors bring critical attention to important stories and provide the detailed, comprehensive reporting we need to better understand the world.

The Harvey Chute Awards for Business and Finance

For those looking to elevate their careers and deepen their business knowledge, the Harvey Chute Awards are the gold standard. Recognizing works in business and finance, this division helps authors make sense of the complex world of corporate leadership, finance, and entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a business owner, aspiring leader, or investor, these books provide invaluable insights to help you take your professional journey to the next level.

Stay tuned for the 8th Day of Christmas!

Our favorite part about having the 12 Days of Christmas is that we can have the time we need to celebrate with our loved ones. We have time for wrapping our presents, meeting with friends for hot cocoa, and setting ourselves up in the New Year for publishing success (with Chanticleer Professional Services and the Chanticleer Authors Conference).

Wishing you Happy Holidays from Chanticleer from Kiffer, David, Dena, Scott, Anya, and Argus!

January 1, 2025
LIVE LIFE WITH EASE by Dr. Harish Malhotra, a practical self-help guide on self-healing

Readers of Dr. Harish Malhotra’s two previous books (Metaphors of Healing: Playful Language in Psychotherapy and Everyday Life and Pathways to Hope: Innovative Insights for Therapists and Patients) are in for a treat as his third title continues us on the healing path paved with entertaining metaphors. New readers too will enjoy holding Dr. Malhotra’s hand through life’s ups and downs as he takes us on a journey with 55 stories in Live Life with Ease: Everyday Paths to Self-Worth, each tale replete with his amusing touch.

In chapters like, “Settle Into Your Ideal Lifestyle,” “Pain, Pain, Go Away,” “Overthrowing Fear,” and “The Weight of Eating,” Dr. Malhotra tackles universal themes in a lighthearted, yet practical way. By weaving these humorous metaphors, he blesses us with the way he sees life as we confront fear, worry, addiction, lack of self-worth, sleeplessness, and unhealthy eating.

Take for example, the chapter “Infatuation,” where Dr. Malhotra advises us to employ the “Sleep on it/24-hour rule.” He compares decision-making to buying a new house – one that seems to boast a gorgeous skyline but is located on a dangerous street. “Let your excitement simmer down before making decisions. Reason may replace infatuation,” he counsels.

In one of the more playful stories, Dr. Malhotra poses to the reader: “Are you like a fart or a flower?” Despite the silliness, he raises a sincere dilemma: why would we surround ourselves with people who are “toxic” and “seething with resentment,” rather than those who are “fragrant” with a “pleasant demeanor and gracious words.” Point well taken, Dr. Malhotra, with a nod to our olfactory.

We have to assume that Dr. Malhotra, a board certified psychiatrist in private practice in Summit, NJ, pulls from his more than 40 years in a white lab coat as many of the sketches include (imaginary?) dialogue between doctor and patient. “Don’t fight the smoke with a sword of worry,” he says to a patient who is anxious about the future.

Throughout the book’s 304 pages (or 364 pages via e-reader), we feel like he is our own personal guru and we are a better person for it.

In one of my favorites, “Dating, Inc.” he likens relationships to “Hair Softener or Chewing Gum.” Holding on too tight is like getting chewing gum balled up in your partner’s hair,” he says. “Some hair has to be cut off to get rid of the gum… Some problems in relationships stem from too much contact.”

Perhaps the book, which makes a delightful gift for a college graduate or a loved one needing inspiration, can best be enjoyed as a bedside reader, referring nightly to the index to locate specific passages in times of stress: “Reframing Problems,” “Risk Taking,” “Welcoming Attitude,” and “Unlearning Habits.”

For further inspiration, you can see Dr. Malhotra on his YouTube channel, “Helpful Hints for Hangups,” where he acts out the rousing metaphors with members of his family.

May 18, 2016
THE MAVERICK EFFECT by George Verdolaga, a step-by-step motivational guide

Have you ever wondered what makes you different from others? Why you’ve always had the urge to “go against the herd”? Why the “popular” kids who snubbed you in school seem to go nowhere after graduation, while you still have an urge to accomplish something great, no matter what it takes? It may be the Maverick Effect, an intriguing theory conceived by entrepreneur and self-styled maverick George Verdolaga.

Verdolaga makes an important distinction between “mavericks” and “hipsters.” Hipsters look cool, revel in their popularity, but fade out fast—because they are really only followers, chasing the latest trends in fashion or tech. Mavericks are the ones who actually establish those trends.

People with maverick personalities may have a hard time at first, driven by weird artistic and intellectual interests that set them uncomfortably apart. However, they are the real winners, Verdolaga asserts, once they realize their true potential, “finding their way over, around or under” the barriers that society has put in their path.

The author gives many pertinent examples of the maverick effect among unusual people throughout history: Pythagoras, Caravaggio, even Jesus, were ahead of the curve, misunderstood and scorned by the conventional thinkers of their day. J. K. Rowling was a divorced single mom living on welfare when she conceptualized Harry Potter and his magical universe. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, all were considered nerds when they were young. People destined for maverick greatness never say, “I give up,” “It’s too hard,” or “I’m too busy.” They aren’t distracted by what the crowd wants, but rather, “fearlessly embrace challenges and become the catalysts that spearhead the new initiative for change.”

This motivational guide is organized with business-like competence by someone who has “walked the walk”—Verdolaga left the family business his parents had built for him, choosing instead to carve out his own highly lucrative path through the corporate world.

He offers sound, step-by-step advice for those willing to break out of their comfort zone every single day to promote their groundbreaking ideas. He sets forth, with numerous case studies and a lengthy bibliography, the skills needed to manifest the maverick effect: “overnight success” can take years, so persistence is essential, along with training in public speaking to convince others of the feasibility of one’s projects.
Words of wisdom from a successful pacesetter, The Maverick Effect will inspire the hidden innovators among us to invent, initiate, and innovate.

October 9, 2015