2010 October 13

Title: The Taken: A Hazel Micallef Mystery
Author: Inger Ash Wolfe
Publisher: Corgi Books
Publication Date: July 22, 2010
Paperback: 496 pages
ISBN: 978-0552156912
Genre: Fiction, Mystery

From the Publisher:

Detective Inspector Hazel Micallef is recovering from a bad year, and a traumatic back operation that has left her in the care of her ex husband and his new wife.

But Hazel is lured back to work when a body is pulled from a nearby lake: a discovery that eerily mirrors a disturbing story printed in the local newspaper.

The author of the tale can’t be found, and when gruesome, taunting clues begin to arrive Hazel realises she’s dealing with a master manipulator, a crazed soul who knows her every move . . .

My Review:

Port Dundas is usually a very quiet area with not much to report upon until what appears to be a body is found while fishing. The Taken, by Inger Ash Wolfe is the second in her Detective Inspector Hazel Micallef series, the first being The Calling. The Taken can definitely be read as a stand alone novel, yet once the reader is introduced to Wolfe’s brilliant cast of characters, and to her well thought out mysteries with just the right amount of plot twists, it is my belief the reader will want to read Wolfe’s other works. It was rather refreshing to read a novel about a highly regarded inspector detective who not only lives with her mother, but also is divorced and almost 62, a far cry from the angst ridden protagonist man or stunning beauty one usually reads about. Hazel has a sharp wit and tongue to match and is a woman I would rather enjoy meeting. Wolfe appears to have quite a gift at creating a memorable cast of characters both major and minor along with an intriguing storyline. I look forward to reading her future works. I would recommend The Taken to anyone looking for a rather unique and fast-paced detective mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of The Taken by Inger Ash Wolfe from Transworld Publishers UK. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Title: The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Author: Brené Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W.
Publisher: Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: October 4, 2010
Paperback: 260 pages
ISBN: 978-1592858491
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help

From the Publisher:

I wish my nose was smaller. I feel guilty every time I leave my kids in day care. I’m afraid to say what I really think. I hate these thunder thighs. I should be married by now. I sounded so dumb. Whether we fixate on our bodies, minds, personalities, or actions, every woman struggles with feelings of not being good enough. Each day we face a barrage of images and ideas–from society and the media–telling us who we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only change those flaws by looking perfect and leading a perfect life, then we’d no longer feel inadequate.

In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W., the leading expert on shame, reveals that it is actually our imperfections that connect us to one another as human beings and make us who we are. We are naturally drawn to those we view as authentic, real, and down-to-earth. It makes sense, then, that we should stop reaching for something “better” and, instead, strive to be who we are, fully owning every aspect of ourselves. Through essays, stories, inspiring quotes, meditations, and dynamic creative exercises designed for personal discovery and growth, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits in finding the greatness in our flaws and evolving our self-perceptions. She helps us develop the skills to accept our humanness with compassion and practice empathy with ourselves and others.

My Review:

Have you ever thought to yourself “if only I get this promotion, or if I could just lose twenty pounds, then I will be happy”? If so, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown may just be the answer. The premise of the book, to embrace imperfection, is seemingly simple, yet for many can be quite complex to execute. Brown tells the reader that happiness, or the love of oneself is not conditional on any prerequisites, rather it is a state of mind. Brown offers the reader ten realistic goalposts to help the reader overcome perceived obstacles to becoming happy, which requires one to love oneself and accept being less than perfect. How simplistic sounding, yet how many people are truly content with their current life, body, and circumstances? I personally do not know any and in this media-infused society it appears there are less and less people able to obtain what media dictates as “socially desirable”. Suddenly Brown’s assertion of self-love does not seem so simplistic to achieve. The Gifts of Imperfection is not a “new-age” book nor does it offer up revolutionary ideas. The premise is solid and indeed life-changing for those who are willing to realize that regardless of flaws and imperfections, it is okay, we are all flawed and yet we are all worthy of love and happiness, to be content in the now. I recommend The Gifts of Imperfection to everyone.

About the Author:

Brené is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (Gotham, 2007) and two forthcoming books, THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are (Hazelden, 2010) and Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy (Hazelden, 2011). She is also the author of Connections, a psychoeducational shame resilience curriculum that is being facilitated across the nation by mental health and addiction professionals. Brené’s current research focuses on Wholeheartedness in families, schools, and organizations.

Brené lives in Houston with her husband, Steve, and their two young children, Ellen and Charlie.

Connect with the authour: Visit her blog, Ordinary Courage, visit her Website, Follow on Twitter.

For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.