The Reader's Journal | Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted Part 2

For all those who have read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and find the story captivating and the characters lovable, you will appreciate Lauren Baratz-Logsted's efforts in rewriting the well-known story with a very modern twist to it in her novel Little Women and Me.  Logsted's main character, Emily March, is given an English assignment to chronicle what she would change in her favorite book. In rising to the challenge, Emily March is transported into the book, and becomes the middle sister of the infamous March sisters.

The first surprise in the book Little Women and Me, is that in a typical story of transporting back in time, the character is usually a bystander on the scene - the new kid on the block, if you will. However, Logsted chose for her main character to be added as a sibling to the March family, thus becoming the middle child. If that wasn't bold enough, then consider adding the character to an already existing story to continue on as if 'life as usual'. There was no expression of shock or surprise when Emily suddenly 'showed up' in the story, but instead she was accepted as if she is always expected to be there. We thought that this was a very ingenious way of continuing on Alcott's story of Little Women without shaking its foundation too much while actually changing parts of the original plot. Of course the dynamics and the storyline of the original fiction would have to make way here for the new, and we thought it was a good way of setting the stage and building the scene to carry out Emily's assignment - which is to look for areas in which she would change the plot. Emily was doing so without realizing it!

The first two chapters of the book set the pace and unfold the basic story plot change Emily had in mind for her assignment. Reading further into the book, readers will actually want to see how much Emily will accomplish her goal, and may be dissapointed if they were expecting more of the March sisters to play a greater part. But one has to remember that this plot (Little Women and Me) is written from a different viewpoint. Alcott's world with classic mannerisms and speech of 1860's New England is primarily lost in the narrative and perspective of Emily March; and understandably so because the story is being told by a teenager of the 21st century. Therefore, there is the typical whining and moaning about mondane life and boredom by a teenager who is far removed from all modern day technology and way of life. It's expected, and fans of Alcott may struggle with this.

Interesting read as we see Alcott's heroines from a different perspective. If you had a chance to change the plot, scene, the characters, or the outcome of your favorite book, what changes would you make?

Keep reading and follow along with us on our blog for updates in our journal entry on Little Women and Me!

Inside our summer issue of The Books Magazine

In our summer issue of The Books Magazine, we have wonderful and inspiring author interviews; our reader's journal book review; and awesome summer reads that we know you can't wait to read!

Inspiring and motivating author interviews with:
1. David Kalish, author of The Opposite of Everything
The Opposite of Everything is our 3rd book in our Reader's Journal section. We took the book a part, and we delved deep down into Daniel Plotnick's psychic. Now, we speak to author David Kalish one on one about his book, his main character Daniel Plotnick, his theme the opposite of everything, his battle with cancer and divorce, and his advice to first time authors.

2. Yon Walls, author of Seeing Colette
Seeing Colette is a historical fiction of a young woman, Colette Stonethrower, who flees from an epidemic in her village to life as a guardian for an orphange, a civil activist for the poor and destitute, and an advocate for the arts - all this on the outbreak of World War I and the Harlem Artistic Renaissance! Read DBR Books interview with author Yon Walls.

The Reader's Journal:
Our Reader's Journal book review is for our 4th read Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. What if you could change a paragraph, a line, the plot, a character, or the outcome of your favorite book? What would you change, or whom would you change? Read along with us, and view our first journal entry for this book in our magazine!

Awesome Summer Reads
You'll be surprised at the great line up of summer reads we have in stored for you! Make a list of must read summer books now!

Click here and begin reading!

Thank You and Congratulations!

TO: Our Readers and Subscribers

Thank you to all who participated in our Survey Raffle - "How Did You Hear About DBR Books?"

A winner was randomly chosen and now for the grand announcement!

The winner is Joanne L. of Canada! Congratulations Joanne!

Keep checking our Blog to see what's next.

Best Regards,
DBR Books

The Reader's Journal - The Opposite of Everything by David Kalish Part 3

The Opposite of Everything is a new first book written by David Kalish, chronicling his battle with cancer and divorce, in the third person novel of the story of Daniel Plotnick. The book highlights many of Kalish's emotional struggle with his bout with cancer. It delves deep into past and present emotional trauma and this made Kalish main character Plotnick real to readers.

Our emotional history and our life experiences help shape our personalities. Daniel Plotnick and other characters in the book are well thought out and well developed due to their experiences. Readers 'get to know' them because Kalish sought to bring them from existing as sub-characters that help move a novel along to major players that fill in the blanks and answer questions readers may have about the main character. For instance, in reading the book, one may wonder why Daniel Plotnick harbored intense agitation toward his father Harold Plotnick. Kalish, instead of saying why, showed the reader as he temporarily switched narration of the story, continuing from Harold Plotnick's point of view. In doing so, this allowed the reader to understand Daniel Plotnick's background history, thereby making the characters more 'fleshy' and the story more real.

On their weekend together in the Catskills, Harold Plotnick saw for the first time what he deemed as "murder of his son's normality". Seeing his son in a different light, Harold angry at first, became grievesome when Daniel 'fell over' the George Washington Bridge. This switch of point of views show the story from different angles, perspectives, and the reader experiences each person's emotional struggle with Daniel Plotnick's crisis.

The characters that come to play as the story unfolds, Plotnick's Dad, Steve his best friend, Mona (Steve's Mom), and Sonia - Plotnick's Columbian girlfriend, are all rich and engaging. Their existence make the story more believing. As the characters unfold, Kalish cleverly interweaves their strong points, thereby bringing to the forefront how their existence enriched Plotnick's life. Amidst the tumult of emotions running wild in this book, as everyone comes to grip with the circumstance, his characters were able to work through their own struggles and somehow assist in the healing process of Daniel Plotnick.

Endowing his characters with real emotions, Kalish established in his book solid relationships that are intertwined and dynamically charged as they affect one another, and one can see that especially when Daniel Plotnick found love. Writer David Kalish has a knack for writing raw emotion and creating and interweaving complex relationships. It is also credible that he kept the theme of the book (the opposite of what comes naturally) running consistently as a never-ending thread throughout the story; even to the point of running the risk of the reader questioning the 'sanity' of his main character.

Although the ending was a little cliched for the theme of the book, we actually appreciated the way in which the story came to a close. We also liked that the story had a hopeful open ending, giving it the ability to 'live on' in the reader's mind and to ponder what's next for Daniel Plotnick?

This is our last journal entry on this book. If you haven't already gotten this book, we suggest you do as it won't be a disappointing read!

Link with author David Kalish and learn more about his book The Opposite of Everything  on his website - http://www.davidkalishwriter.com 

Happy Reading!

The Reader's Journal - The Opposite of Everything by David Kalish Part 2

The Opposite of Everything by author David Kalish, made its debut in March 2014, and DB-R Designs received a copy for review. We chose The Opposite of Everything as our next Reader's Journal book and the first part of this review was written by The Books Magazine, May|June 2014 issue.

The Opposite of Everything, has recently been awarded 1st Place in the Literary Category of the Somerset Awards for Literary & Mainstream Fiction! A great start don't you think?

Picking up where we left off in Daniel Plotnick's radical decision to do the opposite of everything that was natural for him, in David Kalish new book The Opposite of Everything, Plotnick plunged ahead in his decision without restraint or regret.

After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Plotnick decided that his life should be lived by his terms. Therefore, going against his very nature as the doting husband, Plotnick changed the locks to his apt and served his wife (of just a year) separation papers. But if that wasn't crazy enough, true to his word Plotnick did the opposite of his opposite! And so, under his wife's encouragement, gained for himself a mutual separation, kept his apartment, and returned to a life of bachelorhood!

The layers of complexity that writer Kalish has created here is worth mentioning. In a two dimensional world, the opposite of light is darkness. In Plotnick's world of negative-positive and ying-yang, the opposites take on their own opposites; thereby creating a three dimensional outlook on the circumstance, where readers can assess the length, breadth, and height of the situation. This dimensional element of the story, gives the reader the freedom to choose whether or not to stand back and survey the circumstance or be engaged in it as Plotnick bounces back and forth between the ying and yang of his decision.

However, one can't help but to be caught up in the story as Plotnick toddles back and forth between decisions as he organize, agonize, and rationalize his thoughts. In this successful yet very subtle approach by author Kalish to bring his readers closer to the main character, readers can feel Plotnick's struggle in that quick flash of decision making. You want to empathize and at the same time you want to pat Plotnick on the back for a job well done!

If you haven't gotten this book as yet, we suggest you get your copy as soon as possible and follow along with us as we read! Don't forget to read PART 1 of this book review in May|June's issue of The Books Magazine .

Connect with author David Kalish on his website: http://www.davidkalishwriter.com/

Happy Reading!

The Reader's Journal - The Opposite of Everything by David Kalish Part 1

The Opposite of Everything  by author David Kalish, made its debut in March 2014, and DB-R Designs received a copy for review. We chose The Opposite of Everything  as our next Reader's Journal book and the first part of the review is written by The Books Magazine, May|June 2014 issue.

Book Description:

When Brooklyn journalist Daniel Plotnick learns he has cancer, his fortunes fall faster than you can say Ten Plagues of Egypt. His wife can't cope, his marriage ends in a showdown with police, and his father accidentally pushes him off the George Washington Bridge.

Plotnick miraculously survives his terrifying plunge, and comes up with a zany plan to turn his life around: by doing the opposite of everything he did before.

In the darkly comedic tradition of Philip Roth and Lorrie Moore comes a new novel from author David Kalish, who draws us into a hilarious, off-kilter world where cancer tears apart relationships...and builds new ones.

Read Part 1 in The Books Magazine

Don't forget to also read our Book Review PART 2 on this blog site!

Happy Reading!

Book Review | Cool Kind Kid Handbook #1

The following book review was originally written for The Books Magazine edition May/June 2014 . This is an updated version with new hyperlinks for purchasing the Cool Kind Kid Handbook 1 and its CD.

While reading through Cool Kind Kid Handbook 1 by creator of "Cool Kind Kid" Barbara Gilmour, we saw an area in the book activity in which an alien from outer space asked "Why are you doing that?". It got us thinking, if aliens were to visit the planet Earth, what would they think of our world today? Would they find a people of a generous nature, with mannerable social skills, caring, respectful, and practicing the Golden Rule with others?

In the Cool Kind Kid Handbook 1, Barbara Gilmour, Sydelle Mason, Ed.D, and Wendy McDermott, Ph.D, help parents and caregivers, eductors and counselors, to effectively assist young children in developing adequate social skills and successfully reject bullying within their peers.

The handbook is an activity book designed to help the parent/instructor introduce social etiquette in a fun way through Q & A exercises and catchy-fun songs and lyrics. The message? It's okay to be a "cool kind kid". The handbook demonstrates various circumstances in which kids can be kind to others - at home, at school, with their neighbors, in their community etc. This book is very practical and down-to-earth, and encourages kids to look for opportunities to be kind.

When we think of the Golden Rule -"do unto others as you would have others do unto you" - we see that it requires action. Just as Love is an action word, not just something you feel; the Golden Rule requires action too for it to be a practical, tangible experience. Cool Kind Kid fully explores the real meaning of this principle, and gives sound practical advice in areas in which the Golden Rule can be applied. The book encourages children to be "cool" at home, at school, at play, in their neighborhood and community. Then it goes into detail, giving parents/instructors/counselors wonderful tips and objectives on accomplishing this task.

One commendable aspect of the book is that it is interactive. Parents/instructors are not just simply regurgitating suggestions from the book; but they are required to ask the kids various questions on topics addressed, and then discuss the answers together. Also, kids and parents are encouraged to put into practice what they have learned from these 'training' sessions within various social settings and environments.

We liked that it wasn't the cookie-cutter format of creating good citizenship, but that the authors explored the avenues that have long gone neglected in our society. The issue of proper manners and respect for others are resounding key factors in the book.

Cool Kind Kid Handbook 1 is a guide book that should be kept by parents and caregivers as an instruction manual and activity book in which adults can refer to from time to time. For example, you may want to choose the objective 'character building' as a project for your kids. Parents are encouraged to read and involve their kids in the corresponding activities for the project. Remember to make it fun! What better way to learn and grow!

The book highlights a lot of role playing. This is important because children learn by emulating what they have seen and heard. For instance, acting out the polite and rude ways of using the magic words is a profound teaching tool that will definitely leave a more lasting impression in the minds of young children.

Cool Kind Kid is timely and appropriate for our society today in which bullying seems to have taken over as the "new norm". The book is refreshing and it reinforces those lessons that sets us high above the animal kingdom and makes us who we are, humans.

Which takes us right back to the beginning of this article. If aliens were to visit our planet, what kind of people would they find? Well, we hope, amongst the harsh realities of our world, they'd find honorable, upright citizens in our children and young adults; after all, they are our future. A future with honest, kind, and honorable citizens, is the kind of future we should all strive for.

For more details view the website: http://www.CoolKindKid.com/

[This book review of Cool Kind Kid, Handbook #1 is written for The Books Magazine - May/June 2014 edition]

The Cool Kind Kid CD (Single)

There are 17 original songs that can be used as teaching tools in providing young children with the proper social skills necessary for our society today. Each song (single), sold separately, costs $0.99 and can be downloaded on a MP3 player. Here are some of the titles:

• Magic Word Mambo
• When the Telephone Rings
• Polite to Me
• Rude Rudy
• The Best Friend I Can Be
• School Rules
• Manners Matter Everywhere