My Top Ten Books of The Year - Alan Blume

In December I typically reflect upon the books I read during the year, determine my favorites, and map out a plan for the types of books I hope to read in the ensuing year. One of my goals last year was to diversify my reading selection, by choosing a more comprehensive amalgamation of genres. I tried to include classics, historical fiction and non-fiction, poetry, science fiction, German language books and business books. What follows is a list and brief synopsis of my top ten books of the year.

I read two more Eric Larson books this year, "Thunderstruck" and "In the Garden of Beasts". As with all the Larson books I've read, this work contains great detail, rich characterizations, and the integration of multiple story lines within an interesting historical context. Though I preferred "Devil in the White City", both "Thunderstruck" and "In the Garden of Beasts" are worthwhile reads, containing important historical perspectives, and in the case of the latter, the ominous and portentous issues of 1930's Germany. It's somewhat challenging to determine a top 10 list, as the genres are so diverse, instead of thinking of my "ten best", a more appropriate list description might be the 10 books I most enjoyed. That said, here is my list:

1. Tale of Two Cities: My favorite book of the year, this Dickens classic, is a classic for many reasons, including the famous first paragraph, and the memorable last two sentences. This work truly conveys the evocative imagery of this tumultuous period. The elite "charging" through the streets in their carriages, makes even my fellow Bostonian drivers seem tame and languid. "With a wild rattle and clatter, and an inhuman abandonment of consideration not easy to be understood in these days, the carriage dashed through streets and swept round corners, with women screaming before it, and men clutching each other and clutching children out of its way."


2. The Beautiful and the Damned: I thought the reincarnation of the Great Gatsby movie fell flat, but departed with the motivation to read a Fitzgerald novel. I opted for "The Beautiful and the Damned". In this work, F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates his great literary form, with flowing descriptions and vivid characterizations. He creates characters you love to hate, or perhaps hate to love.


3. Thunderstruck: An excellent historical work by Larson, this one revolving around the advent of wireless telegraphy, while providing a parallel plot line revolving around the strange life of a London couple. I thought "Devil in the White City" was better, but still enjoyed "Thunderstruck".


4. In the Garden of Beasts: Another excellent book by Larson, this one revolving around the tumultuous times in the 1930's during Hitler's rise to power. It follows newly appointed US Ambassador William Dodd and his family, and their surreal life in Berlin.


5. Destiny of the Republic Destiny of the Republic: Back in 1881, when anyone could visit the White House, before the advent of the presidential security details, Garfield demonstrates why this openness had dire consequences. This was a very good Candice Millard book, though I enjoyed "River of Doubt" even more.


6. Lost in Shangri-La: Excellent WWII read, pertaining to a remote region of the globe, in a time and place with limited technology, and when many regions were still yet unexplored.


7. The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Wadsworth and Frost are two of my favorite poets. This public domain work includes The Arrow and the Song, The Wreck of the Hesperus, The Song of Hiawatha and many other great poems. From my perspective, Longfellow poems range from whimsical to evocative to didactic. If you like traditional poets, you can find a great selection of poems in this extensive collection (note that the table of contents did not hyperlink on my Kindle).


8. The Songs of Distant Earth: An Arthur Clarke classic which makes the reader ponder when and how the human race will explore and populate other planets.


9. Pebble in The Sky: An early Asimov work (1950), which includes foundational elements the for the Foundation series. Though some of the references may be dated, like a Jules Verne novel, it's still an entertaining and thought provoking work.


10. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking: From my perspective, not as engaging as "The Tipping Point", but still provides Gladwell's unique perspective.

This year I also read multiple books on German vocabulary, verb drills, short stories and logged numerous hours on Rosetta Stone. Many of these were helpful, though I think personal preference and learning styles vary dramatically, making it difficult to determine what other readers might prefer. I do enjoy Rosetta Stone, though I think they should include an on demand translation dictionary in their program.

Next year I expect the genres to remain similar, and hope to include Vonnegut, Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Tolkien, historical non-fiction, perhaps Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, and several new business books. It seems like it's time to start writing again, my most recent book was written over a year ago. I've been pondering a book on digital marketing and integrated pipeline building and have rough outline in mind. And perhaps someday, a novel, though I'm truly humbled by the many great authors above. Regardless, like many, I find both reading and writing, a worthwhile, enlightening and often cathartic process.

Alan Blume is an author and the founder and CEO of StartUpSelling, Inc., StartMarketingTech, and The Juris Marketing Group. His recent books include Sell More & Work Less, and YourVirtualSuccess. His company, StartUpSelling, Inc., provides insurance agency marketing services, insurance agency leads and web marketing programs to select insurance agencies and brokers. StartMarketingTech provides marketing and lead generation services to technology companies and the Juris Marketing Group provides marketing services for law firms. Blume was awarded Inc 500 status twice in his career and runs all of his operations virtually, with a seasoned team of US based marketing professionals.

More of Alan Blume's work can be found at: http://alanblume.com/

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Amazon announce this year's best selling books

Amazon has announced the top twenty best-selling books for 2013. Once again, it has been a great year for James Patterson and lawyer-turned-author John Grisham can celebrate a place in Amazon's best selling books of the year as well. James Patterson had three books in the top ten: Alex Cross Run, 12th of Never, and Second Honeymoon.

There are many other familiar names in the top ten, including Harlen Coben, Lee Child, Jodi Picoult, Stephen King and Dan Brown/

Amazon's  top twenty adult books for 2013 looks like this:

1.		Inferno by Dan Brown					11.		Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson
2.		And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini					12.		Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
3.		The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith					13.		12th of Never by James Patterson
4.		The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty					14.		Damaged: The Ferro Family by H.M. Ward
5.		Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg					15.		Killing Jesus: A History by Bill O’Reilly
6.		The Hit by David Baldacci					16.		Second Honeymoon by James Patterson
7.		Sycamore Row by John Grisham					17.		Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
8.		Entwined with You by Sylvia Day					18.		The Billionaire’s Obsession: The Complete Collection by J.S. Scott
9.		Never Go Back by Lee Child					19.		Surrender Your Love by J.C. Reed
10.		The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult					20.		Six Years by Harlan Coben

And the top twenty childrens/teens books looks like this:

1.		Allegiant by Veronica Roth					11.		A Quest of Heroes by Morgan Rice
2.		The House of Hades by Rick Riordan					12.		The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore
3.		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney					13.		The Day the Crayons Quitby Drew Daywalt
4.		Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans by Rush Limbaugh					14.		A March of Kings by Morgan Rice
5.		Never Too Far by Abbi Glines					15.		The Grimm Diaries Prequels volume 1-6 by Cameron Jace
6.		Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan					16.		The Elite by Kiera Cass
7.		Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare					17.		A Feast of Dragons by Morgan Rice
8.		Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines					18.		Dork Diaries 6: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker by Rachel Renée Russell
9.		Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines					19.		Confessions: The Private School Murders by James Patterson
10.		The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan					20.		Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Which book is your favourite for 2013? Leave a comment or write a review and see it featured on this blog.

Review: Just one Cornetto - Keith Mashiter

In Keith Mashiter’s new book, which is a well-written, detailed travelogue, the book details the best of what Italy and Sicily have to offer and follows the journey that Charles Dickens first made in the 19th century. We begin in Genoa and the opening chapter really brings this vibrant, picturesque region alive for the reader.

Keith’s detailed writings of his own journey, along with the history of the area included, make the first chapter a truly fascinating read.

Next, the reader is transported to Cinque Terre, where Keith and Gail’s adventure continues, I have to say I really felt like visiting the fishing villages such as Monterosso and Cornigilia, as the pictures painted in the book just sound so beautiful. As the journey continues, the reader can learn all about Keith and Gail’s time in Sienna, Rome, Naples, Punta Braccetto etc. However, Etna, with its lava brick walls was the place that really stood out for me, and the more I read about it, the more I want to keep my promise to one day visit Etna. I also read about Pisa with a special interest as this is a place I plan to visit one day. The description of San Miniato sounds gorgeous, and the Tuscan villages I read about in the book sound delightful, while “Campo Dei Miracoli” of the Field of Miracles sounds like a sheer joy to visit.

From the opening dialogue, to the closing pages, this book is a real joy to read. I like the easy going way in which the book has been written, and I like the tongue in cheek humour.

The book is easy to read and I found it a great way to wind down at the end of a long day. I liked the pictures that each chapter begins with and the map at the front is a good addition as well.

FREE BOOK NOVEMBER 11TH AND 12TH!! title - Kill Daddy *

Trauma from the past becomes a part of who you are. It weighs down on the present, suffocating life and preventing you from healing and moving on. If you continue to carry this baggage around long enough, you will eventually become who you are not. Believe in the essential goodness of your true self, however, and you will accept the past, but let go of the burden and finally become the real you. This is the story of one man's struggle to accept the past and move on before it destroys everything he is and could ever hope to be. In desperation Gerry flees society to save his sanity and ends up in the remote villages of East Africa. Midst the poverty, he encounters hope and more love than he could imagine. Will it be enough to save him? Can he repair the damage done to him in his childhood or will his abusers win in the end?

I was inspired to write Kill Daddy after I returned from my roller coaster ride In Kenya and Uganda where I spent almost 2 years living with the local people.Everyone was asking me-What is Africa like? I couldn't sum it up into an adequate enough reply. Then as I began writing about the journey I realized I was leaving out an important part of the story, which was- Why did I go there in the first place? Writing about myself and exposing myself to you all is honest but a little difficult. However, if I am to inspire and connect with people and find those who can identify with my journey, then I believe that writing is like art and must come from the heart.

The book has already received some good 5 STAR reviews, so far, from complete strangers and serious reviewers. *Courtesy of Gerry Aldridge Find the book at

: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQQBV2O/

Finding Freelance Writing Work

Like any other self-employed work, finding freelance writing jobs isn't easy. However, if you are determined, and have a plan, then it can be much less of a challenge.

When I decided to go freelance on a full time basis, I ended up having a few sleepless nights and going over in my head which direct debits I could cancel. I also sent plenty of time trying to figure out where else I could save money, so I could make my savings just a little bit longer.

Fortunately, it didn't come to that as I re-discovered freelance writing sites. I had tried them in the past, but soon lost patience when I didn't win any projects. I guess I took the many rejections I had gotten just a little bit too personally, but when I went back to the freelance sites, I soon realised that if I was going to be successful, then I was going to have to get a thicker skin.

I also took some time out to ready other people's advice on how they secured work from freelance sites, and I read many accounts from people who had bid on 40 plus projects before getting their first job. It is just a matter of having some grit and determination and not giving u at the first hurdle. After 21 proposals, I was lucky enough to secure my first Elance project. I secured a project ghost writing a book, and I am just finishing a second book for the same client.

The work is was irregular to begin with, however, that is the nature of freelance work. I have since found that the more I pitch for work, the better I get at pitching, which means more work comes my  way every month. I also look for clients that require regular content so I can build up my client list that way.

The more clients I get, the more confident I become and the regular work makes the whole freelance writing business just a little less nerve-racking.

For now, I am working on Elance. Fiverr and People Per Hour. People Per Hour is one of my favourites as it is easier to secure work on there and they're fast at releasing funds when I've requested it

Do you have any tips for finding freelance writing work? Share your tips in the comments section below.

Kindle MatchBook

Amazon is offering writers the chance to make more money from their books with Kindle MatchBook. Kindle MatchBook offers buyers the opportunity to buy the Kindle version of a book at the same time that they purchase a printed book - something that should help writers increase their sales.

The new programme began in early September; since the launch more than 700,000 sellers have signed up.If a writer has their work published on Amazon, they can visit the site and see which of their books qualify for the MatchBook promotion.

In a press release, Russ Grandinetti, Vice President, Kindle Content., said:

“It’s been great to see the positive response to MatchBook from both readers and publishers.”

“MatchBook enrollment has grown from 10,000 to 70,000 titles in just a few weeks and we expect it will keep expanding rapidly in the months ahead.”

As detailed in the press release, the features of Kindle MatchBook include:

• Kindle editions at a great price: Amazon customers who purchase or have purchased qualifying print books can get the Kindle edition for prices that are $2.99, $1.99, $0.99, or free.
• For book purchases dating back to 1995: Print purchases all the way back to 1995—when Amazon first opened its online bookstore—will qualify once a publisher enrolls a title in Kindle MatchBook.
• Easy discovery: Readers can easily look up their entire print book order history to discover which of their past purchases are enrolled in Kindle MatchBook.
• Popular Kindle-only features: As with regular purchases, Kindle MatchBook titles have unique features such as Whispersync, Popular Highlights and X-Ray.
• Read anywhere capabilities: In addition to Amazon’s best-selling Kindle devices, customers can download a free Kindle reading app for iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones, PC or Mac and start building their Kindle library today.

Blind Corners - Jemir Johnson

"Blind Corners" is the new book by Jemir Johnson. The book features four illustrated stories each with Jay Nova, a female, black, private eye as the protagonist.

From the back cover:

"What you do in the dark is your business. 

Keeping it buried is hers. 

Jay Nova is a private eye with a ready gun and sure hand that walks to danger “fixing” problems for the desperate. 

Coldly, efficiently … off the books. 

But clean slates carry a price those crossed will want paid in blood. 

Hers."

I really enjoy original fiction and urban mysteries; I enjoy books with strong female leads as well, so this book sounds like it is going to be perfect for me. I am going to spend some time reading the book, and when I've finished, I'll report back here with a full review.

In the meanwhile, if you are intrigued enough to find out more, the book is currently available on Amazon by going to:

 http://www.amazon.com/Blind-Corners-Jemir-Johnson/dp/0981827837/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382065923&sr=1-2&keywords=blind+corners

Interview with Collette Sinclaire

Colette Sinclaire is a Psychic Medium and author of the new book "The Real Book of the Dead". Below is an interview with the author.

Why do you feel you had to write The Real Book of the Dead?

I didn’t write the book. The spirits did. It’s their life and death stories. The Real Book of the Dead really is a book by the dead for the living.

 By dead, do you really mean DEAD?

Yes, I really mean dead. As a psychic medium, every single article, every word and chapter is the personal story of not only a deceased person’s life, but their death. The Real Book of the Dead details exactly what each person experienced when they died, how they died and what came next as they crossed over.

So, what really happens when we die?

It all depends. I’ve interviewed over 500 souls in developing the books. What Happens to Bad People When They Die will be out soon, detailing exactly what it is that happens and why it’s important for people who have been through difficult times to know that there is a certain sort of cosmic justice.

What happens to good people when they die?

Each person’s experience of death is different. What one person experiences and finds true, another person will develop and interrupt differently. This is what makes their life and death stories so compelling. Each life and death is so deeply different and personal.

Are there any that stand out in particular for you?

There are sweet stories of unending love and harrowing stories of violent murders. I like to carry the lighter ones, but this doesn’t mean that I’m not haunted by the darker ones. I actually experience what the victim experiences. I experience the duct tape over the mouth. Struggling against the rope, the piercing of the knife as it goes through the skin. Without getting too graphic, it’s safe to say that I’ve died or at least had the experience of dying many, many times.

With that in mind, how do you let go of the violent death experiences that you have had?

I meditate and ask my spirit guides for help. I’m naturally a very grounded person. Having seven kids will do to you, but I’m thankful for how the experience of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes but also their death has changed me. I think about intention and positivity much more.

Review: Companies, Snakes and Ladders: Success in the Arab Corporate Jungle Mamdooh Al-Radadi

'Companies, Snakes and Ladders: Success in the Arab Corporate Jungle' is the latest book from business service expert, consultant and author Mamdooh Al-Radadi. The latest book provides a comprehensive guide to people new to the world of work and hoping to climb up the corporate ladder. The book explains how to draw up a plan to enable success from the beginning months of your career and into the years ahead.

 Mamdooh speaks from his own experience in the corporate world, and enables the reader to successfully develop a plan to start building their own career. Networking and marketing can be tough sea to navigate but ‘Companies, Snakes and Ladders” offers valuable advice on how to work through these difficulties and gives the reader a solid way forward. It sets out everything the reader needs to make a success of their career and is packed full of tips and advice that can make your co-operate career a long and successful one. With social media and the Internet playing an increasing role in people’s everyday lives, there is some important advice on how to deal with customers online and how important “netiquette” can be the your business.

 Whether you are new to the corporate world, or have worked in a business for some time, you will find valuable insights in this book from an expert on the subject. By applying the advice detailed in this book, the reader can help create a successful career path for themselves and find tips and advice that are not readily available anywhere else. This book is insightful, concise and detailed and will enable readers to move on in their careers with confidence.

While 'Companies, Snakes and Ladders” is great for the beginner, it also offers firm guidance for those already in business, and all from an expert who can write from his own experience. 'Companies, Snakes and Ladders” also puts the emphasis on quality and gives advice on how to brand yourself. The book provides clear career guidance that will help the reader navigate their way through the career maze and find something that they can excel at. By following the advice in this book, business success –whether as an employer or employee – can be yours.

The Real Book of the Dead

Grief is an extremely dark time in a person’s life and most people will have experienced grief at some point in their lives; they will often have questions that will have gone unanswered. “The Real Book of the Dead” aims to answer some of those questions, and aims to help the reader see life and death in a different way.


Warning: Before purchasing “The Real Book of the Dead”, readers need to be aware that the book contains some graphic details that they might find uncomfortable to read, so it won’t be suitable for everyone. The book details accounts of the final moments of peoples’ lives including murders, suicides, drug overdoses etc. and while some of the accounts detailed in the book might be unsettling for some readers, some accounts might also be of comfort to many others.

 “The Real Book of the Dead” is the new book by Psychic Medium Colette Sinclaire. The stories included in this book are all from real people and it shares their life and death stories; this book has been written to give an insight about the afterlife and also gives an insight into life and death. The book is based on five years of interviewing spirits and has been written to offer proof that life does indeed go on after death; in a recent interview, Colette Sinclaire stated that she didn’t write the book, the spirits did.


 The Real Book of the Dead is currently available on Amazon by going to: http://www.amazon.com/The-Real-Book-Dead-ebook/dp/B00DPOFI9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374517921&sr=8-1&keywords=the+real+book+of+the+dead

The book can also be brought in paperback format by visiting http://www.lulu.com/shop/collette-sinclaire/the-real-book-of-the-dead/ebook/product-21104633.html;jsessionid=7EC8B16398506AC69329CA73322E9883

 To find out more about Colette Sinclaire, to ask questions, visit Colette Sinclaire’s website at: http://www.collettesinclaire.com/index.php

My first book

It has taken me forever, but now I finally have a copy of my debut novel in my hand. It still needs some formatting before it can go up for sale, and then I am going to have to wait and see where my book writing journey takes me.

The novel is called Then he left me and will be available via Createspace and Amazon to begin with. The book will be available in both paperback as a Kindle download.

Other the coming months, I am going to have to learn an awful lot about book promotion, but I am willing to learn and will share everything on here.

If anyone reading this has any tips on book promotion that they would like to share then please feel free to contact me on jane.fazackarley@gmail.com

Writing for Yahoo! Voices

This article was previously published on Expertscolumn under the username jane789

Recently I have been taking another look at Yahoo! Voices. While I love writing for Expertsolumn, I also think it is wise to right for a number of sites as it all helps to grow your profile as a writer and can lead to several steams of income instead of just one.

At one time, Yahoo! Voices used to only be available to residents in the US but a few years ago they established a UK site. I’ve had a few problems with logging in and setting up a profile so I have not been active on the UK site as yet, but once I have this problem resolved, I am looking forward to contributing.

From what I have seen of Yahoo! Voices, I like it so far. Like other sites, they allow you to write along most subjects but they warn against rehashing content from other sources and encourage original content, which is a good thing.

You could write on anything from sports to music. Yahoo! Voices also allows the publishing of short stories and poetry so you contributors can share their creative work on the site too.  Yahoo! Voices offers two types of payments; you can earn from upfront payments or you can earn from page views.

The guidelines for having your work accepted are quite strict and work is reviewed before being accepted and published. I like the stricter guidelines as it ensures the quality of the site stays high and doesn’t allow people to take shortcuts, which can only be a good thing.

Another thing I like about the site is the low pay out level. The site has a low pay out level of just £1.50 for contributors in the UK.  Payments are made via PayPal, so if you do not have a PayPal account you will have to set one up before you can become eligible for payments.

If I Had Known

If I had known then I would have been there for you, I would have held you to the end. I would have sung songs of sweet surrender until your soul was free again.

I would have made your days more sunny, I would have talked you through the rain. I would have been there to the end, my friend, had you just called my name.

I couldn’t know what you were feeling, you kept it all inside. If I had felt your desperation, I would have eased the pain.

You always wore a smile, no matter how heavy your heart had become, and I’ll always remember you happy because that it how I get by.

Now you are free and I hope you spirit soars, but I’d only wish I’d been there to hold you through it all.

This poem was originally published on Expertscolumn. You can read the original at: http://expertscolumn.com/content/poem-if-i-had-known

Poem: When I Am Gone

When I Am Gone

 When I am gone I’ll send you snowdrops, tulips, roses and daffodils too. The spring will always bloom even though I can’t be there with you.

 In the summer, I’ll send you clear blue skies and sunny days that will never end. I’ll be the bird that swoops down and calls your name then ascends to the heavens again.

 Come autumn, I’ll send you showers to wash away your pain and I’ll leave a blanket of leaves and acorns so when you walk along our path, you’ll know that that I have walked there with you.

 In the winter, I’ll send you snowstorms and dark and endless nights. I’ll send you wild winds and restless days till you are ready to be free again.

 The come the next spring time, once the last year has gone, you’ll learn to live again, my friend, once the seasons have all passed.

 A version of this poem was originally published on Expertscolumn. You can read the original by going to: http://expertscolumn.com/content/poem-when-i-am-gone

Amazon's Kindle Singles

I received an email on Friday afternoon from Amazon about Kindle Singles. Kindle Singles has been running in the US for awhile now and was introduced to the UK last year.

Kindle Singles has taken over from Amazon Shorts and gives writers a platform to publish their short stories, essays, news articles etc.

Kindle Singles can be written by new or established writers; Stephen King has made the headlines recently for publishing his gun essay on the singles format. Amazon states that Singles have to be 5,000 - 30,000 words long.

Any writer who wants to contribute has to submit their Kindle book to kindle-singles@amazon.com. If the work is yet to be published, the writers have to send a manuscript or pitch to the same email address.

Kindle Singles will go through a submission process first before being published and writers can expect to hear from Amazon within four weeks.

Books will be made available via Kindle Direct Publishing and will need to be priced at £0.99 - £1.99. More information is available here.