Book Review: Shining Star

Katie July 25, 2014 0 Comments

Shining Star – Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire is a memoir from the lead singer of the group – Philip Bailey. The book tells about his life and how he has always been interested in music since a very young age.  Then he found out that he could get paid for playing music!

This give a behind the scenes look to sex, drugs, rock n roll , payola, etc. into the music industry around the time that EWF was coming up.  Certainly an interesting story and I always like to hear all the behind the scenes things going on. Especially with a group that often switched out some of the members.

I dare you to read this book and not end up with “Shining Star” stuck in your head for the rest of the day. (or week!)

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Book Review: The Princess Within for Teens: Discovering Your Royal Inheritance

Katie July 23, 2014 0 Comments

The Princess Within for Teens is a book for teens in helping them find their inner princess. The book starts with a quiz  to see which Disney Princess you are most like. (I’m half Merida and half Cinderella – I guess it makes sense!) and then goes on to teach girls how they should act that will help them find their inner princess.  The book focuses a lot on issues that teens have to deal with and some ways to help cope.  Chapters have quizzes to find out more about yourself, which I always like and there is also an area so that the girls who read it can write some notes to themselves based on what they learned in each chapter.

This is a Christian book so of course it talks about the bible and how it relates to some of the topics as well.  It was written by Serita Ann Jakes who has been involved with ministry all her life.

I liked this book, it is a quick read and a great reference for teens who may be struggling with finding themselves. The quizzes and passages certainly make you think and it also has some stories from other girls which help make you realize that you are not alone!

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not otherwise compensated. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

About the Book

It’s time to get ready for the ball.

Girls of all ages want to feel like Cinderella at the ball. But maybe you feel more like Cinderella before the ball–overlooked, inadequate, hurting, maybe even used and abused. Sometimes it’s hard to feel beautiful, in God’s eyes or your own, when something or someone has robbed you of your inner beauty.

Serita Ann Jakes understands those feelings. She knows how past failures and present hurts can prevent you from realizing your true identity in Jesus Christ. She has helped hundreds of girls work through personal struggles, and now she wants to help you. Whether you’re struggling with poor self-esteem, difficult friendships, family problems, secret shame, or something else, above all, she wants you to know,

You are a princess–a daughter of the King!

Serita Ann’s insights and encouragement will give you the courage and strength to shed your tattered rags and find your inner princess–and to walk in confidence as a young woman who knows her true beauty comes from a Christ-honoring life.

Book Review: Strange Beautiful Music

Katie July 18, 2014 0 Comments

Strange Beautiful Music is a memoir by Joe Satriani. The book tells about his life growing up, how he got his first guitar and what got him interested in being a musician. Throughout the book there are also some in sets with information from others who were around at that time giving their take on what happened, which I thought helped round things out a bit.  The rest of the book is a bit too detailed and while interesting was almost a bit MORE than I wanted to know or expected to find out when I picked up the book.  If you’re a fan of Joe’s, then maybe you will appreciate this detail more than I did.

The end of the book also has a section called “The Gear: Album by Album”, if you’re really into music and gear then this is the chapter for you – lots and lots of detail on everything that was used for every album and EP that Joe released.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Go behind the scenes with the musician The New York Times called “a guitar God!” Oft-hailed as the Jimi Hendrix of his generation, living guitar legend Joe Satriani has long transcended stylistic boundaries with a sound that raises the bar like a new horizon for the broader genre of instrumental guitar rock. Joe’s 6-string secrets have astounded listeners around the world for nearly 30 years.

In Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir, Satriani and coauthor, music biographer Jake Brown, take fans on their first authorized tour of the story behind his climb to stardom and the creative odyssey involved in writing and recording a storied catalog of classics including “Surfing with the Alien,” “Summer Song,” “Satch Boogie,” “Always With Me, Always With You,” “The Extremist,” “Flying in a Blue Dream,” “Crowd Chant,” and more.

Featuring previously unpublished photos and hours of exclusive, firsthand interviews with Satriani, Strange Beautiful Music offers a unique look inside the studio with Joe, giving fans a chance to get up close and personal like never before. With insider details about his collaboration with multi-platinum supergroup Chickenfoot, exclusive interviews with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, commentary from fellow guitar legends such as Steve Vai, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Primus’s Larry LaLonde, and legendary music producers including Glynn Johns and the late Andy Johns, this memoir offers a rare inside look for die-hard Satriani fans, guitar enthusiasts, and anyone who loves to rock