Something to ponder...

"By necessity every book must have at least one flaw; a misprint, a missing page, one imperfection....the Rabbis...point out that even in the holiest of books, the scroll resting inside the Ark, the Name of Names is inscribed in code so that no one might say it out loud, and chance to pronounce properly the Word that once divided the waters from the waters and the day from the night.... As it is, some books, nearly perfect, are known to become transparent when opened under the influence of the proper constellation, when the full Moon rests in place. Then it is not uncommon for a man to become lost in a single letter, or to hear a voice rise up from the silent page; and then only one imperfect letter, one missing page, can bring him back to the land where a book, once opened, may still be closed, can permit him to pull up the covers around his head and smile once before he falls asleep."
-Midrashim, by Howard Schwarts

Review - The 7 Triggers to Yes: The New Science Behind Influencing People's Decisions by Russell H. Granger

The 7 Triggers to Yes: The New Science Behind Influencing People's Decisions
Russell H. Granger
McGraw-Hill
ISBN # 978-0071544375

"Everybody knows that the best way to persuade people to reach the “Yes” response is by using logic and reason, right? Wrong. According to the latest research in neuroscience, most people respond to emotional cues rather than rational ones. Instead of using facts and figures to persuade, you should be tapping into the brain’s internal triggers for making decisions. With the new technology of realtime brain imaging, scientists have been able to pinpoint seven of these emotional triggers.

Activating one or more of the other person’s triggers will make you a master persuader in every aspect of your life. You’ll learn how to motivate a “Yes” response from clients, coworkers, employees, and entire organizations."

This book was brought to my attention a couple of months ago. I made a point of asking about it at Barnes and Noble and bought the only copy available in the store. If you're a psychology buff and interested in how human dynamics work, buy this book. Not only is it enlightening, but it's also entertaining. There's a great story about Bill Gates that made me laugh out loud.
(December 17, 2007, pp 240, $24.95)

Bedside Table Books

I only have two books on the bedside table today.

• Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression - Mildred Armstrong Kalish
• The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4) - Rick Riordan

I've finished Labyrinth - it was just as fun as the first three in the series! I'm about halfway through Little Heathens, and I'm enjoying it so far.

Look for a review of The 7 Triggers To Yes by Russell H. Granger on Monday morning.

Have a lovely weekend!

Blog Stop Book Tours - June

June should be a fun and exciting month! Three authors will be touring their books with Blog Stop Book Tours.

• Xujun Eberlein - Apologies Forthcoming
• Christina Meldrum - Madapple
• Susan Woodring - Springtime On Mars

I have some terrific bloggers lined up to review the books, and hopefully the authors will be available for comment and questions.

I will also be interviewed by Erika Geiss on her radio show Cyber Savvy. And, in the same week, I'll be an exhibitor at the WAH Expo where I'll be talking about Blog Stop and book marketing and promoting.

Whatever works for you...

I mentioned last week that my husband is building me a corner office unit. I am totally ecstatic about this, for many reasons - not the least of which is once it's installed, my work life will be much more efficient.

As my business grows, I'm spending more and more time at my desk. My desk is about five years old (a cheapy we picked up at Target), and it's beginning to be a bit wobbly. The pull out drawer for the keyboard bit it a while ago, so I have no work space for actual writing with pen and paper, because my keyboard is on the desk.

The shelves above my desk are not within easy reach. I have to stand up to retrieve anything from them. The bookcase I'll have in a week or so will allow me to have my planner and binder within grabbing reach while sitting.

My laptop computer will have a nook in the office unit, as well. As it stands, I only use the laptop sporadically, because the stand it sits on is too low for my chair. I usually go to the living room with it, and it's literally sitting on my lap.

Everyone is unique in their workspace layout preferences. Whatever works for you, works for you!

Late in the day...

A few things I've been thinking about today.

1.) People speed up and down our side street all day long. There are at least eight elementary school kids who play together in the evening here. This is a known fact. I hold my breath every time a car goes by.

2.) I am waiting to hear back from an editor about a piece I wrote months ago, and was supposed to be published in the March issue of their publication. No word yet.

3.) Why is it so hard for some people to practice common courtesies? Like when plans change, let the people involved know they've changed.

4.) It's been grey and cloudy here most of the day. The older I get, the harder overcast weather is on me. If the sun is shining, I am productive. It it isn't, all of my work seems to take me forever.

Many hats

The husband is back to work and the kids are at school. I am back to work. Although I am finding myself feeling like a Jill-of-all-trades, hence the "many hats" title.

Today, I am an editor, a website maintenance person, a blog book tour coordinator, a writer and last, but not least, a homemaker. This morning is for business, this afternoon home and family stuff.

My Mother's Day was lovely. The weather was perfect, I had time alone and with family and my husband gave me a breathtakingly beautiful rose bush for my front garden. I also had the chance to read a book - Nice To Come Home To by Rebecca Flowers. This is one of my recommended must reads for the summer. (Is anyone else reminded of Katie Holmes back in her Dawson's Creek days?)





















That's all for me today. Gotta get to it!