Book Nook Archives - TomKnuppel.com

11Nov202405Nov2024

“Shaken” by Tim Tebow book review

Tom Knuppel Book Nook

Book Review: Shaken by Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow’s Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms is an inspiring book that dives into the heart of struggle, identity, and faith. Released in 2016, this book goes beyond Tebow’s well-known image as a football star and sports commentator. Instead, Tebow uses his own life experiences—both the triumphs and the setbacks—to encourage readers to find a strong sense of self-worth rooted in faith, even when circumstances are less than ideal.

Overview
In Shaken, Tebow shares deeply personal stories about the highs and lows of his career. Despite his success as a college quarterback, winning the Heisman Trophy, and briefly playing in the NFL, Tebow faced criticism and setbacks throughout his journey. For example, Tebow recounts his highly publicized departure from the NFL, a humbling experience that left him feeling lost and unsure about his future. This, as he explains, was one of his “shaken” moments—a time when his identity and purpose felt insecure. Instead of letting these disappointments define him, Tebow turned to his faith for guidance and strength, and Shaken reflects his journey of finding purpose amid life’s uncertainties.

One of the strongest elements of Shaken is its focus on identity. Tebow urges readers to understand that our worth isn’t tied to what we accomplish or how others perceive us. He advocates for a faith-based perspective on self-worth, reminding us that our identity should come from our relationship with God, not external achievements or failures. This message resonates throughout the book, as Tebow uses biblical stories and passages to illustrate how faith can sustain a person even when the world seems to fall apart.

Key Themes
A major theme in Shaken is resilience. Tebow explains that being resilient isn’t just about bouncing back from failure; it’s about drawing strength from one’s faith to find meaning even in the darkest of moments. This is something Tebow has dealt with throughout his career. The way he presents this message feels authentic and relatable, especially as he avoids glossing over his challenges. He provides specific anecdotes about being criticized, overlooked, and doubted by fans and coaches alike, but each time he faced a setback, he leaned into his belief that God had a plan for him.

Another powerful theme in Shaken is the importance of service and compassion. Tebow has spent much of his life involved in charitable work through the Tim Tebow Foundation, which he discusses in the book. From visiting sick children to assisting people with special needs, Tebow shows how serving others can give life meaning and fulfillment beyond personal success. This part of the book gives insight into how Tebow’s values shape his actions and priorities, offering readers a glimpse into how faith and service go hand in hand.

Writing Style and Accessibility
Tebow’s writing style is straightforward, conversational, and accessible, which makes Shaken a book that appeals to a broad audience. His sincerity and honesty shine through, creating a tone that feels genuine. The language is simple and direct, which helps Tebow’s message come across clearly. While Tebow isn’t a trained theologian, he uses relatable language and references Scripture to back up his points, which might appeal to readers looking for a mix of personal narrative and spiritual encouragement.

Comparisons to His Other Books
Shaken is one of several books Tebow has written, including Through My Eyes and This Is the Day: Reclaim Your Dream. Ignite Your Passion. Live Your Purpose. Through My Eyes is more focused on Tebow’s early life and sports career, particularly his years playing college football for the University of Florida, while This Is the Day is an empowering guide to taking action and living purposefully. Shaken differs from these other works because it’s less about achieving dreams and more about handling life’s inevitable setbacks.

Final Thoughts and Rating
Shaken is a book filled with encouragement and wisdom for anyone facing adversity. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the life lessons Tebow shares are universally applicable. By focusing on faith and identity, Shaken challenges readers to redefine success and find confidence in who they are, regardless of life’s ups and downs.

For readers who are open to Christian perspectives and enjoy personal stories of faith in action, Shaken is a meaningful and uplifting read. While it may not offer groundbreaking theology, its simple, heartfelt message is impactful. I’d rate Shaken 4 out of 5 stars for its authenticity and the positive encouragement it offers to those seeking direction and reassurance.

08Nov2024

“The Anxious Generation” Book Review

Tom Knuppel Book Nook Haidt

Jonathan Haidt’s *The Anxious Generation* is an insightful and data-driven exploration of the surge in mental health issues among today’s youth. The book, which spans 400 pages, delves deeply into the factors that have reshaped modern childhood—particularly, the pervasive use of smartphones and social media. Published in 2024, Haidt examines how these technologies have contributed to what he calls “the great rewiring” of childhood, which he links to a sharp increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, especially in Generation Z.

Haidt, a social psychologist known for books like *The Righteous Mind* and *The Coddling of the American Mind*, presents a compelling case that childhood has been fundamentally altered by technology, leading to a diminished sense of freedom, lack of social skills, and an overreliance on digital interactions. In *The Anxious Generation*, he extends his prior research on moral psychology and cultural conflicts to address the widespread mental health crisis among youth.

A primary argument in the book is that children have shifted from a play-based to a phone-based lifestyle, and Haidt argues that this change is central to the mental health epidemic. He highlights four key developmental disruptions: lack of sleep, reduced face-to-face interaction, cognitive overload, and addictive behavior driven by social media. These issues, Haidt suggests, are particularly harmful for teenagers who are already vulnerable to social pressures, making social media both a source of connection and comparison-driven anxiety.

Notably, Haidt addresses the criticisms of scholars who believe mental health issues stem from broader socioeconomic and global issues, such as economic instability and climate anxiety. Although he acknowledges these challenges, Haidt contends that the timing of the mental health crisis—beginning in the early 2010s—closely aligns with the rise of smartphones and supports a causal link between technology and youth anxiety. Despite some limitations in the research, he backs his arguments with both correlational and experimental studies, offering a strong, albeit contested, case that the impact of technology is central to understanding current youth mental health issues.

Beyond diagnosis, *The Anxious Generation* offers practical advice for parents, educators, and policymakers. Haidt proposes specific steps to mitigate the negative effects of technology, including encouraging more offline interactions, setting age-appropriate limits on smartphone use, and promoting resilience through structured play. By incorporating advice from mental health professionals and educational experts, the book aims to empower readers to create healthier environments for children in a digital age.

The book has received mixed but generally positive reviews. Some critics appreciate Haidt’s alarm-raising approach and view it as a necessary wake-up call for parents and policymakers. Reviewers from *The Times* and *The Guardian* have praised his focus on actionable solutions, though some question his emphasis on technology as the primary cause of mental health struggles. Others, including critics in *The New York Times*, suggest that while Haidt’s concerns are valid, the full scope of youth anxiety might be more complex than just technology.

Overall, *The Anxious Generation* is a timely and provocative book, addressing a rapidly growing concern in our society. With a clear and engaging writing style, Haidt appeals to readers seeking to understand and tackle the challenges facing young people in a digital age. Despite some contested points, the book offers a vital perspective on how we might begin to safeguard future generations from the unintended consequences of modern technology. I would rate the book 4 out of 5 stars, as it combines rigorous research with practical solutions, though it sometimes leans too heavily on technology as the main explanation for a multifaceted issue.

For parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the well-being of today’s youth, *The Anxious Generation* is a valuable resource.

04Nov202403Nov2024

“The Snake Tatoo” Book Review

Tom Knuppel Book Nook Linda Barnes, snake tatoo

The award-winning author Linda Barnes, rekindles her 61 redheaded female private eye, Carlotta Carlyle, in a rivetingly well-told story. Her old friend, Lieutenant Mooney of the Boston police, is under investigation for excessive brutality and Carlyle is trying to track down the lone witness who can clear his name, a blonde hooker with a snake tattoo. While on surveillance in Boston’s Combat Zone, Carlyle (who drives a cab to make ends meet) accidentally gets a fare and a second case; a troubled teenage boy, freshly rolled for his wallet, tumbles into her cab and involves her in his search for a missing classmate. The boy’s case takes Carlyle to the Emerson School, a mini-Harvard prep school, whose putting-green grass and stately buildings seem worlds removed from the Combat Zone’s alleys and three-story flophouses.

But after she discovers the body of Emerson’s drama teacher, Carlyle realizes the spotless image is a facade. There are surprises at the finish, made all the more potent by the novel’s unforced paced and charm. Mystery Guild main selection

This is an excellent read.

28Oct202427Oct2024

“By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult

Tom Knuppel Book Nook protagonist

Book Review: By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult’s By Any Other Name is a thought-provoking novella that delves into complex themes of identity, love, and forgiveness. Known for her deep explorations of moral and ethical dilemmas, Picoult doesn’t stray far from her usual style in this short but powerful work. Set in the context of a society where prejudice and discrimination are rife, By Any Other Name presents a nuanced look at how labels, whether assigned or adopted, can shape individual lives and relationships.

The novella tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who is navigating a complicated relationship with her sister, who has recently come out as transgender. The protagonist’s sister now identifies as a man, and the story revolves around how this transition impacts their family dynamics and, most poignantly, the relationship between the two siblings. The protagonist struggles to reconcile the person she thought she knew with the one standing before her, sparking an internal journey of acceptance, understanding, and love. As in many of Picoult’s works, family relationships are central to the story, and the reader is immediately drawn into the emotional world of the characters.

One of the novella’s strongest aspects is its exploration of the concept of identity. Through the protagonist’s internal struggle, Picoult raises questions about what truly defines a person. Is it their name, their gender, or the way they present themselves to the world? The protagonist’s difficulty in accepting her sibling’s transition is relatable; she isn’t portrayed as someone with overt malice or hatred, but rather as someone deeply confused and grieving the person she thought her sister was. This creates a space for readers to empathize with both characters: the protagonist who must let go of her preconceived notions, and her sibling, who is finally embracing his true self.

Picoult’s writing is, as always, captivating. She has a way of drawing readers into the emotional turmoil of her characters, and By Any Other Name is no exception. Despite the novella’s brevity, the emotional depth is palpable, and the protagonist’s confusion, guilt, and eventual acceptance feel real and well-earned. The narrative moves fluidly between past memories and present-day conversations, slowly unraveling the layers of the sibling relationship. The flashbacks provide insight into the bond they shared as children, making the protagonist’s sense of loss more tangible as she grapples with the changes in her sibling’s identity.

Another theme Picoult explores in this novella is the role of language and naming in shaping identity. The title itself, By Any Other Name, echoes Shakespeare’s famous line from Romeo and Juliet about how a name is just a label and doesn’t alter the essence of a person. The protagonist repeatedly stumbles over her sibling’s new name, a simple but powerful metaphor for the difficulty in adjusting to this new reality. Picoult expertly captures the nuances of how language can be both a tool of connection and alienation. To call someone by a name that reflects their true self can be an act of validation and respect, while refusing to do so can cause pain and misunderstanding.

While the novella is an intimate portrayal of one family’s struggle with gender identity, it also speaks to broader societal issues of prejudice and acceptance. Picoult doesn’t shy away from portraying the negative reactions the protagonist’s sibling faces, highlighting the harsh reality that many transgender individuals encounter in a world that is often unkind to those who do not conform to traditional norms. However, the story also offers hope, showing that love and acceptance, even when hard-earned, are possible.

The novella’s length is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, its brevity allows for a tightly woven narrative that gets to the heart of the emotional conflict without unnecessary subplots. On the other hand, some readers may feel that certain aspects of the story, such as the sibling’s journey through their transition or the protagonist’s interactions with other family members, could have been more fully developed. Nevertheless, the novella accomplishes its goal of exploring the complexities of identity and family with grace and empathy.

In conclusion, Jodi Picoult’s By Any Other Name is a poignant and timely exploration of the challenges that arise when someone’s identity shifts, both for the individual and for their loved ones. It is a story about the power of names, the fluidity of identity, and the importance of unconditional love. Fans of Picoult’s work will find in this novella the same emotional intensity and thoughtfulness that characterize her longer novels, while new readers will appreciate the concise yet impactful storytelling.

21Oct2024

“Verity” by Colleen Hoover BOOK REVIEW

Tom Knuppel Book Nook author, Hoover, Verity

Lowen Ashleigh is a writer that is struggling and hasn’t produced anything worthwhile in a long time. She gets a call out of the blue from her agent saying he has a job proposal for her tomorrow in downtown NYC. As she goes to it, she sees a guy step off he sidewalk onto the street and fall . Then, a car runs over the guys head and blood spills over her and people continue to walk by with no notice. She remembers that she moved to the city to be anonymous and believes everyone must be doing that.

She is a few blocks from her appointment and finds a place to freshen up before the big mysterious meeting. When she arrives, her agent talks with her says he has no idea what they want except she has to sign a NDA first.

She accepts the job of a lifetime and meets Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford. Ashleigh is to complete the work of his wife as she has become incapacitated and the public doesn’t know it.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

Bedlam ensues and Verity isn’t as incapacitated as everyone is led to believe. She hears everything that is going on in the house and secretly gets herself out of bed. What happens next is maddening and somewhat disturbing.

Does Ashleigh Lowen spill the beans or does Verity do some sick, twisted deed?

Pick up this book for an interesting and good book by Colleen Hoover.

14Oct202412Oct2024

” Zookeepers Wife” by Diane Ackerman

Tom Knuppel Book Nook animals, Poland, Warsaw, zookeeper

This book by Diane Ackerman begins in Poland in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s in the city of Warsaw. Jan Zabinski and his wife Anotonina, own their a zoo. It is a privately owned by successful on near the outskirts of town.

Antonina was the glue that held the zoo together. She had a way with animals as she could seem to understand their sounds, movements along with their eyes as to what is going on in the life of the animals. In fact, she would bottle feed the baby animals until time they were allowed to be on their own and she delivered many babies of the animals. She stated she delivered a 270 lb elephant once and had a difficult time delivering a baby giraffe, as they deliver standing up and have to be careful it doesn’t come out on its head.

The zookeepers wife was the liaison between the zoo and the public. She showed the important and rich people around the area and charmed many into giving a donation. She was very valuable around there.

Things were going well until 1939 when the Germans decide to invade Poland and was taking people to the gas chambers. Supplies weren’t coming in and animals were dying. Antonina made the decision to hide many of the Jews that the Germans wanted to kill in the animal pens and recesses of the zoo.

So….. was she successful or did they get caught and punished? Read the great book authored by Diana Ackerman.

Check out my other book reviews in the area called Book Nook.

07Oct2024

“Comfort and Joy” by Kristen Hannah

Tom Knuppel Book Nook Bobby, Daniel, Fishing Lodge, Joy, Kristen Hannah

Joy Candallaro was loving her life. It was Christmas time for the high school librarian and she wanted nothing more than spend it with the two people she loved, her sister Stacey and her husband Thom. It was a great Christmas and a good feeling.

It was a a few months later that Joy’s life was turn upside down when she found her husband and sister in bed together. Life was agonizing. She got a divorce and her attitude was sullen and in despair. Joy was constantly reminded by her co-workers to snap out of it but he couldn’t. She quit seeing her sister and best friend Life was terrible. The next Christmas rolled around and she hadn’t done a thing in preparation. When school let out for Christmas vacation, she had no idea what to do.

Joy did decide to buy a tree on the way home and it was late in the year and very brown looking but she bought it and drove home. When she got got to her driveway, her sister was waiting for her. Joy figured that Stacey and Thom broke up. Nope. Stacey was there to hand deliver a weeding invitation instead. Joy was flipping out. Stacey told her that she was pregnant with Thom’s child and that drove her over the top. She got back into her car and sped away. Just driving. As she looked up she said an entrance to the airport and she decided to take a vacation and get away.

With no destination in mind, she wandered around a then saw a flight to Hope Canada. She thought she needed Hope and inquired at the ticket counter about it. They told her it was a private flight and the guy in charge was right over there. She approached and asked if any seats were left that she could purchase. He said one was available. She paid him and found out it was a bunch of men on a hunting trip. She sat down and waited while reading a fishing magazine. Joy was a librarian and would read anything. She came across an advertisement for Comfort Fishing Lodge which she found fascinating. She took the ad to re-read.

The flight took off and she took her seat in the very back. After awhile something didn’t seem correct as she felt like the plane was in a downward trajectory. The the pilot told all to buckle up and brace themselves. Joy felt impact and things shifted as she felt things moving . Something hit her in the head and caused pain. Then the plane tipped over in a forest as she could hear the ripping of the plane. When it stopped, Joy unhooked her belt and fell out of her seat upon the top of the plane since it had tipped over only to feel cut and pain on her legs and knees. Smoke was billowing all over the place and she didn’t know which way was out. She listened and took a chance. She worked her way forward, covering her mouth from the smoke and eventually saw light. When she reached the opening the guy that sold her the ticket helped outside. Devastation all over.

Joy heard sirens of police and ambulance and looked ahead at the guy sitting by a clump of trees. Something told her to keep moving and she turn to the loft with a pound headache and moved away from the police and ambulance and decide to start her life over. She forgot that only one person knew she bought a plane ticket and she could go unnoticed until school started. She kept getting further away from the plane as she hobbled down the rods that were virtually quiet.

On and on she went. Until….around the corner she found a building that said Comfort Fishing Lodge. She edged towards it even though it look very worn down and in need of paint and repair.

NOTE: The real adventure starts here. This was a very good book. Be sure to read the rest as Kristen Hannah is a talented author.

30Sep2024

“Don’t Believe It ” by Charlie Donlea

Tom Knuppel Book Nook don't believe it, Grace, Sidney, St Lucia

Sidney Ryan was a documentarian that had a career that appeared to be going nowhere…. until, she did three small ones about convicts that were in jail and were victims of shoddy poiice work. She didn’t come out and say they were guilty but put it into he minds of the viewers. All three cases were late overturned and her career jettisoned.

She began to get plenty of mail from others wanting her to look at their case. The one that intrigued her was Grace Sebold and her case in St. Lucia to talk to Grace about the evidence against her that she killed her boyfriend Julian.. Grace and Sidney had graduated from the Same college but never knew each other.

Sidney accepted the challenge and flew off to meet Grace. She interviewed the detective who was nervous to discuss the case, even though it was a decade ago. She feathered the evidence and took it back to her bosses at the major network and they gave her a ten segment slot to produce that.

People were enamored over this and everyone talk about I and anxiously awaited the next segment. She has over 20 million viewers. The network was making money from advertisers and putting more and more pressure on Sidney.

She had some high profile coroner’s and criminologists rework some of the date and they all shed doubt on the findings that Grace was guilty.

Sidney loved the new found Fame and was ready to sign for more money. In each episode she never stated Grace was innocent ofr guilty, She left that up to the audience.

The U. S Government wanted all her findings and they would take over but Sidney refused. The officials in St. Lucia were nervous and now afraid the trial and evidence was done to rapidly to help save the tourism business. One day they just held a heating and exonerated Grace and told her to leave immediately. They wanted it over and forgotten.

An elderly, retired detective with cancer, got wind of this story and sent Sidney a messenger to come and meet with him and told her . Don’t Believe it.

It’s certainly a climax that might divide some readers; and you’ll need to read the book to work that out for yourself.

Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea was published in Australia by Penguin Random House and is now available.

23Sep2024

Identity by Nora Roberts – Book Review

Tom Knuppel Book Nook Identity, Morgan

This is an excellent 5-star book. I am NOT going to give away the last 25% of this noel. It is something everyone that reads it needs to check out.

Identity is a book about trust, friendships and heartache. The main character is Morgan and she grew up as an army rat that moved around continuously. At 17 years of age, she goes off to college to make her mark. After college she is of he opinion that she is ready to settle down and find a nice community along with house and a nice yard.. She envisions flowers around her place and a nice cozy surrounding.

First, she has to make some money to get these things. She gets two jobs. In the day, she is an office manager for a construction company and at night is the lead bartender in an lively bar and grill, Now she has dreams and money to make them happen. But she needs help and she recruits a female roommate to share the expenses. Morgan considers herself a good judge of people due to her time tending bar. This works well for several years but one night she meets this guy at the bar that gives a great story of being an IT guy that travels for his company. After the third meeting he asks her out or pizza and she accepts the request. That goes very well.

That goes well and Morgan asks him to come to her house for a dinner with her roommate and her boyfriend. He accept this request and things go well according to her and the roommate. BUT, she doesn’t know it yet but her life and her roommates life are forever changed.
Her identity has been compromised. ( Here I skip a lot of the book). She has to move back home to live with her mother and grandmother to start over getting her life in order.

Her next few years are both good and also a living hell. Does Morgan come out of it? Can she get her life back? Check out the book by Nora Roberts. It’s worthy of reading.

Tom’s Note: I quit getting book from the library direct, I bought an ipad and use the app Libby. with it you have access to thousand sod book about hooking your local library and to the app. Instant book with 14 days to read it.

16Sep2024

The Cabin at the End of the World

Tom Knuppel Book Nook

This is a 2028 horror novel by Paul G Tremblay.

This book is about 7-year-old Wen and her two dads. She tells she is happy she has two dads as some kids think that is cool and some tease her on that fact. She just tunes them out.The family take a vacation to a cabin somewhere near the Canadian border. While there, Wen goes out to catch grasshoppers. Her dads told her to come get them if a stranger shows up, even though there are no cabins for two miles. Suddenly after being focused on the grasshoppers, the biggest man she has ever seen shows up. Wen hesitates and the bei guy, named Leonard , reassures her he is no harm and would love to help catch grasshoppers with her.

The two of them catch grasshoppers and she notices three more people coming and carrying what appears to be weapons that look like a scythe. Leonard assures her they all just want o talk to her dads. Wen is spooked and runs inside the house to get away. Here dads look out and lock the doors and windows and the strangers are knocking on the door to tlk with them about an a important issue.They wont let them and go for their gun. but, it is looked on the car outside

The strangers break in and on front the dads and ties them up. They say they mean no harm only want to talk. According to the strangers they four of them just met today and each had the same message come to them in their sleep and the dads are the only ones that can stop it. They tell them that the world will end if they don’t do it. they must sacrifice with death one of the fathers and they just decide.

There are television reports to confirm that mass destruction is happening all over the world and coming their way. The dad so NO. After many skirmishes and people getting hurt, the dads still won’t do it.

The book is apocalyptic in nature and somewhat weird. This book is good until the end when it goes very weak in the conclusion.

I give it 3 stars out of 5.