Book Review: I.T. Confidential by CD Rahm

I.T. Confidential by CD Rahm is a new book that takes the reader inside the fascinating word of I.T. Although categorized as a comedy, I didn't find myself laughing as I read. I did however find it to be a realistic look at the types of people that you will find in any office setting. When I first saw the author's pseudonym I expected that he wouldn't be holding anything back. I was correct and there is no co-worker left unharmed.

CD Rahm takes a realistic look at the different personalities found in an office and tries to make you feel better about yourself by realizing that sometimes you're just stuck. Do you have a boss that makes unrealistic requests and then takes the credit when you succeed? Do you have a co-worker that takes a two hour lunch and you need to pick up the slack? Any situation that you've been in, CD Rahm has been there too.

I.T. Confidential by CD Rahm is currently available for sale. It was originally released on August 29, 2013.

Book Rating for I.T. Confidential by CD Rahm

Disclaimer: This review e-copy was sent to me free as a blogger to facilitate my review. I was not compensated and all opinions are 100% my own. Any links to the book's Amazon page will be affiliated. Please read the Making Cents of It disclaimer for more information.

Book Review: Demigods and Monsters

Whenever a parent asks me to recommend a book series for their child, I turn to Percy Jackson first. I love how the author, Rick Riordan, mixes the ancient mythology of Greek g-ds with a modern United States. The story behind his story is even more interesting when you learn that it began as a bedtime story for his own child who suffered from ADHD and dyslexia. The character of Percy Jackson was written to explain that his differences were strengths, not weaknesses.

I recently received a copy of Demigods and Monsters: Your Favorite Authors on Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series which features short essays that use the characters from the Percy Jackson series to discuss real topics. I've read similar books based on Twilight and Harry Potter so I was interested to see how Percy Jackson could be used to spark discussion on topics other than learning disabilities and Greek mythology.

The only part of this book that is written by Rick Riordan was the introduction. He explains the history of Percy Jackson and how you don't have to analysis a story to enjoy it, however seeing how others have analized his writing in turn has made him a better writer.

The nice thing about this type of book is that you don't need to read the chapters in order or all at once. Each chapter is an individual essay written by a different author. Each explores a different part of Percy Jackson.

Demigods and Monsters is currently available for sale. It was originally released on March 1, 2009 but was recently rereleased with an update in anticipation of the new movie, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.

Book Rating for Demigods and Monsters

Disclaimer: This review e-copy was sent to me free as a blogger to facilitate my review. I was not compensated and all opinions are 100% my own. Any links to the book's Amazon page will be affiliated. Please read the Making Cents of It disclaimer for more information.

Book Rating System

I love reading but books are getting more and more expensive these days. Have you noticed that you might actually pay more for a digital copy than the physical paperback? I recently registered for a new website called NetGalley which provides review copies of new and upcoming books. Anyone can request review copies but NetGalley gives the publishers the right to decide who the books will go to.

As I read new books, I will post a short review to help you decide if you would like to read the book as well. My reviews will also be posted on GoodReads. These reviews will be completely my thoughts so please remember that I am not an expert on books no matter how many I read and your opinion might differ from mine. Feel free to leave comments on the reviews if you've read the book.

Since the whole point of Making Cents of It is saving money, my rating system will be based on the cost of a book. While I always recommend trying the library first to borrow the book for free, I am basing my rating system on the value of a book. Please refer to the following chart to understand my ratings.

Rating	Description
	I would stand on line at midnight to buy this book. Everyone will be talking about it by tomorrow and spoilers will be unavoidable. It's a hit and worth every penny.
	Wait for a discount coupon or "best seller" discount. This book is great but you don't need to rush out and buy it.
	Borrow your friends copy. It's a good read but nothing special.
	Skip this book unless it's required reading for a class or book club.

Always check with your local library before buying a book because you can even request that they order a book which isn't currently in their inventory. Many libraries are now offering digital content for eReaders as well.

Review: Meet to Marry: A Dating Revelation for the Marriage Minded

In a world where dating has become as impersonal as online dating "services" it's nice to know I'm not alone in waiting to get married and start a family. As Bari Lyman states in her book "Do you want a lifetime of second dates... or a lifetime with The One?" Lyman doesn't just give you advice but shows you how to access yourself to determine what you truly want in a relationship and how you might be sabotaging your own chance at happiness. In her new book, Meet to Marry: A Dating Revelation for the Marriage Minded, she teaches readers how to avoid those dating faux pas that have plagued many of us who are single.

I really liked how Lyman forces the reader to take ownership of his/herself. You are forced to think about what causes you to think a certain way and change your thought process. Are you afraid of rejection so you never try? These are the type of issues that are addressed in the chapters with suggestions for change. Included within the book are dialogues between Lyman and some of her former clients so that you can see how a discussion might unfold.

My favorite part of the book was her suggestion to make "Smart Goals" which I think can actually be used in more than just romance.

• S = specific
• M = measurable
• A = achievable
• R = realistic
• T = tangible

These five descriptors really help to determine if a goal is possible and when it's reached. Without the structure we might really be waiting for a cartoon prince to fight a dragon and rescue us from the tower.

Meet to Marry: A Dating Revelation for the Marriage Minded will be released on October 3, 2011 and I recommend it to all my single readers that want to leave the dating scene and find a partner. Although written from a female perspective, even men will find the suggestions useful.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Meet to Marry: A Dating Revelation for the Marriage Minded to write this review. I did not receive any compensation and the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Book Review: Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda

I received a free copy of Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda to read and review. All opinions are 100% mine.

In the town of Grandville, we are introduced to Kelly Johnson who has decided to re-evaluate her life as she approaches her fortieth birthday. While most people would envy her life with a beautiful house, a successful attorney for a husband, and two children, she realizes she wants more out of life and creates a list of things that she can improve on.

There is a lot of humor in the book and even as a single 26 year old, I found Kelly to be a character that I could relate to. While there were parts that seemed a little out there, I know based on the news that these things really do happen all around. I really liked the humor and right from page one the author helps draw you in by using situations such as sitting in a dentist chair trying to think about anything but the big needle about to enter your mouth. I also liked how she used pop culture references to help the book feel realistic.

While I think this book is more suited towards an older crowd with more life experience, I found it entertaining and enlightening. Seeing what Kelly goes through is a wake-up call which might help me think more about my goals before I reach an age where it's considered a mid-life crisis to try and change the things I don't like.





Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda to review through the One2One Network. By writing this review, I was entered to win a gift card. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.