2023 Brightside Empirical Review Award Entry Open

  What does one do when handed a diagnosis to a disease that one knows nothing about? Where does one begin? Nowhere are these questions more skillfully answered than in Ann S. Woodbury’s empowering narrative, Surviving Myotonic Dystrophy, A Mother’s Struggle to Care for Her Family with a Rare Disease. The author comprehensively describes the systemic impact of a mystifying disease on every facet of her life, and that of each of her four children and husband, all five of whom are diagnosed with DM. Ms. Woodbury’s resilience, persistence, positivity and sensitivity to each of her family member’s unique needs provide a road map for other parents dealing with multiple physical, mental and emotional struggles in their families. The book is rich with tried and tested innovative ideas, and useful reference information for individuals diagnosed with progressive illnesses like DM, as well as caregivers, medical professionals, and support groups.

Brightside Book Review By Ramona Kar

This book is a recipient of the  Brightside Empirical Review Award. 

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 From “being gagged, bound, and crammed” in her car trunk, to being raped and brutalized, traveling the rough road of PTSD and the justice system, and finally transcending all these to tell her story, Michelle Corrao merits every reader’s deep and abiding respect and empathy. In “Found, Triumph over Fear with Grace and Gratitude, The Michelle Corrao Story”, Michelle simply and compellingly describes the interventions which helped her journey from being a “victim” to transcending her trauma, and emerging as a “survivor”. This book illustrates the power of the human spirit to rise above tragedy, supported by divine grace and strength, and appropriate professional strategies. If you are drowning in an abyss of trauma-induced terror and need to come up for air, this is the book for you. If you are a helping, law enforcement, or legal professional, parent, spouse, sibling or friend of a person victimized by crime or any trauma, this book spells out what you “must avoid” and what you absolutely “must do” to enable your loved one to re-enter “life.”  If you are paralyzed by fear for any reason, and want to taste freedom, learn from the wisdom that led Michelle Corrao out of hell into the heaven of empowerment. 

Brightside Book Review By Ramona Kar

Awarding winning Fiction novelist captures a Quantum leap interest with her book that’s packed with so much wisdom producing a ripple effect of Reiki, Japanese energy, healing systems, transcendental Meditation with wrapping of Quantum Science of Rebecca’s discoveries and us the readers. Brilliant fiction collective of Quantum Leap for young adults.

 Brightside Reviews and our Empirical Review Awards Nominations are based on our review of the 9 Brightstar Rating – E-experience, M-motivation, P-presentation, I-ideas, R-relevancy, I-innovation, C-creativity, A-accolades, L-leadership. 

  Billy Bello, Wizard of Bensonhurst by Anthony Valerio. A Young Adult Novel Billy Bello aged 14 is an adventuresome, curious, loving son and good friend. He gets into trouble with drug use and has a vendetta against the doctor who abuses his beloved son. He undergoes rehabilitation. Get the bok it's aimed to help teens with Anxieties with Drugs, Crime, Coming of age @#brightsidereviewz

 Bill Dutcher will inspire family business with his autobiography in his words " From running my own neighborhood gang of "Little Rascals" to turning a journalism degree and a $500 investment into his own little oil-and-gas company, this book answers the question: "How did I do that?" Get his book and there's a section that features a lifetime of playing basketball even competing with players ranging from Globetrotter Marques Haynes in the early 60s to current NBA stars Kevin Durant, Trae Young, Michael Jordan "How Did I do That? Is a story of a life of risk and reward @#brightsidereviewz

 Woman to Woman Letters from Wives to Mistresses by Letisha Jackson This is an inspiring book to encourage Women to stand up for each other. It's a book like no other where Letisha shares a story of a wife's devastation with a challenge to mistresses to stand in support of the wife. If women start to respect women is what the author wishes to achieve. The book takes women on a powerful road to healing and the rise of sisterhood. The true meaning of being a "Sister". Get the book it's a great book for Women Book Clubs.  @#brightsideglobalreviewz

 Daughter of the Boricua by Olivia Castillo The book is a sequel to " Song of Boricua" story of the lives of three generations of women. The Daughter of the Boricua tells Isabella's story and great strong women characters. The book will inspire you as you learn about Spanish traditions, Puerto Rico and ancestry - White Gods, Generation Curses and Family ties to great Latino heritage. Get the book it's a great book for Women Book Clubs @#brightsidebookreviewz

Bringing Back the Lions by Mike Arnold Planning a trip or reminisce Africa. Outdoor writer Mike Arnold takes us on an elaborate historic civil war bush meat journey to the present time of travel. An impressive account of Mark Haldane's and Zambaeze Delta Safaris conversation efforts, the most iconic to date has been the reintroduction of Lions and Cheetahs. In addition to the scientific, outdoor account he brings hilarious moments from motor-cycle riding poacher patrols; with local villagers and my favorite part of the book the elaborate wildlife, birds-game @#brightsideglobalreviewz

Second Law by Paul H Raymer. Want to kick back on that Hamock or looking for a good read this summer. Then this novel is for you with a kick off to the John Megquire series - set in Cape Cod at a conference. The novel has everything from murder, suspense, old summer flame and an interesting  transformation of lack of purpose to solving a crime. We also recommend the book for book clubs @#brightsidereview