Sakshi's Bookshelf

  Title: I Swear by Azania  Author: Shaakira Ally  Review: As readers delve into this book, the meaning behind its title gradually becomes clear. Dingane, a Black South African, fell in love with Elise, a white South African. Their forbidden love led to a tragic loss of innocent life. Eventually, Dingane fled for his safety, and Elise married Adoni—a circus performer who offered her protection and stability. Elise grew to love Adoni—not as a husband, but as a man whose kindness stood in stark contrast to the cruelty she had known from others. After years of using her body as a means of survival, she finally embraced a life of peace and safety with Adoni. Their world shifted with the arrival of Azania. But Adoni’s worst fear came true when Azania was diagnosed with pseudoachondroplasia. As the story unfolds, Elise takes her own life. Azania often felt unloved by her mother, but Adoni tried to help her understand that Elise was battling an illness that made it hard for her ...

  Book: Little Money Makers  Author: Rebecca A. Young and Amanda Ragkousis  Review: The story features a group of three kids who discuss their experiences with money—earning it, saving it, spending it, and investing it. A kid named Tor thought that investing and saving are the same. But, Alex knows they are different. Alex's mom is a financial advisor who helps people invest their money. She defines investing and saving to the kids in an easy-to-understand language. The standout teaching tool is the metaphor of the money tree—a visual image that helps children understand the concept of compounding and growth. The inclusion of a real-life challenge and an Instagram page to buy a piggy bank is a smart move that helps families take immediate action. This book lays a solid foundation. Its emphasis on the “three-part rule”—invest a bit, save a bit, and spend a bit—promotes balance and reinforces financial habits in a fun and achievable way. The illustrations are eye-catching a...

  Title: John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist  Author: Jeffrey A. Denman Review: I had never heard of John Quincy Adams until I read this book. His upbringing was heavily influenced by his parents, especially his mother, who took a firm role in raising her children. From the very beginning, both Abigail and John Adams made it clear that they opposed slavery. This book traces John Quincy Adams's long and impactful life through a central theme: his relationship with slavery. From a young age, his parents prepared him for leadership, with aspirations for him to one day hold the highest office in the nation. His personal diary provides valuable insight into both his views on slavery and the private side of his character, which few had access to. Adams’s writings reveal his deep disdain for slavery, while also exposing the complexities in his views—complexities that evolved over time in response to shifting political climates. I truly appreciate the remarkable work the author ...

  Book: Time Fixers  Author: Lee Matthew Goldberg  Rating: 5/5 Review: Time travel and mystery lie at the heart of this gripping story. Miles Hardy, on the verge of entering tenth grade, has already accomplished the unthinkable—he traveled back in time and saved the life of his only brother, Simon, the inventor of a time machine. But the danger hasn’t passed. The people who once targeted Simon are still out there. Sensing the threat, Simon becomes increasingly cautious. He adds extra locks to his bedroom door and relocates his lab to keep the time machine’s details hidden from prying eyes. Though Simon made Miles swear to keep the invention a secret, Miles foolishly confided in his girlfriend, Maisie—a decision that could cost them everything. Maisie’s father works for Omni, an organization with its sights set on the time machine for their own mysterious agenda. Has Miles just jeopardized the entire mission by revealing the truth? If you're feeling stuck in the monotony o...

  Book: Legacy of the Golden Bird  Author: Lainey Miles  Rating: 5/5 Review: Charles John McDaniel hails from a proud lineage of the formidable McDaniel warriors. He was knighted by King Sargon Pishtar of the Kingdom of the Meadow for his unmatched bravery in countless battles fought years ago. With a bounty placed on his head, Chuck sought refuge in a hidden shelter. Along the way, he discovered a golden bird ensnared in a web. He rescued the bird, which had been kidnapped from the mysterious Lost Forest. When the king vanished, Princess Salair placed her trust in none other than Sir Charles—also known as Chuck—to find her missing parents. Rising to the occasion, Chuck devised a clever plan to locate the king and queen. Upon meeting the golden bird, Berra, in Chuck’s hideout, Princess Salair felt an instant bond with the creature. As their quest to find the royal couple begins, Berra takes the lead, alerting the group to looming dangers. With each chapter, the story beco...

  Book: Bless Your Heart  Author: Susann Camus  Rating: 5/5 Review: If you’re addicted to true crime podcasts like I am, Bless Your Heart will be right up your alley. From the moment Jeannie arrives in Greenville, you know something’s off—and the story wastes no time proving it. Her boss ends up dead, the research project is falling apart, and almost every character seems to be hiding something. Honestly, I could picture this unfolding episode by episode on a podcast like Crime Junkie. What makes this book stand out is the slow, creeping paranoia. Jeannie isn’t just solving a mystery; she’s trying to survive one. The nearby correctional facility adds this ominous presence in the background, and the Arboretum—normally a place of peace—becomes a source of dread. It’s that mix of ordinary and ominous that kept me hooked. I also really liked Jeannie as a lead. She’s not flashy or overly dramatic. She’s smart, composed, and observant. You feel like you’re investigating right a...

  Book: The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership  Author: Jim Carlough  Rating: 5/5 Review: This book is a refreshing take on leadership that strips away the myth that leaders are simply born, not made. Jim Carlough brings decades of experience into a concise, readable format that guides readers toward becoming better leaders through intentional development. His insights are grounded in real-world experience, which makes the book feel both credible and accessible. What stood out most to me was the balance between theory and action. The six pillars—integrity, focus, empathy, compassion, humor, and stability—aren’t just buzzwords; Carlough gives you practical ways to strengthen each one. He stresses the importance of consistency and mindset in a way that feels motivating rather than preachy. As a mid-level manager hoping to grow into a senior leadership role, I found this book both empowering and clarifying. It helped me identify areas I’ve neglected and gave me a roadmap to...