life beyond the well…

Category Archives: Book Review


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Book Review: I’ve Got Your Back

Author’s Note: I received this book free from Handlebar Publishing in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

I am passionate about leadership and leadership development, and believe that many organizations are lacking effective leadership.  I was excited to have the opportunity to read “I’ve Got Your Back” to see how the author used a modern day parable to describe effective leadership.

I’ve read a lot of books about leadership, and I seriously believe that this may be the best one.  The author clearly articulates issues that exist in leadership (such as follower abuse, how to be a good follower) and provides excellent examples of how to overcome those issues to be an excellent leader.  I believe that anyone who struggles with leadership, whether that’s being a good leader, or being under a horrible leader should read this book for a fresh perspective on how to handle those issues and ultimately strengthen yourself and your organization.

While this book provides biblical principles for being good leaders and good followers, it is not “overwhelming biblical”, and I feel that those who are not religious would still find it to be beneficial, and not “proselytizing” (for lack of a better term).  I would highly recommend this book for any person who is a leader, planning to be a leader, or has suffered under poor leadership.  I promise it will provide you with a fresh way to look at leadership!


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Book Review: Freefall to Fly- A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning

As a person who struggles to deal with change, I was excited to get my hands on a copy of Rebekah Lyons’ book “Freefall to Fly- A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning”.  In this book, Lyons’ details how she encountered and overcame challenges associated with major changes in her life (such as a family move from Atlanta, Georgia to New York City due to her husband’s job).

While I could identify with some of the challenges Lyons faced as a result of major life changes, there were times that I really struggled to get into the book just because the story itself didn’t seem to flow that well.  However, I did appreciate the transparency that she displayed in telling her story.  While I would question the handling of her mental illness, I do feel that she addressed issues that women frequently face in regards to finding (and rediscovering) their purpose after getting married and having children.

Through many telling life experiences, Lyons encourages women to continue to seek God for their purpose, and then pursue that.  I believe that it is important for women to continue to go after the desires God places in their heart, after marriage and children, and while Lyons’ struggles with that, her book shows that it is possible for women to overcome.

I’m not sure how much I would recommend this book; however, if I did, it would be to women who have struggled with finding and pursuing their purpose because of how life can sometimes get in the way.  Despite struggling at times to get into the book, it was a fairly easy read, and it may be something that I revisit later in life.

Author’s Note: I received this book for free from Handlebar Publishing in exchange for a review.  All opinions are my own.