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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
rhalprin has commented on (3) products
What to Expect When Your Child Leaves for College A Complete Guide for Parents Only
by
Mary Spohn
rhalprin
, September 05, 2008
A recent article in the Arizona Republic newspaper notes that the current generation of parents are more involved in their children's lives--and it doesn't end when the kids go off to college. According to the article, colleges across the country apparently report huge increases in the number of parents clogging freshman orientation programs meant for students only. Mary Spohn's heartfelt book to some degree seems to reflect that trend. Spohn guided her sons into top colleges, and as a result, they appear well on their way to successful professional careers. She rightly points out that "generally speaking, high school does not equip your child with any special life skills beyond balancing sports, and homework, dealing with peers, and cramming for exams." Drawing in part on Spohn's own personal experiences, her book provides insights into what students are going through and how to support them and at the same time help them transition to becoming self-sufficient adults. In the first main section of the book, which concerns itself with planning for college, topics covered include how to chose a college where your son or daughter will thrive, money management for the new freshman, what life skills to teach your children before they leave home, and what to pack for the big move. The second main section discusses the student experience after your son or daughter gets to campus (which includes time management, residence hall life, academic strategies, and so on), and the third section addresses the parental experience in confronting the so-called empty nest. The book is loaded with practical and reassuring information, although some readers might find certain portions of the content a bit mundane. The table of contents and index can assist readers in accessing the material that is most useful to their particular circumstance.
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How to Be Your Own Contractor & Save Thousands on Your New House
by
Tanya R Davis
rhalprin
, September 05, 2008
The very readable new book by Tanya Davis walks you through the basics of self contracting in terms of either renovating your current home if you are staying put or building a new one from scratch. Managing a residential construction project, especially if you're holding down a full-time job and have family responsibilities, is clearly not for everyone, so this book will help you decide whether the homebuilding process might be right for you--a highly individual decision that can only be made after careful consideration. Drawing upon her own experience and research as well as interviews with contractors and other real-estate gurus around the country, Davis authoritatively explains how to save money and time and avoid frustration when taking on a do-it-yourself project of this magnitude. According to Davis, "Building [or remodeling] a home has become increasingly complex, but by developing a straightforward, organized way of handling each step of the process, you can easily create the structure you always dreamed of from beginning to end. You will be able to create a house that will be beautiful and functional, and bring you joy for years to come. The best part is that you will have the satisfaction of having created it yourself." Davis says that you can save anywhere from 10 to 35 percent by hiring yourself as the contractor and even doing some of the actual labor yourself. The book covers key topics such as the seven steps to the perfect home design, pre-construction activities, financing, finding and negotiating with subcontractors, building code compliance, supplies and materials, and avoiding problems and common mistakes. Even if you are just considering some minor remodeling or weekend fix-it projects, this reader-friendly book offers helpful guidance. The book includes many checklists and sample forms (which also appear in the companion CD) to help you stay on top of your all-important scheduling and recordkeeping tasks so that you can manage material and workmanship effectively.
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The Complete Guide to Your First Rental Property: A Step-By-Step Plan from the Experts Who Do It Every Day
by
Teri B. Clark
rhalprin
, September 05, 2008
Have you noticed how many "reality" TV shows on cable are about buying, selling, renovating, or flipping homes? Whether life is imitating art, or vice versa, the popularity of some form of real estate investing in the U.S. seems to be very apparent. That's in part why Teri Clark's new book, The Complete Guide to Your First Rental Property, is so timely and useful. Whether you are a first-time investor or even have a few rental properties under your belt, you will benefit from the guidance presented in this book. Even when the market is considered soft and the economy unsettled, Clark maintains that "real estate is one of the few investments that offers a secure and steady return on investment (ROI) even in times of uncertainty." In her very readable, accessible new book, Clark provides the necessary tools to help the average person evaluate and chose investment properties perhaps as an alternative to putting your money into the stock market. She also outlines the drawbacks as well as the benefits of real estate, so any potential investor should of course proceed with caution. The book provides plain-language explanations of what actually is involved in being a landlord, how to identify appropriate properties, determining positive or negative cash flow, loan options, managing tenants, rehabbing properties, navigating tax and housing law, and other key issues. The book also contains many real-world case studies, investor insights, and bullet points to put all the material in context. There is even a section in the book on using a self-directed IRA as a vehicle for buying real estate. (While the material on using the Internet for real estate investing does seem to be stating the obvious, an author never can tell the full extent of the reader's knowledge in this area.) Additional resources include a detailed glossary of real estate terminology and sample forms and contracts. In general, by the time you finish the book, you will have the necessary background to start investing in rental properties, whether your goal is additional income, building equity, accumulating a retirement nest egg, or all of the above. However, as Clark points out, you must work closely with your team (including tax accountant, real estate lawyer, lenders, and other professionals) before taking the leap. While Clark suggests that it is "always" the right time to buy, remember, due diligence is crucial as there are many variables in play. As the author explains, "If you know what you want out of a rental property, have your finances in order, have a network in place, and have done your research, you are ready to begin." Do you really have what it takes to be a landlord if not an up-and-coming land baron? Read this book and find out!
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