The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for Uplifted: 12 Minutes to More Joy, Faith, Peace, Kindness & Vitality
Because Uplifted was Book of the Day, some of our most trusted members have carefully looked over the cover, the description, and other aspects of this book as a part of purchase-intent focus group. We then asked each participant in the focus group if they planned to buy and read the book, and why they planned to buy and read the book or not. Their answer to that question and reasons are displayed below. We call this awesome feature The First Ten Focus Group.
Keep in mind, the responses from the members are not reviews. This is purchase-intent focus group which means the participants are people who have NOT yet bought or read your book. A purchase-intent focus group is an important and extremely useful marketing tool for any product, not just books. For other products, you might walk on the street and show people an item in a package and poll them about whether they would buy if or $X or not. These kind of focus groups are one of the ways big marketing companies find the ideal price points for products and test the effectiveness of different packaging. The focus group can help you identify your market so you how to target ads of your book, and it can (but may not) provide you new useful info about your "packaging" (e.g. your book cover, your book synopsis on Amazon, etc.). The point of the focus group comments is to give you information from people who have not bought or read your book about why they plan to buy your book which will help you in marketing the book. These are not reviews or critiques of your book because they are not from people have read the book. This is a marketing tool, not reviews. The trick of book marketing and book advertising is that you have to convince people who have not read your book yet that your book is worth buying and reading. For marketing, it doesn't matter much if people love your book after reading it if you cannot convince potential buyers before they read it that they will love it.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable. This is because we only poll about 20 or so readers, and all readers have to say "no" to almost all books. Over a million books are published each year. Even a very active reader cannot come close to even reading 1% of books out there.
This is also why publishing books is such a tough industry.
Ekta Kumari
This is a self-help book with tips on a healthy lifestyle and stress management. The author employs a motivating tone and also explores how healthy eating can help heal and live a more fulfilling life. I would have read the book based on its cover page and the blurb, as the content seemed to be practically useful. I enjoyed the part I read, and the thing I liked the most is the format of this book and that it is digestible. The author offers important information in bullet points. I also appreciate the mention of credible sources for facts. The text feels enriching to read with quotes and affirmations. 12-minute action steps also add practicality to the book. I saw a useful official OBC review and would read the whole book not only because of the positive aspects outlined in the official OBC review but also because I enjoyed the sample. I wouldn't suggest anything for improvements, and I didn't find any editing errors. The book seems to be professionally edited.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 9:43 am by Ekta Kumari.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Jeremie Mondejar
I find the title to be helpful in my life, so I sample this book. Though I'm a part of this program, I also based my sampling on the Amazon reviews and OBC review. I like the "hurry sickness" questions because in some point, I usually do it. I want to continue on reading this book because I want to get out of stress and be uplifted. I like the principles in this book. I read the OBC review which helps me understand about the book's contents. I don't see any errors, anything to dislike and anything for improvement.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:59 am by Jeremie Mondejar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Manang Muyang
What a charming and relaxing cover! The title, too, brings good tidings. I would have peeked into the book even outside the program, especially to check on the 12-minute items. The official OBC review further encouraged me by its mention of character development in the book; that's quite unique for the genre. What I read in the sample was another "usual" self-help book (I have read many). There were a few errors: At 54%, "Next, write down three goals you have that you want to achieve in recording-breaking time" needed "record-breaking." At 61%, "In a Papyrus card store on a greeting card, I read that..." needed a comma after "store." I also think "papyrus" should not be capitalized. I liked the many inspiring quotes and messages included in the book, but I have tons of similar books on my bookshelves and hidden in boxes in many corners of my house. I am sure many will be blessed by the book, but I will not be buying it. I have no suggestions for the author, except for her to keep inspiring many.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:59 am by Manang Muyang.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Shrabastee Chakraborty
Despite the official OBC review and other published reviews, I decided not to read the book because of the genre. Reading the first ten pages, however, made me change my mind. I found no errors on those pages. The author talked about how a fast-paced life and constant overstimulation from multitasking have generated stress. This results in an increase in stress-related diseases. The author lists several indications of having a stressed, burned-out life. I liked the easy flow of the text. I saw no reason to suggest improvements. Based on my reading experience, I would love to read the whole book.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:53 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Rodel Barnachea
After reading the title’s Amazon page and official OBC review, I opted not to acquire the self-help book. I am not fascinated by "hurry sickness" and the many people that the author encountered who had this condition. I am not intrigued by the different stress-management tools the author will discuss in this self-help book. I am not interested in finding out how the author will convince the readers that peace can still be achieved in our daily lives despite the chaotic living situations we are in. Perusing its sample did not change my mind. I would not purchase it because nothing in the text compelled me to pore over the rest of the title. The first ten pages cover a foreword, a preface, and an introduction. My favorite part is when the author listed down questions that readers can use to check if they possess symptoms of “hurry” sickness. I could not note any errors in the text; I believe the book is professionally edited. I have no advice to offer to the author.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:50 am by Rodel Barnachea.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Asma Aisha Ansari
I'm experiencing a lot of negativity at the workplace so this book came at the right time for me. The title and cover alone convinced me to sample the book. The well-written OBC review is also helpful. As for the sample, I loved the writing style, and I'm going to read the rest of the book, as this book will help me improve my personal and professional life. The 12-Minute Action Step on visualising what life would be if one achieved an important goal is explained well.
There's nothing that I disliked about the book so far. The book seems professionally edited, as I didn't encounter any grammatical errors. I've no suggestions for improvement to offer. I didn't read the Amazon blurb, other editorial reviews, or customer reviews to make my decision to read the whole book.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:34 am by Asma Aisha Ansari.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Adrian Rondon Salazar
I would have been interested in reading this book outside the program because of the cover. The hummingbird is beautiful and detailed; the yellow background is vibrant and eye-catching. I enjoyed reading the sample; the author perfectly captures the problems of today's life and the stress that overwhelms us. I want to read the 12-minute activities that the author presents in the later chapters; therefore, I am interested in buying this book. Errors: none. I liked that the author offers verifiable data on stress and anxiety. Nothing can be improved. The official review on OBC helped me decide.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:22 am by Adrian Rondon Salazar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Mutai Marshal
I enjoyed reading the sample of this book. The information revolving around the symptoms of stress was insightful. I liked that the book incorporates information of expunging the menace. The book's title and cover page appealed to me, and I would have read it without sampling. The OBC review didn't change my mind about this book. Because I relish reading health guidelines (the book's cover page suggests the same), I will complete reading it to bolster my knowledge. The editing seems professional: I flagged no objective errors. The book has no OBC blurb. Lastly, I didn't notice anything warranting modification.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 4:12 am by Mutai Marshal.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Eunice Geres
I would've read this book based on its cover, title, genre, and OBC review. I'm currently looking for a book that could teach me how to relieve stress, and I think this book would be perfect. I liked that the author wrote in the beginning what the parts of the book were. Unfortunately, I only like part three. I'm not interested in reading about the benefits of kindness or how to experience joy. I think I know how to achieve both of those. I'm only interested in learning about myself and how I can help my body through a good lifestyle. I think these three topics are well connected with each other, but I'm only interested in the third part. So, I will not be continuing to read the rest of the book because I don't think I would like most of it. I enjoyed reading the sample, though. The book was formatted well. I loved the cover, the fonts, the colors, and the quotes at the beginning of the chapters. I don't have anything to recommend, as I think the book is already good if given to an interested reader. I also didn't notice any grammatical mistakes.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 3:54 am by Eunice Geres.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Stellah Chege
I would have read this book based on the cover page and title only. It does seem to indicate a book of positive thinking. The OBC review and first ten pages confirmed my suspicion. I love that the author highlights how stressful life is for the modern person. It is true that we rarely do one thing at a time, we do a number of things at once which increases our stress levels. I love that the book seeks to help the reader live a healthier lifestyle. The book does not have a blurb but it did not affect my decision to read this book. I did not find any errors and I believe it is professionally edited. I have no suggestions for improvement so far. I will buy and read the book.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 3:44 am by Stellah Chege.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Dzejn_Crvena
Outside this program, I'd have sampled this book based on the vibrant colors on the cover and the optimistic message of the title. I enjoy reading informative self-help books on health, so I'd have sampled the book based on the genre. The blurb, editorial reviews, and customer reviews convinced me to sample it when I learned that it has a holistic approach to healing and healthy living. Moreover, the OBC review and the sample influenced me to buy and read it because of its simplistic procedures. The author encouraged the readers to find a balance in managing stress. To feed the spirit, we must regulate the information from what we read. Those who suffer from "hurry" sickness need to take a break from their hectic life by setting up a time to relax and bond with their loved ones. I like the questions for self-diagnosis at the beginning of the book that let the readers become aware of their situation, and I'm interested in learning more about the content of this book. It seems professionally edited, and I don't have suggestions for improvements.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 3:30 am by Dzejn_Crvena.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Catherine Hsu
If I had not read the sample as part of the First Ten program, I would not have read the book. The Amazon reviews did not affect my decision. I just do not read self-help books and the blurb is not interesting to me. After reading the sample, I have not changed my mind for the same reason. I liked some parts of the book such as when it discussed how important the food we eat is, but it kind of lost me when it began talking about Christ, God, and being spiritual as I am not a spiritual person at all. I would not change anything but I would only recommend this to people who are spiritual and can relate to having that sort of faith. It was professionally edited. The official review on OnlineBookClub did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 2:43 am by Catherine Hsu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kirsi Cultrera
I was not too fond of the outward appearance of this book. It was too pastel-colored, and it had self-help written all over it. Since I tend to avoid self-help books, I would not have sampled this book without the First Ten program. I also did not like how this book was presented in the blurb. I hardly believe anyone can uplift their lives in 12 minutes, as promised in the blurb. The editorials and customer reviews were more interesting, but after reading them, I still thought I would not buy or read this book. The positive sides of the sample were that the book seemed very well structured, and I enjoyed the quotes that were sprinkled inside the book. They offered enlightening breaks to the reading experience. I especially appreciated that the author did not quote only Bible verses; there were quotes from various people to discover. However, this did not remove my fundamental problem with this book. I do not believe in quick-fix programs often introduced in self-help books, and this book was no different. In addition, every magazine is full of this type of contest nowadays; eat well, slow down, reduce stress, etc. I did not find any apparent errors while reading the sample. Therefore, the editing of this book has been done professionally. I found a well-written Official OnlineBookClub review, which almost made me reconsider my opinion about this book. The reviewer pointed out that the book would appeal to readers who love nature, are positive by character, and respect inner strength. It also pointed out that this book's message is based on Christian values. All these features are valuable to me, so if I'd seen the review first, I might have considered buying the book. However, I had already decided otherwise and did not come around to changing my mind. Maybe this book is helpful to someone, but I will not be reading it.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 2:19 am by Kirsi Cultrera.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Gabriella H
I like the warmth of the book cover, but the title dissuaded me from this book because I'm not interested in reading a self-help book currently. I wouldn't have sampled this book without this program because of this and the blurb, editorial review, and OBC official review. The blurb was boring to me, and the editorial review mostly praised the author instead of providing an in-depth analysis of the book. There wasn't anything that interested me in the OBC official review. I knew I wasn't interested in the subject matter. I didn't like that I had so much to wade through before I could reach chapter one. The foreword, preface, and introduction were very lengthy, and I just wanted to see if I should read the book. The first sentence in chapter one has an error. There is no space between "I" and "could." This is the sentence, "Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone." While I liked the advice the author gave her friend Rose about changing her mindset and having positive visualizations instead of negative ones about her boss, I didn't feel captivated by this book. I didn't see anything new. I won't be completing it. My decision was influenced by the blurb, editorial review, OBC official review, title, genre, and the first ten pages. The customer reviews didn't influence my decision. I think the first ten pages were professionally edited, but another round of proofreading would be helpful.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 2:10 am by Gabriella H.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jennifer Garcia 555
I really like the calming cover of this book and the positive title. However, based on the genre, description, and the official OnlineBookClub review that I read, I would not pick this book to read. Self-help books struggle to keep my attention. I read the sample pages and saw no editing errors, so this book seems professionally edited. I really like how the author is able to portray her calm demeanor through her writing. I felt calmer while reading it. The author seems like a kind person that truly cares about other people. I also like the little extra touches the author added like the butterflies on the page, and humor. I have no suggestions for improvement. People looking to remove stress from their lives and live a healthier lifestyle could benefit from this book. I much prefer fantasy to non-fiction, so I will not buy or finish reading this book.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 1:35 am by Jennifer Garcia 555.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sou Hi
Without this program, I wouldn't have read this. The official review from OnlineBookClub, the cover, the blurb, and the ratings on Amazon are fine, but the book's premise is not my cup of tea.
Unfortunately, I like nothing in the bit I read. This is just another self-help book. Half of the sample is used to promote the book, and I'm not fond of the religious undertone. I would suggest a more appealing approach. The sample can't pique my interest, so I won't buy the book. The editing is alright. The OBC review was helpful in making my decision.
Error example: Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone. -> There should be a space in "Icould"
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 1:29 am by Sou Hi.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Justine Ocsebio
I normally don't pick up self-help books about health and lifestyle, so I never would have sampled the book had it not been for the program. In the sample, I like the emphasis on focusing your energy inward. It is true that people go through so much stress because we lose touch with what we feel on the inside. I also like how the author's points are facilitated by adequate research. There aren't any noticeable errors, so I feel like the book has excellent editing. I dislike nothing in the narrative. However, I'm not going to read the book because I'm not interested in the premise. The OBC review was enlightening, and it helped with my decision.
First Ten review added on December 6, 2022, at 1:27 am by Justine Ocsebio.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Damian Keyes
I read the OBC official review and I knew this book was tailored to me. Self-help books have always been my favorite type of uplifting material to read because I always get something out of these stories. I would have sampled this book even if I was not in this program due to the genre. The author explained in the sample why she put a hummingbird on the book cover and what it symbolizes to her. Hummingbirds are aesthetically beautiful but they also give off this aura of love, joy, and celebration that the author uses to help others in this book. I found nothing I dislike or any errors in my reading of this sample. I will buy the whole buy because I want to learn more about the gems the author is giving in this book.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 11:40 pm by Damian Keyes.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Jorge Leon Salazar
I consider the title and cover are conducive to the book's theme and genre. The image of the hummingbird reflects joy and freedom. I think this title-cover combination should appeal to the target audience. As a whole, I like self-help books that offer creative and beneficial contributions. The blurb highlights that the book seeks to help readers reconsider their goals and aspirations and reassess how to spend time to live a more fulfilling life. The customer reviews are impressively favorable. Based on these aspects, I could give this book a try. The first ten pages only go up to the Introduction and present a broad overview of the book. They reveal the book has an approach toward seeking a balance between body, mind, and soul. I liked the hands-on orientation as it includes a 21-day program, which contains actions that can be done in twelve minutes or less. Plus, I consider it relevant to combat the stress that overwhelms people due to the lifestyle that modern life imposes on us. I found it positive the author encourages the readers to do self-analysis. Overall, the author includes appealing philosophical aspects, such as that we are co-creators with God since we have access to the universal creative power. Another element I liked about this overview was the advice about taking obstacles and challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. I agree that meditation is a core action that produces benefits and connects us with our spirituality. The editing looked remarkable, as I didn't see any details to comment on. In addition, I did not see anything I believed could be improved. What I sampled largely coincided with other books I have read, both in content and focus. However, I am unsure if this book will offer me new recommendations. Hence, at this time, I prefer not to read the rest of it.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 9:45 pm by Jorge Leon Salazar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
evraealtana
I tend to avoid self-help books, so I would not have chosen this book for myself based on the title, cover, blurb, and official OBC review. Because I want to be able to form my own opinion about books rather than be influenced by others’ opinions about them, I choose never to read editorial or customer reviews other than OBC reviews, and so I did not read any about this book, either. The quotation in the preface by Henry David Thoreau is too long, in my opinion, and tries to express too much; it would be better if the author focused on just the part she wants to underscore. I also feel that having two quotations is excessive, particularly since the two quotations are in different veins. One good one would be better than two so-so ones. I was surprised by the author's assertion that we currently will go more places and meet more people in one year than our grandparents did in their entire lives; it is difficult to envision this being true, although I suppose the author must have some source of information to back up this claim. I didn't like that the author says that "blaming" our busy/stressful lives on the need to make enough money to live on is inappropriate, when the "real cause" is to fill some inner emptiness; this claim seems out-of-touch with the reality faced by millions, who don't actually know where their next meal is coming from and are frantically running the modern hamster wheel just to keep a roof over their heads. I did like that the author's method apparently only takes 12 minutes per day, which seems doable and approachable. I was turned off by the religious references. Overall, the sample was too spiritual/"fluffy" for my tastes, so I didn't really enjoy it and will not continue reading. I found no errors in the first ten pages.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 9:01 pm by evraealtana.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kelsey Roy
I was not initially intrigued by “Uplifted.” The book appears to be a non-fiction self-help book, which is not my favorite genre. The cover and title indicate the genre and do not interest me. The blurb and OBC review discuss achieving a better quality of life in 12 minutes. This concept intrigued me, and I’d like to learn more.
I found no errors in the sample pages. I related to the content about stress and how it affects daily life. I have struggled with stress significantly for the last couple of years, and I would love to try the 12-minute action step to reduce my stress. I don’t always love this genre, but in this case, I think the information is valuable to my life. I found nothing to dislike about the sample. I have no recommendations for the author. I want a cover to capture my interest initially, but that’s related only to my likes and dislikes. I will continue reading this book in the hope of decreasing my stress levels.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 6:20 pm by Kelsey Roy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
AntonelaMaria
I knew this wasn't a book for me just by the genre, and the synopsis didn't catch my attention either. However, I changed my mind after reading the sample. The narrative resonated with me, and I think it will benefit many readers as all topics discussed are very relatable. "Most people work so hard at living that they forget how to live fully." This quote really resonated with me. I like how the author focuses on kindness too. I like the colorful cover. I think it suits the positive nature of the book. There is a helpful Official Onlinebookclub review of this book and many positive Amazon reviews. I noticed a spacing error at location 548 of the sample. "Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone." I wish there was an audiobook version of this book. Otherwise, I wouldn't change anything about this book.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 5:26 pm by AntonelaMaria.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Kenesha Latoya Fowler
I would not have sampled this book outside of this program because I have enough self-help books to last me a while, and neither the title, cover, blurb, nor reviews convinced me that this was another one I needed to add to my list. As for the sample, it was okay. I liked the quotes sprinkled throughout, and the idea of taking a little time to do things that will lead to a healthier, fuller life. I didn’t like that the book contains affirmations and visualization - two things I am very uncomfortable with. This and my reluctance to get another self-help book are the reasons why I won’t be buying this book. The OBC review didn’t affect my decision. I didn’t find any errors.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 3:59 pm by Kenesha Latoya Fowler.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sarah_Khan
At first glance, I thought the cover of this book was cute and the title was positive. After reading the Amazon blurb, I would not have sampled this book because I do not read self-help books. The first few pages were well edited. I thought it was interesting to read about how stress can affect you physically in a lot of ways. The official OBC review, customer reviews, and comments were all positive. I can see how this book could be helpful to certain people. Personally, I do not think this book offers me something new. Therefore, I will not be reading the rest. I do not have any suggestions for the author.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 3:47 pm by Sarah_Khan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
FunkyFlowerLady
Upliftment is a self-help book about how to uplift your soul and be free from worrying stress in life. The book starts with the author explaining our high-stress lifestyle and how it's becoming difficult to live a healthy and happy life. I enjoyed the double quotes at the start of the book and the insightful ones again at the end. The author's writing style is conversational, which is exactly how the author intended and I'm glad it came across as such. although it was a bit too preachy at times, which I think could've been taken down a notch. The title and OBC review interested me in giving this book a chance, and I'll read the full book because I liked the less than 12-minute activities to boost my morale. I did not find any errors in the first ten pages, and I don't have any suggestions for the author. I liked the first ten pages; they were very informative, so I'll read the full book.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 3:42 pm by FunkyFlowerLady.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Mayang Bature
Uplifted is an excellent self-help book. The author discusses stress and the effects it has on the body. I learned this much from the official OBC review. The causes, symptoms, and treatments are all discussed here. I chose to read the rest of the book since I'd like to learn more about these and possibly take some preventive steps myself. I enjoyed how Susan provided extensive tales that were supported by real-life instances and comments from notable people. My only quibble with the book was that the beginning credits were excessive. It was a little exhausting.
I only found one error in chapter one. "Icould hear the frustration in her voice..."
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 3:36 pm by Mayang Bature.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Ruthwriter
Uplifted by Susan Smith Jones, Ph.D. is a book that helps the reader to achieve wellness through some proven lifestyle, such as payer, exercise, meditation, and diet. I would have sampled this book based on the cover page even if I was not selected. it also provides management tools that help to find balance. I did not observe any errors. Reading these few pages will prompt me to read all because it was captivating. I did not dislike anything about the book. The interesting OBC review was influential in my decision-making.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 1:30 pm by Ruthwriter.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Diana Lowery
The title did not attract me, but I did like the hummingbird, so I might have been persuaded to pick up the book. The blurb mentioned holistic health and seeing a change in 12 minutes a day in 3 weeks. The idea seems a little too optimistic. I did like that the blurb had an excerpt from an OBC reviewer. The OBC review mentioned that she liked the character development in the book, which was rare for a non-fiction book. I was surprised to see Bible quotes in the pages that I read because I did not pick up on that from the blurb. I did not like the long foreword, preface, and introduction. I liked all the quotes, though. The reason for the hummingbird was explained in the introduction. There was a spacing error at 84%, "Icould." I am going to keep reading to see if it might be something I would want to recommend to friends. I do not have any suggestions for the author.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 10:07 am by Diana Lowery.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Andrada Madalina
"Uplifted" by Susan Smith Jones, Ph.D., is a non-fiction book that offers guidance for a healthier and happier life. I read the colorful book cover and found it suitable for its catchy title and descriptive blurb. I sampled this book because of its positive editorial and customer reviews and excellent Official OnlineBookClub review. The book seems professionally edited. I only discovered a minor word-spacing error in the first chapter of its Kindle version: there was no space between the subject and the verb in the first sentence of the phrase("Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone."). I would not improve anything on the book because I liked its conversational writing style and the abundance of quotes carefully chosen for each chapter. Also, I appreciated that the author used various references from the literature as examples for her argumentation. Nevertheless, I will not buy and read the whole book because I am not interested in self-help books about spirituality and faith in God.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 6:33 am by Andrada Madalina.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Heidi M Simone
Without this program, I would not have sampled this read. I don’t read many self-help books. Therefore, the genre, blurb, and title would not have piqued my interest. The cover is pretty, but that’s not enough to convince me to sample this book. The OBC and customer ratings do not affect my opinion of this book. I didn’t see any glaring errors while reading.
I like how the author speaks about the “hurry”’ sickness. I feel like those are relatable. The author’s writing style is also inviting and easy to follow. However, I’m not a fan of how the reader is guided to write things down (i.e. goals, things we’re thankful for, etc.), since that feels too much like school for me.
Due to the genre and the fact that I don’t need this type of book on my life right now, I do not plan on buying this book.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 1:44 am by Heidi M Simone.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sanju Lali
I am a bit skeptical about self-help books, so I would not have read the reviews of this book outside the program called the first ten. The cover, title, and genre of this book could appealed me only little bit. This book bagged some great customer and editorial reviews that prompted me to sample this book. The OBC official review encouraged me to read the sample by giving me the needed insights. After reading the first ten pages, I realized that this book was not professionally edited because I found some grammatical errors. For example, the sentence, "All of a sudden everything was in an uproar, and my first reaction was that God was speaking to me!" This sentence could have been as follows. "All of a sudden, everything was in an uproar, and my first reaction was that God was speaking to me!" In this sample, I liked the information that hardening of our attitudes can block our success. From the sample, I learned that being thankful and positive thinking helps us. I will not buy and read this book today because I was already aware of the information contained in this book from the internet. My suggestion to the author is to showcase how this book is different from the other books in its category. A round of professional editing could help this book little bit.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 12:51 am by Sanju Lali.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Annelore Trujillo
I would not have sampled this book based on the genre, OBC review, cover, title, editorial reviews, or customer reviews. There wasn’t a blurb on the bookshelf page. I don’t usually read non-fiction, and this self-help book didn’t seem to be for me. After reading the first ten pages, I won’t be finishing this book. The author had a whole list of questions about stress and a busy life. For example, one question was about rushing while driving. Another was about feeling guilty when not busy. I didn’t answer yes to any of these questions, so this book didn’t seem to be for me. I did like the way the author speaks to the reader and engages them in the book. Nothing specific needs improvement. The book did seem to be professionally edited.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 12:23 am by Annelore Trujillo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Vidhi Adhikari
The book makes a decent first impression with it's generic cover design, simple title, detailed description, and multiple customer and OBC reviews. Since I am not a fan of wellness books, I was reluctant to read the sample. That said, I loved the honest foreword by the author. There were some minor grammatical errors, but nothing that would affect my reading experience (How gratifying this is to me to know {,} that this timeless, heartwarming book features my suggested title with words describing what, in our heart of hearts, we all truly desire in our lives.) Unfortunately, since the genre is not of my liking, I will not finish this book. I would suggest making the content pictorial to better grab the reader's attention.
First Ten review added on December 5, 2022, at 12:15 am by Vidhi Adhikari.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Ari Martinez
If it wasn't for this program, I wouldn't sample this book based on its title, cover, genre, blurb, OnlineBookClub review, or other reviews because I don't tend to enjoy reading self-help books. After reading the first ten pages, I will not continue reading the book because I already try to be a positive person, and I don't think I need help being uplifted. From what I read, my favorite part was the questions beginning in Location 265. I liked that the readers get to self-reflect instead of having the answers given to them. The book appears professionally edited, and I don't think it needs improvement.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 10:26 pm by Ari Martinez.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Shanesha Sammerson
The title and cover of the book are absolutely beautiful and, as the title says, "uplifting. I believe anyone who sees this book will be immediately drawn to it. The genre is one I enjoy reading. The synopsis and reviews on Amazon did nothing but praise the author, and after reading the sample, I understood why. The OBC review was well-written and clearly outlined the positive aspects of the book to interest readers. If I were not part of OBC, I would have still sampled this book because of the captivating cover and positive reviews on Amazon. Yes, I would buy and read this book after reading the first 10 pages because the author is able to reach a person with just her words, for example, when she said she wants the reader to feel like they could call the author and talk like friends. This is relatable, and a reader would be open to accepting what the author has to say. I enjoyed the beautiful blue butterfly with the daily affirmations and tasks to do. After reading this sample, it makes me want to take her advice and show acts of kindness and a smile to others. I found no errors in the first 10 pages. There is no problem with this book and nothing to be changed.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 9:15 pm by Shanesha Sammerson.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Amy Luman
As far as I could tell and from what the OBC review said, this book was well edited. The editorial reviews, as well as the customer reviews, were good. I am not going to read it, though, because it is nonfiction. The cover was brightly colored and cheerful, and the title was, as it stated, uplifting. My favorite parts were the quotes throughout. I have no suggestions for change since I believe that this is great for someone else.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 8:13 pm by Amy Luman.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jay_shon03
I usually have a fondness for self-help books. This is mainly due to the life lessons and hacks I have learned over the years while reading them. Hence, I am sure the title of this book is enough for me to sample it.
I started seeing the potency and potential of the book while reading the first ten pages. Already, I have learned a new perspective on kindness. Reading about the way people acted towards each other after the 11th September bombing made me understand how acts of kindness create bridges that connect our hearts. I am already spurred to show more random acts of kindness because the author has shown how it can benefit me.
I love the author's straightforwardness in delivering her message. The editing of the book also stood out for me. I am sure I will buy this book subsequently and finish reading it.
Even though I enjoyed reading the book's review on the OBC platform, my opinion of the book was not in any way influenced by the review.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 8:10 pm by Jay_shon03.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Stephanie Runyon
I don't read self-help books because I find them difficult to apply to my life. Therefore, I would not have sampled this book. The explanation of how stress manifests in physical and mental health was an eye-opener for me. I experience several of the symptoms like hypoglycemia, insomnia, ulcers, and slow wound healing. I have been on antidepressants and antipsychotics for over 10 years until I chose to stop taking them because my liver enzymes show damage from long-term use. I felt more vested in reading the book further. Professionally edited, I have no suggestions to improve what I have read. The OBC review didn't influence my decision to continue reading this guide. I didn't read anything online to alter my choice. I want to learn more about how to handle stress and I think this Christian-based book may help alleviate my physical and mental health issues by giving me hope.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 7:52 pm by Stephanie Runyon.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Mariana Figueira
Before reading the book's first pages, I wasn't interested in it because nothing on the cover or the title got my attention. After sampling the book I don't want to continue reading it because I'm not a fan of non-fiction. I like that the author states very clearly all the economical and health related consequences to stress. This book seems professionally edited, I didn't see any typos; plus, it has an official Online Bookclub review but that didn't affect my opinion about not reading the book. I didn't see anything that needed improvement.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 7:41 pm by Mariana Figueira.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sushan Ekanayake
Uplifted: 12 Minutes to More Joy, Faith, Peace, Kindness & Vitality by Susan Smith Jones, PhD, belongs to the Non-Fiction genre, which I usually do not read. The title and the cover page were self-explanatory. The blurb revealed that the book was about a holistic approach to a healthy living. The editorial reviews and the customer reviews spoke highly about the book. Anyway, I would not have sampled this book if I had not been a part of this program based on the above facts, especially since the book was a self-help book.
Then I read the first few pages, which included the introduction to the book and the preface which discussed deeply about stress that all humans are facing in the current society. I liked the way the author started the book by giving the reader something to think. But since the genre was not among my reading preferences, I decided not to continue reading after reading the first ten pages.
There were no errors in the first ten pages and I did not see any area that could be improved. I saw the official OBC review, which spoke highly about the book. But it was inadequate to change my decision.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 7:11 pm by Sushan Ekanayake.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Emy Katherine
The beautiful and colorful cover caught my attention, but I would not have read the book based on the genre, title, Amazon blurb, and genre. As this is not my genre, sampling the book and reading the OBC review did not convince me to buy the book. Sharing her real-life experiences as a holistic lifestyle coach and counselor, the author provides precious tips to help you live a healthy, stressless, and fulfilling life. There was nothing that I disliked about the sample. I enjoyed both the easy-to-read writing style and the conversational tone as the author explained how important it is to meditate to reduce stress. She also highlights how important it is to enjoy each day and to always trust God, even in difficult times. I found some errors, but they did not distract me from my reading. For example, it should be written "I could" at the beginning of the following sentence: "Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone." (location 545 of 637 • 82%) It should be written "shining examples of how to live" in the following sentence: "Hummingbirds are some of my favorite teachers and shining examples on how to live sacred lives." (location 387 of 637 • 53%) Personally, nothing needs to be improved. The book has received many positive customer reviews and editorial reviews, so those who enjoy reading self-help books will find this one interesting. Unfortunately, I am not the target audience.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 6:18 pm by Emy Katherine.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mary WhiteFace
Without the First Ten program I would not have been interested in reading a motivational self-help book. My initial decision was based upon the title and synopsis. Neither the Amazon customer reviews nor the OnlineBookClub review influenced my decision. I had not read them before writing this review. Reading the first ten pages did not change my mind.
The book seemed to be professionally edited. I have no suggestions for improvement. I found the book easy to follow and the narrative flowed smoothly. What I liked best was how the author stressed the importance of slowing down and appreciating the small things in life. She called them the simple pleasures. It is not always the grand, extravagant experiences that bring the most joy. (location 362)
At the moment I don't have a need for a motivational self-help book. I will not be reading the whole thing. Although, I believe anyone finding themselves at a low point in their life would benefit from applying the concepts outlined therein.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 6:18 pm by Mary WhiteFace.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
IconReviews
Outside this program, I would have read the book based on the title and cover because they were inviting. I would also read it based on the blurb, customer reviews, genre and the official OnlineBookClub review. I liked the author's simple way of writing. The book seemed relatable. I can see in my own daily life that I hardly have time to just relax. This book teaches how to slow things down and pay attention to what is important. I will be reading it because it is an uplifting one. The sample needs no modifications and was professionally edited.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 5:49 pm by IconReviews.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
MsH2k
Based on the genre, title, cover, and blurb, I would not have sampled this book if I were not part of this program. My current daily devotional approach is working well for me. I chuckled at the beginning statement in the blurb: I had also noticed how common each of the author’s three names was, including her middle name. That bit of self-acknowledging humor was endearing. There was a lot of introductory material in the sample, and I finished at least ten pages and had not yet reached Part One. Interestingly, I found it stressful not getting to the first chapter sooner, perhaps an aspect of busyness. I appreciate the lessons and wisdom the author has to share, but I will not buy this book. I have some great devotional/self-help guides collecting dust on my shelf, and I am not in the market for another. The book appeared professionally edited; I noticed only a couple of minor errors. One was at loc 548. There was a space missing between the first two words in this sentence: “Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone.” Neither the featured OnlineBookClub review nor other editorial reviews or customer reviews influenced my decision. A suggestion for improvement would be to reduce the amount of introductory discussion before Part One begins.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 5:33 pm by MsH2k.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kira Bonita Reece
I like self-help books so I would read this based on the cover, blurb, title, genre, customer reviews, and the official OnlineBookClub review. I liked the questions the author asked at the beginning of the book. It causes one to reflect on how hectic our lives have become that we even forget to take care of our health. The sample was professionally edited and needs no improvements. I will be reading it because I think there is a lot I can learn from it.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 3:40 pm by Kira Bonita Reece.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Kajori Sheryl Paul
"Uplifted" is a non-fiction book by Susan Smith Jones, PhD. In today's fast-paced world of multi-tasking, life has become filled with stress. Jones aims to uplift us by helping us take care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. I like the idea of 12-minute action steps. Also, I like the "today's affirmation" section at the end of each chapter. I found nothing in need of improvement. The editing is fair. I like the subject-matter of the book. So, I would have read this based on the cover, title, genre, blurb, editorial reviews, and customer reviews. For the same reason, I have decided to continue reading this book.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 3:32 pm by Kajori Sheryl Paul.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Laura Ungureanu
I'm not a fan of self-help books, so I wasn't interested in reading this book based on its appearance, blurb, OBC review, and Amazon reviews. I eventually sampled it because of this program. I like the emphasis the author puts on nutrition. I recently learned that myself. I was shocked by the fact that we are busier in a year than our grandparents were in all their lives. I don't know if this is really accurate, but it blows my mind to think about it. I would've liked it if the author addressed the reader regarding the ten questions she poses. It would've been nice if she said something like "if you answered 'yes' to half of them...". That's what I'm expecting at least, so I would recommend adding that to the book. I like the warm tone used by the author. It's a pleasant book. However, not one that is suited to my taste. I get easily annoyed by self-help books. This book didn't annoy me, but I'm sure that continuing to read it will. There are no editing errors in the first pages I read.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 3:23 pm by Laura Ungureanu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Julie Gebrosky
If I had not been part of this program, I would have sampled this book. The OBC review made it sound very appealing. Also, I was drawn to the book’s cover and ideals. I'm not generally into self-help books though, so I was hesitant. After reading the first ten pages, I do not plan to finish it. The OBC review said it was different than other self-help books, but I didn't see much difference. It seemed like other ones that I've read before. I liked how I could relate to feeling stressed and very busy as the author explained. I didn't like how it seemed like other self-help books though because that’s not a genre of interest to me. There were no errors.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 2:59 pm by Julie Gebrosky.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Yvonne Monique
The book cover has a very peaceful image. However, as I am not a big fan of self-help books, I would not pick this book up if I would see it in a bookstore. The customer reviews, blurb and OBC review give a detailed description of the book and make me curious about the sample. I liked the quotes at the beginning of the book, and I could also relate to the 10 points mentioned in the first chapter, except for numbers seven and nine. Although I find the topic very interesting, I find the references to God and the Bible distracting. I believe that the author can transmit the same message without including a religious message. For that reason I will not buy this book. I have no suggestions for improvement.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 2:52 pm by Yvonne Monique.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kaitlyn Canedy
If Uplifted hadn't been the OnlineBookClub's book of the day, I would have read the sample of it because of the subtitle. I like reading self-help books, and the description told me that it was one. The customer reviews were very positive; these reviews positively influenced my decision. The simplicity of the writing and the Christian perspective are both aspects of the book I liked; there is not too much information presented at once, and the message is not a selfish one. There were no grammatical errors in the sample, and I cannot think of anything I disliked or thought needed improvement. An official OnlineBookClub review exists for this title, but I already knew I wanted to read the book before reading this review. I like reading self-help books, especially ones with a Christian perspective, so I knew I would be finishing and reading this book.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 2:34 pm by Kaitlyn Canedy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Chinazo Anozie
I knew I wouldn’t be interested in this book from the title, cover, description, genre, customer reviews, and the official OnlineBookClub review. I don’t read nonfiction/self-help books, so I won’t buy and read this book. However, I appreciated the message the author passed in this book, especially the importance of visualisation and kindness. I enjoyed reading how visualisation changed Rose’s issue with her boss. This book will benefit from another round of editing because I noticed an error in Part One (Are We Too Busy To Be Kind) as follows: “Icould hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone.” Correction: I could hear the frustration in her voice the moment I picked up the telephone (missing space).
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 2:04 pm by Chinazo Anozie.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Bertha Jackson
Although I love the beautiful and peaceful cover with the hummingbird and butterfly and find that it goes well with the title, I would have skipped over this book because I do not prefer non-fiction self-help books. My decisions to read books are based on my enjoyment of reading the sample, not on the blurb, customer reviews, editorial reviews, or the OnlineBookClub review. I like the friendly tone that the author uses and the 12-Minute Action Steps that focus on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person as a whole. I enjoyed reading the quotes the author uses. My favorite one was “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I recommend that the author have another round of editing done because I did find an error on Page 5: “We have a tendency to approve or disapprove of others and ourselves, according to superficial standards and labels of acceptability and achievement, when we should be learning to love.” Correction: delete the word “of” after the word “disapprove.” The only thing I disliked about this book was the topic, which is why I will not finish reading the free copy of this book.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 1:23 pm by Bertha Jackson.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Hazel Arnaiz
The cover, title, and blurb look like self-help, and feedback from customer reviews are enthusiastic. This genre is not my usual read, so I will skip it outside the program. After sampling, I appreciated the quotes. They are inspiring and thoughtfully selected. However, this is not a topic I will read about this time. Hence, I will pass. I have no suggestions for improvement. Likewise, I did not encounter editing issues from the sampled pages. The official OnlineBookClub review is comprehensive. The insights are helpful.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 1:21 pm by Hazel Arnaiz.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Timothy Rucinski
I agree with the Official OBC Reviewer that this book has a wonderful cover. I probably would have looked closer had I seen it in a store, even though I don't typically browse the self-help aisle. This is not a genre that I enjoy. The Official Review didn't help in making me want to read this book. Although the Review was nicely written, the fact that it has a Christian slant is enough to turn me off. After reading the first ten pages, I knew for certain that I would never read this book. The frequent references to God turned me off. I won't be reading this book because it's not a genre that I like, and I don't like Christian-based self-help books most of all. What I liked about the book was the author's amiable writing style. She comes across as a friend and advisor rather than as an academic. I also liked how she cited roadmaps for a fulfilled life based on the advice received from relatives at an early age. I believe that the book was professionally edited, as I found no errors. I have no recommendations for improvement, and I believe that individuals of faith will find the book quite inciteful.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 12:30 pm by Timothy Rucinski.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Christell Lindeque
Regardless of being a part of this program, I will not be buying or reading the book. I'm not a fan of or interested in self-help literature. I liked the name and cover of the book.
I still don't think I'll enjoy the book after reading the first ten pages because it's not in my interest. I do, however, think people interested in this genre will definitely be interested in this book.
Within the first ten pages, I found no errors.
I liked the way the author communicates with her readers. It does seem like a fast-paced read, and she knows how to capture her audience. In an effort to get her readers to slow down and appreciate the moment, the author suggests they spend some time in nature. The author calls it a journey that you are taking with her. I will not be reading this book because I do not like the subject or genre.
The first ten pages were difficult to read because the book is in a genre that I do not enjoy.
Despite what the OBC says, I won't be reading or buying this book. This is not a topic that piques my interest.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 11:29 am by Christell Lindeque.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Ohna Martin
I would love to read this book, whether I was part of this program or not. I love the cover it is beautiful and the name is inspiring. I like the theme of the story. The author touches on a point that affects almost every person today. Stress is rearing its head everywhere and the only way to stop it is to try and manage it. There is nothing I dislike about this book. I found some errors for example instead of saying record-breaking time, the author used recording-breaking time. I would suggest another round of editing. No other review, OBC or otherwise or blurbs influenced my decision. This was solely based in the first ten pages of this book.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 10:47 am by Ohna Martin.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Theresa Moffitt
I was drawn to the cover of this book. It creates a very positive feeling. The colors are bright and the cover art is attractive. The title is encouraging and uplifting. I would have picked this book up based on the cover alone. The onlinebookclub.org review that I read was very positive and gave the book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It recommended the book to readers interested in positive change in their lives. It also noted that the book was exceptionally well edited without any errors. I agree with this statement because I didn’t see any errors in the first ten pages, so I believe the book was professionally edited. I also didn’t see any area that the author could improve upon. I didn’t read any additional customer reviews or blurbs because the OBC review was very informative. The first ten pages begin with a foreword describing the positive characteristics of the author and the book. The preface explains the purpose of the book and the need for people to slow down. The author describes the concept of multi-tasking and how it is so prevalent in society today. The book also includes several quotes from the Bible and from famous people in history. It has a very positive approach to making beneficial changes to our lives. I enjoyed reading the first ten pages and believe I could benefit from this book. For those reasons, I would like to finish reading this book.
First Ten review added on December 4, 2022, at 10:27 am by Theresa Moffitt.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Total ~ 42%
Uplifted earned a score of 42%.
In other words, out of the top-level reviewers who read at least the first 10 pages of this book, 42% plan to read the whole book.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable.
Over a million books are published each year. Any given person could not even read .0001% of the books out there. This means readers have to be very selective. Even taking the time to look over reviews and blurbs, let alone read samples, is more time than most readers can afford for most books. The First Ten is a powerful focus group that addresses those issues. It creates a helpful tool for authors, publishers, and other readers.
Go to main Bookshelves page for Uplifted
