Review: Onward by Howard Schultz

n 2008, Howard Schultz, the president and chairman of Starbucks, made the unprecedented decision to return as the CEO eight years after he stepped down from daily oversight of the company and became chairman. Concerned that Starbucks had lost its way, Schultz was determined to help it return to its core values and restore not only its financial health, but also its soul. InOnward, he shares the remarkable story of his return and the company's ongoing transformation under his leadership, revealing how, during one of the most tumultuous economic times in history, Starbucks again achieved profitability and sustainability without sacrificing humanity. 

Offering readers a snapshot of a moment in history that left no company unscathed, the book zooms in to show, in riveting detail, how one company struggled and recreated itself in the midst of it all. The fastpaced narrative is driven by day-to-day tension as conflicts arise and lets readers into Schultz's psyche as he comes to terms with his limitations and evolving leadership style. Onward is a compelling, candid narrative documenting the maturing of a brand as well as a businessman. 

Onward represents Schultz's central leadership philosophy: It's not just about winning, but the right way to win. Ultimately, he gives readers what he strives to deliver every day--a sense of hope that, no matter how tough times get, the future can be just as or more successful than the past, whatever one defines success to be.’

Review: I really wanted to read this book because of my interest in Starbucks. I was aware of the day that all the Starbucks closed so that staff nationwide could have training and what a bold move this was for such a massive company with as big a following as it has. I have read other books about Starbucks before and so I was keen to hear from the man himself-Howard Schultz-about his take on Starbucks past, present and future. 

This book is not necessarily a history of Starbucks and is definitely more suited towards people who want to learn the business side of the company than someone like me who is just a fan of what they do. But it was definitely interesting from a customer point of view, the moves they made within the company and the effect it had on me as one of their customers. I could see the new things that had been brought in, I remembered them hitting the market and the reasoning and research behind them being brought in was interesting to read about. 

What I also found interesting was the fact that this book does focus on the Starbucks right now and the Starbucks of the future, having read in other books and researched on the history of Starbucks in general. It was quite eye-opening to see Howard Schultz's take on where he sees the company going. What really came across was just how passionate he is about his company and how he translates that in everyday business. I think that anyone who sees Starbucks as a faceless corporation would definitely question that view when they read this. Obviously this was a few years ago now and so I would love to see an updated version come out or another book from Schultz because I found this to be an absolutely fascinating read!

To order your copy now, click here!

Blog Tour Guest Review: The New Beginnings Coffee Club by Samantha Tonge

It's our stop on the blog tour for The New Beginnings Coffee Club by Samantha Tonge, because what are better than coffee shops? Please see my review and buy links below and don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for even more content and reviews! Here's what it's all about:

Everyone deserves a second chance…don’t they?

Jenny Masters finds herself living the modern dream. Wife to a millionaire, living in a mansion and mother to Kardashian-obsessed ten-year-old April, there isn’t anything missing. Until, her whole world comes crashing down, forcing Jenny and April to leave behind their glittering life and start over with nothing.

With village gossip following her wherever she goes, she finds refuge and a job in the new coffee shop in town. As the days pass Jenny fears she doesn’t have what it takes to pick herself back up and give April the life she always wanted to. But with the help of enigmatic new boss Noah, and housemate Elle, Jenny realises it’s never too late to become the woman life really intended you to be!

Review: I haven't read many books by Samantha Tonge, and was delighted to have the chance to read and review this latest story. I wasn't sure what to expect from the title, but found a really gripping story of betrayal and, most of all, self discovery within its covers. 

The main characters in the story are Jenny Masters and her 10-year-old daughter, April. Jenny's dream-world existence with wealthy husband Zak suddenly comes to an end she had not foreseen, and she and April have to adjust to a new life style. Jenny is not used to having to find her own way in the world, but, incredibly, finds a new home and a job at the village coffee shop, the Coffee Club, working and living with owner Noah and friend Elle. Their new life teaches Jenny and April much about themselves and also about the kindness found in others. Many other village inhabitants also feature in the story, giving some added humour and also a reflection of the strong community spirit often found in village life. 

I really liked Jenny. She doesn't mess about feeling sorry for herself when disaster strikes. She just knuckles down and gets on with her life, putting her daughter's interests and happiness above all else while also making a path for herself. I greatly admired Noah for offering a home and a paid job to a person he barely knew. There was obviously more to him than was immediately apparent. It was really fascinating peeling back the layers of both Noah and Elle to uncover what was going on beneath the surface. 

I very much enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, and I found myself quite engrossed in the story, eager to discover what was going to be revealed. Indeed, it is the kind of story that could pull you in and make you lose track of time - perfect for a holiday read. 

To order your copy now, click here!

Review: Last Bus To Coffeevile by J Paul Henderson

once more a purpose in life – to end hers.

When the moment for Gene to take Nancy to her desired death in Coffeeville arrives she is unexpectedly admitted to the secure unit of a nursing home and he is constrained to call upon the help of his two remaining friends: Bob Crenshaw, a man who has been officially dead for forty years, and Jack Guravitch, a disgraced weatherman in the throes of a midlife crisis.

They ‘kidnap’ Nancy and drive to Mississippi in a stolen tour bus once owned by Paul McCartney. Along the way they are joined by a young orphan boy called Eric who is searching for his only surviving family member – an exotic dancer named Susan.

Last Bus to Coffeeville is a funny story about sad things, a chronicle of lives that have jumped the tracks, and a tale of endings and new beginnings.

Review: what a unique and different novel. Totally satisfying and how great is that gorgeous cover, it just pops on my shelf! I began reading this novel and I have to admit, I felt it was a bit slow to begin with, once I really got into it though it was truly entertaining and I could see it unfolding clearly in front of me as if I was watching a quirky indie film! 

The description in this novel means that you are never unsure where you are or what is happening. The scenes where the characters enter a new town are always rich with vivid explainations of exactly what is where, what it sounds like, smells like, feels like and you feel as if you are there with the characters. I think I need to use some of this scene setting as an example when I teach descriptive writing! I have to say that the scenes themselves, the quirky places these characters lived and stayed throughout of the novel were possibly my favourite thing about this book! 

Actually scratch that, my favourite thing about this book was the ending. Don't get me wrong, this is not a Browadway, all singing all dancing ending, but a truly real ending which is completely befitting of the book itself, I she'd quite a few tears towards the end of the story, but I felt completely warmed and uplifted by the time I got there and just really satisfied by the way things unfurled! 

The characters in this book are just that, real characters. This writer was so clever to bring together a group of people in this way. A young boy, a young man and three older people. I don't normally like reading about people very much older than myself, but these characters had such a history, together an separately that I really enjoyed their company for the duration of the novel and didn't mind that they were older. I just really want to see this book as a film because I think it's something that everyone would enjoy and definitely something that stays with you, despite the slow start, this is definitely, something that gains momentum as it rolls towards the finish line, and definitely well worth the read!