Why am I passionate about this?

More than anything, I consider myself an artist. I rely on intuition or “gut feelings” to guide me. The laws of the universe have proven to me that thoughts do become things. I often say, think good thoughts. The books I’m recommending, are all about following your instincts and releasing any outcome to find the treasures in your life. I believe in the law of attraction. I love food, music, and Hollywood and have invited it all into my restaurant. I’m a chef with a culinary arts degree, an award-winning author and chef to the stars. Feeding many celebrities from Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling to The Cake Boss and Alton Brown. Dreams do come true!


I wrote

Is The Coffee Fresh? Confessions of Drama, Dysfunction and Daily Life at a Downtown Coffeehouse

By Marc Renson,

Book cover of Is The Coffee Fresh? Confessions of Drama, Dysfunction and Daily Life at a Downtown Coffeehouse

What is my book about?

Have you ever asked yourself, Why Me? Marc Renson, Owner/Chef/Author of Ambition Coffee & Eatery, in downtown Schenectady, NY, takes…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Lottery

Marc Renson Why did I love this book?

I absolutely love this book. Lottery takes us on the journey of a young man who, to quote the book, “isn’t retarded.” “Because Reader’s Digest wrote retarded is an IQ of 75 or below but Perry L Crandall, well his IQ is 76. So he is not retarded.”

Perry has a kind heart but is oblivious to the ulterior motives of his family. Before his grandmother passes, she teaches him who to trust, to learn words and write them down and how to play the lottery. After his grandmother passes, Perry wins the lottery and soon his family descends on him and his fortune. 

This story makes you feel life at its core. It stirs all your hidden emotions. The true meaning of happiness, how little we really do need, and the kindness of friends.

By Patricia Wood,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Lottery as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14.

What is this book about?

Money isn't the same as treasure, and IQ isn't the same as smarts-An uplifting and joyous new novel hailed by Jacqueline Mitchard as "solid gold."

Perry L. Crandall knows what it's like to be an outsider. With an IQ of 76, he's an easy mark. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he'd need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. Most important, she taught him whom to trust-a crucial lesson for Perry when he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune,…


Book cover of The Delight of Being Ordinary: A Road Trip with the Pope and the Dalai Lama

Marc Renson Why did I love this book?

Did you ever want to escape your life? Like that soap commercial, “Calgon, take me away!” That just so happens in this book. The Pope and the Dalai Lama decide they need a break from their high-profile lives and just want to slip away into society. To be unnoticed and ordinary. So they don a disguise and escape the Vatican in a Maserati? Thus begins this story, a part whimsical, part spiritual road trip touring Italy, detailing cultural and political differences alongside the identities with which we define ourselves and that one difficult question gets asked, exactly where and how far does one person’s tolerance or openness end? This delightful story kept me captivated while sharing spiritual inspirations and words of hope and kindness. 

By Roland Merullo,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Delight of Being Ordinary as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What happens when the Pope and the Dalai Lama decide they need a secret vacation?
 
Roland Merullo’s playful, eloquent, and life-affirming novel finds the world’s two holiest men teaming up for an unsanctioned road trip through the Italian countryside--where they rediscover the everyday joys and challenges of ordinary life.
 
During the Dalai Lama’s highly publicized official visit to the Vatican, the Pope suggests an adventure so unexpected and appealing that neither man can resist: they will shed their robes for several days and live as ordinary men. Before dawn, the two beloved religious leaders make a daring escape from Vatican…


Book cover of The Shack

Marc Renson Why did I love this book?

Probably my most favorite book in the world! Read it more than twenty times. 

After his child was abducted and presumed murdered in an old wooden shack deep in the woods, Mackenzie Allen Phillips spirals down into a deep sadness. Only to one day receive a note in his mailbox, “Meet me at the shack,” signed Papa. The name his wife uses when she talks to God. 

Mack drives to the shack, to confront his deepest darkest secrets, deep in the snowy woods to meet God, the holy spirit, and Jesus and what begins a spiritual relationship of reconciliation on old false beliefs and misconceptions. Bringing forth his most painful memories and allowing himself to forgive the one person who created all his pain and suffering. His child’s murderer. 

God, I feel so lost. I know, but it’s not true. I am with you and I am not lost. 

Grab the Kleenex and let Papa open your heart, your mind, and your eyes to all his glory and perfect timing.

By William P. Young,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked The Shack as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

After his daughter's murder, a grieving father confronts God with desperate questions -- and finds unexpected answers -- in this riveting and deeply moving #1 NYT bestseller.

When Mackenzie Allen Phillips's youngest daughter Missy is abducted during a family vacation, he remains hopeful that she'll return home. But then, he discovers evidence that she may have been brutally murdered in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness.

Four years later, in this midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note that's supposedly from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment,…


Book cover of The Alchemist

Marc Renson Why did I love this book?

Do you believe in omens and treasures? Have you ever followed your heart, while being willing to lose everything chasing after your dream? Santiago, a young man on a quest to find his treasure that he dreamt about. Meeting kings, trade merchants, and scholars along his journey. Pointing him in the right direction, at the right time. All the while listening to that voice in his mind. Telling him to fear not and go forward. 

And when you want something, all the world conspires in helping you to achieve it. A must-read for anyone who is a dreamer and dreams of a better life for themself.

By Paulo Coelho,

Why should I read it?

27 authors picked The Alchemist as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book - a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is…


Book cover of The Traveler's Summit: The Remarkable Sequel to The Traveler’s Gift

Marc Renson Why did I love this book?

After making a fortune then losing it all, David Ponder meets Archangel Gabriel and teaches David the laws of the universe. Years later, David’s wife passes away and Archangel Gabriel reappears and informs David that he is the only one who can save all of humanity. But David must use the help of fellow travelers from the past. Welcome to the minds of great men and women who have shaped history. Churchill, Lincoln, Joan of Arc, and many more who help David and assist him on his quest to save all humanity. 

A great read, full of hope, courage, and vision.

By Andy Andrews,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Traveler's Summit as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Traveler's Summit explores the historically proven principles that have guided our greatest leaders for centuries, and how we might restore these principles in our own lives...before it's too late.

Dave Ponder is back, and this time, the fate of civilization may be in his hands.

Centuries of greed, pride, and hate have sent humankind hurtling toward disaster, far from our original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship, and that answer is only two words.

With time running out, it's up to David Ponder and a cast of history's best and…


Explore my book 😀

Is The Coffee Fresh? Confessions of Drama, Dysfunction and Daily Life at a Downtown Coffeehouse

By Marc Renson,

Book cover of Is The Coffee Fresh? Confessions of Drama, Dysfunction and Daily Life at a Downtown Coffeehouse

What is my book about?

Have you ever asked yourself, Why Me? Marc Renson, Owner/Chef/Author of Ambition Coffee & Eatery, in downtown Schenectady, NY, takes his readers on an outrageous journey of madness and mayhem while he operates his coffeehouse. 

Read about celebrities who eat there and meet the “irregulars” who keep the staff hopping with their crazy and cosmic questions. Interestingly enough, enduring all the insanity, results in an understanding that everything does happen for a reason. There is a purpose for meeting all these people and they collectively contribute to answer that age old question of…Why Me? Now, take a seat and make yourself comfy and as Marc would say, “Welcome to my world…and welcome to my Ambition!”  

You might also like...

Curiosity and the Cat

By Martin Treanor,

Book cover of Curiosity and the Cat

Martin Treanor Author Of The Logos Prophecy

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Illustrator Reader Jester Quantum physics buff

Martin's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Curiosity is certain she saw fairies at the bottom of the garden. Little does she know . . . they saw her first.

Emotionally abandoned by her mother and infatuated by a figurine of a fairy ballerina she discovers in an old toy shop, eight-year-old Curiosity Portland steals the figurine, unleashing strange and frightening happenings around her home, which, in turn, reveals a disturbing family history. 

An ominous tale of faerie folk.

Curiosity and the Cat

By Martin Treanor,

What is this book about?

Curiosity is certain she saw fairies at the bottom of the garden. Little does she know . . . they saw her first.

Emotionally abandoned by her mother and infatuated by a figurine of a fairy ballerina she discovers in an old toy shop, eight-year-old Curiosity Portland steals the figurine, unleashing strange and frightening happenings around her home, which, in turn, reveals a disturbing family history.

An ominous tale of faerie folk.



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