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Category: Personal Health

Review: Lessons in Letting Go by Corinne Grant

[ 2 ] May 6, 2012

Reviewed by Nina Longfield

Corinne Grant, Australian comedian and television presenter, offers a candid account about the year she decided to clean up. Lessons in Letting Go is a memoir on letting go of the things (tangible and intangible) that were holding her down. As she combs through her belongings, Grant comes to realize that each thing, be it an item, a box or a pile, seems to have an emotional leash leading back to herself. The book progresses through the clutter with stories reflecting back to Grant’s childhood in rural Australia, her estranged relationships, and her internal emotional battles. Lessons in Letting Go is not so much a book about cleaning house as much as it is a metaphorical release of emotional baggage.

Corinne Grant’s writing is readable, entertaining, often funny, and sometime poignant. Although I never got the sense that her house was on par with hoarder houses that sometimes pop up on the evening news, Grant did convey a deep sense of frustration and anxiety regarding the clutter in her life. Her connections as to why she kept things are profound and personal.

Lessons in Letting Go is not necessarily a self-help book, as the book-stores seem to shelve it as, but there is a lot of useful information within these pages regarding the things we acquire and the things that sometimes take over our existence. It was was a surprisingly pleasant read. I enjoyed Corinne Grant’s honest inspection of her cluttered life.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Nina Longfield is a writer living in Oregon’s fertile wine country. When she is not reading or writing in her spare time, Nina enjoys hiking in the hills surrounding her cabin.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Allen & Unwin. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: After the Diagnosis by Julian Seifter, MD with Betsy Seifter, PhD

[ 2 ] March 3, 2012

Reviewed by Krista Castner

My mother has been struggling with a chronic illness, and I thought that this book might provide some tips or tools to help her focus on something other than her diagnosis. Dr. Julian Seifter writes from experience since he has had diabetes for years, and works with patients struggling with renal disease. I thought that After the Diagnosis gave some practical insights for moving beyond the diagnosis of a chronic illness and back into the mainstream of life. It’s not about ignoring the diagnosis, or becoming excessively focused on it; the key is to acknowledge where you are and move forward with the things that are in your power to change or affect.

Dr. Seifter observes, “In the course of my long career, I’ve seen many people battle their illnesses, and I’ve come to see that each person writes a narrative as individual as a thumbprint. Some stories are about successful adaptation or, happiest of all, about conquering the foe, others are darker, more tangled, more troubled. But every story deserves respect. Every story has a real, actual teller, and needs to be listened to.”

The book contains many stories about patients who managed their conditions well and lived a full and enriching life, as well as stories about patients who did not do so well. The patients who were able to cope with the chronic illness were the ones who were able to talk about their situation and come to some sort of decision about how much they’d let the illness control the pieces that made up their essential selves.

There are discussions about the stages of acceptance of a chronic illness, and a section for the caregivers of chronically ill patients. One of my favorite quotes comes towards the end of the book and sums up the philosophy of the book succinctly.

Dr. Seifter asserts, “Facing up to adversity is less a matter of deciding to be strong than of letting go and seeing what comes next. What is most required in order to thrive ‘after the diagnosis’ is the capacity to stay open to experience. By letting life happen and time go forward, we can hold on to future hopes and present meanings.”

This philosophy is really true for everyone, but becomes more immediate for those thrust into making potentially life altering decisions because of chronic illness. After the Diagnosis has helped me understand my Mom’s journey, and made me more compassionate about the choices she’s making for herself every day.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Krista lives just outside the urban sprawl of Portland, Oregon. Lamentably, her work as a technical writer and business analyst often interferes with her reading which is a true passion.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Simon & Schuster. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Smarter Science of Slim by Jonathan Bailor

[ 2 ] February 23, 2012

Reviewed by Poppy Johnson

The Smarter Science of Slim by Jonathan Bailor provides an explanation for anyone wondering why they gain weight or why they can’t lose it quickly. The book covers different foods and why they are good or bad for us, such as the inSANE foods (processed foods and sugars) that should be avoided and the SANE foods that include any foods that can be hunted or gathered (meat and certain veggies). Bailor also includes interesting facts that were news to me, such as the fact that long term weight loss comes from unclogging our fat metabolic system.

I though I had read everything there was in the area of exercise. However, The Smarter Science of Slim has surprisingly interesting suggestions for exercising. For example, the book offers diagrams for floor and weight exercise routines and gives instructions for maximizing the results. There are different types of workouts, such as Deep or Eccentric and they do not just work the muscles, but also unclog metabolisms. This leads the way to safe and consistent weight loss.

Bailor also offers advice on not misplacing energy during a workout. I learned that it was wrong to try to work abdominal muscles before unclogging my system and that dropping our fat set points is the first step to consistent weight loss – not additional reps in the gym. In regards to lifting weights, Bailor explains something I never considered before and which was a revelation to me: lifting weights (the concentric part of the exercise) is important to strengthening muscle, but the lowering of the weight (the eccentric part of the routine) offers the most benefits.

From The Smarter Science of Slim, I learned that working out and just jogging each day is actually not the best way to maintain optimum weight for life. The book explains that there is so much more to consider when deciding to live a healthier lifestyle and it gives the best answers to the questions: what should I do now and what should I do first?

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Read a sample from the book here

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Jonathan Bailor. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Breakthrough by Shea Vaughn

[ 3 ] January 28, 2012

Reviewed by Poppy Johnson

Breakthrough by Shea Vaughn (yes, she is actor Vince Vaughn’s mother) is fittingly dedicated to the breakthroughs that allow us to find the most relevant and important aspects of our lives. These breakthroughs include living each day in the present (leaving the past behind) and finding self-fulfillment in each day.

Vaughn focuses on a mind and body connection, and incorporates meditation and lessons on becoming more aware of self to live a happier life. The first half of the book offers advice on how to slow down and become more sensitive to movement and thought that we experience every day. The middle part of the book discusses the five principles of well-being (commitment, perseverance, self-control, integrity and love). The last sections offer photos of the author performing several exercise routines, discuss aging and show ways to apply these five principles to your life.

I especially enjoyed the exercises at the end of the book and the way they were shown in a series of photos, making it easier to replicate them on my own. The stretching-based routines did clear my head when I tried them, and they offered a nice alternative to a full out workout; the stretching routines would be perfect on a “resting” day between formal exercise routines.

I recommend Breakthrough to anyone who is stressed in a home or job situation and who needs advice on how to unwind.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Click here for a video of Shea Vaughn working out with her son and Ellen DeGeneres

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by PR by the Book. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Living with Depression by Deborah Serani

[ 3 ] January 26, 2012

Reviewed by Sara Drake

Living with Depression should be read by anyone with depression or anyone who cares about someone with depression. I wanted to say that up front as that thought kept going through my head as I read through this great synopsis of a common mental illness. I have long looked for a resource that so clearly lays out the basics and offers good advice.

Deborah Serani begins with a touching description of her own battles with depression. I found myself holding my breath as I read about her plans for suicide, waiting to see what happens next. Yes, I knew that she clearly lived through it to write the book but I could not help getting sucked into the story! Her personal view throughout the book keeps it from reading like an academic text book. Instead, reading it feels more like listening to a wise professor chat over lunch.

After her personal story, Serani describes the clinical definitions of mood disorders, their causes, their treatment, and the problems faced by those with a mood disorder. She includes a great deal of technical detail in her sections on the etiology of depression and the medications used to treat it. While she does a great job at describing the biological details, some readers may be intimidated by the density of scientific terms.

She offers helpful suggestions and contacts for anyone stuck in the morass that the U.S. mental health care system has become. I have read several books on depression and this is the first one to offer practical advice for individuals needing treatment. Too often, books focus on the mental illness or the treatment itself neglecting to help individuals with details.

Overall, I found Living with Depression to be both informative and enjoyable. I plan on keeping it as a handy reference for its listing of multiple resources that can be called on to assist with getting appropriate treatment.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Sara Drake has been an avid reader since a young age. She has both a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and a Master’s in History.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Deborah Serani. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Dignity by Donna Hicks Ph.D

[ 4 ] December 10, 2011

Reviewed by Poppy Johnson

Donna Hicks, Ph.D. is an expert on relationships and managing professional conflicts. She develops conflict resolution workshops around the world to show participants how to improve their relationships with each other by becoming more sensitive to the dignity of others.

In her book, Dignity, Hicks describes the essential elements of dignity, which show the readers how to honor it in themselves and in others. She then discusses the ways we inadvertently or intentionally violate the dignity of others. The last section of the book shows how to utilize the power of dignity to manage and improve relationships.

Hicks does an exemplary job of explaining how the concept of preserving dignity in ourselves and others shapes our lives. It is true that we will remember when someone else causes us to feel our dignity has been assaulted. At those times, when we feel the most vulnerable, we are most likely reacting to the response of someone else to us. These “dignity violations” are often at the heart of our conflicts with others. Hicks makes the case that we protect ourselves when we feel threatened, and we tend to lash out at others in an attempt to hurt the other person’s dignity. This never makes us feel better, but if we are not aware of our actions towards others, we can’t change our attitudes going forward.

I agree that it is important to make others feel included, and that validating the efforts of others is necessary for better professional and personal relationships. I also agree that we should take a deep breath before lashing out on someone who has wronged us. The avoidance of conflict preserves dignity on both sides.

Dignity is a good book for anyone interested in fostering positive relationships their professional and personal lives.

Rating: 5/5

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Newman Communications. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais

[ 5 ] December 9, 2011

Reviewed by Christen Krumm

The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women is a book on running. No, seriously. I know what you are thinking. How interesting could a book on running really be? Especially one geared towards non-runners (non-runners running is somewhat of an oxymoron)? I am here to report that this book was exceptionally good. I honestly could not put it down!

I have wanted to run a 5K (yes, only a 5K) for quite a while now. I figured it could not hurt to read this book (after all running is running, right?) Reading this book has almost inspired me to run a full marathon – almost (not sure if I am that crazy just yet). Dawn Dais’ book tells of her real life marathon training experience going from a self proclaimed couch potato to an all out full marathon runner. She provides a training schedule as well as many much needed checklists, such as a checklist of gear for a novice runner.

I think what makes The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women so interesting is Dais’ wit and humor throughout the entire book. She includes excerpts from her running journal that she kept while training for her marathon – which are laugh out loud hilarious. Dais also added extra pages to the back of the book for you to journal your own marathon training experience, prompts and thoughts on running related issues, and much more.

Whether you are a seasoned runner getting ready to train for a marathon, someone toying with the idea of running a marathon, or a bonafied couch potato who is just wanting a good read, I highly recommend picking up Dawn Dais’ The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women. However, I must warn you that her story just might inspire you to start running yourself (she does bring up a good point about eating all the carbs you want…)

Rating: 5/5

Christen graduated from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith with a BA in English. She’s a coffee drinking stay at home mom by day and a freelance writer/editor by night. She currently resides in Arkansas with her husband and daughter and welcomed a son in August.

The review copy of this book was provided free of any obligation by Seal Press. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Seeing Ezra by Kerry Cohen

[ 6 ] October 25, 2011

Reviewed by Poppy Johnson

Seeing Ezra by Kerry Cohen is a mother’s heartfelt story of getting to know her autistic son and advocating on his behalf. When a baby sitter tells Cohen that she suspects that her son is autistic, the family’s worst fears are realized. Cohen understands that her world and that of her entire family will change now that her son will be considered “different,” “delayed,” or “special” by others. However, she lives her life finding ways to connect genuinely with her son and is successful on many levels.

As Cohen enters the new world of having to raise a child with special needs, she realizes that her son will still develop, but simply at his own rate. He will enjoy and experience his own types of success and hopefully manage to one day make his own way in a world which may not fully understand him.

Along with the autism, Ezra refuses to eat, and does not respond to others in the home on a consistent basis. Ezra has a sibling (brother Griffin), but struggles to fit in. Cohen discusses their move to a new town and their attempts to arrange play dates for Ezra to try and get him engaged in the community. She realizes that Ezra’s world is a closed door with slivers of light escaping around the door frame. She cherishes the moments when he is able to share a real personal connection with her, but is never sure whether that connection has the same meaning for Ezra.

Cohen is an expert at laying her emotions bare for the reader to interpret any way they prefer. Well-meaning people come up to her in public all the time to tell her that her son is autistic or to give her advice on what to do about it. Seeing Ezra explains that nothing can be “done” about autism; it is an aspect of her son’s and her family’s life and they deal with it the best they can.

Although there are many children with autism around the world, each child is different and each parent’s concerns are different. The parents of autistic children never get a day’s peace or a moment’s rest. They worry if others will mistreat their child, or whether the child will ever be loved outside of the nuclear family unit.

I’d recommend Seeing Ezra to anyone with a special needs child and to anyone interested in learning about the life of a parent with an autistic spectrum child. The story is heartwarming and Cohen is a loving and caring mother who never gives up on her son or their family.

Rating: 5/5

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Seal Press. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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