Life is not a series of crises to be endured. Life is to be enjoyed.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tara Schuster's Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Othe Life is not a series of crises to be endured. Life is to be enjoyed.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tara Schuster's Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone's Who's Been There . This book is more a memoir with anecdotal teachings that I loved. It is written in a way that makes it really easy to follow and implement different things in your life. I have a passion for all things self-improvement so I gobbled this book up but I know it is a book I will revisit in the future.
I loved how engaging the book was. Reading this was like hearing from your best friends on the steps you need to take to actually fix your life. A lot of the things Schuster addressed are areas I struggled with or is still to this day struggling with so it was great to know I am not alone.
I do recommend you give this book a read and fix you life! ...more
I saw this book on a list and I decided to give it a read because this is a book I generally would not read but I was curious about. I don't want to h I saw this book on a list and I decided to give it a read because this is a book I generally would not read but I was curious about. I don't want to have kids but I am really interested in how one should parent responsible. Even though I don't see myself as a parent, I do have a lot of friends who are parents, expecting or aunties & uncles so this book was very insightful. Also, even though I don't want to be a parent it doesn't mean I don't want to learn how to have a great impact on the children Ill come in contact with.
In The Power of Showing Up Siegel shares with us the different ways we can show up for our children, making them well adjusted adults. He stresses the four S's -SAFE, SEEN, SOOTHED and SECURED- in doing these four things he outlines how parents can raise better children.
I highly recommend you give this book a read, even if you aren't a parent. What I absolutely LOVED was that Siegel also worked through how parents can recover from their past and be better parents.
Updated December 9 I loved this book so much I decided to make it a BookOfCinz book club pick. This is a truly moving collection that deserves to be Updated December 9 I loved this book so much I decided to make it a BookOfCinz book club pick. This is a truly moving collection that deserves to be read.
I was simply storing up my tears, I would need them later. Somehow I knew this.
I am speechless and in tears after reading Bassey Ikpi's I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying . Reading this collection of deeply personal essays was like picking up your best friend's well written diary and getting genuine and utterly vulnerable look into their life. I am blown away by not only well written, utterly beautiful and moving the writing is, but how Ikpi is able to remain honest and real throughout the entire collection. This book takes guts to write, putting your truth out there takes bravery and I remain in awe at the author's courage.
I picked up this book because of the snarky title but I didn't know the author or what the book would be about and I am happy I did because I didn't want to prepare myself for how blown away I would be. In this collection of essays Ikpi who suffers from bipolar talks about her life, from childhood when she migrated from Nigeria to the US, to her various relationships and ultimately getting diagnosed with bipolar and detailing what that on-going battle is like for her. It is not every day you pick up a deeply personal collection of essays written by a Nigerian woman that details her battle with bipolar and I was here for all of it.
What really took my breath away was when Ikpi's doctor listed the signs of bipolar and all the signs were things she thought of as her personality trait. WOW.
Almost all the essays were stand-outs but I particularly loved, Young Girls They Do Get Weary, The Hands That Held Me, Yaka, Like A War, This Is What Happens When, Beauty in Breakdown & It Has a Name These essays hit home for me in so many ways- particularly the exploration of the mother and daughter relationship. That theme was present throughout the book and my heart really went out to the author and her mother because mother-daughter relationships are so freaking hard! When the author say I forgive her always because how can you not forgive someone whose whole life was a sprint towards survival? I felt that! I also really really loved the essay that addresses her relationship with a man who was unwilling to commit and who I felt gaslighted TF out of her. When she said This is what he does. He shows you his hand and makes you feel ashamed for looking at it. my breath left my body- WOW.
Overall, a truly moving, deeply personal and beautiful collection of MUST READ essays. WOW!...more
I remembering watching Esther Perel's TedTalk on infidelity and loving it so much even though I am not married or was ever in an affair. I started lisI remembering watching Esther Perel's TedTalk on infidelity and loving it so much even though I am not married or was ever in an affair. I started listening to her podcast Where Should We Begin? and I devoured the two seasons. I cannot get over real and important that podcast and this book is.
As Perel puts it, "this is not just a book about infidelity... I hope to engage you, the reader, in an honest, enlightened, and provocative exploration of modern relationships in their many variations. Enlightened I am. Perel really gave an insightful look into modern relationships not just marriage. I think everyone should read this book because there is something for everyone in this book- especially if you are considering marriage. I liked that Perel spoke about couples who get married without having a conversation about what fidelity looks like for them etc.
One thing that really stood out for me and a point I cannot shut up about is this Infidelity is a direct attack on one of our most important psychic structures: our memory of the past. It not only hijacks a couple’s hopes and plans but also draws a question mark over their history. If we can’t look back with any certainty and we can’t know what will happen tomorrow, where does that leave us?
At the Narrow Waist of the World is about Marlena Maduro Baraf's childhood in Panama and her navigating her mother who is suffering from mental illn At the Narrow Waist of the World is about Marlena Maduro Baraf's childhood in Panama and her navigating her mother who is suffering from mental illness. A short but very personal look into what life was like for Marlena- balancing growing up and all the pains that comes with that, along with trying to be brave for her mother who is suffering. I liked the historical references to Panama and the deeply personal look into Marlena's family line. ...more
The sick suffer alone, they undergo procedures and surgeries alone, and in the end, they die alone. Transplant is different. Transplant is all about The sick suffer alone, they undergo procedures and surgeries alone, and in the end, they die alone. Transplant is different. Transplant is all about having someone else join you in your illness. It may be in the form of an organ from a recently deceased donor, a selfless gift given by someone has never met you, or a kidney or liver from a relative, friend or acquaintance. In every case, someone is saying, in effect, “Let me join you in the recovery, your suffering, your fear of the unknown, your desire to become healthy, to get your life back. Let me bear some of your risk with you.” – Dr. Joshua D. Mezrich
How beautiful is that? This quote basically sums up some of what is explored in When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon I have a bit of a fascination with the medical field so I am always on the look out for memoirs written by doctors. It started with When Death Becomes Life by Paul Kalanithi, since then I’ve been reading "medical memoirs".
Dr. Joshua Mezrich does an amazing job of giving you an historical look into transplant surgery, you hear get a solid historical look at the pioneers who did the ground work that made this field so successful today. Also covered are the patients, donors and Mezrich's journey to become a Transplant Surgeon. The medical jargons can be a lot but if you’ve been watching Grey’s Antaomy you should be good. Mezrich balances the history lessons with heart warming stories about his patients. A well researched, well written look into the life of a Transplant Surgeon.
Also, in reading this book I learned that the first human to human transplant was done In 1976 in South Africa performed by Dr. Chistiaan Barnard. A little FYI for yah!
We sustain frequent psychological wounds as we go through life. Unfortunately, until now, few of us have had the awareness and the know-how to treat tWe sustain frequent psychological wounds as we go through life. Unfortunately, until now, few of us have had the awareness and the know-how to treat them effectively. Instead we tend either to ignore them entirely or to unwittingly react in ways that deepen them and allow them to cause damage to our mental health over time. … this is the whole premise of Guy Winch's Emotional First Aid.
More and more people are become aware of mental health and the importance of taking the time to see about their emotional health. I think this book is timely and offers solid, practical advice for some common emotional wounds. In Emotional First Aid Guy Winch offers treatment for the following areas of life: 1. Rejection- The emotional cuts and scrapes of daily life 2. Loneliness- Relationship muscle weakens 3. Loss and Trauma- Walking on broken bones 4. Guilt- The poison in our system 5. Rumination- Picking at emotional scabs 6. Failure-Emotional chest colds become psychological pneumonias 7. Low Self-Esteem -Weak emotional immune systems
A well put together emotional medical cabinet if you are looking to tackle one of the following areas above. Winch did warn that this is just a "first aid kit" so if you need to go deeper please seek the relevant help.
January 2021 This is my fourth time reading Rising Strong and I think one of the key takeaway for me this year is that I will not be taking criticism January 2021 This is my fourth time reading Rising Strong and I think one of the key takeaway for me this year is that I will not be taking criticism or holding on to the words of people who are not face down in the arena of life. I a was also reminded to live wholeheartedly and that is what I am going to do.
January 2020 I read Rising Strong for the first time in 2019 and I was blown away but home much the book and the teachings resonated with me. I think for the entire 2019 I made a conscious decision to be more vulnerable and live wholeheartedly and for the most part it worked.
This time around what really resonated with me was how the story I tell myself when things happen. I liked that Brene Brown really focused on this because it is something I battle with a lot and I liked having the tools to work through it.
This is such a great read for anyone who is in the arena of life. A must read.
January 2019 Yes, feeling vulnerable is at the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, but it’s also the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.
Rising Strong by Brene Brown is exactly the book I needed to start my year. I found myself highlighting almost every line on my Kindle. This book explores how being vulnerable leads us to live a more fulfilling life. It also in no uncertain terms informs us that it will hurt and it will suck at times but if we want to live wholeheartedly, this is the process.
I have to admit, there is a lot to absorb and so much to explore with this book at times it felt overwhelming but the lessons that are explored are essential. I particularly love this little nugget that Brene Brown shared:
My team and I often start difficult team meetings by writing permission slips and sharing them before we dig into our work. We’re not going to recognize emotion if we don’t feel like we have permission to feel emotion.
These are just some of the practical tips Brown shared in her book on how she goes about living a wholehearted life.
This is definitely one of those books I have to get in hard copy so I can highly and re-read yearly.
Our world checks the wrong scoreboard. Those who live in excess are not necessarily the ones who have the most fulfilled lives. Often it is those who Our world checks the wrong scoreboard. Those who live in excess are not necessarily the ones who have the most fulfilled lives. Often it is those who live quietly, modestly, and contentedly with a simple life who are the happiest.
For the last years I have been trying to cut down on the amount of things I own and it seems at the end of each year I acquired more stuff I don't need. Reading this book is the kick in the ass I needed to get my act together and once and for all decide to live with less. A lot of the things Becker covers is practical and if you are looking to live with less he does give a great guide. I liked the Biblical references, it drove the point home for me a lot more.
If your new year's intention is to live with less or be more intentional in how you acquire things, this book is the perfect read. ...more
"Perhaps the most horrifying thing about nonconsensual sex is that, in an instant, it erases you. Your own desires, your safety and well-being, your "Perhaps the most horrifying thing about nonconsensual sex is that, in an instant, it erases you. Your own desires, your safety and well-being, your ownership of the body that may very well have been the only thing you ever felt sure you owned—all of it becomes irrelevant, even nonexistent."
I felt so deeply for everyone who contributed. We are all fighting this battle and now more than ever we need to speak out.
I was drawn to this book because of the cover and the title. Not every day you see a cover and a title like this and my interest was piqued. I cannot I was drawn to this book because of the cover and the title. Not every day you see a cover and a title like this and my interest was piqued. I cannot say I enjoyed this read, I was left wanting. I am still trying to wrap my thoughts around what I just read, but what I will say is this:
1. I still don't know exactly what Lyme Disease is, how to prevent it or why it happens.
2. For a writer, I felt the book wasn't exactly well written. It was choppy and sometimes all over the place. I feel like it would have read better if the book was written in a linear fashion. That way we could have followed the progression of the sickness.
3. I honestly really wanted to love this book and I kinda feel bad about the three star ratings but I just expected more.
I have always been a fan of Lisa Genova's writing since reading "Still Alice" mainly because she is able to merge medical writing and story telling soI have always been a fan of Lisa Genova's writing since reading "Still Alice" mainly because she is able to merge medical writing and story telling so well. Genova also brings to the forefront diseases and illnesses that I would not necessarily know a lot about and present it in such a palatable manner.
In "Every Note Played" we meet Richard, a world renowned pianist who was diagnosed with ALS and now have eight months to live. If you were alive three years ago, you would have been inundated with the ice bucket challenge- so you might know about ALS.
I have to say, while I did enjoy some of the book, and I did get teary-eyed in some section, overall I felt the book veered too much on the medical explanation side. As one reviewer aptly puts it, if felt like a "Caregiver guide to ALS"
However, if you have never heard about ALS or if you are a fan of Genova it doesn't hurt to pick this one up. However, I didn't think this was her strongest work. ...more
On Monday my friend told me to watch the Netflix Documentary "What the Health" and needless to say watching that changed my life... yes I know its jOn Monday my friend told me to watch the Netflix Documentary "What the Health" and needless to say watching that changed my life... yes I know its just been four days but I have been making changes. The Netflix documentary and this book basically stand on the same premise, how to change your life by eating a whole food plant based diet.
After watching the documentary I wanted to learn more about the plant based diet and how to go about making the changes. This book delve into that along with many other topics. It is clear Greger is an authority on this topic and the presentation of the research was done in a clear and engaging way.
What stood out most for me was not only the evidence that Greger put forward that substantiated all his claims but how in-depth he went in making sure the readers understand the topic. I am trying to make the changes to a plant based diet but I want to make informed decisions and this book helped a lot.
The second part of the book, really holds your hands and shows you exactly the steps you need to transition to a plant based diet. I know I am gushing and going on and on about this, but I feel everyone is responsible for their health and how they feel, this book shows you in no uncertain terms how you can improve your health by making small daily changes.
Last, at lot of people will become overwhelmed and think they cant do it, but Greger reinforces in his book that this is not a one size fit all plan. You are allowed to make daily/weekly/monthly steps to reach a more plant based, whole food lifestyle change. He also pointed out that it is ok to indulge on special occasions, there are no hard and fast rules.
This is a just a great read for your health and if you decide to move forward with a lifestyle change. ...more
If you are just starting your health and fitness journey this is the book for you. When I tell you, the writers of these book gently hold your hands aIf you are just starting your health and fitness journey this is the book for you. When I tell you, the writers of these book gently hold your hands and show you exactly how to make the change. They give you a breakdown of health plans, grocery list, exercise plan, travel plan.... everything you can think of healthwise is covered in this book. This might just be the most comprehensive health plan/ lifestyle change plan I have ever seen or read. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who are just starting their health journey, even for those who are in the middle of it, it is a great refresher.
I love that the Daniel Plan takes into focusing putting God as the base of your change, too often as Rick Warren says, we depend on willpower to make this journey- will power will last 2-3 weeks, we need God's power to go through this for a life time. So the faith aspect that is included is also a big focus and something for everyone to take into consideration.
A great tool for those who want to remain healthy. ...more
The story of my body is not a story of triumph. This is not a weight-loss memoir. There will be no picture of a thin version of me, my slender body e The story of my body is not a story of triumph. This is not a weight-loss memoir. There will be no picture of a thin version of me, my slender body emblazoned across this book’s cover, with me standing in one leg of my former, fatter self’s jeans.....Mine is not a success story. Mine is, simply, a true story.... Instead, I have written this book, which has been the most difficult writing experience of my life, one far more challenging than I could have ever imagined.
To dates I have read everything Roxane Gay wrote, even her last tweet. Hunger remains one of the most difficult books I have had to read in a long time. Words fail. It is not often an author lays themselves bare for the world to see. It is not often an author show you their secrets, wounds and deepest innermost self. This hardly, if ever happens, and I for one am so proud to have read this memoir. I have so many feelings about this book and while she preface by saying this is not a book about triumph, I cant help but feel in a lot of ways it is. After finishing this book, I felt for Roxane Gay (yes I know she isn't looking my pity she said that at least 5 times in the book), but my heart pained for all her experience. This book is essential read for everyone, especially those who struggle with being empathetic.
This is the new standard for ALL memoirs. If your memoir is not as real, poignant, bare, beautifully written, clever, insightful, brave, moving, and life changing as this, I don't want to read it. Gay has set the bar high what a real memoir is, and how memoirs should be written- this I wasn't surprised about- her writing is impeccable.
Honestly, I could write a book on how beautiful this memoir is, but I encourage you, READ THIS, it will change your life in a lot of ways.
Once again Roxane Gay takes us on a painful yet real journey. It will be difficult at times, but this is essential read.
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