Self-Help / Relationships
Plot/Idea: Grief Sucks (But Your Life Doesn't Have To) is a frank and funny self-help workbook chronicling the author's painful past—her father, mother, stepmother, and 10-year-old daughter, Libby, died within within 18 months of each other--and how she not only survived, but "managed somehow to come out a little stronger and wiser on the other side."
Prose: Carlock's prose is funny and fearless. ("I believe that you, too, can take the lemons that life offers you and turn them into lemonade. It might not always be sweet, and in fact that shit may still taste sour as hell sometimes, but that’s how life works.") She describes her grief in unsparing and even poetic detail. "Post-traumatic growth is like a phoenix rising out of the ashes; it’s been burned and scarred and fallen to the ground but somehow manages not only to pick itself up but to fly to new heights."
Originality: There are many self-help books to aid readers struggling through with grief, but none like Grief Sucks. The author's honesty is front and center and her TRUST method is a new take on the five stages of grief: T = Tell your truths, R = Reach out, U = Unpack your emotions, S = Search for meaning, and T = Transform your future. Grief Sucks is as much a workbook as a chronicle for readers. There's also a table for goal planning via baby steps. But even as Carlock provides solutions, the author wisely warns the reader, "If you’re reading this book because you’d like a quick fix to make your grief go away, I have some bad news for you. There is no quick fix to resolving grief."
Character/Execution: The characters come across as real people, which of course they are, but the author's gifted writing brings each to life again. Carlock has written a beautiful, well constructed book on living through loss and, eventually, thriving.
Plot/Idea: The Dreaming Way: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams is a fascinating and in-depth study of dreams and dreaming. Reframing dreams as an evolution of various mindscapes spanning different species, Turner manages to carve a creative pathway for the reader that is deeply intriguing and inspiring.
Prose: Toko-pa Turner's text is written in a thought-provoking and illuminating manner, utilizing real-life examples of dream sequences and original anecdotes to embellish her ideas. She brilliantly blends the mythical with the ordinary in a comforting and inspirational way that is consistently impressive.
Originality: The Dreaming Way: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams presents the reader with practical and imaginative avenues to explore dream states and consequently become more connected to real life. An enlightening book full of wisdom and guidance that will result in meaningful sociological learning outcomes.
Character/Execution: Toko-pa Turner eloquently encourages the reader to remember, ponder, and explore the deeper meaning and wisdom of dreams. The examples of dreams presented in the book excellently highlight their revelatory potential and inspire the reader to delve deeper into their possible connotations.
Blurb: A bold invitation to the enthralling world of dreams.
Where Tenderness Lives: On Healing, Liberation, and Holding Space for Oneself
by Heather PlettRating: 8.25
Plot/Idea: Plett transforms trauma into self-growth while helping others along the way, as she reflects on humans as a product of their experiences and upbringing, which often leaves scars but can spark resilience at the same time. She is fearless in her honest approach to recounting her life and includes tough questions throughout her journey, challenging readers to ponder their own circumstances.
Prose: Plett is contemplative and honest, writing with emotional expression and stirring metaphors. There is no doubt that her insight was born from dark moments in her life, but her soft, encouraging words are infused with light.
Originality: The Mennonite perspective Plett shares is distinctly original; she relates fighting against aspects of her upbringing, touching on the trauma bonds that formed her early years as well as her hard-won healing and moments of self-discovery.
Character/Execution: Plett successfully peels back the layers of her life and gives readers insight into her personal experiences. She also zooms out, to provide a broader cultural awareness of the factors that contribute to personality and attachment, and the thoughtful questions she offers as reflection moments will challenge readers to embark on their own therapeutic journeys.
Plot/Idea: Calhoun-Senghor uses his extensive, 40 year career to help others break into the job market with candid advice that addresses not just obtaining employment, but also how to avoid the common pitfalls that can potentially disrupt that employment. His guidance is down-to-earth, accessible, and easy to digest.
Prose: The writing is clear and concise. Calhoun-Senghor draws from personal experience while employing humor throughout to keep readers engaged, and, though his style feels geared more towards entry-level professionals, there are plenty of gems for more seasoned workers scattered throughout as well.
Originality: The guide does address some of-the-moment job situations—such as working from home—and Calhoun-Senghor includes useful appendices and an index to help readers grasp his advice.
Character/Execution: Not only does Calhoun-Senghor tackle—and understand—office politics, but he also reminds readers to establish firm boundaries, continue to learn throughout their careers, and self-evaluate as a method of ongoing improvement. The guide is well-organized with bold headings, and Calhoun-Senghor's lighthearted approach feels like a crucial pep talk for job seekers.
Plot/Idea: This intriguing exploration of how the brain functions is a smart mesh of fascinating mind science and theoretical psychology. The authors promote both mental and physical health traits, delving into the biochemical processes that drive our behaviors, all with an eye for establishing lifelong habits that will increase wellbeing in every way.
Prose: The text is written in a clear and concise fashion, presenting often complex ideas in simple and understandable language. Packed with empowering strategies and well thought-out exercises, this book is thought-provoking, based directly on tight scientific principles, and usable for any reader.
Originality: This is a thoroughly well-written examination of the human brain's capabilities, littered with fascinating insights about psychology and mind science. The authors open a new world into the mind's possibilities, one that will provoke deep thought and inspire transformative thinking for readers.
Character/Execution: The authors eloquently promote conscious living through trying to understand the human brain's innate power and possibilities. Their thoughtful, gently provocative and, above all, scientific approach achieves its objective of nudging readers into making beneficial changes in their lives, based on our abilities to "take manual control" over our bodies' processes.
Blurb: A captivating brain science self-help book with easily applied principles.
Bouncing Back: How Women Lose & Find Themselves in Marriage & Divorce
by Ellen HoltzmanRating: 7.25
Plot/Idea: Holtzman's setup—following women through their divorces and into the aftermath, displayed through the lens of therapy—is solid, with relevant guidance for a wide audience. The stories Holtzman includes illuminate the text's concepts while transforming the advice into lifelike, dynamic situations.
Prose: Holtzman's prose is pleasant, reflective, and moves at a steady pace. The style reveals deep insight alongside emotional moments that will resound with readers.
Originality: Holtzman adds originality by using distinctive characters to illustrate her points, and the therapeutic perspective shared throughout gives the narrative credibility and value.
Character/Execution: Each of Holtzman's characters offer a unique perspective that readers will find absorbing and emotive, as the narrative takes shape around their individual stories. That approach is refreshing and makes the guide feel warm and intimate.
