Works Books

I got this for my husband because it was assigned reading for a Bible study. He is not an avid reader, but he jumped in with both feet and really enjoyed it. He did feel that he should take the time to go through it again, that his study meetings just scratched the surface. High praise from someone who usually reads only car magazines!

Stu is a man everyone could learn from. He redefines 'macho' and, as a woman reading it, makes you long for this tenderness from your own husband. The topics he touches on are supported biblically, statistically and scientifically. A man who can pull from this book and live his life as a 'tender warrior' is truly 'every woman's dream'. I have nothing but good to say about every area of this book. If your husband is at all interested in self and/or spiritual growth, this is a must read.

Stu Weber takes off the gloves and gives it to you straight. If you're a husband and/or father, God's word has some things you need to know. Avoid making the common mistakes and get prepared for the challenges.

Unlike the reviewer who cannot identify with Pastor Stu's military background, there are many who have served this country, that can identify with Pastor Stu's background and his major decision as a Captain in the 5th Special Forces/Ranger with service overseas, including Republic of South Vietnam. I believe his sacrifice to country and his previous role as a soldier (the values of Duty, Honor, Country) makes Pastor Stu more credible and a more powerful advocate of what it is to be a man, a GODLY man. I also believe that had Captain Weber not decided to choose the ministry over the military career, he would have been quite successful in the military and achieve a field grade ranking of General in the U.S. Army. As it turned out, the ministry gained an influential shepherd who has written a number of books that has and will continue to influence other men in their walk with GOD.

There are many worthy insights in this book and the others written by Pastor Stu. It has been some time since reading the book, but I recall that a key decision must be made by all men and that is, "Who is Your Authority?" This is a crossroad..."who will you follow?" With you continue to follow your own personal inclinations, the secular wisdoms of the day, or will you allow GOD to be the authority in your life, the guiding principles of your life, and obey the WORD? It is the most important question for all men to consider and then choose wisely. There are many other Biblically sound teachings that are covered. I will only touch upon one. As Christians who are walking in FAITH, there is a need to eschew being the "lone ranger", the Clint Eastwood-machismo solitary gunfighter that takes on an entire pack of vermin and wastes them all in glorious Hollywood images. Rather, a Christian man needs other GODLY men to stand with them, because the battle against the secular world value system and against evil spiritual principalities cannot be realistically defeated as in a Hollywood-Clint Eastwood shootout type scenario and a symbolic ride into the sunset....NO, Pastor Stu and the Bible identifies the need for comrades-in-arms, "Ranger buddies", other centurions, GOD-fearing warriors who will watch your back and your flank. You need others in this spiritual warfare. Otherwise, you will succumb. He tells it like it is. A strand of 3 cords is tough to break. A group/team of committed GODLY men cannot be defeated. Gideon had his 300. Joshua and Caleb had their forces, albeit invariably outnumbered in their battles, Joshua and Caleb's army prevailed. Obedient to GOD, go to Battle alongside other Christian brothers-in-arms. Put on the full armor of GOD and you will win EVERY Battle. Hope this review helps.

This book sat on my shelf for six years before I finally picked it up. I am sorry I waited so long. I could have avoided some heartache and the mistakes I made that caused them.

"Tender Warrior" is a biblical examination of what makes a man. Using scripture, experience, and anecdotes from his own life and the lives of other men Weber uncovers some truths that have been lost to men in our society over the past few decades. He paints in broad bushstrokes that may startle and rub some the wrong way, but keep reading. You will find valuable insights straight from the pages of the bible that will challenge you to look again at yourself and reevaluate how you are doing as a man. At the end of each chapter are reflection questions for individual and group study.

There is something for all men in this book, so read it whether you are married, single, nearing the end of your journey, or just starting out.

I think I will read this book again and find some men to read it with so we can hone each other into the men that God wants us to be.

The book really speaks to the most urgent problem in todsy's workplace in my view: lack of trust. As we are all asked to do more with less (time, people and money), it is more important than ever to establish and sustain trust in the workplace. The techniques and skills set forth in the book are applicable to every walk of life. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve their relationships with others, as well as with themselves.

Hi - this book has helped me explain to my employees and colleagues the importance of trust in the work place and how we can enhance it.

We've probably all experienced that really bad job that drained every bit of creativity, energy, and enthusiasm we had. Perhaps you had that overbearing boss who had unrealistic expectations or that supervisor who wouldn't just trust you do your work. Maybe you worked in a place where suggestions or attempts to solve problems were quickly quashed or met with anger.

Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace unequivocally illustrates that such situations not only make the job a hassle but also inhibit the potential productivity of all employees. Basically, as the employee realizes that he or she (or others around them) is being devalued, he or she becomes less committed to doing the best job possible.

Dealing with the resulting morale issue is extremely challenging. Even if the actual problem is addressed, often lost trust is difficult to repair. For instance, if the company attempts to encourage employees to report potential problems, few will likely come forward because they can't possibly believe that they won't get yelled at or have their issues ignored once again. Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace explains that this situation need not be futile. There are ways to rebuild trust and address past issues to create a stronger, more productive business.

This is an excellent work that cuts through the typical babble that fills many pages of others books on the subject of trust. The content is exceeding meaty. The organization of the material is first-rate. One of the very best books on the subject. Highly recommended!

The Reina's develop understandable definitions and offer a well researched and thought out framework for both the development and practice of trust. They also offer practical and accessible vignettes and case studies illustrating the 'trust behaviors' that are so crucial to effective organizations and relationships.

Probably the most powerful part of the book is the section on Betrayal. Betrayal is a huge factor in our lives and we rarely talk about it. This book offers a language, method, and solution for both talking about betrayal and beginning the process of healing from it.

This is an important book for people interested in getting to the root of systemic problems in institutions, families, and relationships.

I highly recommend it!

Although I wasn't bored with this book, I felt that it missed a lot of potential and ended anticlimactically. What could have become a story of international intrigue was ultimately just another Christian romance novel. It's too bad the Christian book world rarely dares to be more.

Lara is a young woman who just lost her husband to cancer. She desperately wants to have HIS baby. So, after a few months have passed, she approaches her doctors to use frozen sperm and fertilize her egg so she can have this dream child. Unknown to her, a billionaire who wants to live forever, has bought his way into the lives of those around her, and she ends up deceived, used and humiliated.

On the run, Lara never forgets the neighbor man who delivered her baby and she returns to him for help. A high profile trial is probably the peak of this book.

Angela Hunt certainly knows how to write a mystery book!!!

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite Christian authors! THis book keeps you going to the end.

"The Truth Teller" is a great novel. The characters are very believable and the dialogue is well done. The story involves a young widow who wishes to have a baby. Her late husband has left a sperm sample, but he died of cancer. Should she risk the pregnancy? Complicating it all is an evil and rich man. This smooth operator with a hidden agenda plans to use and exploit Lara, by having her become pregnant with DNA from an "iceman" who froze to death thousands of years ago.
The story is GREAT! Many plots twists and turns. I loved it.

This is a fun read for everyone. The fight of the "regular man" against the rich-and-above-the-law is similar to the style of John Grishm. The science fiction resembles a mix of Jurassic Park and Charmed. Theologians are given many deep levels and thoughtful questions to ponder. Christians will appreciate the positive representation of the Bible-believing faith.

The pictures are great. I love how the author captured the society and different personalities of the cats. However, I was disappointed that the writer didn't get around to explaining whether the cats were neutered/spayed until the end of the book. There were references to the old tom cat, beat up. Why didn't they get him neutered? Or the momma who had more than one litter. I don't know when this was written, but it is standard practice now with feral colonies to trap/neuter/release on a regular basis to manage the colony and keep everyone healthy.

I'm so glad I ordered this calendar, I couldn't beleave it was on my dorrstep the next day, it was like they new I was going to order it and sent it in advance, amazing. The calendar is so preciouse with all the pictures of street living cats, but the real jewl in this is the stoy the photographer shares on who these felines are, where they live, how he came to know them and take tell their stories. It makes one want to go out and take pictures of forgotten community of homeless and stray animals. It's a work of Heart.

A stark account of the lives of urban feral cats. The book may leave you sad and angry, but the black and white photos are precious, and you will run to give your own sweet, safe, healthy kitty an extra hug. I bought it for a fellow cat friend.

Photographer Knox and freelance writer Sara Neeley have teamed up to produce a stunning, poignant photo essay highlighting the beauty of the hidden world of alley cats. Knox, well known for his gritty urban photojournalism, was inspired to photograph the feral survivors he encountered in his work. He soon uncovered a complex underground family structure of cats surviving the clash between nature and modern civilization. The authors readily acknowledge that this book shows only a sunny glimpse at the brutal life of street cats (for "who would buy a book that accurately showed the suffering" they endure?), but their purpose is to document this world and inspire citizens to make small changes, including spaying and neutering both domestic and feral animals.

The concept of this book fascinated me because all of my life I have been surrounded by stray cats. Ever since I was a child, my family have always left food out for our neighborhood strays. Eventually, some of those strays made our backyard their home, regardless of where we have lived. Many, many cats - all with their own names and distinct personalities - have shared our yards and our lives. Some for fleeting moments, some for many years. We even have photos of some of these cats in our family photo albums, because they were like a family. Even now at their present home, my family has a colony of about 15 cats living in their yard. The numbers vary as they come and go as they please. Some never return. Like the cats in this book, many have met with sad ends - not due to coyotes, but mostly to cars and human cruelty in the form of poisonings. But the cats that remain are loved and fed, their antics entertain us, and they are buried properly when they die.

My mom has been trapping and taking all the strays that she can to be spayed and neutered for years now. I didn't even know it had a name (trap-neuter-release). It is hard work, though, because of her extremely limited financial resources and uncooperative or unable animal welfare agencies. The Humane Society of Miami, where we used to take some of the strays for low-cost neutering years ago, no longer performs this service for stray cats (only for those that are adopted from them), which I find unbelievable, as what can be more humane to an animal than to neuter it and prevent the inevitable suffering of their unwanted (by humans) litters?

Instead, they refer us to the city Animal Control, who has recently put a limit on the number of cats a single person can take in to be neutered. They also used to have a mobile trailer that went to different points in the city throughout the month to have cats neutered at free or low cost, but due to budget cutbacks this service has also been discontinued. My mom has had to fight tooth and nail and written to everyone from the mayor to the directors of the Animal Control simply to get permission to neuter a few more cats. My mom cannot afford to do this at a private vet's office, and she knows of no private vets nearby that provide this service for free or at a cost as low as the Animal Control. It's too bad that these agencies are unwilling to help the very animals they are supposed to protect.

Back to the book. It's a great book! Like another reviewer mentioned, if you only love purebred cats and see them as a status symbol, then this isn't for you. This is for true cat lovers who see as much beauty in a scraggly little stray kitten as in an expensive purebred Angora. The photographs are striking, but what I enjoyed most was actually the text. At the end of the book, the poignant stories of some of these cat characters are offered. Some have happy endings, some do not. But they are nevertheless fascinating to read. I would have read a whole book worth of them.

I think it's especially important to have a person who hates cats or at the least thinks they don't have as much personality as dogs to read this book. It will show them just how much love, loyalty, and devotion cats can truly have towards each other, and how intelligent and resourceful they can be. Most importantly, it should tug at the heartstrings and inspire feelings of compassion in people so that they stop needlessly hurting and killing these little animals. They need to stop seeing them simply as nuisances or pests, and more as creatures like us: with real families and real feelings, who mourn the loss of their relatives and would fight to the death to defend them.

This is a great book if you are going to embark on building a house. The author is very good at outlining things and it is also not boring. I've highlighted so many things in the book that I didn't know and need to consider or do. A must have for anyone who is going to build a new house or tackle a large renovation!

As a building professional (licensed general contractor since 1991), I think that this book by Amy Johnston is an excellent resource in preparing a person to undertake a building project. The book is chock full of practical, insightful information that gives consumers a 'peek behind the curtain' of building contractors, as well as the building process in general.

Over the years, I have heard of many construction horror stories and am dismayed to see builders with great marketing but little integrity continue to do project after project. If more consumers would take the time and effort to educate themselves about the building process, there would be far less 'money pit' experiences on building projects. This book makes it easy to be an informed consumer.

This book was an excellent resource - helps make you a more savvy owner. You will better understand both the process and the contractor's mindset. Good guidance on where to focus and how to avoid pitfalls.
Would also recommend Hiring Contractors Without Going through Hell.

there are thousands of books on the general subject of home renovation. for the important steps that take you from idea/dream to budgeted plan and actual work, this is the perfect guide. ms. johnston is a rare author whose main objectives are to inform and support. readers of this book, if they're anything like my partner and me, will be empowered to pursue their ideas in a realistic, fiscally disciplined way. after reading ms. johnston's book, we feel like agents or real participants in renovating our home, and not hope-filled homeowners eager to make someone else's labor work for us. we know what work we can do, and what work we need someone else to do. this is an excellent place to begin planning an addition or home renovation. it's a text you can return to again and again throughout your process. (i understand that a revised edition will be published in january 2008. i have the first edition, and will buy the new one. these comments refer to the original edition.)

I read and I reread this book often. We are getting ready to build and this is one of the most helpful reads that I have found. If you buy this book, you WILL stay one step ahead of the game.

Not your typical how-to-write book, but rather as the subtitle indicates, how-to survive and thrive as a writer. As I read, chapter to chapter, there were numerous times when I felt as if the author was speaking directly to me. All of the time, I felt I was receiving sage advice from someone who had been there, done that and come out the other side; someone further along the path willing to take a moment and share from his own struggles and successes in overcoming the various problems writers encounter on their writing and publishing journeys.

This is book is going on my books-on-writing keeper shelf. I highly recommend it to anyone who writes or wants to write.

One of my goals is to read every book on writing. I'm into my fourth year. There are very few books now that catch me by surprise and say something different. Rogers' book,

Of all the books I've read on writing, and there have been many, this is the one that addressed my real problem; my fear of not being able to summon up enough self-desipline to write my story. If this describes you...read this book. With the loving approach of a kind-hearted surgeon, Rogers gently pulls back the layers of writer's angst to uncover the size and shape of your particular "tumor". He then gives you, not feel-good pep talks, but practical excercises that liberate you from your black mass. I'm confident I will finish my book and be published, and when I am, Bruce Holland Rogers will be listed in my acknowledgements.

Book from a professional fantasy-writer and teacher (creative writing). The book contains columns, with advice how to avoid the slushpile of daily chores and keep at it, keep following the serious urge to write. This book adresses the possible emotional and psychological needs of the would-be-writer who wants to endure and stick to his writing.
As this is a book of columns, pieces which appeared earlier in a serialized form, there are some minor points which the reader needs to remember when using Bruge Rogers book as a guide to a writers existence.. Writing as the ancient rethorians maintained is as much about grammar, logic and ethos as it is about pathos (emotions).
Many aspiring authors do not lack ideas, but they do not know how to express themselves, or have not gained mastery of language as a working tool.
A book to buy if you are not looking for a work on the art of writing, mastery of language, style and the logic of building a narrative.

As a beginner who has been trying to stop procastinating, and start writing - I'd almost given up hope. After two years and having read at least a dozen how-to books on the writing craft, I gained a lot of knowledge on how to write. After reading Word Work I finally gained the knowledge that allowed me to write. In Word Work, Bruce Holland Rogers takes your fears and concerns about writing and buries them. He explained why I was procastinating and gave me the techniques to overcome it. Rogers takes all the excuses we give ourselves about why we can't find time to write and he shoots them down one by one.

This book is a must for all of you who say: "One day I'm going to write a novel", and for those of you who have lost your way. I highly recommend it

A nice book, but something about it made me not really wanting to read it and I love reading.
Not sure what it was, it is okay, depends on the person. Parent probably would not enjoy it, a person in the practice would.

When I was taking a class with Bobby Newman he suggested I get this book - and I'm so please he did. It's comprehensive, explanatory, and a must have for those of us in the field using the principles of applied behavior analysis to bring about change in the behavior of children with autism. I have many other books - but this is the one I turn to first!

This book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to set up formal ABA programming for their child or for anyone who wants to understand the steps of development in specific areas such as making conversation, understanding the difference between yes/no and learning how to read. I found the checklists at the back of the book to be the most helpful. I have had extensive training (as a parent) in ABA principles and Discrete Trial Training procedures and I found that this book was accurate and gave the right amount of detail when I wanted to set up my own programs to be implemented in my home.

This book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in behaviorism or anyone who knows a child on the Austic Spectrum.
If this topic isn't your cup of tea, then there's no reason for you to be interested in this book, but if you are into this sort of thing, it's amazing.

Right after I got the autism diagnosis for my son I realized that behavioral therapy would be our main focus of treatment and due to financial constraints, I would be the primary therapist.

After reading some really heady and intellectual literature on behavioral therapy I just wanted to scream, "Yes, I know, but tell me what to do!!"

A Work in Progress does just that. It is simply written and easy to use. Look up the behavior you wish to address in the table of contents, turn to the indicated page, and there, clearly written is a step-by-step plan. Brilliant. Just what we needed.

This book delivers. I've authored 4 books and learned much here that i wish i had known for the 4 of them! Great tips are spelled out simply and quickly (each chapter is a very quick read). The book is filled with examples both quoted and sometimes even placed (cleverly) within the text. Those times make the book fun to read--you can sense the authors wicked smile as he stuck those gems in.

So why 4 stars? A dozen or more of the 50 tools did not apply to my kind of writing. Despite the back cover and the introduction that claim the book is for any writer, it clearly has a heavy slant towards fiction writers and news reporters. Most the examples are theirs. Sadly, even in chapters where the point is universal, most of the examples are still theirs. There are many chapters (tools) that dont seem to apply to technical and other non-fiction situations: "Use dialogue as a form of action" and "write from different cinematic angles" and "pay attention to names" to name a few.

Any writer WILL gain a lot from this book, it's just that some will get much more out of it (and i guess i resented being "sold" that it applied to all writers equally when it really doesnt).

Writers are born, not made. Wrong! Wrong!!! You are imaginative and know basic grammar so get writing. How to allow yourself to be imaginative is a whole different subject. Look at my Random short stories blog to show what you can do with a single word. The key is to brainstorm the word to see what pops up. But back to Writing Tools which looks at fifty tools divided into:

Nuts and bolts-grammar, punctuation, sentence and paragraph construction etc;

Special Effects-be concrete and simple and know how to make the writing guide the response of the reader etc;

Blue prints-tricks of structuring; and

Useful habits-reflections of how to start and keep writing.

Each of the tools are 3-4 pages long with examples drawn from journalism and fiction to illustrate the points raised. There is summary page of the 50 tools on his blog site. Talking about how to write is as about useful as cooking advice, you need to see and taste it to see if its worth taking. So this is a piece of my writing with a makeover using the tools. So which version do you prefer? Strongly recommended book for you bloggers, budding reporters and secret scribblers.

Original version

So why ,if you are still with me, would you bother to read what appears to be such a distasteful book? The clue is in the structure and descriptions of the book repetitive phraseology of medical sexual teams and the descriptions of the car and body parts. It means that you the reader experience the alienation and emptiness that is the heart of the story. The story is not erotic in any sense as it point to the emptiness of lives that depend on more and more extreme highs and drugs to keep the sexual tension going. Death then becomes the ultimate sexual act. Nowhere does love and community figure in a world of motorways, airports, roundabouts and technological emptiness. What ever the feelings and motives of the writer, the story serves as a warning of a society that obsesses objects and appearances over personal relationships and social community-who cares for the children in this vision of our lives?


The tools used

1 Begin sentences with subjects and verbs

3 Use active and not passive verbs

9 Let punctuation control pace and space

10 Prefer the simple over the technical

16 Seek original imagery

23 Read to tune your voice

31 build around a key question

The revised version

So why, bother to read such a distasteful book? The recurring use of clinical sexual terms and the similar descriptions of car and body parts is a clue. The act of reading makes us emotionally distanced observers of a world running on empty. Sex means ever more extreme risks until Death becomes the ultimate high. In a world of motorways, airports, roundabouts and technology where is love and community? We need to read, whatever the feelings and motives of the writer, to avoid making a society that obsesses objects and appearances leaving no place for a simple kiss or the love of paren

I started to write as soon as I started to read, which is to say very young. I write daily; prevent me from writing and you will have to deal with the consequences: distant stares, mumbling, note-scribbling, sudden odd ejaculations (of words).

And I like to think that I have over the years gained some proficiency in writing. But there is always room for improvement and fresh insight into the process, and I regularly sample books on writing craft to pick up pointers.

Writing Tools caught my eye the other day. I was struck by the presence of the words "tools" and "strategies" in the title, rather than the "rules" and "guidelines" featured so prominently in many another book devoted to writing skills. And as advertised, I found in this book tools immediately welcome and useful in my writer's toolbox.

Clark's background is journalism, and many of the tools are devoted to increasing clarity and conciseness. But these are characteristics as important in fiction as in nonfiction, and the tools can be used on any form or genre.

Each 'tool' is covered in a short chapter, the 50 chapters grouped as "Nuts and Bolts", "Blueprints", "Special Effects", and "Useful Habits". (It would be more accurate to say that the chapters, averaging four pages, are not short but rather just as long as needed -- Clark stresses allowing words the space they need while keeping them reined in.) 'Homework' is assigned in the "Workshop" exercises for each chapter.

The book is replete with examples of fine writing in a variety of styles; Clark's critical analysis turns each of these examples into a lesson. He also asks us to ponder previous pages of the book and consider their alternative forms.

I said above that I found the tools presented in this book immediately useful, and I would hazard to say that any writer, of any degree of experience, could open this book at random and find something useful. Roughly half the book is dedicated to strategies for creativity and structure (Chapter 28: "Put odd and interesting things next to each other") with the remainder presenting tools for tightening up what has already been written (Chapter 5: "Watch Those Adverbs"). Writers could do worse than to copy synopses of these chapters onto cards, then draw a card at random as the 'tool of the day' to apply to works in progress.

After just one pass through this book, I already think of each chapter as a separate tool in the toolbox. Just as in my carpenter's toolbox there are tools for selecting, measuring, and cutting; tools and hardware for joining and building; tools for removal of material and for finishing and polishing. And just as in my carpenter's toolbox, I find satisfaction in knowing that I have the proper tools at hand to build new projects.

The book itself is the best tool of all. I am going to buy a copy, plus several to give or loan out.

This book should be in the library of every writer. I've been writing for 20 years and still found lessons that I needed to learn.

Being a Norwegian avoids me of being an native speaker of English. But, surprisingly enough, all the books that has provided me with the most useful writing tools are from english writers or tutors. The Norwegian language is not immediately compatible with english, but there is a lot of universal rules when it comes to writing. "Writing Tools" is a very good collection of tools for writers that wants to improve their skills remarkably. The strategic tools is explicit and easy to understand, besides being convincingly. A writers quest (among several) is to give the readers an experience, and send them on journeys to worlds that they have never seen, but has the ability to recognise. "Writing Tools" are helping you passing the obstacles and it gives you tools, but not rules for writing. That gives you the freedom to understand it and transfer it in to something each of us can use. "Writing Tools" together with "The Elements of Style" (Strunk and White) is an ultimate combination and will elevate your writing into something "in the vicinity of perfect".

ZEN IS THE DIRECT KNOLAGE OF THE MIND WITH OUT THE EGO! THATS IT. THERE IS NUTHING ELES TO IT. LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT ITS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN EVER EXIST! EVERY THING BUDA TOUGHT WAS DIFERANT WAYS OF TELLING YOU THE SAME THING! JUST BE! THIS BOOK IS OVER LOOKES BECAUS ITS SO SIMPLE BUT THE TRUTH OFTEN IS!

Simply an outstanding and lucid translation of four teisho by the original Chinese Zen Master, Bodhidharma. 'Bilingual' in the title refers to the inclusion of the original Chinese text, taken from a Ch'ing dynasty woodblock editiion. Please read this, and give a copy to someone you care about.

The original stuff from the man who brought it all to China. Reading this book is like reading Thoreau's Walden. Peaceful. It is so interesting to read Bodidharma focusing on the central core of the teaching. Brief, concise. The text with the chinese characters on the facing page is pleasant to look at.

By all means, avail yourself of Red Pine's translation of Ta-Mo. Then go to John Bright-Fey's "Whole Heart of Zen" for an in-depth expounding of Ta-Mo via the oral tradition. There's more to the story than meets the proverbial eye!

The Whole Heart of Zen: The Complete Teachings from the Oral Tradition of Ta-Mo (The Whole Heart series)

"Using the mind to look for reality is delusion. Not using the mind to look for reality is awareness. Freeing oneself from words is liberation." Although I do not understand this teaching, it provokes me to meditation.

There's a fair amount of Buddhist mythology here, and cosmology charts (six of these and four of those and ten of the other), but this book has a light worth seeing at its center. The apparent paradox of using language to transcend words is not lost on me, but paradox is just another word trap, and I am no longer content with clever resolutions that can impress but not satisfy.

This book is must reading for all women who cycle. I am buying copies for my daughters and all my friends. This is wonderful information that will turn on the light especially for all who suffer from PMS.
Gabrielle takes daily fluctuating hormonal symptoms to the extreme but it is with love and humor. She backs her information with lots of scientific research.

I saw Gabrielle Lichterman on a morning TV show talking about her book 28 Days. When she said I could predict my day based on my hormone cycle, I logged onto Amazon and bought a copy right then. It was just so intriguing. And I'm so glad I got this book. I love it so much, I'm now writing my first Amazon review!

If you don't already know, 28 Days bills itself as a daily horoscope that uses your body's own hormones to tell you what your day will be like. This is amazing! I used to be surprised when I'd wake up one day and be in a good mood or I'd wake up and be down or mad. Now there are no surprises. I know exactly what days I'll be up, down and somewhere in between. It's so cool!

But that's not all. Acording to 28 Days my hormones influence how I spend money, what guys I like and what my work day will be like (as if it's ever good anyway, but that's another story), what my relationship will be like and so on.

The most amazing part is how right on this book is. I've read it and re-read it (it's really funny, so it's an easy re-read), and I'm really surprised at how accurate this stuff is. (Why didn't I learn this stuff back in health class? I wish I'd known this stuff when I got my first period!)

I highly recommend this book to all women who have a menstrual cycle. It's accurate, it's a riot to read, and you'll be suprised by how much your hormones affect you every day!

I'm a little frustrated that I can't get Amazon.com to put the description of 28 Days on this page. (They're more bureaucratic than the DMV!) So I'm going to take the opportunity to tell you about it in the reviews section:

My book, 28 Days: What Your Cycle Reveals about Your Love Life, Moods, and Potential, is a brand-new kind of daily horoscope. Unlike astrology, 28 Days shows women how to predict what practically every aspect of their day will be like based solely on the ups and downs of their monthly hormones.

How does it work? Based on lots of scientific research (I'm a health journalist after all), 28 Days shows women with menstrual cycles how their hormones affects virtually everything they do--their mood, brain skills, how they spend money, how they feel about their relationship, who they're attracted to, what they shop for, what they're best at on the job, and so much more.

Once you know how your hormones affect you, you know what your day is going to be like. And that helps you plan your life more easily than ever!

Even better? 28 Days is a fun, easy read. That's because I hate dry, boring books about hormones. Plus, I wanted to make the book fun to re-read with every monthly cycle. So you don't have to worry that this is going to feel like some biology 101 class. It's more like your girlfriend dishing on the really fun part of being a girl--your hormone cycle!

Want to know more? Head to my website at Hormonology[dot]info!

"Hormonology is based on hundreds of scientific studies conducted by endocrinologists, neurologists, psychologists and other researchers that show how hormones affect men and women every single day." ~ Gabrielle Lichterman

Are hormones driving your destiny? Hormones can affect our memory, verbal abilities, libido, energy levels, diet, relationships, cognitive skills and most definitely our moods. As women living in an age where scientific studies can empower our lives, 28 Days is a book based on this type of research.

Within its sassy style, pink edged pages and playful polka dot layout, you will find empowering information designed to give you insight into how your body changes from day to day throughout a 28-day cycle.

Do you find it confusing that on some days you have the ability to remain within your budget, but on other days you spend like there is no tomorrow?

Why do you feel flirty and outgoing on Day 10 and then have the desire to climb into bed with a box of chocolates on Day 27?

What day of the month do you look the most attractive?

How do hormones affect the intensity of an orgasm? What is the difference between
Day 13 and Day 17?

Would the day of the month influence your decision to go rock climbing or go on a meditation retreat? Here is an interesting list of things you might feel like doing according to the day of your cycle:

Day 1: Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Amusement Park
Day 11: Safari
Day 14-22: Beach Vacation
Day 23: Spa

Now what happens if you don't have a 28-day cycle? Gabrielle Lichterman gives detailed instructions for how to use this book if you have a longer cycle. So, this book is really for every woman who wants to understand her moods, love life and ever-changing emotions throughout her life.

28-Days can be read each day during the month to find out what will be happening next. When will you be moody, excitable, irrational, creative, money conscious, reckless, productive, intellectual, lacking concentration, irritable, happy, content, adventurous or especially sexy. Each day is divided into sections for Mood, Mind (thinking/memory/verbal/side of the brain highlight), Romance (relationship/single), Money, Career, Energy, Diet and Health.

Day 2: Mood

"The sun burns a little brighter. Birds sing a little sweeter. And tofu burgers taste more like the real thing. Don't worry, no one's slipped a Prozac into your bubble tea. It's just rising estrogen and testosterone slipping a pair of rose-colored Ray-Bans on you that make you see the world as a beautiful place to be." ~ pg. 15

You will learn very helpful things like when to take Advil to prevent inflammation, how to prevent your hormones from taking over your life and how you can use the scent of vanilla to boost serotonin.

It gets even more intriguing when you start to plan out dates with your partner on nights when you know you will be especially interested in pleasurable activities. If you are especially spontaneous, this works just by keeping a day ahead. Inspirational ideas are included so you can make your fantasy your partner's reality.

"Giving yourself permission to indulge in your guiltiest of pleasures raises serotonin and endorphin levels, which help lift your mood and alleviate pain!"

If you want to read a book that not only explains hormones, but has you laughing and in a good mood each day, then 29-Days will empower you, make you feel good and increase your chances of experiencing more pleasure throughout your life.

Gabrielle Lichterman is a health journalist with a long list of articles that have appeared in over 30 publications including: Cosmopolitan, Girls' Life, JUMP, Marie Claire, The New York Daily News, Teen People, Woman's World and Vibe. She is also the former editor of WebMD's electronic health newsletters.

~The Rebecca Review

I was skeptical at first about the book 28 Days because I have a menstrual cycle that varies from month to month. I might be 25 days one month and 32 the next. But the book shows you how to adapt the daily "hormone horoscope" to any length cycle. (It's so easy, I couldn't believe it.)

Anyway, after I applied the book to my cycle, I was so surprised at how right on it was. On Day 4, I was more outgoing. On Day 13, I was so attracted to masculine-looking guys. On Day 22, I was sluggish and had trouble talking. On Day 27 I felt more creative and intuitive. It was so neat to be able to chart my moods and what I'd feel like and be like from day to day.

Besides being completely cool for learning about your own body (hence why I think this is the new Our Bodies Ourselves or at least a good addition to it), 28 Days is just darned practical. I now know when to schedule my vacations, client phone calls, wedding, going out with the girls, and everything else according to how I know I'll feel.

If you don't already know, the author gives a kinda sneak peek of the book in her weekly "hormone horoscopes" that are free on her website at hormonology.info. YOu can get a lot of information about your cycle there, too.