Will Self Books

Have you ever wondered what impact your daily encounters can have on those around you? Have you ever thought that good deeds go unnoticed?

Taken from the stories of individuals that have been touched by kindness, this compilation explores the connections we have to one another, and shows us how to live fully from a place of gratitude for even the seemingly smallest acts.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness is organized into themed sections, with short stories or meditations offered on kindness all relating back to thought provoking quotes.

"The attitude we have toward the world affects everyone around us. ... When we are able to move through our lives radiating happiness, we are like mobile suns, bathing everyone in the warmth of our rays."

The world would be a much better place if we all practiced random acts of kindness on a regular basis. It only takes a simple act, a kind word, or some small amount of kindness to change a person's whole day. Even the crankiest person, when given the chance, can actually show that their humanity. Moreover, kindness is highly contagious, so it is the gift that keeps giving. In return, we are able see people in a different light, feel more connected, and ultimately change the world just a little.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness is truly awe-inspiring. From the title, I expected that this book would include very specific lists of things that I could do to practice random acts of kindness in my own life. I was fully ready to pour over several hundreds of pages of ideas until I found one or two acts that I could actually do.

I was happily surprised. As I read though the pages, I came up with dozens of things that I could actually do in my daily life. Instead of long lists to peruse, this book examines important topics associated with helping others such as understanding what you expect to get out of being kind, how seemingly small acts go a long way, and most importantly that the best time to do an act of kindness is when you don't feel like it (for someone who might not be so appreciative). Each section includes an inspirational quote and stories of those who received or witnessed acts of kindness. This format allowed me to be creative and find ways to use my own talents, abilities, and circumstances to make the world just a little better.

"Try not. do or do not, there is no try."
-- Yoda, in The Empire Strikes Back movie of the Star Wars trilogy

Each special story starts with a quote. To me, this Yoda quote says it all. We should not talk or think about doing random acts of kindness--we should be doing them.

People's stories are divided into six sections:

Kindness Is An Attitude and an Action
Kindness Begins at Home
Kindness Ripples Out into the World
Kindness Creates Happiness and Peace of Mind
Kindness Generates Love and Compassion
Kindness Feeds the Body and Soul

In all areas of our life we can practice acts of kindness--and that is shown in these stories collected by the authors of Random Acts of Kindness.

The Random Acts of Kindness series has sold over 1.5 million books since first published in 1996. This latest release provides readers with meditations, affirmations, and stories collected on kind deeds throughout the world. It gives readers the spiritual and psychological impetus to "pay it forward" in a meaningful way, understanding that their act may go unnoticed, but as Rabbi Kushner says "our reward is the knowledge that we have redeemed the world."

At a time when readers are starved for heartfelt stories, good deeds, concerned neighbors, and all around compassion, Conari felt the time was right to reprint this book.

Armchair Interview says: Now is the time to act. Acts of kindness are easy to do.

This book is a wonderful expression on what the world needs most. I just couldn't punish my 8 month old puppy when he ate the cover off the book. So, even there is a random act of kindness inspired by this book.
I really enjoy Kushner's books.

I am a big bell hooks fan. I consider Feminism is for Everyone to be essential reading for the budding "women's libber" (haha gotta love a throw back). This book delivered as expected even though it did not inspire me to the extent that hooks' previously mentioned work did. I appreciated her analysis of patriarchial male culture. Hooks' choice of words gets straight to the point. She never apologizes for her opinion but at the same time her work shows an astounding amount of forgivness. Hooks' understands that nobody trapped within in the confines of a patriarchal society can be fully well. Though some benefit from this construct of oppression, ultimately nobody wins. The empathy that Hooks' expresses towards men that have hurt her in the past is prove positive that she is a member of the rare group of authors who posses the ability to put their conflicting views on paper without sounding indecisive. Hooks' dreams of a world free of oppression. Her believe that we CAN transform our toxic culture into one that nurtures all of the people that it surrounds, is uplifting. Hooks' work inspires discussion. She clearly states her opinion but remains open to dissenting views. Her critique of the Harry Potter books is not to be missed (I KNEW there was a reason that I never liked that series)! This book has something for everyone. All people would benefit from reading it.

"The Will to Change" by bell hooks is one of the best books I have ever read. bell hooks gets to the heart of the ways in which most of us (men and women, people of all classes and races) are harmed by patriarchy, as well as exposing the ways in which we unconsciously replicate it in our personal lives. Her ideas are big enough to include all people who are struggling with division, oppression, and/or general un-wholeness and unhappiness, not just women. She suggests that the way to freedom is for us to love each other and support each other on our journies to wholeness. She clearly and consistently frames the struggle as one of hurting people yearning to be whole and free. This is a theory that is accessible to everyone - anyone who searches their heart, or just observes the society around them, can see that what she says is true. As a feminist who is married and loves men, I found her advice to be full of wisdom, with a refreshing lack of intellectual elitism.

After reading this wonderful work, I am more convinced than ever that heart and soul are the primary components of our future evolutionary path. Hats off to you, ms. hooks!

bell hooks states that feminists have not discussed how to improve the lives of men and this is her attempt. In 11 chapters, she details her ideas that men must be open to feminism and feminists must be open to men, that patriarchal masculinity is the problem, not males, and that much harm comes to the life of boys.

Professional critics have called this book that non-race-based equivalent to "We Real Cool." However, I'd say it's the male counterpart to hooks' "Communion." This book is an ideal tool for feminist women raising sons. It also may be a good introduction to feminism for progressive men or men who want to be progressive. hooks cites many canonical men's studies texts and progressive books on boys and men that many readers will find useful. (Again, it's a shame that this book lacks a bibliography, just like most of her most recent works.)

While this book discusses romantic love, that type of relationship is not the main issue here. Readers that have already heard enough about hooks' views on love from her autobiographies and recent works will find this refreshing. Many loving dynamics are detailed here. Most importantly, hooks discusses the troubles faced by little boys. I'm impressed that a childless writer is so devoted to children. This almost reminded me of Rosie O'Donnell's autobiography the way a grown woman is so concerned about minors.

I would say that I have three major complaints/critiques of her book. First, as much as she constantly assesses and promotes feminism, what comes through is that anti-oppression books can help men. Her gender analysis just happens to be her angle. A civil rights activist could have said that organizing could help men or a Communist discussing anti-classism could make the same argument that hooks makes here. Thinking about justice, breaking out of boundaries, and imagining utopias has never been the work of just feminists.

Second, hooks critiques feminist self-help books for not discussing politics and the larger superstructure. However, the majority of self-help books, even ones that she cites, are apolitical. She needs to critique the whole genre if she is going to find so many individual examples unsatisfying. People who feel that hooks was too hard on Naomi Wolf will be equally surprised at how she goes after Susan Faludi here.

Third, recently, everytime bell hooks mentions sexual orientation issues, she starts off with "Lesbians and gay men can be as conservative as anyone else, but here's one bit of info that I find useful from their activism......" If a white person started every comment on race with "People of color can be just as conservative as anyone else, but...." or a class-privileged person said, "Some poor people deserve the barrel they are in, but here's what I find useful on class-based activism....", etc., hooks would be livid, yet she does it with gays. I understand hooks' point that gays are just people just like straights. However, her statements are somewhat course and insensitive. I think this flaw still highlights how bell hooks has continually marginalized issues of sexual orientation while she champions issues of race, class, and gender. Her recent ability to add imperialism to the mix shows she can build on her theorizing, so her stance on gay rights is incredibly problematic. There's a great chapter in Carbrado's "Black Men on Race, Gender, and Sexuality" that discusses hooks' shortcoming.

At the end of almost every chapter, hooks presents cultural criticism. Her subjects are broad including the Harry Potter series, the film "Life as a House," and other popular works. I am curious as to whether she is trying to satisfy her fans that are most familiar with her cultural studies work. I wonder if she is trying to prove that her new march toward self-help writing is not meant to show she has lost her cult crit skills. Coming from an African-American woman who almost always discusses black issues, this book was pretty light on race matters. African-American readers, like myself, looking for that topic will find that the only chapter that is the exception is "Popular Culture: Media Masculinity." I applaud hooks for pointing out and proving that black authors have an array of writing interests.

Like always, this book is annoyingly repetitive. hooks comes close to admitting this in her introduction. If I remember correctly, she seemed reluctant to discuss domestic violence and war in her classic text "Talking Back." Now, she has taken those problems as a centerpiece of her work. The cover of this book shows that Renaissance painting where God's finger points down toward Man's (this was the basis for the cover to "E.T.," btw). The cover has a pretty shade of blue. I think readers will find the cover quite inviting.

Throughout history, society has defined exactly what it means to be a "man." From birth, men and women together learn that men are providers, protectors, emotionally detached, and physically stronger. In an effort to reinforce such beliefs, society created gaps between men and women in almost all arenas of life: the workforce, personal hobbies, appearance, and relationship roles. Due to the creation and nurturing of such roles, it has become difficult for men to love and to express any kind of emotion (except anger)...it has also become difficult for women to understand men and how to love them.

In her novel THE WILL TO CHANGE: MEN, MASCULINITY, AND LOVE, feminist scholar bell hooks sets upon the task of unearthing the roots of masculine thinking. She sheds light on patriarchy, on masculine emotion, and how together they affect men from infancy to manhood. She includes quotes from journalists, psychologists, and other feminine theorists to support and clarify her opinions. THE WILL TO CHANGE is an informative, thought-provoking work that strikes at the very soul of our society. Reading like a college psychology text, it can be a little dry in spots, however, hooks shows readers how deeply misguided she believes our society to be and how difficult it is to change the very basis of our foundation. Author bell hooks is a passionate, highly educated woman, and while most of what she writes is disturbing and often difficult for me to swallow, I appreciate her contribution to the education of our society.

Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Excellent book for anyone with a drug addiction and anyone facing the drug addiction of a loved one. Easy to read in one sitting. I am ordering more to give friends.

THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT BOOK. I FOUND IT HARD TO PUT DOWN. ALSO AN EASY READ. I RECOMMEND IT FOR EVERYONE.

If you are not interested in hearing about how a woman needed to 'find god' before she could take control of her life, forget this one. Read 'In My Skin' by Kate Holden, theres a woman who needed only her intelligence to find her way out of addiction.

Similar to the 7 habits, coach Ron Jenson espouses the Maximizers Principles, a set of principles to eternally follow. His introduction of what is defined by Success is good. Only you can define what it means to succeed, not anyone else. How will you want others to remember you?

Afterwards, it's an expanded explanation of his maximizer principles.

An interesting read, but I would say some of his concepts are probably repeated elsewhere.

This book is wonderful. My Entrie life changed after reading this book. Life stories and examples are up to the mark and very much educated. I need your E-Mail address to talk to you. Dr. Ron Jenson You are requested to kindly leave your address for further communication.

Urvashi Verma

If you are looking to change your life for the better, becoming a person of significance rather than obscurity, then READ THIS BOOK! The life-coaching principles outlined by Dr. Ron Jenson is invaluable, especially his M-A-X-I-M-I-Z-E-R principle which he teaches very well. Believe me you, it really works full time for you if you so choose to embrace it.

This is a well written book by a very intelligent and educated author, but it is not what I expected. I guess I didn't really know what I expected, but this was not it.

I simply wanted to read some scriptures about animals in Heaven and possibly why. Although there are some scriptures in the book, (several), they are buried in the text, laboriously, one by one and none of them seemed to be revalent.

The author talks more about religous principles, (which is OK), than he does animals in Heaven. What I would like to see is a list of scriptures and then some explanation.

This book is more for the intellectual than the curious.

After reading this book no one could ever truly believe animals will not be in heaven. I never realized the bible tells so much about the animal kingdom.
The scriptures in this book pertaining to animals is almost unbelievable. The scriptures are straight from the bible exactly as written. The author explains the scriptures as to their true meaning. I can't understand how a minister could say animals have no soul or Holy Spirit, and could never enter into heaven. This book clearly reveals many scriptures telling us animals do have a soul and spirit, and they will go to heaven. The book even explains why the animals are to be resurrected at the coming of Christ.
I will never be convinced by anyone that the bible tells nothing about animals going to heaven. I know according to God's word I will see my animals again if I am fortunate enough to go to heaven.

In 1987, the World's Best Doctor wrote a handbook for other physicians (Kill as Few Patients as Possible), that hilariously passed on choice tricks of the trade. Now managed care has made it impossible for Dr. London to care for his patients in the exemplary fashion he laid out - and so he's written the book that will allow patients to get this excellent care on their own. From spelling out the medications and diagnostic interventions which have been proven to help prevent disease, to a list of the symptoms which mandate a visit to your doctor TODAY, this book may be lifesaving.

Not nearly as amusing, nor as heartwarming, as Dr. London's first book, "Kill As Few Patients As Possible." Still an enjoyable read, just not as much fun.

The wonderful book really had me understanding the importance of honoring myself - filling up so that I have more to give!
There were many concepts, not necessarily new to me, yet presented in a fashion that I had never previously considered.
Very enlightening.
Linda Kedy...

Dr. Jill Kahn and her husband Danny seemed to have it all, but still weren't happy. They ignored that emotional emptiness until Danny received a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor. That wake-up call forced them to look at their lives more analytically. In her search, Dr. Jill learned if we constantly give of ourselves and never take the time or effort to "fill our own wells", we can't survive--physically or spiritually. We must first ask ourselves what we truly desire before we can pray to receive God's intended gifts.

Read The Gift of Taking today and learn what she has taught many of her patients. You, too, can live a full, satisfying life. It's there just for the taking.

--Becky at Author, Author!

Perhaps it's just my sense of humor, but I read the first few pages online and laughed out loud in some sections. Good job!

Reading this book is like getting on the bus departing at midnight from Las Vegas to Chicago. All seats are taken except the one next to a guy who starts his rant before you leave the depot. In Georgia-based Bear Brooks's case it's what jackasses the Democrats are, the Republicans, Corporate CEO's, lawyers, airlines, telemarketers, etc. Just when you think you can't take it anymore he hits upon a topic with which you agree: Why do they keep collecting tolls after the roads are paid for? How come new cars dent like beer cans? Who thinks labels are necessary like the one on an iron that warns you not to iron clothes while wearing them? This book not only raises the question of why we should listen to experts but also why we should listen to someone who says to the reader, "You may be smarter than I am, but I have one thing to say to that: who cares!" For one thing, Bear is an equal-opportunity smart ass. Nothing and no one is off limits, and every once in a while that's refreshing. For another, he forces us to wonder why we believe what we do. How many better books can claim as much?

And finally, he is funny with chapter headings such as "My God Can Beat Up Your God" and "'I Do Not Pay for Sex; I'm Married.' (Yeah, Right)." Who are not jackasses, you ask? Surprise. Brooks identifies radio talk-show hosts as guys with the gonads to say what needs to be said. Nevertheless, after the bus starts to empty you remain in the seat with him, and before long you're saying good-bye. You might not want to invite Bear Brooks's ideas home with you, but the time reading his book goes quickly. Hurray for the common man! Now where's my beer?

It's not bad, I've just had better. I can't get to specific because I haven't heard it in so long. I'm not using it, if that helps. I listened to it once.

The Sweet Dreams CD is incredible. For over a year I've taken several different sleep aids, and while I might fall asleep, I never slept for very long. In the mornings I would feel groggy and tired. But, after listening to Sweet Dreams, I slept the entire night! I'm now sleeping soundly, all night long with out taking any medications, and I'm waking up feeling great. Thank you so much!

I got to this book years after having read self-help books such as Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain, all of Carlos Castaneda, books about TAO and Zen, Edward DeBono, books about creativity, learning and thinking, various ancient oriental and North American aboriginal authors, etc. I have to rate it very highly as being useful WHEN YOU NEED TO GET TO ACTION. This is a rare thing.

Books that have that authentic ability to trigger you to action are rare, and Gawains book is one. The Act Of Will is also constantly useful to me, as a way to help me clarify my own strengths and weaknesses, and to quickly focus on progress. I got into publishing, but a recession came upon the market, and I got demotivated. I tell you, you can't afford to give up on your own highest aspirations. Will power, from start to finish of some act of creative endeavor, is a challenge. Failures on that path, like bodies in a vicious war, are stacked very very high.

To make your own way in any endeavor, you will find your inspirations, goals, and will power coming up against limits, both internal and external. The Act Of Will really helped me see again, and to feel again, the real value and deserved attention that my publishing was. I should not have let it drift, but I was on my own.

To anyone who can relate to either being or feeling alone when you consider some venture, then why not gather some terrific support. Best advisors are rarely there when you need them (in the flesh). So instead, take the personal advice from geniuses, and get on with it!!

Take this book home and use it. I hope the will power to do that much, is with you today. This book will greatly improve the odds that your will power will be much more consistent and powerful in the very near future.

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!