Self-Help Books

This is GREAT! Well, done! Brava!!!

I wish I had read this book earlier, for many reasons! One, because it will make a fabulous gift for my friends, mom, aunts, etc. And also because it has some really practical advice for dilemmas I have found myself in! I definitely recommend this book, for yourself or as a gift for the women in your life!

This is such a fun book. The author basically tells us how to do stuff without being boring and its one how to book that I'm planning on keeping. This is a great book for anyone. I highly recommend it.

This book is a perfect college graduation gift, or for a friend just moving into her first apartment or house, and/or your mom. It's one of those books that should be left out for frequent browsing. The writing is fun, the topics are useful. Ladies who've read this book will seem to be more clever than their friends, which is always fun.

This book is a must, especially for women! The information is practical and the writers have a witty style that keeps your attention and makes you want more! I learned so much about the things most people my age are afraid to ask or are too embarrassed to say they don't know by now. Hats off to you, Elizabeth and Elizabeth!

This book is a must, especially for women! The information is practical and the writers have a witty style that keeps your attention and makes you want more! I learned so much about the things most people my age are afraid to ask or are too embarrassed to say they don't know by now. Hats off to you, Elizabeth and Elizabeth!

John Welshons is an amazing author. Both of his books (Healing the Grief,Finding the Road back to Joy and When Prayers Aren't Answered) have brought so much peace and healing to me personally and all of my friends with whom I have shared his works. God has truely blessed him with a wonderful gift and blessed us, the rest of the world, with him. Both of his books are definately a MUST READ.
Carrie Joyce
Dunedin, Fl.

John Welshons has written another fantastic book! In an easy to read, compassionate and nonjudgemental manner, the author urges the reader to try to look at the way life is and not how we each believe it should be. A scholar of the world's religions, he draws on traditions from both the East and West. While the book does deal with different types of prayer, I think its appeal is much broader than those interested in theology. It is a book about how to find joy by understanding what is truly important. I recommend it as a gift to anyone you want to help find more joy in their lives!

First, please ignore the odd review of this wonderful book from Publishers Weekly and follow the reviews of the other readers of this book who have given John's book 5 stars. I have seen John Welshons in person at workshops and he is in every sense the real deal. He is one of the most patient and loving people I have ever come across and he has a unique ability to address every questioner in a caring and direct manner. I have given copies of John's first book to many people who have experienced a loss in their lives and they have always thanked me for the gift. They also recognize that "Awakening From Grief" is not just a book about death, but very much a book about life. I hope you will all give this book a chance to serve you in your quest for love and happiness.

A book I can pick up at any time to get an inspirational lift. Filled with such tenderness, compassion and lots of hope when so hard to find when carrying such a heavy heart. As fate would have it, When Prayers Aren't Answered came out to the bookstores it was like the book was written to match my life for the past five years as the same with John's first book Awakening From Grief. Once you start reading you will not want to put it down. I highly recommend reading it. John Welshons books are my Beacon of Light..

I definitely recommend this book. I love it because it considers all religious beliefs, and it makes quite clear that we are like little children in our love to God. If He doesn't give us what we want then we desert him and loose him all along, while the challenge is to love God and be connected with Him either He gives us what we want or not. Most of the time for our best.

Not a subject everyone is comfortable, in fact, a subject few are able to face but this book is the best on the topic. It has helped me through 3 terrible losses in my life.

One of the best books I've encountered on the way the mind works and common dynamics that are the foundation of suffering (as well as the common way out of the suffering). The references to spiritual traditions show how various traditions have realized the same, fundamental problem and its common solution. I found this book to be one of the best and insightful explanations of the mind's dynamics - an understanding, when combined with the activities of awareness and investigation - yield to direct experiences that resolve suffering. On another level, I found that the author's hints of the experience of the fundamental nature of being to be very motivational.

Death is an uncomfortable and frightening topic to most people. Levine's book "Who Dies ?" will put an end to this fear and will help you confront death and make peace with it. Life and death are one. Fear of dying is only a reflection of the fear of living. Death is not some external Ogre that we must conquer and defeat. We must embrace death to enjoy and appreciate life. This book will guide you toward this gentle and final embrace.
"Who dies?" is poetic, eloquent, soothing, and reassuring.
This book is a must read for anyone that struggles with matters of life and death!! It is worth every penny...

Steven Levine, formerly director of the Hanuman Foundation's Dying Project, and his wife, Ondrea Levine, have been counseling the dying for over 30 years. In this book they explore the question: "What is the difference when the dying person and those around him have their hearts wide open?"

Stephen Levine is a master when it comes to simply describing mindfulness and conscious living. This book should be read by everyone who expects to die and who truly desires to live. The truth permeates the pages of this masterpiece. Highly recommended.

This book is great! I have read many books on the Law of Attraction from The Secret to The Science of Getting Rich and although all books have given many perspectives and understanding, Working With The Law has been life changing. It wasn't until I read Raymond Holliwells perspective on the Law of Non-Resistance and The Law of Attraction did I start actually seeing amazing changes in my life. I would highly recommend this book.

I have read many books on the Law of Attraction and I found this one to be the best. It covers it from so many aspects and perspectives, and it gives many direct quotes from the bible. If you are interested in the Law of Attraction, this one is a must read!!!

I think this book is excellent. I would say that everyone would do well to have a copy. This guide is not unlike a roadmap to living. I have other books which go into these subjects but not to this level. The mind must be disciplined and he explains why things go wrong. Man/woman can be their own worst enemy. His analysis and approach to the subjects are to be applauded.

I found the book overly simplistic long on theroy and short on logical thinking. But I must admit that his chapter on the Law of Attraction very unique. I have read everything that has been written on the Law of Attraction Holliwel's use of the theroy of we get the results of our "expectations" is brilliant and made much sense. Thoughts are a function of the ego and are not very useful, but expectations are are a function of the inner being . . . much more authentic.
That chapter and the chapter on non-resistance made the book worthwhile, but otherwise the book was pretty outdated theroy.

Holliwell's book is phenomenal. It's concise, yet extremely dense. As a student of the Law of Attraction, I have a deep appreciation for authors like Wallace Wattles, Charles Haanel, and Napoleon Hill (who's works are the foundation of the film "The Secret" and the current Law of Attraction craze.)

That said, I hold, "Working With the Law," above them all, simply for the reason that this book was published in the 60's (rather than the turn of the century) making the text more contemporary, therefore easier to understand.

The best part of the book though, I feel, is how it explains the correlation between the law of attraction and religion. As a practicing Catholic, I sometimes run into those in my faith who condemn me for following the Universal Laws.

Christian, Muslim, Jew, et al. who are reluctant to embrace the Law of Attraction should read this book before they write off the Universal Laws that govern this world. Holliwell's book explains that God and (LAW) are really one in the same.

Since reading this book and practicing zazen, I have come to believe that miracles are not only possible, they're inevitable with continued sitting. Although I'm a beginner, I love noticing the moments of "newness" Zen has brought to my life - laughter ready to bubble up inside me, connecting with people I thought I had nothing in common with, and more delight than resistance in changing circumstances. With every sitting I feel like I'm reviving a love of life that I haven't enjoyed since childhood.

I'm reading Dr. Shoshanna's book for the second time and recognizing the beauty of the truth that she knows from experience. While she artfully weaves psychology with Zen stories and mysteries, her message is down-to-earth and practical in our daily lives. I particularly love the chapter, "Walking Through the Gateless Gate," where she describes communion with a person, a flower, a tree, an animal. Those moments are fleeting glimpses of living in harmony with all of life, with every moment received as a gift. This book is a gift, a treasure, and a life-long friend. As my practice ripens, I trust this wisdom to be my guide to life.

I would actually rate this closer to 3.5 stars, but rather than rating it at a 3 and pointing out that it's better than that, I decided to do the opposite. Why? Because this is an enlightening and eye opening book that many, many people could stand to benefit from reading. The writing is crystal clear and insightful, as it fleshes out abstract Zen riddles and philosophies with practical, common sense exercises for incorporating Zen ideals into your everyday life.

My main problem with this book is that I found it to be a tad contradictory at times. Bear with me here, because I am only just now beginning to learn more about this stuff, but it is my understanding that perhaps the most fundamental tenet of Zen and Buddhism in general is that we all need to look within for our own answers, rather than trusting teachers and other authorities to spell everything out for us. However, there are a few parts of this book where the author seems to contradict this by becoming a bit overly dogmatic and spelling out exactly what various aspects of Zen are supposed to mean. The tone bothered me at times because I felt like I was being force-fed her views on certain things, and so I had to remind myself that all of these ideas are meant to remain open to interpretation.

Of course, I do realize that a book of this sort might not be all that worthwhile if it didn't dole out at least some concrete answers. For one thing, it seems intended for newcomers to Zen who stand to benefit from more than just abstract sayings and philosophies. And, overall, there were only just a select few parts that I found to be a bit too imposing, maybe 5% of the overall text (although they did stick out like a sore thumb to me).

At the end of the day, the author has done a commendable job of stitching together various Zen sayings, stories, and anecdotes... weaving them together with her own (mostly) gentle interpretations to present a readily understandable account of it all. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for new perspectives on life.

For me, this book has served as much more than an introduction to Buddhism. It actually has convinced me to start practicing meditation and has transmitted the how-to's so that now meditation is part of my daily life. Meditation has made me receptive to goodness and blessings that are all around me!

What I like about this book is its ecumenism. It covers the very abstract aspects of daily meditation practice and makes them real through illustrations from many different cultures and religions.

This book presents a pathway to faith and now I can see many more of the daily miracles in my life rather than focusing on difficulties and problems. It makes me say thank you over and over each day as I recognize these miracles - thank you to God and thank you to Brenda for showing me the way.

If you've read a lot of Zen before this book would be an easy read for you. If you haven't it could be a seminal work. Brenda does an exceptional job of explaining (clearly for a Western mind) the basic points and benefits to approaching the external world from a Zen philosophy. There are exercises as well for the unguided.

I had previously read several books on Zen prior to coming across this particular book from Brenda Shoshanna. Unlike many of the other books I read, which tended to be bland and sometimes diffficult to follow and apply to one's own life, Dr. Shoshanna takes an entirely different approach in helping us to understand the common concepts of Zen. Her book is very well written. It is clear and concise, even for someone not entirely familiar with Zen, enjoyable to read, and most importantly, she conveys her own experiences with Zen, some of which are quite humorous, to assist the reader in understanding and applying Zen principles to his or her own life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of Zen.

I didn't think that this book would be as useful as it is. After reading this book I found many things I wanted to do, and have done, to be prepared. While I hope to never have to use the information from the book, I feel more prepared in case the need arises. A must have for those wanting to be prepared.

Few escape a hospital stay at some time during their life, and all should read Jan Buck's "24/7 or Dead" before they need it.

In a very personal account, Jan shares her 8 month ordeal with a hospitalized critically ill husband. The lessons she learned are invaluable. In this easy-to-read book she gives recommendations in layman's terms, check lists and tools we can all use when we are faced with helping a hospitalized loved one.

Jan's book is not critical of the medical profession, but she shows you how to be your loved one's advocate while working with the doctors and nurses. Don't let medical mistakes claim the life of someone you love, be there for them 24/7.

As an RN I appreciate and second all the advice given in this book! It's easy to read, a fast read, and I'd encourage anyone to read it BEFORE they have a loved one in the hospital. The recommendations Jari Buck provides are applicable to all patients, whether in Intensive Care or the Emergency Room, during an extended stay or same-day procedure.

There are some minor medical details that are not accurate, or misspelled, but they do not affect the great tips and advice given in this book.

Who wants to even think about having to care for a loved one in the hospital let alone write about the worry, pain and fear. Its no question our lives can be disrupted in an instant. I'm glad I read Jari's book before I faced my mother's hospital experience. This book is a real eye opener. A must read. So much so I purchased copies for several friends and family members.

Don't wait until you need to know how to deal with hospital personnel, policies and paperwork. Read it now. Don't wait until you need to know how to deal with your own frustration, questions and fatigue. Read it now. If not for your sake then for someone else's so you can help them in their 24/7 'hour' of need.

It's compelling, real and straight forward. Are you prepared?

24/7 or Dead
By: Jari Holland Buck
Jan Holland Buck has written this book to recount lessons she learned over a period of eight and one-half months during her husband's hospitalization.

Jan's husband, Bill, was suddenly stricken with severe pancreatits. This rapidly progressed to multiple organ failure, severe infection, and seizures.

As a result of observing and involving herself in her husband's care, Jan has concluded, "Without the full-time presence of a family member for every patient in a hospital, I believe there is a very good chance mistakes will be made. Some of those mistakes could cost your loved one his or her life."

Jan details their story of hospital stays in four hospitals, six months of which were in intensive care. She has provided the reader with fourteen recommendations for implementation, important checklists to help with the implementation. She has included an Appendix with important fact sheets, tools, and sample legal forms, medical statements, billing information, and additional resources.

I am fortunate to have read the book at a time when I am not faced with a family health crisis. My wife is a registered nurse and worked for years in the Emergency Department. I have two sons who worked as EMTs for a period of time. I have been hospitalized on several occasions. Jan's book has opened my eyes to the importance of patient advocacy. As a result of reading 24/7, I plan to be more vocal in asking my primary doctor questions regarding known medical conditions, review my legal forms, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, and to leave written documents regarding important papers for my caregiver and family. In these papers I will note and have readily available a copy of Jan Holland's book.

This book is a book that should be read by every family caregiver and patient advocate. It is an important and timely resource for those comforting and counseling family members. The instructions and suggestions will give you insight into what you are facing and help you to have peace of mind in knowing you are a part of the healthcare team responsible for your loved one.

I highly recommend that 24/7 or dead be read by every adult family member before a family medical crisis forces that dreaded 9ll call for an ambulance.

If you want to succeed in Network Marketing you need a book to carry in your back pocket. This is your book to carry.

Easy to read. This book was recommended to me by a speaker with 10 years experience in a huge Network Marketing Company. I am a novice when it comes to N.M. and found this book excellent.

The 45-SECOND PRESENTATION really will CHANGE your life. It's the most important book for new networkers!

This book was an easy read, very informative, to the point that I am making up an outline of it to share with my downline to use as a guide. I am a seasoned networker, and I wish I had had this information when I got involved in networking in the past, and it also would have helped me to weed out the ones that I should not get involved with. This book doesn't say "don't do this or that company", but once you see the information, you can see which companies fit with the important points necessary for a positive money-making experience in networking!

As a "seasoned" network marketer, I have never found a book that helps explain what we do today vs. decades ago when network marketing began AND that explains the power of exponential growth using leverage and duplication. It is clear after reading just the preface if you are cut out for this business, which saves a lot of time on the front end. Using the book then as a training manual for how to do what we do becomes a tool and capitalizes on the duplication process. The only question that one must ask themselves after reading the first two paragraphs of the Preface is...."can you do this?"...and to that I mean, can you hand the book to someone and ask them to read the first two paragraphs of the Preface....that person will tell you either "I'm interested, or I'm not interested"...and you can move on.
Network marketing is like driving a car. Why would you talk about the vehicle you have to drive if you don't know how to drive. We get to teach people how to drive FIRST...then show them the vehicle we use to make money together using Leverage/Duplication/Exponential Growth!
GREAT tool. Thanks, Don Failla (his 2nd Edition is even better!!!)

Some great concepts in this book! Push through some of the analogies in the early chapters and you won't be sorry that you read it.

It is entirely possible (and biblical, most importantly) to yearn for something all the while, trusting the Lord for His provision of it in His time, if He wills. This was a refreshing book about the true heart of a woman created by God, one who feels deeply. It encouraged me to ache over lost things, desired things, missed things.

The author comes from her own heartache of a broken engagement in her past and knows how to be raw and real before the Lord.

Beautifully written, poetic and thought provoking. Though it is geared toward a woman's perspective, I connected with Jan's message and found myself longing for more of God.

I found this book rather randomly one day while I was shopping for a gift. I searched for John Elderidge's book, Wild At Heart, and bought it for a growing Christian friend. Under recommended titles, I saw The Allure of Hope by Jan Meyers. Having read Wild at Heart, I had been wanting something similar that addressed the issues faced in a woman's life rather than a man's. John Elderidge actually wrote the introduction to this book and recommended it highly. So, respecting him as an author, I bought a copy.
I absolutely loved it and I have since given away copies to friends and family alike. I felt like it was relevant to events in my life and helped me to work through some problems that I have encountered as a developing Christian. Many Christian books that address lifestyles and relationships with God seem "preachy" to me, and I have a difficult time getting into them. I also feel like they dwell too heavily on discipline and abstinance, neglecting the source of discontent that leads people astray. Jan Meyers, however, does an excellent job by speaking to the reader as a peer. Her voice sounds like that of a friend and it conveys a sense of pain that she is experiencing and working through, much like her audience. Her writing, while it may lack the eloquence and development of John Elderidge, is powerful nonetheless because of its honesty, tenderness, and warmth.
This book is an excellent read for any woman searching for a closer and purer relationship with God. I plan on using it in a Bible study I am leading later this year.

A must read for women in their 20's, 30's or 40's. Jan calls us to keep our hearts open in the deepest diappointment. Book studies on this book are popping up in all sorts of place, at my church, within christian ministries etc...A book that finally speaks to the true heart of a woman..

If you want to challenge your mindset, then this book is for you! My book club read this book and the little fictional book gave us greater challenges to become better and more effective leaders. I thoroughly enjoyed the trials that had to be overcome to achieve the desired results. I believe every leader needs to read this book to understand the true value in collaborative leadership.

Absolutely love it! It's funny and has learning points. An easy read. Feels like I'm watching an animated movie. Perfectly suits the need for which I made the purchase. Would definitely recommend to others!

The Aunt and The Elephent really drew me in and surprised me with it's simple leadership lessons that have a powerful impact. I highly recommend this and all of Vince Poscente's books.

A simple but illuminating parable that takes the reader into a childlike state of wonderment that leads to learning some valuable lessons about creating and reaching worthwhile goals. Like Kandee G, Bud Bilanich, Laura Lewis, and Tony Beshara, this guy has a knack, in the realm of motivational books, for sensitizing the reader's mind before inserting real humor and practical advice that works.

One may be disarmed by the fantasy orientation of this book and its ability to stay out of "scenes from the boardroom." I found it refreshing and edifying. Open Your Mind!

Author Vince Poscente's book is an interesting concept that works to bring the conscious (that of the ant) and subconscious (that of the elephant) minds together. This book is relatable in that it utilizes familiar accounts to help you discover your inner fears and redirect your efforts toward a more positive and worthwhile outlook. Because this book is in the form of a parable story, it is easy to follow as it does not contain a large amount of business jargon.

Thought-provoking. Succinct. Worthwhile. Enjoyed it very much!

Thought-provoking. Succinct. Worthwhile. Enjoyed it very much!

Jan Forrest's new book, "Awakening the Spirit Within," is an experience of small but exquisite epiphanies of one's self. Every page will help you unravel your own mysery and guide you to a more balanced spiritual self.

Through the up and down cycles in life, we often look everywhere outside of ourselves for the answers and forget to simply look within. Jan Forrest reminds us that the way to truly discover our place and purpose in life is to listen to, and trust, our own inner wisdom. Arranged as 100 brief reflections, this slim, attractive volume invites us to browse through the pages and find the perfect passage that will touch our heart today. Although this would certainly be a perfect gift book for a friend, woman or man, consider giving yourself this gift of reflection today.

Jan's little book is a Treasure House. It skillfully reconnects us to our Spirit within. Her writing is wise and authentic, touching me on many different levels. Each page is a daily meditation. This book makes a wonderful gift to share with someone you love.