Women's Health Books

Very good resource if you are considering the ethical implications of IVF and infertility treatments.

This book spent the first several chapters helping you know how to best feel sorry for yourself and understand your grief. It does have some good information in it also but I sure could have done with out the pity party section. My wife and I need the answers not sympathy.

The Infertility Companion: Hope and Help for Couples Facing Infertility (Christian Medical Association) is a book that is part almanac, part dictionary, part personal testimony and part Bible teaching and study. It's written by a Christian Infertility Doctor and a Christian Infertility Patient.

I'll start with my critiques because they're pretty minor. My biggest complaint about the book is that for some reason I've not quite put my finger on, DH and I both found it visually hard to read. I can't decide if the text is smaller, the leading is smaller, the characters are closer together, the lines are longer or if it's because the pages are gray and not white, but I found it hard to read more than 20 pages in one sitting before my eyes were too tired. I've never experienced that with a book before and I'm quite confident it wasn't the content that made it hard to read so I'm quite befuddled. At times I was frustrated because I wanted to continue reading but couldn't comfortably do so.

My other critique is that the book is littered with one paragraph personal anecdotes from various people that I found distracting on almost every occasion. I struggle to see their purpose and at times, was frustrated by the incongruence that occurred when the anecdotes interrupted the primary authors' train of thought, with little explanation as to why they were offered in the first place. The primary text is stronger when one skips the interruptions (though for thoroughness' sake, I did read them all).

However, those two, minor things encompass the totality of my complaints about this book.

What I love about this book is how straightforward it is. This is not to be confused with authors who are insensitive. This book just lacks the emotional aspect of a lot of the other books, which my husband especially appreciated. He felt much more comfortable reading this book than reading some of the others I speak highly of, including ones I've recommended here. The book reads largely like a textbook on infertility, if such a thing could exist given the diverse nature of individual experiences. However, it is very conversational and approachable in tone-not at all dry and difficult to read like the mention of a "text book" would suggest.

The authors write with one voice and do an excellent job at it, which I think lends itself to the "neutrality" of this book. It's not a book by women for women, or men for men. It's a book for a general audience, which I think is rare in this particular genre of texts.

The book spends some time on the interpersonal aspects of infertility, including the patients' relationships with themselves, with each other, with God, with their friends and family, with Christendom and with the general public. It also address such things as parenting after infertility, secondary infertility, childlessness by choice, and responding to well meaning advice.

Perhaps one of the most instrumental things I've read in any book on the subject was in the authors' chapter on myths of infertility. In response to the myth "If you adopt, the pain will go away," the authors cited another author who identified six key losses that are rooted in infertility:


1. Loss of control
2. Loss of individual genetic continuity
3. Loss of a jointly conceived child
4. Loss of the pregnancy and birth experiences
5. Loss of emotional gratification surrounding pregnancy and birth
6. Loss of an opportunity to nurture and parent a new generation

pg 29


How freeing it was for me to read that it is perfectly normal to mourn the loss of pregnancy--a need that will never be met through born-child adoption! I've already shared this with a few other people because it was so instrumental to me to identify the various types and sources of grief and loss. I wish I could put it on a flyer and distribute it to the world and maybe then people would cease looking for trite things to say or ways to help their infertile friends "get over" this loss!

The rest of the book, however, is what I found most useful. It's an explanation and bioethical exploration of the tests and procedures common in the treatment of infertility. It covers everything ranging from sample collection to examinations to medications to surgical procedures. The authors are quick to confess their own limits and biases, but even with the procedures with which they don't agree, they highlight the benefits along with the risks. I appreciated this neutrality. They are also careful and responsible to state that their opinions on anything that falls outside the bounds of clear scriptural teaching and/or does not jeopardize innocent life is their own opinion and not gospel truth. On the other hand, where something does violate clear scripture or the sanctity of life, they are firm in stating its inappropriateness for the committed Christian (examples would be fornicating to produce fluid samples or children, selective reduction abortion, etc). In some cases (IVF for example), they are very helpful in helping the reader understand the limits they should place in order to keep the procedure one that honors God and human life. Where Catholics and Protestants might differ, they offer information and resources for both world views.

I appreciated how respectful the authors are of opinions that differ from theirs when it comes to matters of interpretation. There is no condemnation-only simple, undecorated statement of their opinion and where applicable, medical and scientific facts. They do not pressure the reader to come to the same conclusions and as I mentioned, are generous in even offering the benefits of procedures that they would not choose for themselves.

They offer a very useful grid for evaluating the ethics of reproductive technology. They have borrowed the framework from a secular textbook and offer it as being both useful and consistent with a biblical worldview.

The four principles are:

Beneficence-to do good. Thus, we ask, "Does it do good?"

Nonmaleficece-to do no harm. We ask, "Does it avoid doing harm?"

Autonomy-the patient has the right to make decisions about care rendered to him or her. We ask, "Does it respect self-determination, the patient's right to decide for him- or herself?"

Justice-fair, equitable, and appropriate distribution of social benefits and burdens. Our own definition of justice goes beyond this definition to ask whether something seeks what is right or due the patient in a given instance. So we ask, "Does it give what is right, due and equitable?"

pg 171


So long as the reader retains honesty careful grounding in scripture when answering the questions posed in this construct, I found this to be a very useful and practical framework.

The book also has quite a few extra curricular resources. The end of each chapter has discussion questions for the reader. I suppose with some moderation, they could be good prompts for a group discussion as well. The appendices of the book include a scripture-based workbook of questions and exercises for each chapter, an infertility medical workup worksheet, the Christian Medical Association Statement on Reproductive Technology, an IF glossary with common vernacular explanations, a list of resources and complete citations for all of the studies, interviews and writings cited in the book.

The book is very well cited. Each time the authors mentioned a clinical study, a public statement by a group or committee, a medical fact, and even in some cases a hermeneutic explanation, there was a corresponding citation. This set me at ease that the things that I was reading were true, or at least easily verifiable. It also gave me a place to go if anything piqued my interest to the point of wanting to seek out further information. I appreciated this responsible treatment of a lot of things that are offered as "fact" in a world full of questions and controversy.

I will confess that I did not complete the workbook or discussion questions yet, and am not sure if I plan to. However, I did read through them and found them relevant and thought provoking.

The book is like an encyclopedia insofar as there may be portions (even large ones) that are not relevant to you if you are not considering a certain procedure or class of procedures. I did read the entire book so as to have a firm understanding of it, but I admit to times when I had trouble staying interested in subjects that are not a part of our journey. I will say that the book can easily be read in sections or chapters. If you skip a section that is not relevant to your journey, I do not think it will make the rest of the book unreadable and I think you would still benefit. Each chapter can stand on its own and be contextually accurate and understandable. However, the book also feels unified enough to be read through as a traditional chapter book.

There is a ton of clinical information in this book, which distinguishes it from other books in this genre. For that reason, it's a lot more difficult to retain all of the information in the book than it is with other books that are more narrow in subject. For that reason I think this book is most useful when consulted many times, especially the subjects of particular relevance to the reader. I know I shall have to read through the details of some of the Reproductive Technologies several times before I feel I have a firm grasp on them but again, that selective reading is very possible in a book structured this way.

This book is an excellent resource for infertility patients. I'm not sure it's useful for pastors, friends and family or doctors, but I suspect it was never intended to be. This is not your typical infertility Bible or personal enrichment study, so I would not add it to my library in lieu of books that are more personally challenging, but it is an excellent academic reference resource, which is especially useful in a world where the sheer volume of facts and anecdotes can be overwhelming.

I am so glad I happened upon this book! The personal experiences of Sandra, the expertise of Dr. Bill, and the spiritual issues addressed in this book have been an invaluable resource to my husband and me as we have struggled through the difficulties of infertility. This book is a terrific guide to anyone going through infertility themselves or any lay person or clergy helping a couple that is struggling. Rarely does one find a book that balances medical terminology and its great detail with the emotional and spiritual aspects of the patients' experience, but this book does. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that is beginning the journey of infertility as it clearly gives medical information. More important to me, though, was the biblical content that reminds us that we are NOT alone through this process, that God is still God, and that the emotional roller coaster is a normal thing. Not to mention the chapter that deals with handling well-intentioned advice... great content there, too! :)

Right around this time of year, sermons about Mother's Day and the beauty of parenthood bring grief to those experiencing the hellish ride of infertility. Though I have not personally experienced this, I have walked with several friends that have. This book was invaluable in helping me understand the medical, spiritual and emotional issues facing infertile couples. Glahn's personal story is woven throughout, giving the reader glimpses into the pain of infertility. Cutrer offers the reader practical and sound medical advice, gleaned from years and years of treating infertile couples. Both grapple with theological questions like "Is infertility a curse from God?" and "Why did God create sex?" Perhaps the most helpful chapter detailed the well-intentioned (but painful) things people say: Just relax. You can have my children for a weekend. If you adopt, you'll conceive. Just trust God. The latter half of the book deals with the ethics of medical intervention in an honest, non-alarmist way. If you are looking for an infertility manual with heart, pick up this book. If you are longing to love a friend or family member through infertility's minefield, read it for understanding.

Life Inside The Thin Cage" is a painfull but eye opening view into the twisted world of chronic dieting and hating our bodies to the point that we are hurting ourselves. Every woman should read this book. I promise when you start to read this book you wont be able to put it down. A must read for women! im greatfull i found this book. I have a much deeper understanding of what it really means to be a chronic dieter.
When i first heard the words eating disorder, the first thing that comes to my mind is anorexic or bulimic, When i see someone always worrying about their weight or have heard someone say "im on a diet" you rarely think that this person could have a problem because hearing those words "im on a diet" is so common, most dont give it a second thought. Hearing women worry over carbs/calories/exercise/fat grams etc.. is sadly perfectly normal. It wasnt untill i read this book that i began to realize that chronic dieting is too a disorder, if we dont see someone who is grossly underweight we assume they are fine, there just on a diet! Im glad i read this book. It was a wake up call for me as well as the others i shared this book with.

I happened upon this book by 'chance' (in other words, the hand of God, in my opinion) and when I read the back, a tear trickled down my face.

Having been overweight much of my life and now being a chronic dieter, I could resonate with Constance's words - I think those thoughts she expressed. I don't fit the DSM-IV diagnoses for bulimia or anorexia. I'm 'different'. She is so right - there is a constant battle going on in my mind regarding weight, eating, and exercising. I am addicted to food AND exercising. It governs my every waking thought and even governs my day and how I spend my time. It's insane, I know. Finding balance is something I am working on. The sad thing? Losing weight DEFINITELY changed my life (I lost 70 lbs) and people DO treat you differently (I've never been treated better than I have in the the years since I lost weight). So, it's hard not to be addicted to dieting when the results are so positive. But are they healthy? That is something I am working out. Thank you, Constance, for speaking what I feel!!!!

Constance digs deep in her work...which affects nearly everyone at some point in their life (if we were to be honest). From the anorexic to the severely [overweight]...wishing our bodies were something else is the norm and our world can often revolve around it. This book is a great book of encouragement and sound advice from a clinical standpoint. I'd highly recommend it to anyone!

What a marvelous resource - while I am a male reader I needed to understand women my sons will date, women in our family trapped in this cage like my niece, my sister, my cousin. Powerful and honest. Thank YOU Constance for this excellent title.

We can draw on the stories of others to find our way out. Constance manages to talk openly about her struggle with a sub clinical ED which allows the reader to find shelter and acceptance. Fellow sub ED journeymen will realize they are not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I believe her willingness to be vulnerable and create a public medium for sub clinical ED materialwill spur an increase in hope and help. The frustrating reality of our weight, our identity our ability to feel at "peace" with living is exhausting. When you read the pages of the "Thin" Cage a framework is given to your experience--you will recognize your behavior, your feelings, your habits, your rituals. And then you will realize you too want Balance. Constances' material will help you find the path to balance. Good reading!

"For thirty years, board-certified holistic practitioner, master's-prepared nurse, and doctorally prepared educator Carolyn Chambers Clark has been helping women navigate the challenges of menopause. Now she can help you with her breakthrough guide that addresses the full range of medical, alternative, and complementary self-care strategies, with easy-to-follow guidelines for avoiding the pitfalls of:
*Hot flashes
*Fuzzy thinking
*Skin, hair, and bladder changes
*Weight gain
*Joint and muscle pain
*Fatigue
*Decreased sex drive
*Emotional ups and downs
*Insomnia
Having been through this natural process herself, and having counseled countless other menopausal women, Clark is a compassionate voice clearly addressing the risks and possible benefits of hormone therapies, offering easy-to-understand advice, and providing the most comprehensive menopause program available." (description from publisher's newsletter)

This book gives herbal, mineral, and vitamin responses on a symptom by symptom basis of menopausal symptoms. It is a very thorough response.

I love this book, and I don't say that lightly. I'm not what you might call a gusher.

Since the day my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his options laid out in front of him more than a decade ago, I have been painfully aware that hormones are not always the magic cure-all. Since then, I've watched in something close to horror as friend after friend has been placed on HRT while doctors try to "fix" what's wrong with the bodies of women who have reached "that age."

Reading this book and finally hearing someone say (1) that heading into menopause doesn't mean something's wrong with a woman's body, and (2) that HRT isn't always the answer was like coming up for fresh air to me. Finally, somebody "gets" it and they're saying it aloud.

While that alone would be enough to make me recommend this book to any woman over the age of . . . 21 . . . there's more. I love that Dr. Clark gives women ways to take an active role in their own lives. I, for one, have had enough of passively sitting by while some stranger tells me I'm not feeling what I feel and doles out a pill to make everything all better. This book is a "must have" for women -- and again, I don't say that lightly.

I think this is a terrific book for a number of reasons. 1) The "new" info that HRT is dangerous for us. This may be a case of the pendulum swinging far one way and it'll swing back in a few years and "they'll" say HRT isn't dangerous, but it's nice to have options - that we women can control - either way. 2) I'm only on the verge of menopause so I don't have experience, but it's my understanding that even HRT doesn't prevent all menopausal symptoms. So even if you're using HRT, Dr. Clark provides numerous ways to live more comfortably with hot flashes, lowered libido, weight gain, depression, mood swings and so on. 3) I like that Dr. Clark approaches menopause as a natural part of women's lives, as opposed to a disease or abnormality. It may be an uncomfortable and sometimes trying part of our lives, but it's not something we need to get well from, we just need to live through it and Dr. Clark offers a variety of tools to do so more comfortably, happily and sanely. And they are not costly tools. They may require behavioral changes that will be difficult for some of us, but they are within our reach. (Truth be told, I'm so lazy, if there were a safe pill that also would alleviate symptoms, I'd probably take it. But I'd rather do the work to change my habits than take something that might increase my chances of cancer or other serious illnesses or conditions.)
The thing that hit me the hardest, though, is how true it is that doctors don't tell you all you need to know. I've even had doctors "argue" that my symptoms don't indicate pre- or peri-menopause because they are "normal" in some women, even though they are significant changes in the way my body functions. (I've since had blood work show that my suspicions were more founded than their assertions.) I also think young women should read this book to find out how lifestyle choices they make in their 20's and early 30's can affect their menopause experience down the line. They're liable to forget or ignore much of what they read, as we all think we're invincible when we're in our 20's. But if even one or two nuggets of helpful information stick, they'll be better off, later.
I think every woman, whether choosing HRT or not, should read this book to see the ways she can shape and gain some control over her menopause experience and also learn that it's not just her and it's not just in her head.

Carolyn Chambers Clark has written a MUST HAVE book for women of all ages who want to be in control of their own health, particularly during the life-changing time of menopause. Even young women would benefit from a copy, should they face the possibility of instant menopause due to a complete hysterectomy. My copy of the book is full of highlighted passages I'll need to refer to again. Highly recommended.

In general, this book is a fast page-turner. Joan Collins has gone a long way to prove how attractive women over forty can be in other books and, as if it wasn't enough, she makes her point again with friends rallying for support. This book is written in a very colloquial style which makes us privy to Joan Collins' intimate chats with her friends about beauty, fitness, life and love. It is a privilege to have the likes of Stefanie Powers, Shirley MacLaine, Ali Mc Graw, Morgan Fairchild, Shirley Bassey, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Shakira Caine or Angie Dickinson handing down to us the experience of a lifetime in the limelight. Yet, the most naive readers should beware of certain oddities like Ivana Trump's gobbling up over six eggs a day, Shirley MacLaine's fasting for over six days on apple juice or Jacqueline Bisset's phobia of fans kisses for fear of bacteria transmission. Despite which, the book is a winner.

One should never reveal the secrets of friends!

As Joan will soon find out! Apparently Joanna Lumley & Jerry Hall are very upset with her and are waiting in the shadows and lurking for the perfect opportunity to deliver a Linda Evans-style smack down on Joan!

I loved this book! It was such fun to be privy to the secrets of the rich and famous. You'll find that these women are not much different from yourself. If you are a woman who cares for and appreciates her looks and feminity, you'll savor every word. Beware: Divas of the world will enjoy the book most. If you are flippant or carefree about your looks and the aging experience, you'll find it shallow and boring. I for one felt as though I was sitting across the table with Joan and friends over lunch, revelling in our womanhood.

What a pleasure to learn from a book that revels in the vitality of life after 40! My Friends' Secrets contains 200 pages of stylish pictures and down-to-earth dialogue that reveal the beauty and health tips of some of the world's most striking women. Here Miss Collins and her friends share more with their readers than advice about living well; they embody a "philosophy of life" that underlines the power of positive thinking as a way to inner happiness and peace. The result is an outward radiance for the world to enjoy. The author's maxim, "After 40 you get the face you deserve", sums up the essence of this book - the women of "Generation Zest" can and do take charge of their own destinies and reap the rewards of aging with grace. In a world where some are inclined to accept lemons, Collins makes lemonade. This sentiment of making the best of things comes through vividly throughout the book. It is perhaps the reason why My Friends' Secrets is a treasure for any home library. The secrets of the women profiled here fire the creative imagination. Collins is evidently in her element as an interviewer; the conversations in My Friends' Secrets have more spark and intelligence than any talk show presently on television. In this volume, it's clear that the author's best gift to the public is her own multi-faceted personality. In short, My Friends' Secrets is a five-star read and a tribute to the habit of living and loving an interesting life.

Joan Collins has done a remarkable job with this beauty tell-all. She has choosen very fascinating, not to mention beautiful, and all over the age of 40, and some close to 80. The books reads like a friendly chat. There are some great tips from legendary beauties such as Ali McGraw, Ivana Trump, the ever beautiful Joan Rivers and from society hostesses such as the Texas beauty Lynn Wyatt the always gracious Betsy Bloomingdale. This book is a must have for anyone interested in health and beauty. The photos alone are worth the price of the book.

I've spent a long time pondering my past and tried to make 'forgetting' my priority. This book has changed all that. There is nothing more frightening than waking or falling asleep to flick images of a moment or a time you have apparently forgotten - especially if it's something so terrible that you could only possibly associate it with a nightmare.

This book is about one woman's devastating past that becomes at war with her mind. An amazing story about past hurt and abuse that inevitably comes back to haunt 'Linda Caine,' and in the most distructable form possible...end the life - stop the pain.
A powerful book filled with despair, devastation, love and hope.

Thank you xxKxx

Superbly written, once i started reading i couldn't put it down! You get totally involved & lost in what's happening in the book. The struggle Linda (as well as her family) went through for so many years, & the realisation of what actually happened to her is indescribable. Made me face my little demons, & re-think & re-prioritise my life.

I read this book in one sitting! Each chapter moved me to tears. It is a book about a woman's struggle with her(Linda) past that seems to haunt her and that unfolds beautifully in this book. Robin's chapters also shed much needed light and prespective to Linda's struggles. If this book was fictional it would have been storytelling at its best but given it is a true story makes it profound! Touching, inspiring, thought-provoking, thrilling and moving! It is witten in simple yet powerful words. It is one book anyone with a heart would love!

Linda Caine is an artist; Robin Royston a practicing psychiatrist specializing in trauma: the two met up when Linda Caine began experiencing flashbacks and images out of nowhere. Together the two began an exploration of African roots which were to reveal the heart of forgotten memories and the source of Caine's depression, making her autobiography OUT OF THE DARK an emotionally charged, volatile self-exploration.

This book tells the story of a remarkable woman who has endured alot of pain and hardship in her life. Spanning 3 continents and all the various incidents which encompasses her life experiences, Linda Caine's story tells of a woman's re-awakening to the worst horror of her life - having been abused as a child with her mum complicit. I was fasinated by how the truth which she managed to block out for most of her life came back in an insidious way to haunt her. It is almost as if it was forcing her to acknowledge it, and almost as if her unconscious was adamant that she realised what it was she had gone through. Linda Caine's courage and strength in the face of all this revelation and how her faith pulled her through is uplifting and inspiring. I also enjoyed reading about the people who cared for her and who were selfless in their wish to see her recover and gain control over her life again. It is amazing how a woman who has lived through so many bad times has such a love and zest for life and all things living. It's a miracle that none of the nastiness and evil in life has managed to tarnish the core of her person. A very honest and heart felt piece of writing, and a real triumph for those who survived the difficult period.

I am an LVN who has only worked in Med-Surg. I used this book to brush up for RN boards. It was a tremendous help! especially for those who attend flex programs that have limited clinical time. Well worth the purchase and a Easy read!

I purchased this book to be a specific review in this content for NCLEX since OB had been one of my first courses. It was wonderful in giving me all the info I was wanting to know. It gave pertinent assessment data, had chapters for each stage of the maternal process all the way through to normal/abnormal newborn, and it broke the info up into short chapters so studying it was easy to do during limited study hours. It also had a pre and post test for each chapter with NCLEX style questions, I loved that about this book. I would reccommend this to those studying for the NCLEX or as a study aid during your OB class.

This book is WONDERFUL! I can not tell you how this book really helped me prepare for my tests in OB. It was a terrific guide in helping study and land an "A". I would recommend this book to all nursing students...

this book has taken the material i need to know and condensed it. I read it a few times. Figure out clinical applications and then I run with it. When it comes to test time, this books helps me to figure out the imprortant stuff. I still have to read my other text but this book give the best info on rationales.

Like having a teacher available when no teacher is available.

I purchased this book at the beggining of my women's health class. First test out I had a 19 chaper test, with well over 300 pages to read. Probably more.I was totally stressing over all the pages I had to read and how I was gonna retain all this information in such a short period of time. So I started reading this book,which is basically an outline that covers the key information, and gets rid of the "fluff" that's in alot of text books. I did the 50 or so questions for every chapter and made sure it correlated with what was in my text book.A few days later I went to my class , took my test and got a B on it. I was so happy. So now I have another test coming up soon and once again I plan to study this book and eat the NCLEX questions that accompany it. Wish me luck! This book is a GODsend! If you're in Maternal Neonatal Nursing this is the book u should get. It is WELL WORTH the money!

This book is full of wonderful information and advice for all ages. I have read many health books, but this is one of the best. Read what Barbara says about vitmains, drinking water and attitude.

I couldn't put down Barbara Morris's new book Put Old On Hold. Save her ability to grab me by the funny-bone with personal satire, her book is a self-contained anti-aging capsule in itself. As a practicing pharmacist, she gives us many (laugh-out-loud) accounts of the degeneration of human consumption - sorry Emeril - and likens common American cuisine to, well, something like turtle turds.

From a micro sense, however, Put Old On Hold, touts and challenges readers to create their own assault on the aging process. It left this reader to put the book down - after first reading cover to cover - and take an inventory of my current herbal, vitamin and mineral supplementation (among other things like revisit my yoga exercise video library).

Moreover, setting my own personal healthcare biases aside, the most exciting message of Put Old On Hold is its ability to give hope. In this writers opinion, hope is a most important commodity in a world of faster, better, more. Instead, Barbara gives it to us straight from the hip in a practical, been there done that format.

Here's just a sample of lessons learned:

-The power of positive self- talk
-Secrets for "thinking" yourself young
-The honest truth about the illusion of retirement
-Key secrets to vitality, anti-aging and better living in a second lifetime

I believe anyone, regardless of age, will be excited about a future which may once have seemed uncertain after reading Barbara's book. Put Old on Hold will be reference I'll continue to use today tomorrow and 50 years from now. Thanks to Barbara, I'm not afraid anymore - If at age 74 the goddess of goddesses tells me I can be just like her, Bam! I'm all over it.

I'm going to pester you like a two-year-old and insist that you MUST read this book! But wait... assumming two year olds act a certain way is exactly the start of what can keep us from reaching our ageless potential! "Put Old on Hold" provides practical advice for keeping yourself healthy and attractive. More importantly, "Put Old on Hold" is an attitude: one that celebrates life and our potential for greatness! It wasn't until I read this book that I really stopped to consider: how much of my life is influenced by others' perceptions of what I should be doing at "my age"? This book has been truly liberating for me and I know it will be for you, too. I encourage you to read it and consider how you'll make today and the next more fabulous for yourself and others.

Reading Put On Hold is like sitting down with your mother, doctors, nutritionist and minister all rolled into one and having a loving, spirited conversation that will spur you to action. Barbara Morris' retirement reality check is particularly sobering. I'm glad she helped me get a new attitude. I'm replacing aging with seamless living and you can too. The tone of her book is so warm and enlightening that your only regret will be that you that you didn't read it sooner. Barbara will remind you it's never too late to take control of your health, get a job that pays (or whatever you want to do that you may have thought you were too old for) and maintain an attitude that promotes wellness, wholeness and self-esteem. This is not only good for you, but for those you are around and even society at large. Plus, her book shows you how to accomplish all that. You'll have to be vigilant, but it's easier than you think. Putting old age on hold is actually a lot of fun because the physical, mental, social and spiritual rewards are so phenomenal. Barbara's work as a pharmacist makes her book the perfect gift for anyone (of any age) you want to help adopt a holistic lifestyle, but they will only listen to someone in the medical field. Her insights into over-the-counter and prescription medicine benefits and side effects are invaluable. Join her and me in banishing an entitlement outlook that many adopt as they get older. It is truly more blessed to give than receive. You'll count your blessings, put poor choices to bed and answer the question, "What's age got to do with it?" with a resounding NOTHING!!

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (9/06)

One look at the cover and picture of author Barbara Morris tells you that she practices what she preaches and it works! From beginning to end, Morris not only gives great explanations and advice on keeping youth on your side at any age, but you will walk away feeling as if you had spent a few hours in the living room with your friend talking about how NOT to grow old. You walk away knowing that what she says makes sense and she believes what she says.

The author gives some down-to-earth reasons about why some people seem to age quicker than others. After reading her ideas, theories and hints on how not to grow old, you will surely walk away feeling assured that you too can "put old on hold." Morris discusses everything from diet to medicines and takes each idea apart bit by bit explaining why it does or doesn't work. She's not only spent plenty of time researching the ideas and techniques but also using them, showing her very young-looking self on the front smiling. There's no reason why you can't have the same results as she's had and walk away from her wonderfully thought-out and presented book ready to try it.

The best part of the book is that it's not for any one target group. You can read it and benefit if you are 25 or 75. Morris literally pulls up a seat in your living room and speaks to you as a friend and long-time acquaintance. You truly will close the book after page 201 and say "I really feel like this makes sense and I think I can do this." Whether you take on a couple of techniques and advice or all of it, there's no way that you won't feel a difference in yourself and your life after making some changes. Perhaps all you've needed to keep from growing old is someone to sit down with you and talk it out -- someone to point out the facts, thoughts and ideas that you may or may not already know but need to be reminded. Barbara Morris is the person to do it. She befriends you and makes you realize the realities of life, giving you the pep talk of your life. If you don't walk away more knowledgeable and willing than ever in making some changes to "Put Old on Hold" after reading this book, you never will.

A well thought-out, informative book that I'm certain will never be endorsed by the nursing homes of America! I for one prefer not to have to utilize their system if I can help it and after reading Morris' book, I think there's a real possibility of never having to!

I received this book from a dear cousin of mine during a time in my life when I was going through a rough patch. It was hard to read at first because of my fragile emotional state--that being said however, it also helped me to read some of the stories because they opened up a side of me that had stayed hidden for a long time. It took about 2 months, but I finally felt ready to read the whole book and it was truly wonderful. It was an emotional roller coaster--but an inspirational one that I needed.

I think this book was great cause it told stories that inspired me and some made me feel happy and some mad me cry. I just think the auther writes wonderful stories that touches other people's hearts. Great Job!

There are several books that enlighten you, and this is surely one of them. Then there are books that change you, books that you take with you for the rest of your life, and these you must share with fellow seekers. These are the books that have unconditionally inspired me to be a better person and that I recommend to anyone searching for inspiration. The first is "The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho" this book is all about a shepherd trying to find his treasure. In the end he realizes his treasure was the journey, the people he met, the souls that touched him(How beautiful!) The second is "Siddhartha by Herman Hesse" A brilliant tale of a man who gives up everything for a journey of enlightenment. On his journey he meets the Buddha, he meets ascetics, and he meets his...(I wont spoil it for you). The last one is for kids, but it is still beautiful. "The Butterfly by Jay Singh" is a tale about a caterpillar in search of her smile! One day this caterpillar realizes she can no longer smile anymore because she is living an inauthentic life. She musters the courage to leave the Silk Palace to find her smile and discovers a whole new world that was hidden from her. Buy them, read them, be inspired!

This collection of stories was an amazing celebration of womanhood, including stories of love, life, and tragedy. This compilation covers all the bases of a woman's life from poverty and love in the heart-wrenching story "Christmas in the Silver Egg" to the humorous "I'll Never Understand my Wife," which deals with marriage. A Second Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul is satisfying, refreshing, and warmhearted.

These stories are heartwarming and encouraging, and even better because they are true. They are all wonderful stories. Some of my favorites are "Safe-Keeping", "The Baby Blanket", "The Wallet", and "Truly Free".

I'm really enjoying reading this book and have been digesting it chapter at a time. I love the way the author starts each chapter with a little story about herself and then dives into the topic she is discussing. This is a book that any woman can use to help define themseves. I have two of Denis Linn books and I would definitely buy more. She has a lot to offer other woman. I highly recommend this book.

Yes, I admit, I absolutely adore Denise Linn's common sense, her writing style and her down-to-earth sensibility...all rolled up in a fabulous spiritual package.


This book answers a lot of questions and opens a lot of doors for today's woman. I cannot really add much to such complete reviews as Janet Boyer's (smiling here). I just wanted to give a resounding THUMBS UP to this beautiful book. I wish I had this book when I was in my late teens to help through all that heinous angst...

I found this book so relaxing and easy to read, whilst also taking a journey through my femaleness. Covers the Goddess within each of us, all feminine aspects, our warrior women, how to take care of ourselves, what we have come here to do, our inner magic and secrets to share. A wonderful mix of spiritual truths and practical exercises to bring out the women in you. A must for the bedside table.

Every once in awhile I come across a book that fits my current questions and circumstances like a synchronistic glove. Secrets and Mysteries - The Glory and Pleasure of Being a Woman is one such book.

Secrets and Mysteries will give you a profound understanding of what it means to be a woman. Full of passion, mysticism, and practical information, it will tap the source of your power at the depths of your soul. Through her own extraordinary life experience and her knowledge of native cultures around the world, the author reveals how you can activate ancient wisdom to become the magnificent embodiment of strength and grace. In other words, how you can become a Glorious Woman!

In the first chapter, the author shares her personal story, including the realization that she was a people pleaser. This negative pattern hounded her for decades, much like it does for many women. Rather than listening to her own needs, she discovered that the major decisions she made were based on what others wanted from her. She began to ask herself difficult questions such as Am I willing to stop putting other people's needs ahead of mine? Am I ready to let go of the need to please everyone? Can I stop taking care of everyone else, and start caring for myself? These questions came on the heel of being told that she had breast cancer. Because it's a popular belief in the New Age movement that you "create your own reality", Linn longed for compassion, understanding and support but feared accusations such as "You created this. What's eating at you?" or "I knew you had to slow down, you were working too hard." She was so judgmental of herself that she couldn't bear being judged by others. So she didn't reach out for help.

She took a month of for some deep soul searching, and the cancer disappeared.

The stories and struggles that Linn shares in this book parallel those of many women I've talked to, including my own. It's encouraging to read a book from someone who's been there, and how she navigated through self-doubt and trying times. It's also refreshing to read such honesty about her own personal journey, rather than an author pontificating on what others "should" be doing or how we need to buck up and "get over it".

Chapter 2 talks about the historical roots of the Goddess and how to embrace Her. Linn writes: "Goddess worship can be traced from the Paleolithic period, as early as 2,000,000 B.C., until less than 5,000 years ago when God became a man. In other words, God has been a male for one quarter of one percent of human history, and God has been female for 99.75 percent of the rest of the time. A male God is a relative newcomer on the divine scene. Yet, in modern culture, there is an ingrained belief that God is, and always has been, male." She explains that the distortion of female history and the Divine feminine has left many women feeling dispossessed of their spiritual identity as women, and that they have not been taught to explore their strengths. Linn also lists the names and attributes of Goddesses from various traditions and how to integrate their strengths into everyday life.

Chapter 3 talks about the allies of women, including angels, ancestors, animal spirits, plant and mineral allies, as well as herbs, flowers, and tree allies. She also shares how to discover your own allies, and provides several lists for the meanings of personal totems from these realms.

Chapter 4 covers the secrets of the shamaness, which includes honoring divine feminine cycles, discovering your spirit name, shape-shifting, exploring the lower, middle, and upper worlds, and shamanic power objects and symbols. Chapter 5 instructs women on how to access their inner warrior or the "holy bitch". Linn writes: "You can tell when you have truly awakened your inner Warrior Woman, because you will rarely need her."

Chapter 6 gives incredible practical wisdom on the shadow, including where it came from and how to face it. Chapter 7 is about cherishing your body, and explains the function of the 7 chakras, the importance of self-nurturing, movement, and eating healthfully.

Chapter 8 conveys the secrets of feminine radiance, including re-connecting with our senses--which is what promotes sensuality. The author shares an interesting Pleasure Quotient test that you can use any time you want to take a quick assessment of how much pleasure you're really experiencing in a day--and how to increase the pleasure quotient of even the most mundane activities!

Chapter 9 addresses sacred sexuality, the healing of sexual wounds, and how woman can honor their breasts and their womb. Chapter 10 is about the art of adornment, including how putting on a make-up, clothes, and jewelry can become a ritual and a physical symbol of our intentions.

The fascinating qualities of water and its connection to the feminine is explored in Chapter 11. Linn talks about the amazing research of Masaru Emoto and his experiments with water, and how water is a source of purification, rejuvenation, and healing.

Chapter 12 is about manifestation and gratitude, and Chapter 13 extols the virtues and importance of creativity in a woman's life. She shares several methods of creativity, as well as wisdom on releasing the inner critic, finding your creative voice, and tapping into muses. Dance, writing, painting, and music are among the ways women can cultivate and express their creativity. The last chapters speak of how to reinvent, rejuvenate, and rebirth ourselves as women.

The author's encouragement, enthusiasm and personal stories are infectious, and left me wondering how I ended up "forgetting" the feminine parts of my psyche! I found this book incredibly nurturing, insightful, and practical. Linn's words sparked a deep longing in my being that I'm sure many women also share.

So why bother re-discovering the Divine feminine and embracing the pleasures of being a woman? I believe Linn says it best:

"Like a great tide rising, this ancestral cellular memory is beginning to resound in our soul. Many women desire to return to the spirit of the divine feminine. In the deepest place within the female soul, we yearn to reclaim not only the part of our history that has been vanquished and the womanly traditions that have been expunged, but also the corresponding missing parts of our psyches...and until this reclamation is complete, we are not whole. Thus, it is immensely valuable that we begin to awaken the mysteries of the Great Goddess that dwells within us."

I have read other books by Denise Linn and enjoyed them all BUT this one really release a part of me that has been wanting to come out. It tells of many things that we as women have brought into that are not trues but ways to hold us back. I love the rituals and the easy ways to work empowerment back into our lives.

This is a must have for all teen girls. Whether you are pretty advanced in make-up and skin products, etc. or completely clueless, this book is for you! Very well organized and put together, it's easy to read and understand. I enjoyed this book for most of my teen years!

I checked out this book from the library, and I absolutely loved it! It had something for everyone. I would definitely reccomend this to every teen girl!

This book is better than any beauty magazine! I have tried to get this kind of stuff from Teen People and Teen, but Seventeen's How to Be Gorgeous is truly packed with good information. I used to be totally in the dark, now I feel very makeup-wise. However, it tends to be a little too much -- it seems like it limits everything. All of a sudden, I can't do anything that I used to do that I sort of liked. My lip gloss is fine and I've had it for seven months! Then they told me I had to trash it. I like it and I'm not breaking out! So it's a little prissy in that way. But it's still so awesome and cool and I love it!!

This book is better than any beauty magazine! I have tried to get this kind of stuff from Teen People and Teen, but Seventeen's How to Be Gorgeous is truly packed with good information. I used to be totally in the dark, now I feel very makeup-wise. However, it tends to be a little too much -- it seems like it limits everything. All of a sudden, I can't do anything that I used to do that I sort of liked. My lip gloss is fine and I've had it for seven months! Then they told me I had to trash it. I like it and I'm not breaking out! So it's a little prissy in that way. But it's still so awesome and cool and I love it!!

THis is the BEST BEST book for teen girls--it tells you everything about lokking and feeling good. The chapter on hair is awesome--I got so many cool ideas. And theres a ton on makeup, skin care and cool nails. The book is really colorful and fun to read. You gotta get!