📖 Blog Tour ~ The Future of The Self by Joanna Nadin

Melville House
4 July 2024

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book
and the invitation to the blog tour

Exploring the changing nature of ‘self’ through the lens of popular culture and how changes in science, philosophy, technology, and society might impact our sense of self in the future.Look in the mirror – what do you see?We all feel, instinctively, that self exists. That somewhere inside us, under the clothes, the make-up, and self-tan, lurks a hard ‘pearl’, a kernel of truth called ‘me’. And it’s big business uncovering that ‘authentic’ kernel. It’s also a fool’s errand, because that ‘true self’? It doesn’t exist.

Self is no more than a story we tell ourselves. It’s mutable, pliable as Plasticine. Worse, it’s not even strictly autobiographical, but co-authored with those around us. And as such, there is no one version, but myriad, and the number is growing as we are exposed to ever more connections.We are already seeing the effects travel, television, and celebrity culture can have on the formation of self, but as digital and social media exposure grows, and in the advent of AI, what will happen to our sense of self? 

Can we become ever more multiple and adapt better to our globalised world? Or will we dissolve into narcissitic, detached ‘nobodies’?The Future of the Self will explore our current understanding of self in both philosophical and neuroscientific terms and through the lens of popular culture. It will ask what might happen to it in the coming years, and what a ‘useful self’ might look like in the future.

📖 My Review

Coming in at just over a hundred pages this is a quick read however, it's not light on content. In exploring the concept of 'self' the author examines just what it is which makes us who we are and poses the question that as we get swept further and further into the maelstrom of social media and popular culture, are we are in danger of losing ourselves forever as we seek to be the perfect self?

I enjoyed the informal way in which the author presents her findings which makes it a very thought provoking little book, posing questions which made me stop to consider whilst at the same time the author shares her own personal reflections. What struck a chord right at the start of the book was the author being told that 'There are pretty girls, and there are clever girls' . I recall at my all-girls grammar school, in the seventies, being made aware that clever was preferable over pretty but like the author, I wanted to be both. I like to think that  I have succeeded at both...

This well written little book has given me a different perspective and one I had not really thought before especially in the way in which popular culture can alter our perspective. I have learned that we all have very different versions of self, some are entirely independent, some are obsessive or narcissistic, whilst others converge into whatever role in life we are playing, but I think what's comes across is that, in the end, we can be whoever we want to be.

The Future of the Self is one of those absorbing little books which will remain on my book shelf, to pick up whenever the mood takes me..

About the Author

Joanna Nadin is an English author of juvenile fiction best known for the Rachel Riley series of teenage novels Based on Nadin's own childhood, the series follows the comedic narration of a 13-year-old girl. Nadin has also written several books of juvenile fiction. These include two books for the Oxford University Press "Project X" series designed to encourage boys to read. Nadin previously worked as a policy writer for the Labour Party (UK).In 2001, she became a special adviser to Tony Blair.

Social Media

X @joannanadin #TheFutureoftheSelf #Futures

X @melvillehouse

The new FUTURES series from Melville House presents imaginative future visions on a wide range of subjects, written by experts, academics, journalists and leading pop-culture figures. Seeking to publish a rich array of opinions, covering as wide-ranging a view as possible on our potential futures, we ask our authors to experiment with the kinds of daring ideas that can help change public conversation. As a series we hope the FUTURES books will inspire readers to imagine what might lie ahead, to figure out how they might like the future to look, and think about how, collectively, we might get there.

Melville House

📖 Book Review ~ Sugar Less by Nicole M. Avena

 

Union Square & Co
8 February 2024

My thanks to Midas PR for my copy of this book

Too many of us blame our lack of willpower for our sugar cravings rather than acknowledge that sugar is everywhere around us—and is highly addictive. It’s unsurprising that even the best-intentioned people struggle with kicking the habit, since approximately 80% of products in a supermarket contain sugar, and much of it is hidden.

In Sugarless, Dr. Avena—a leading expert on food addiction—spells out the substance's detrimental effects on the brain and body by providing cutting-edge research on its addictive qualities, which are comparable to that of cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol. Then she provides a simple-to-follow 7-step program (along with 30 sugar-free recipes) that will help readers gradually wean themselves off sugar and other sweeteners and break the vicious diet cycle. Ultimately, readers will be able to break free of the sugar shackles, without self-blame.

Dr. Avena was the first to study sugar addiction in the laboratory, and she has authored more than 100 scholarly journal articles on the topic. Today, she’s the world’s leading expert on sugar addiction, and her findings have informed our overall understanding of nutrition and health.

Sugarless has a foreword by the 12th-time New York Times bestselling author and integrative psychiatrist Daniel Amen, MD who has a huge following in the health and wellness space.

📖 My Review..

Like everyone, I know that I have far too much refined sugar in my diet and even though I start off with good intentions of giving up I can never truly eradicate sugar from my diet completely but I really would like to cut down on my intake  however that's easier said than done. That's why this book has been  a timely reminder of just what damage sugar does to our metabolism and gives us an idea of how much better we would feel if we made the effort , not just to cut down, but to go completely sugar free.

Sugar Less is an easy book to read, although I would have liked larger print, and it is nicely informative without being preachy. I enjoyed reading the different chapters and found much to think about in the seven steps of the plan which covers diverse topics such as how sugar is harming your health at step one, through to being  sugar less for life in the book's conclusion.

It's not an easy task to break a dependence on food and this book doesn't aim to fix things overnight nor does it pretend to be the definitive guide but I found it a good stepping stone and fully intend to give becoming sugar less a try. The 30 sugar free recipes at the end of the book are  a nice little bonus and an incentive to give them a try.

About the Author

Nicole Avena, PhD, is a pioneering research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet, and addiction. She’s the author of several books on nutrition and early development, including What to Eat When You’re Pregnant (2015), which has sold over 40,000 copies. Dr. Avena is assistant professor of neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and a visiting professor in health psychology at Princeton University. She received a PhD in psychology and neuroscience from Princeton University in 2006, and then completed her postdoctoral fellowship in 2010 at the prestigious Rockefeller University in New York City.

Dr. Avena has published over 100 scholarly journal articles on topics related to diet, nutrition, and overeating, and she frequently presents her research findings at major scientific conferences and university symposia. She has also served as a consultant to Nestle, the parent company for Enfamil, and others. Dr. Avena is a go-to expert on diet and nutrition in national media and often appears on The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and CNN. She writes regularly for PyschologyToday.com, MindBodyGreen, and ShareCare.

Instagram: drnicoleavena

Twitter: DrNicoleAvena

Facebook: DrNicoleAvena

ABOUT UNION SQUARE & CO.

Union Square & Co. is a talent-driven publisher whose mission is to promote excellence in contemporary publishing and to honour the vision of our creators by providing best-in-class production, editorial and design choices. Headquartered in New York City, Union Square & Co., LLC, is a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., and includes the adult imprints Union Square & Co., Puzzlewright Press and Sterling Ethos; the children’s imprints Union Square Kids and Boxer Books; and the gift and stationery publisher Knock Knock. For more information, visit unionsquareandco.com.

📖 Publication Day Book Review ~ The Power of Ancient Wellness by Gill Thackray

 

Michael O’Mara
28 December 2023

Thanks to the publisher and Alison Menzies for my copy of this book

Do you want to reduce stress, ease burnout, boost your energy and immunity but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the power of ancient wellness. 

The ancient world moved to a different rhythm. It was slower, more mindful and closely attuned to nature. The result? A harmonious connection between mind, body and spirit. Together with Gill Thackray, mindfulness teacher, coach and performance psychologist, learn the art of ancient healing: the perfect remedy for modern living. 

Featuring over 25 nature-based activities, discover how to improve your sleep, boost your energy and treat everything from anxiety to the common cold and much more. Explaining the science behind what our ancestors knew intuitively, this essential companion will help you to create your own holistic toolkit to optimize your health and wellbeing, as well as overhaul your beauty regime. 

Clear your mind with age-old breathwork techniques, restore balance in your body with the life-changing principles of Ayurveda and re-energise your soul with Reiki and more. From traditional tinctures to ancient superfoods, your healing journey starts now. Reconnect with the hidden secrets of our natural world and take care of yourself, the ancient way.

📖 My Review

Beautifully illustrated, with so much to look at, this tactile little book has been just the tonic I needed in the post Christmas lull. Filled with a plethora of interesting facts and self help tips I have found much to encourage me over the coming months. The author writes knowledgeably and in using her own skill as a mindfulness practitioner the activities feel well researched and have certainly inspired me to give the activities a try.

During our busy lives we all need something to help us cope and this book certainly gives us a way forward. Cleverly divided into three sections, mind, body and spirit, each of the nature based activities are designed to help boost energy and alleviate stress and anxiety, which is something I will find really helpful. It’s beautifully illustrated with lovely drawings which really help to complement the activities. From breathing techniques, to the strength of rituals, and from the natural intelligence of plants, to the power of the ancient world, all this can still be visualised around us and acts as a timely reminder that these ancient techniques are still useful today. 

I’ve really enjoyed reading through this book and have found both inspiration and encouragement within its pages. It would make a perfect New Year gift for anyone who enjoys learning more about The Power of Ancient Wellness.

About the Author 

Gill Thackray has lived and worked with indigenous communities around the world, including Tibet, China, Thailand and India, studying the science of healing and ancient wisdom traditions. She is a trained shamanic practitioner, and teaches qigong and yoga. She is also a coach and performance psychologist working with FTSE 100 companies, sporting bodies, healthcare professional, universities and NGOs to create individual and organisational transformation. Fully accredited, she holds an MSc in Mindfulness Studies ad is currently working on her PhD, researching indigenous healing practices and eco-psychology.

Gill grew up in Yorkshire and now llives in the Lake District. Her books include The Mindfulness Coach, How to Manifest, and The Manifest Journal, all published by Michael O'Mara Books.

Website

Twitter/X @GillThckAuth

@OMaraBooks

@alisonmenziespr

About the Illustrator

Anna Stead is an illustrator based in the beautiful North Cotswolds. She draw from nature. legend, history, folklore, literature, folk art and the mythic arts.

Website

📖 Book Feature ~ You’ll Never Walk Alone by Rachel Kelly

Yellow Kite
3 November 2022

My thanks to the publishers and Midas for the opportunity 
to feature this book on the blog

You'll Never Walk Alone is a collection of the kind of inspirational texts - mainly poems - that can accompany us, whatever we are feeling, from sorrow to delight. The texts are not just about words which can console us or comfort us - though they often do this too. Rather these are poems that allow us to enjoy a full range of emotions. The poems are organised according to the season in which they 'belong': we all have seasons of our minds, be they wintery and dark, or more spring-like and hopeful. Comprising 52 poems, with analysis by Rachel, You'll Never Walk Alone introduces a poem for each week of the year plus tips on bringing poetry into your life.

This book will show you how to bring poetry into your everyday emotional reality, where it can be a new tool for well being. And one that means you'll never walk alone.

The texts are introduced by Sunday Times bestselling author Rachel Kelly, who cites the therapeutic power of poetry as one of the key factors in her own recovery from depression, as she shows how poetry can be a tool for well being – one that means you'll never walk alone.With this book by your side, you will feel comforted when times are tough and cheered when they are joyful.

Having spoken all over the world from Delhi to Sydney, America and across the UK, former Times journalist Rachel runs Healing Words poetry workshops for mental health charities, at festivals and in prisons, and has been a judge for the Koestler Poetry Prize and the Rethink Mental Illness Poetry Awards, as well as being an official ambassador for Rethink Mental Illness, SANE, The Counselling Foundation and Head Talks. 

We all need a bit of help sometimes with our mental health and in those quiet moments when we sit and reflect on what’s going on in our lives it’s often very comforting to have a gentle books of words which helps to focus our minds.

You’ll Never Walk Alone is the perfect antidote for #BlueMonday. It’s available in hardback and ebook from wherever you buy your books.

Twitter @RachelKellyNet 

 #BlueMonday

@yellowkitebooks

@midascampaigns

📖 Blog Tour Guest Post ~ You Don't Need Therapy by Alan Lucas

 

 Delighted to be able to share this guest post on today's blog tour stop

Beak Street Publishing
12 January 2021

My thanks to Midas pr for my invitation to be part of the blog tour
and to the author for this guest post

Changing your life isn’t that complicated when you know how, and when you know how You Don’t Need Therapy According to the World Health Organisation, there is a suicide every 40 seconds and in the UK alone, 16 people choose to end their lives every day. We have a chronic mental health problem. More and more people report they are struggling, yet therapy and medication, the conventional default solutions, are expensive and don’t seem to be working. You Don’t Need Therapy presents an alternative solution: The SYSO System® - an easily digestible and cost efficient one stop system that can be applied by anyone wherever they are on their journey. Resources available for self-improvement are plentiful, but can be overwhelming and confusing. There are over 160 recognised types of psychotherapy, endless counselling styles, coaching methods, healing techniques, retreats, seminars and book offerings, yet many people simply don’t know where to start or what to do next. You Don’t Need Therapy introduces a one stop solution, the SYSO System®, with 7 simple steps and 70 practical exercises so you can DO the changing, rather than just read about it. By following the steps, you will change how you think, which will change how you feel, which will change what you do, all as quickly as you choose. You will create a new filter through which you experience life and by changing the filter, everything will look different.

You don’t need therapy; you can sort your self out when you know how.

📖 I'm delighted to welcome Alan to the blog today 📖

Sort Your Self Out 

Hi, I’m Alan Lucas and I created a 7-step system to help people become more mentally healthy! It’s simply called the Sort Your Self Out system (The SYSO System) and if you follow the steps you can change your life. It’s that straightforward. 

However, the system will only work if you do! That’s why there are 70 practical exercises so you can really do the changing rather than just read about it. If you want your life to improve, you have to improve. If you want your life to be different, you have to be different, and if you want your life to change, you have to change. Notice the theme? It’s you! You have to ‘do’ things differently. 

People are seeking help for mental health problems at an unprecedented rate. In the UK one in four report experiencing mental health issues and 1 in 8 are receiving some form of ‘treatment.’ The most common prescribed solutions are therapy and medication, but these are expensive, not easy to access and often not that effective. As great as some therapy can be, the therapist doesn’t do the work for you anyway. You still have to do the changing. If you just knew what to do and had exercises to practice, then you wouldn’t need therapy. 

Everyone has things they are trying to change, but often we just struggle with the doing. The SYSO System, with 70 action activating exercises, focusses on making changes real. The 7 steps deal with the bigger questions that lie behind your life, and when you focus on these, then all the small stuff will fall into place. Want better relationships, health, finances? We often focus on strategies for achieving these goals in specific areas of our life, but if we focus instead on the bigger picture by becoming more aware, managing our mind, taking charge of our emotions, meeting our needs in healthy ways, having a clear purpose, appreciating our interconnectedness and raising our vibration, then our life will change on a whole new level in all areas. 

So, wherever you are on your journey, decide to take responsibility for your experience of life. Everything that has happened so far has been invaluable in giving you the foundations for the next part. Decide now to make the most of the rest of your life, and you will be doing everyone else the biggest favour too, as being the best version of yourself is the greatest gift you can give to others. When you light up you will feel great, but you will also be able to shine more brightly your light and warmth. Let’s all be the best we can. Let’s all be suns. 

You Don’t Need Therapy is out on 12th Jan and is available for pre order now. https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Dont-Need-Therapy-Steps/dp/1913532259 All profits to The SYSO Foundation which is a new charity providing free support and personal development resources to young people to help them avoid becoming messed up older people. 

About the Author

Alan Lucas was born and raised in Belfast during the troubles and from a young age wondered why people would choose to kill others just because they had developed different beliefs. After university, he worked as a ski instructor in the U.S, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. He had a corporate career as a marketing boss at global sportswear brands Nike and Adidas and has founded various businesses. An entrepreneur, coach and motivational speaker, Alan is passionate about selfimprovement and helping people have more fun and fulfilling lives. He created the Sort Your Self Out system, and the EGO HERE® brand which donates its profits to the SYSO Foundation, providing personal development resources for young people to help them become the best versions of themselves. You Don’t Need Therapy is his debut book.

Website

Twitter @SysoSystem #YouDontNeedTherapy

@Midaspr

Blog Tour ~ A Year of Living Simply by Kate Humble

 

Thrilled to be hosting today's stop on this Blog Tour

Octopus Publishing Group
17 September 2020

My thanks to the publishers and Random Things Tours
for my copy of the book and the invitation to be part of the blog tour

If there is one thing that most of us aspire to, it is, simply, to be happy. And yet attaining happiness has become, it appears, anything but simple. Having stuff - The Latest, The Newest, The Best Yet - is all too often peddled as the sure fire route to happiness. So why then, in our consumer-driven society, is depression, stress and anxiety ever more common, affecting every strata of society and every age, even, worryingly, the very young? Why is it, when we have so much, that many of us still feel we are missing something and the rush of pleasure when we buy something new turns so quickly into a feeling of emptiness, or purposelessness, or guilt? So what is the route to real, deep, long lasting happiness? Could it be that our lives have just become overly crowded, that we've lost sight of the things - the simple things - that give a sense of achievement, a feeling of joy or excitement? That make us happy. Do we need to take a step back, reprioritise? Do we need to make our lives more simple? Kate Humble's fresh and frank exploration of a stripped-back approach to life is uplifting, engaging and inspiring - and will help us all find balance and happiness every day.

What did I think about it..

I've always enjoyed watching Kate Humble on television, whether it be her knowledgeable country lore or her lively travelogues, there is always something really trustworthy about how she shares her genuine interest in whatever subject she is presenting. 

From its stunning cover, with the Kintsugi bowl as its centre piece, the book takes us through a myriad of thoughts and feelings which are so beautifully described by an author who leads you by the hand into the ways and means of a simpler life. There is much to enjoy, not just in terms of the writing, which is wonderfully informative, without being preachy, but also in the description of how Kate's own search for a simpler life led her to meet the most amazing people who were all trying, each in their own small corner of the world, to make a difference in the way in which they lived their lives.

What I gleaned from reading the book is that we can all make small differences, it's no use trying to leap in with no clear idea of what you want to achieve, but rather start with what's achievable and work your way from there. I particularly enjoyed the interspersed snippets entitled, Simple Pleasure, which act as a reminder to us that we can always find something to enjoy and take pleasure from which doesn't need to harm the planet or cost money. There's also some really great recipes in Growing and Cooking. I am definitely going to try the No-Sugar Banana Loaf, something I love to bake, but then always feel guilty about the amount of sugar needed to make it palatable. Having never known what to do with a celeriac, there's even a delicious sounding recipe for Celeriac Soup with Apple and Thyme, which is now definitely on my to-do list!

Quite simply, The Year of Living Simply is about valuing the life you have and making small but meaningful changes to help bring your world into focus, whilst at the same time enjoying the rather lovely conversational journey of this talented author as she sets about making her own life less complicated.

A Year of Living Simply is a really lovely look at the different ways in which we can all make our lives less frantic, and believe me, in this difficult year, anything that will make my life simpler is gratefully received.

About the Author

Kate Humble is a farmer, writer, activist, entrepreneur and one of the UK's best-known TV presenters. She started her television career as a researcher, later presenting programmes such as 'Animal Park', 'Springwatch & Autumnwatch', 'Lambing Live', 'Living with Nomads', 'Extreme Wives' and 'Back to the Land'. Her last book, Thinking On My Feet, was shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize and The Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award. 

Twitter  @katehumble #AYearofLivingSimply

@Octopus_Books

Instagram

Website and Website

@RandomTTours

Review ~ The Effortless Mind by Will Williams

Simon & Schuster
2 May 2019

My thanks to the publishers and Midas PR for my copy of this book

Will Williams has taught thousands of everyday people to meditate with astounding results. Long term sufferers of debilitating conditions including insomnia, depression and anxiety have used Will’s unique form of Beeja meditation to transform their lives. Others have found a new sense of joy and fulfilment in their lives, and report becoming incredibly productive and creative at work and home.

Supported by scientific research, The Effortless Mind explains how Beeja meditation soothes and calms both the mind and the central nervous system - with fast-acting, tangible results. Each chapter in the book is dedicated to a different problem created in our increasingly pressured and demanding world including addiction, divorce, and work-related stress. Compelling real life stories reveal how Beeja meditation can help overcome these traumatic situations and help improve relationships with both ourselves and others, with chapters on family, anger management, digestion and overeating.

Stories from the book include Nick, a banker and father of two who was admitted to psychiatric hospital for depression. Within two months of learning Will’s technique his anxiety had halved, his medication reduced and a month later he returned to work. Then there is Mia, a medical researcher who suffered with chronic IBS. With GPs dismissive and medication ineffective, Will’s meditation course led to results within 72 hours. Mia’s IBS clinic discharged her citing meditation as the catalyst.

Will’s meditation technique is so successful at calming the mind that he has become one of the UK’s leading meditation teachers and experts. Will teaches Beeja meditation to the world’s biggest brands including Google, Microsoft, BBC, Spotify, HSBC, Sony and Universal. His celebrated courses and retreats have taught film stars, musicians, business leaders, royals, politicians and explorers how to use his simple method to increase productivity, release potential and foster creativity.

My thoughts..

I'm not usually a great reader of self help books but sometimes one comes along which piques my interest and allows the opportunity of looking at life in a very different sort of way.

In The Effortless Mind, the author presents a way of mediating which helps to calm the mind thus allowing a more relaxed state of being.  I found the book to be an interesting and thought provoking read and the author, obviously passionate about the technique he promotes, does a great job of explaining the benefits of Beeja mediation, a method he has perfected.

There are some interesting case studies which help to put the contents into perspective and I enjoyed reading the author's own interpretation of what can be gained by embarking on a series of mediation. The book is divided into easy to read sections and covers: Mind and Body, Relationships, Being Your Best and Finding Greater Purpose.

In our stressful world we all need coping strategies, however, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else but what The Effortless Mind goes on to explain is that sometimes we just need to step away from the stresses and struggles and allow ourselves the time to reflect and relax.

I have enjoyed reading through this introduction to the Beeja technique and found much to consider and some really good suggestions.

About the Author

A former music industry executive and insomnia sufferer, Will discovered meditation after he used it to cure his own chronic insomnia. Will William’s meditation expertise is based on over 11 years’ experience training with renowned meditation masters across the globe. Will teaches classes and courses from his Beeja HQ in London and runs regular weekend retreats across the UK. Will leads a team of Beeja meditation teachers worldwide, and will be opening new centres in Berlin, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles this year. Will founded World Meditation Day which takes place on the 15th of May, and this year will be launching the new BEEJA meditation app. Will is also working with the OECD to introduce meditation to all primary and secondary schools globally by 2030, with a trial initiative rolling out in 2020, with 20 schools in the UK expected to take part.

@beejameditation #TheEffortlessMind

@simonschusteruk

@midaspr

Beeja Meditaion

Review ~ Live Happy by Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Dr Ilona Boniwell

Modern Books
21 January 2019

My thanks to the publishers and also to Alison Menzies PR for my copy of this book

Live Happy: 100 Simple Ways to Fill Your Life with Joy 

Scientifically rigorous, practical & accessible. Part self-help book, part psychology primer and written by leading experts, it contains the latest thinking on positive psychology. 

100 neat pieces of advice from practical steps to more aspirational long-term goals:

· Say hi to the neighbours

· Have a regular bedtime

· Dance more

· Improve your luck

· Embrace Ageing

Written by Experts - the authors are great communicators, and experts in the field of Positive Psychology. They back each tip up with scientific research.

My thoughts about it..

Monday 21st January is 'Blue Monday' is described as the saddest day of the year however, with this little book, which is filled with happiness, all depressing thoughts are instantly chased away.

The content of Live Happy is as sunny as its perfectly designed cover, I mean, who could fail to be unhappy when looking at the tranquil blue dragonfly background and the sunshine yellow dandelion clock which just screams of lazy days of sunshine.

It's all too easy to become worried and anxious about events which are beyond our control and so Live Happy is about finding good in all the positives, encouraging us to banish negativity and to embrace everything about what's happy about our lives right now this minute. And there's lots of really interesting snippets of positivity to be found amongst the 100 simple ways to enjoy your life, all of which are backed up by proper scientific research and sound common sense

Here are a few of my favourite things:

Number 21 - Realise Your potential  is about breaking down goals into manageable steps and in doing so build confidence.. 

Number 23 - Boost Your Vitality stresses the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise and a good night's sleep..

Number 65 -  Small Acts of Kindness, doing good deeds, however small, helps us to feel more positive about ourselves and other people..

And my absolute favourite is Number 71 - Take Care of an Animal - those who are pet owners will already know the joyous benefits to be had from living with and caring for our furry companions.

I've really enjoyed reading through this beautifully presented little book, there's so much to enjoy and also so much to learn, and whilst it will certainly boost your mood on Blue Monday it  will also encourage a real sense of purpose for every day of the year, when, if you look hard enough, there is always something to feel happy about 😊

About the Authors

Bridget Grenville-Cleave is an Charter Member of the International Positive Psychology Association and holds an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology. She is also a qualified life coach and NLP ( neuro -linguistic programming) practitioner.

Dr Ilona Boniwell is an academic psychologist and practitioner, specialising in Positive Psychology and well-being. She founded the European Network of Positive Psychology and acted as the main consultant for the BBC series The Happiness Formula and is the author of Positive Psychology in a Nutshell.

Twitter @modernbook  #LiveHappy

#BlueMonday


Amazon UK

Review ~ Love , War and Glory by Denis Olasehinde Akinmolasire

Authorhouse
2018

My thanks to Isabelle  for my copy of this book

Love, War, and Glory: three things which we all have seen, experienced or been a part of.

This book examines what these themes mean for everyday life through poetry and prose.

From dealing with heartbreak and finding your true love, to tales of warriors fighting never-ending battles, making dreams become a reality, overcoming the odds to finally reach your goal, to tales of supreme champions and the journey we all go through in life, you will find it in this book.

My thoughts about it..

The author uses his own feelings to share his thoughts about Love, War and Glory, three important concepts which have the ability to change the way we look at the modern world and the people who live in it. In this short collection of modern prose and poetry the author conveys his ideas about dealing with these concepts and writes with an interesting observational style.

I enjoyed dipping into and out of my copy of Love, War and Glory, as it is one of those compact editions which is easy to pick up at random and find something to read which is both interesting and thought provoking.  In the lull between one year and ending and another starting I found much to consider in this small volume and there were several passages which caught my attention particularly towards the end of the book, when this struck a chord with me " there will come  a day when we are not as fast as we once were....but that doesn't mean that's the end of you.." How true 😊

  About the Author


Twitter @lovewarandglory #lovewarandglory

Amazon UK

Review ~ Happier Thinking by Lana Grace Riva

Lana Grace Riva
2018

My thanks to the author for sharing her book with me

I don't often read self help books but the title of this one struck a chord with me as it's all too easy to become so immersed in what's happening in daily life that you don't take the time to stop and consider the bigger picture, and let's face it we could all do with some happier thinking from time to time.

The author deals with several subjects and even though this is only a little book, coming in at just 50 pages, it certainly packs a lot into those pages. Neatly and succinctly divided into appropriate chapters the book takes you on a nicely guided tour of how to make the best of situations so that they don't become problematic.

Here's what inside :

• Don't write off the day
• Journal good things
• Much you can't control but your reactions you can
• Be kind
• Dwell on the good
• Act on what you can change
• Don't compare your life to imagined others
• Accept changed plans
• Change path when it stops looking appealing
• Don't make assumptions
• Final Thoughts

I think what comes across is that right from the get go, the author makes it perfectly clear that she is not a trained psychotherapist and that this book is her own interpretation of how she has dealt with certain issues and by reading about mental health awareness and mindfulness she has put together her own coping strategies which she wants to pass on to others.

Happier Thinking is an interesting little book and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. I think my favourite chapter was the one about Being Kind. It's surprising how good a random act of kindness makes you feel, either giving or receiving.

I'm a great believer in the old adage by the author, Charles Kingsley..." do as you would be done by"..

Review ~ The F Word by Lily Pebbles

Hodder&Stoughton
8 March 2018

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Modern female friendship is the subject of this book which looks at the whys and wherefores of friendship and what makes some relationships last forever, whilst others are fleeting and disappear almost as quickly as they come.

The author writes with enthusiasm, taking us back in time to her first best friend made at primary school, and then through to those friendship groups made when older. Interspersed throughout are diaries entries and illustrations made when the author was younger and which highlight the trials and tribulations of girl groupings when boys start to come into the equation. I read through the sections quickly and enjoyed reading the author's thoughts about the various situations that girl friends often find themselves in, like arranging hen parties and what happens when, inevitably, female friends fall out with each other.

This recipe for friendship made me smile.

125g loyalty

140g empathy, melted 

2 cups of support
110g of trust
2 litres of self confidence
150g time

Throughout the book I was reminded of my own friendship groups. I've had some close friends for many years whilst others have been made in more recent times and with them all I know instinctively that if I ever needed any of them they would be there for me in an instant and vice versa. I think what this book emphasises is that it's not about how many female friends we have but rather it's the quality of those friendship groups, and of the love and understanding found in those close friends who have been with us through good times and bad.

In this confusing time of social media when everyone shares their data with hundreds of 'friends' online, perhaps it does well from time to time to stop and consider just how many are true friends. 

About the Author

Lily Pebbles has been blogging since 2010 and is one of the pioneers of the industry. She's amassed a league of loyal followers pf her blog and self-named You Tube channel for content that covers, beauty style and advice. Lily is the co-host of the hugely popular 'At Home With' podcast.

The F Word is her first book

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Twitter @lilypebbles


@HodderBooks

Review ~ The GirlBoss Work Book by Sophia Amoruso

⚝Happy Publication Day⚝

Published by Portfolio Penguin
24 October 2017
Paperback : 176 pages


My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

What's it all about...

The GirlBoss Work Book is a quirky but empowering book for girls and young women who want to make an impact and be their own boss. Filled with to-do lists, timelines, exercises, illustrations and plenty of scribble room, The GirlBoss Workbook is fit for both the dreamer and the doer.

Here's what I thought about it...

Having retired from work some time ago, I didn't feel, at first, that I was in the right demographic for The GirlBoss Work Book. However, I spent an informative couple of hours reading through the book and looking at the exercises and found myself nodding my head in agreement at the little nuggets of wisdom it contains and, by the end of my first read through, I was of the opinion that this book would have helped enormously when I was just setting out on my career, all those years ago. It would seem that whilst so much has changed in terms of encouraging young women, there are still areas where women need to grasp the opportunity to empower themselves.

The book is fun, easy to carry around in a handbag and, I would imagine would be just as easy to pick up and read when travelling around on public transport. All with the intention of encouraging confidence and self-worth, the exercises within the book are listed so that they are easy to complete, nothing is too taxing or too onerous, just little snippets of wisdom which will make you think about what you want and how you intend to get it. There's some great advice, from the etiquette of networking, to having the perfect interview, and even beyond into how to keep from going bankrupt and how to calm your biggest fears.

The book’s quirky graphics made me smile. Its interactive format is both practical and entertaining, and whilst it encourages creativity, it also fosters the belief that taking the initiative and being in control of your own destiny, really is the way forward.

I think that The GirlBoss Work Book is going to be one of those little gems that could easily find its way, in the next few weeks, into secret Santa parcels in offices throughout the land, or could just as easily be wrapped up in sparkly paper for a young woman you know to find under her Christmas tree.

About the Author

Sophia Amoruso is the Founder of Nasty Gal and the Founder and CEO of Girlboss. Named by Forbes as "Fashion's New Phenom," bestselling author Sophia has become one of the most prominent figures in retail and a cultural icon for a generation of women seeking ownership of their careers and futures. Netflix's forthcoming TV series Girlboss, based on Sophia's life, is debuting in spring 2017.

Visit Sophia on her website 

Watch GirlBoss on Netflix

Amazon UK

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