Book Reviews

"The Art of Extreme Self-Care"

By Cheryl Richardson

Potential Benefits: Help reduce mild anxiety or depression, provide focus and grounding during times of great uncertainty in life. Can also help enhance self-esteem and provide insight into your authentic self.

The author provides a direct and easy to follow road map to help create meaningful self-care. Individual needs and desires can easily be included as deemed valuable.

Personal note from Bill: My respect for the author is much stronger because of her personal self-disclosures of imperfection. It makes is much easier for those reading it to explore our own imperfections and thus heal and transform them.

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"A Hidden Wholeness"

By, Parker Palmer

Potential Benefits: Help with mild anxiety, mild depression, and inner-clarity

In a world laden with many inauthentic behaviors, there are also expressions of integrity, honesty, and caring. Parker Palmer's book provides an easy to follow roadmap that can help you first understand your true self and then find ways to express it in your daily life. His belief system has evolved over the past 40 years.

Personal note from Bill: It is refreshing to find an author who uses a direct, caring, and respectful communication style. I have no doubt this author lives the ideals and values he puts forth in his book. Though the book is skewed toward those in the helping profession, by the time you finish reading it I strongly believe you will begin to notice positive changes in your everyday life.

"Crucial Conversations; Tools for Talking when Stakes are High"

By, Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler

Potential Benefits: Help with greater self-confidence and your ability to have difficult conversations; thus promoting reduced stress/anxiety and enhanced inner peace

Whether in the work place, at home, or with other important people in your life, "Crucial Conversations" provides clear skills and the reasons behind them to help you. The authors provide valuable information and examples that will help you to either initiate or simply be part of difficult conversations/discussions. You can learn to offer your truth clearly with respect for self and others.

Personal note from Bill: I believe this book can help excessively shy or outgoing men and women find balance in their interactions with others; thus becoming heard and better understood. It is both clear and easy to read. The real life examples add depth and meaning that support the beliefs put forth by the authors.