Shannon's Book Review - The Enchanted Life by Sharon Blackie

Title: The Enchanted Life

Series: N/A

Author: Sharon Blackie

Genre: Self Improvement

Publisher: Ambrosia

Received: Copy For Free For Honest Review Purposes

Release Date: April 2018

Pages: 356

Rating:

Author Sharon Blackie’s Official Websites:

(taken from sharonblackie.net)

Website:

http://sharonblackie.net/

Blog:

https://theartofenchantment.net/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sharonblackiemythmakings

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/sharonblackie

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Dr. Sharon Blackie writes a book that many psychologists would not encourage most to believe and that is the power of mythology, fairy tales, and magic. She describes her connection to nature and how she creates her own enchantment within life over years she has practiced.

What interested me in this book was the title and I was very interested in a doctor who as a scientist also believes in magic.  I know from experience these kind of doctors are hard to come by. As someone who does believe that we create our own magic or enchantment in our lives, I sometimes lose belief and or doubt in magic in life. So I was at the time of reading this looking for some hope and something relight that spark that anything is possible.

As I continued to read the book Dr. Blackie made some interesting points about fairy tales and the ones you relate to or see yourself as. That in particular really made me think of why I think do or things about myself. But for the most part, the book did not really teach me anything new or help me to see myself in a better way, which is more what I need. I feel like we read about her finding her own contentment in nature and relationships but not really explaining how to find that happiness for yourself. I just needed more from the book.

I do think Dr. Blackie has some interesting points and I think I would have a couple of questions if we ever met.  Even though I was not satisfied with the knowledge I received from this book I would read another by her.

Shannon's Review - V Is For Vulnerable by Seth Godin

Title: V Is For Vulnerable

Series: N/A

Author: Seth Godin

Genre: Self Help, Business, Non-fiction,

Publisher: Portfolio

Received: From publisher

Release Date: December 2012

Pages: 64

Rating:

Author’s Official Websites:

Website:

http://www.sethgodin.com/sg/

Blog:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sethgodin/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ThisIsSethsBlog

Shannon’s Thoughts:

There seems to be a trend of books that look like they are for children but written for adults.  There are adult coloring books and picturebooks on writing or life.  This picture book

from Seth Godin is on the abc’s of motivating to create art.

In some ways I felt this book, with it’s motivational words of wisdom, reminded me of another author’s speech about creating art and that author is Neil Gaiman.  It’s a wonderful speech and if you haven’t heard or read look for it on the interwebs.  This picture book is simple but prompt. Something to pump up a artist who, like me, wonders if their art matters.

The feeling the book gives is a wonderful pick me up even if the literal words do not stay with you.  I have to keep reading over each letter trying to remember what the one before it said.  I guess that makes it is a good thing it’s only a picture book.

V Is For Vulnerable is a book that can be read repeatedly especially when you need a push to keep creating.  

Shannon's Review - The Power Of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Title: The Power Of Habit

Series: N/A

Author: Charles Duhigg

Genre: Non- Fiction, Self Improvement

Publisher: Random House

Received: Bought

Release Date: 2012

Pages: 286

Rating:

Author’s Websites:

Charles Duhigg Website

http://charlesduhigg.com/

Charles Duhigg Blog

http://charlesduhigg.com/blog/

Charles Duhigg Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/charlesduhigg

Charles Duhigg Twitter

https://twitter.com/cduhigg

Shannon Thoughts:

The Power Of Habit claims to be a book that is key for the reader to learn how to make good habits. Such as habits to help a person to exercise, lose weight, raise children, and build a business. Author Charles Duhigg describes that making smaller good habits will help change the bad ones.

I listened to the audio version of The Power Of Habit.  I thought maybe listening to the audiobook my brain would able to absorb what needs to be done to create some good habits. Some of the stories were interesting including the one about Starbucks and others.

As I listened I realized that most of the book was really talking about examples of how others changed or already had habits and how they kept or change them.  Which was sadly not what I was looking for. I guess what I wanted was a workbook with The Power Of Habit.  I wanted to know where I begin not how someone else did. I needed a little more guidance.

This was the first self help book I listened to on audio and I think I will be doing more non-fiction by audio. Even though this is not what I was looking for it was still a interesting book.

Shannon's Review - Healing With The Arts by Michael Samuels and Mary Lockwood Lane

Title:  Healing With The Arts

Series:  N/A

Authors:  Michael Samuels and Mary Lockwood Lane

Genre:  Self Improvement, Art, Non-Fiction

Publisher: Atria Books/ Beyond Words

Received: NetGalley

Release Date: November 2013

Pages: 256

Rating:

Author’s Websites:

Michael Samuels Official Site

http://www.michaelsamuels.com/

Michael Samuels Blog

http://www.healingwiththearts.com/blog//

Mary Lockwood Lane Official Site

http://www.maryrockwoodlane.com/

Shannon Thoughts:

Healing With The Arts is a is a creative art therapy book that spans over weeks.  Each week ends with an overview of the weekly art project shared in each chapter.  

Having been in a few places that have art therapy classes, I think this book is a treasure. The projects were not too hard and fun to do.  I love the idea of creating art from visualized mediation.  I feel that so much good can come from any form of art therapy, therefore this book has something special. I may not have done every project but I read them and visualized what it would be like to do them or teach them.  Healing With The Arts is a rare book because I don’t feel there are many based on arts healing people.

Since what I read was an advanced readers copy in ebook format there were errors and such.   I only assume they will be fixed in the actual copy that should be out now.

Healing With The Arts is great book for those looking to become more creative and is somewhat similar to books like, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.   It is also useful for art therapists that help those heal in hospitals or classes.

Shannon's Review - Touchstones by Charlene Costanzo

Title: Touchstones
Series: N/A
Author: Charlene Costanzo
Genre: New Age, Self Help, Inspirational
Publisher: Quality Books Inc
Received: From Publisher
Release Date: October 2012
Pages: 272
Rating:



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Touchstones is a compilation of short stories separated by twelve attributes ; strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith.

I look at Touchstones as a book similar to Chicken Soup For The Soul.  There are some hits and misses.  The stories are short, no more than two pages for each.  

Many of the stories were just not that memorable.  As I think now after just finishing it I vaguely remember parts of the stories I like but that might be my jumbled brain fault.

I believe Touchstones is a wonderful group of stories, quotes and questions that will bring people together and bring oneself compassion.



Website:


Official Site of Charlene Costanzo
http://charlenecostanzo.com/

Shannon's Review - The 12 Steps To Peace by Johnny F.

Title: The 12 Steps To Peace
Series: N/A
Author: Johnny F.
Genre: Current Events, Self Help
Publisher: Xlibris Corp.
Received: From Publicist for Review
Release Date:  June 2012
Pages: 228
Rating:



Shannon’s Thoughts:

The 12 Steps To Peace is basically the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step program but written in a way that we can use the steps towards a goal of world peace.

The author of this is an Alcoholic Anonymous member and describes a lot of the steps he went through as an alcoholic which I believes helps transfer the way we should think about peace. Especially since some of the steps are really a way to welcome peace and balance to yourself.

Some of the other ways the author Johnny F. describes things going on in some countries is confusing to me because I hear or see was is going on and my brain just down when the reasons for wars or terrorism, my brain just stops making sense of things and all I can think is I don’t understand.   So yes there is some talk of wars going on now and politics but I can not really transfer what that means I should do about those things happening.

I think this was a really good idea taking steps to change yourself is the main thing you can do to make peace happen because you can not change anyone but yourself.


Website:

N/A

Shannon's Review - Gife From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Title: Gift From The Sea
Series: N/A
Author: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Genre: Spiritual, Self Help
Publisher: Vintage
Received: Owned
Release Date: 1955
Pages: 140
Rating:



Shannon’s Thoughts:

I picked up a Gift From The Sea after reading the historical fiction novel The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin, which is loosely about the life of the author Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I learned from The Aviator’s Wife that Anne was a smart, poetic, insightful and strong woman. This definitely shows through out the book A Gift From Sea. Her interpretation of shells along the beach comparing them to a woman’s life as we grow, marry, have children still keeping our individuality as strong women. 

What I like about a Gift From The Sea is that it is a book that can be reread over the years and you keep learning from it. I feel that this first time that I have read it, that I am (at 35) still an infant in my years and have yet much to learn from this world. I feel as Anne’s daughter Reeve said, in the intro I have that, it is a book that should be read once a year. 

The interpretation of the shells found along the beach, and comparing them to life, was sometimes lost on me but still interesting. 

In the end this a book I am keeping. I hope to return to it possibly once a year to reread. As much as I learned from it there is so much more that I will learn from it through the stages of my life.



Website:

N/A

Shannon's Review - Love And Marriage Perspectives by Vince Brendan Vincents

Title: Love And Marriage Perspectives
Series: N/A
Author: Vince Brendan Vincents
Genre: Self Improvement, Relationships, Christian Inspiration
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Received:  From Author For Review
Release Date: April 2011
Pages: 344
Rating:


My Thoughts:
Being married I thought I would be able to put some valuable input on this book review.  It was very informative and made me think about how I am as a person and how I am as a wife.   The book goes into the good and bad of marriages and basically tells you to set a plan for each scenario.  

There were some things I did and did not like about the book. One thing in particular that I liked and disliked was quote from the bible.  No where on the book does it say that the author will be using quotes from the bible about relationships to interpret.  It not just one or two quotes either it is the whole book.  Now sometimes I did not mind it and some of the scripture made feel hope for me and the human race but other times I felt well... preached at.

It was a quicker read than I thought.  The advice is broken up nicely and nothing too hard that you can not understand.  It just irks me that this should have been labeled a Christian Inspiration book not just Self Improvement.


Website:

N/A

Review - Believable Hope by Michael Cartwright

Title: Believable Hope
Series: N/A
Author: Michael Cartwright
Genre: Self Help, Addiction
Publisher: Heath Communication
Received: From Publisher on NetGalley
Release Date: September 2012
Pages: 264
Rating:


What is it About?

A self help book about addiction that shares examples of people that have drug, alcohol, food, and other additions.  The end of chapters also have workbook pages to help the reader face their problems and hopefully change them.


My Thoughts:

The book Believable Hope tries to give those who are desperately looking to change things about their addictive behaviors.  The are examples of people who struggles and changed.  There is also information about places that will helps those reading the book that need help.

I picked this book to read because I am a compulsive eater, along with the many other things I have to deal with.  The hope in the title grabbed me because I am always looking for hope these days.  While I thought it was a good book it had many points that are in most books about changing yourself.   Easy to talk about those things but hard to actually start doing.  This shares how others did seek help for themselves and describing that asking for help is not a bad thing

Website:

N/A