The Self-Help Shelf

Stay Sane in an Insane World
Greg Harden
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781665092418, $25.99, HC, 198pp

https://www.amazon.com/Stay-Sane-Insane-World-Controllables/dp/1665092416

Synopsis: Simply stated -- Greg Harden changes lives. This is why hundreds =
of world-class athletes, doctors, lawyers, teachers, business leaders, coll= ege students, and professionals from all walks of life have come to him for=
advice and direction -- including 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, 23= -time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps, Heisman Trophy winners Desmond = Howard and Charles Woodson, CEOs of major companies, and championship coach= ing staffs from all over the world.

Harden teaches his students how to practice, train, and rehearse to give 10=
0 percent, 100 percent of the time, and challenges them by asking: If you d= on't believe in yourself, why should I believe in you?

Champions aren't born. They're built. Greg Harden spent over 30 years build= ing them at the University of Michigan, including 400 future professional a= thletes, 50 NFL first-round draft picks, and 120 Olympians from over 20 cou= ntries. He gained national recognition when 60 Minutes Sports profiled him =
as "Michigan's Secret Weapon."

Now, with the publication of "Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control = the Controllables and Thrive", Greg Harden is reaching out to help anyone w=
ho wants to live their best life by offering powerful and practical advice.

His readers will learn to: Stop being afraid of being afraid; Control the c= ontrollables; Commit, improve, and maintain; Become the world's greatest ex= pert on themself; Practice self-love and self-acceptance.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, impressively timely, effectively orga= nized and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "Stay Sane in an Insa=
ne World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive" by Greg Harden is an=
ideal, effective, inspirational, and unreservedly recommended addition to = community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be note=
d for personal reading lists that "Stay Sane in an Insane World" is also av= ailable in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) and as a complete and unab= ridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781665088619, $31.95, MP3-CD).

Editorial Note: Greg Harden (https://gregharden.com) is a life coach, motiv= ational speaker and executive consultant who is best known for his work wit=
h 7-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady, Heisman Trophy winner a=
nd Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard, and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael=
Phelps.

33 Letters of Compassion: To: The Unseen. Love, Rosie
Elaine Elizabeth
Independently Published
9798887596372, $14.99, HC, 84pp

https://www.amazon.com/33-Letters-Compassion-Unseen-Rosie/dp/B0C5P7M5LR

Synopsis: "33 Letters of Compassion: To: The Unseen. Love, Rosie" by Elaine=
Elizabeth is an inspiring memoir that will motivate her readers to embark =
on their own journeys to healing and self-discovery.

"33 Letters of Compassion" promotes the value of mental well-being and self= -compassion. It is a collection of stories about patience, recovery, and pe= rsonal development. This is your sign to finally take the first step in tak= ing control of your emotions, practice self care, and live your life to the=
fullest!

"33 Letters of Compassion" deftly takes the reader on an insightful journey=
through Elaine Elizabeth's own inner thoughts on difficult emotions. This = journey provides a glimpse into the healing process and the steps it took t=
o healing, reclaiming joy and fulfillment.

"33 Letters of Compassion" reveals:

The path to self-discovery, which is the process of exploring those things = that will help you in creating a better understanding of yourself. This wil=
l give you some insights in revisiting your values and principles in life.

The value of compassion. This act of kindness will help you in fostering a = stronger sense of connection with yourself and others.

The value of self-empowerment and self care. This is something that will gu= ide you in self-acceptance and personal growth. It is important to know tha=
t you can find joy and happiness the moment you start focusing on your holi= stic well-being.

Critique: Eloquent, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspiring=
, "33 Letters of Compassion: To: The Unseen. Love, Rosie" is particularly r= elevant and recommended for anyone who is experiencing trauma, as well as t= hose who are trying to get past the past and start rebuilding a life full o=
f joy and purpose. While especially and unreservedly recommended for person= al, professional, and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement and Popu= lar Psychology/Medicine collections, it should be noted for anyone who has = ever struggled with trauma or who knows a friend or family member who has, = that "33 Letters of Compassion is also available in a paperback edition (97= 98887595856, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

Editorial Note: Elaine Lamoreaux (https://generationalevolution.life/pages/= about) aka Elaine Elizabeth created Generational Evolution to provide indep= endent opportunities for those that wanted to battle their demons alone. Sh=
e knows that not everyone knows where to start. She's hoping that generatio= nal evolution can be a start for those that are looking to change the way t= hey live their life to experience life to the fullest.

Say It Out Loud
Vasavi Kumar
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way #1, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608688265, $19.95

https://www.amazon.com/Say-Out-Loud-Thoughts-Courageously/dp/1608688267

Say It Out Loud: Using the Power of Your Voice to Listen to Your Deepest Th= oughts and Courageously Pursue Your Dreams comes from an author who tried j= ournaling, but found a better way to address her own voice and its inherent=
insights.

From using the spoken voice to address underlying belief systems to accepti=
ng that talking out loud to oneself creates a cathartic opportunity that wr= iting alone can't match, Vasavi Kumar reveals the triggers and forces that = both repress and limit the notion that speaking aloud is a productive proce= ss. Her encouragement to defy these life messages to tap into an unpreceden= ted form of enlightenment and growth through vocalizing exercises encourage=
s readers to grow their own intuitive process and strength in a different m= anner.

Libraries strong in self-help, psychology, and new age studies will find Sa=
y It Out Loud a fine opportunity for transformation beyond the usual admoni= tion to use written words alone.

In Search of I
Avi Raa
Independently Published
9798392250196, $32.47 Hardcover/$22.96 Paper/$9.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Search-I-Alchemy-Meditation/dp/B0C2RPBJKG

Readers who would better understand the process, history, and foundations o=
f meditation will find Avi's In Search of I a solid starting place for unde= rstanding.

It nicely supplements the many books on the market about how to do meditati= on, opening with the all-essential question of why meditation is a worthy, = enlightening venture. This touches upon not only its promise, but its usual=
approach to transformation: "Meditation affects everything - it touches ev= ery single dimension of life, and at the same time, it doesn't change anyth= ing ... Meditation transforms our emotional landscape, our self-perception,=
our inner dialogue, cognitive processes, and the way we relate to the worl=
d. Yet, it leaves us absolutely free, for it operates not at the level of t= houghts, but someplace deeper."

Avi's exploration is absolutely essential as a start to the process because=
those who embark on meditative efforts typically are not as well grounded =
in what to expect from the effort as they should be. Chapters unfold the ri=
ch possibilities of meditative approaches, choices, and results, reviewing = its mindset, processes and impact with a careful attention to considering b= oth the benefits and challenges of embarking on a meditation routine.

Avi's diversion from the usual "how to" themes running through too many sim= ilar meditation guides allows for a far better understanding of not just th=
e routines of meditation, but what to expect from its practice. The real ma= gic and potential of meditation lies not in a goal-oriented approach, but i=
n a celebration of the moments involved and the adventure of self-discovery=
and growth that evolve not from a set course of action and anticipated res= ults, but from the flexibility of remaining mindful, open, and cognizant of=
surprises that emerge from the meditative experience.

Avi readily admits the challenges involved in setting aside preconceptions,=
routines, and expectations of results. The result is a discourse that shou=
ld ideally come first, putting the 'why' before the 'how' as In Search of I=
explores the promises and potential pitfalls of embarking on a meditation = journey and shows how best to embrace its possibilities.

While new age libraries and readers will be the most likely audience for th=
is discussion, ideally, In Search of I will gain attention from book clubs = and groups interested in pursing meditation in its best form, who would bet= ter understand both its historical connections and the legacy it passes dow=
n to those who imbibe. Its importance in delving into the heart of meditati= on's processes cannot be overstated, making In Search of I a top recommenda= tion for anyone and any collection interested in self-help, personal transf= ormation, and journeys of enlightenment.

Own Your Work Journey!
Edward D. Hess
Independently Published
9798987442302, $7.95 Paper/$3.95 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/OWN-YOUR-WORK-JOURNEY-Meaningful/dp/B0BW2SL7Q3

Own Your Work Journey! The Path to Meaningful Work and Happiness in the Age=
of Smart Technology and Radical Change advocates integrating technological=
savvy into the quest for finding meaningful life work, promoting a sense o=
f independence and accomplishment that comes from the unification of two se= emingly disparate approaches to life.

It's unusual to see a book that is part new age insight and yet is inclusiv=
e of the technological opportunities that typical new age writings tend to = eschew. But the foundations of Edward D. Hess's revised and revitalized app= roach to satisfaction lay in adopting new survival strategies to mitigate t=
he faster life pace introduced by new technologies, and chapters focus on b= uilding self-awareness and insight while working alongside such changes. In=
this process, becoming your "best self" is key to not only survival, but t= hriving.

Hess reveals how to take on the perceptions and life strategies that enable=
such winning roles in life's journey, drawing important connections betwee=
n the time taken towards self-realization and overcoming negative and limit= ing attitudes and the success that can stem from adapting one's life journe=
y to a rapidly changing world. The prerequisites for successfully utilizing=
this title are a willingness to work on self and an acceptance of tools su=
ch as mindfulness, meditation, journaling, and practicing the lessons Hess = outlines here.

But, then, readers not on this path and unwilling to work on or look at the= mselves might not be the prime audience for this book. That would be a sham=
e, because likely this kind of reader is exactly who needs the book the mos=
t. Hess points out the many business and personal changes that the new era =
of technology poses, indicating how these necessitate adaptations in the bu= siness and personal pursuits of everyone.

Understanding how these changes and choices in responses work to either cre= ate greater satisfaction and opportunity or result in less of each is key t=
o adopting the kinds of attitudes that lead towards satisfaction on many le= vels. That's why the practical observations and psychology of Own Your Work=
Journey! is so essential. It is an interconnected analysis of what constit= utes satisfaction, demonstrating how to maintain equilibrium and upward mom= entum in times of fast change, and how to tailor one's life to make the mos=
t of all of its influences.

There is no better blueprint for such success than Own Your Work Journey! T=
he Path to Meaningful Work and Happiness in the Age of Smart Technology and=
Radical Change, which should be in any self-help or business library, and = utilized in book club discussion groups of all kinds, whether they be holis= tic, business, or psychological in nature.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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