Reading Corner
What Happened To You?
A profound discussion on trauma that manages to be evidence based and scientific but also relatable and explained through real life narratives. This is an excellent book to learn about trauma in general and to understand the various psychological, chemical, physical and emotional elements that occur in your own body following a trauma – loved this.
Man’s Search For Meaning
Imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp during WWII, Frankl discovers that meaning and creating purpose is life sustaining hope – even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Man’s Search for Meaning really struck a chord with me – teaching me the significance of perspective. It is not what happens to us in life, its how we choose to respond.
The Choice
Another non-fiction Holocaust book about hope. Edith was captured by Nazi soldiers along with her family and sent to die in a concentration camp. In this book she looks back on this horrific experience, how she coped with moving on, and what she learned about herself and life along the way. Of all the books I’ve read (and I’ve read many) The Choice has had the greatest impact on me.
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
I thought I wasn’t much of a fan of non-fiction non-biographical books until I read this. Barking up the Wrong Tree is all about success – and how the way we view it may be all wrong. What’s really fascinating about this book is how the evidence is protrayed. The author explores lessons to be learned from all walks of life – even prisoners and pirates!
On Death & Dying
This is a brilliant book as an initial foray into reading materials on bereavement, loss, and grief. Kubler-Ross explores the five stages of grief with a very specific viewpoint of the terminally ill. 100s of hours of interviews were conducted with terminally ill patients. This book is about these conversations. There is so much to be learned about life from those facing it’s end.
Awaken Your Power Within
A very accessible read. Gerry Hussey is a Health and Performance Coach, public speaker, and co-owner of Soul Space. Through this book you will find insights, explore your potential, and learn to understand your fears. Their are guided meditations throughout. **note: I found the section on hormones especially interesting!**
Tuesdays with Morrie
A beautiful story about friendship, life lessons, and human nature. I adore this book – and pretty much anything else by Mitch Albom. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and examine what it means to be human – this is it.
How To Be Happy
This is a book I come back to again and again. A beautiful fiction novel about embracing happiness in all of the little ways as well as the big. There is a great undercurrent of commentary in this story about the impact we have on others.
