Book Reviews
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Book Review: Unf*ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, CAN
Harper’s self-help book is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcopy, Kindle, and audiobook, or at your local library through the Libby App. The audiobook is narrated by the author, although someone should have warned her that the sound quality is poor and offers disturbing echoes similar to being recorded in a restroom stall. Also, yes, Continue reading
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Book Review: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
In this debut novel, Guillory starts strong with an original meet-cute scene when the main characters, Alexa Monroe and Drew Nichols, get trapped in a broken-down elevator and share some soft cheese with crackers, engaging in witty banter and flirtatious looks. By the end of the encounter, Drew has Alexa agreeing to be his fake… Continue reading
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The Housemaid’s Secret: Housemaid #2 by Freida McFaden
Trigger Warnings: Includes graphic scenes of domestic abuse, which can be triggering for readers or listeners in similar situations. Continue reading
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Book Review: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté
Gabor Maté’s book, initially published in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle edition in 2002, became available as an audiobook in April 2021. The audiobook is narrated by Daniel Maté, his son, creating a symbiotic relationship between listeners and the Maté father and son, as Daniel obviously knows and understands the material, introducing it with passion and… Continue reading
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Book review: Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead by Jenny Hollander
Trigger warning: Includes scenes of school violence, cutting, overuse of medication and alcohol as coping mechanisms, and scenes of extreme panic attacks with dissociation, which can be triggering to readers or listeners who suffer from similar conditions. Continue reading
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Book review: The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
This audiobook is also available in paperback, hardcover, or Kindle on Amazon or at your local library through the Libby App. The narration is done by four narrators: Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, and Patti Murin. The voice of Ruby is spot on and should not be missed by readers or listeners who enjoy… Continue reading
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Book Review: War Pianist by Mandy Robotham
It is a historical fiction set in both London during the Word War II Blitz and in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Robotham introduces us to two strong female protagonists: pianists who operate or control radio transmitters, tapping out messages in Morse code as quickly as if playing a concerto on a piano. It’s riveting and well-plotted, with… Continue reading
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Book Review: Widen the Window Training Your Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma by Elizabeth A. Stanley
A self-help audiobook, also available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats on Amazon or at your local library, is narrated by the author herself, creating a sense of intimacy between the author and listener, as she knows where to emphasize the material presented in the book. Continue reading
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Book review: The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar
This self-development audiobook, also available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle on Amazon or at your local library, is narrated by the author herself which made this more intimate since she knew what she wanted the listeners to get out of the experience. Dr. Nerurkar drew on anecdotes from herself and her patients to provide enough… Continue reading
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Book review: Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind by Kristin Neff
This self-development audiobook, also available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle on Amazon, is narrated by the author herself. It explores the intertwined personal baggage of her life, ranging from an extramarital affair to her son’s autistic diagnosis and how she and her partner cope with its reality, among other topics. However, the reality of Neff’s… Continue reading
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