Popular psychology Books

Book Synopsis'Hopeful, funny, sexy - a book I'm going to be sharing with every woman I know' Daisy Buchanan Can you be happy without a partnership at the centre of your life?Society still sets the gold standard for successful living as a marriage and kids. As Marianne Power turns forty, she wonders why this is still so elusive for her and whether, in fact, this is what she even wants, or just what she feels like she should want. At first, she tries to lean into the alternatives – self-love, self-marriage, sisterhood – but is she avoiding confronting her fears about commitment, relationships and sex?Determined to find out for sure, Marianne sets off on a journey to answer the question: can you have a life full of love without marriage and kids? From tantra to Skype sex, from polyamory to sologamy, Marianne’s quest takes her to some hilarious, scary and moving places – and she discovers that maybe, in these chaotic times, loving th

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Book SynopsisThere is no simple set of instructions that can guarantee sanity, but if you want to overcome emotional difficulties and become happier, psychotherapist Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read and The Book You Want Everyone You Love* To Read, argues that there are four cornerstones to sanity you can influence to bring about change. By developing your self-observation skills, examining how you relate to others, breaking out of your comfort zone and exploring new ways of defining yourself, Philippa demonstrates that it is possible to become a little less tortured and a little more fulfilled. How to Stay Sane is at once a brilliant explanation of our minds and a profoundly useful guide to facing up to the many challenges life throws our way.The School of Life looks at new ways of thinking about life’s biggest questions. Discover more fascinating books from the series with How to Be Alone and How to Think More About Sex.Trade ReviewIntelligent, non-self-helpy, yet immensely helpful guides to modern living. * New York Times *The School of Life offers radical ways to help us raid the treasure trove of human knowledge. * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisNew York Times Book Review Top 10 Books of the Year‘Captures with subtlety and empathy the honest reality of mental illness’ The TimesThere are stories that save us, and stories that trap us, and in the midst of an illness it can be very hard to know which is which…Strangers to Ourselves shares the experiences of five people who have come up against the limits of psychiatric explanations for who they are. It asks, do the stories we tell around mental illness affect its course, its outcomes, even our identities?Drawing on in-depth reporting, written testimonies and formative events in her own childhood, award-winning New Yorker writer Rachel Aviv offers a subtle, compassionate, revelatory account of how we understand ourselves in periods of crisis and distress.‘Aviv finds language for the most ineffable registers of human experience’ Wall Street Journal‘Profoundly intelligent… superbly written portraits’ GuardianA best book of the year in the Los Angeles Times, Time, Washington Post, New Yorker, and Vogue Trade ReviewA subtle and penetrating investigation into how mental illness is diagnosed ... Aviv is an instinctive storyteller... meticulous, empathic, tirelessly inquisitive. -- Hephzibah Anderson * Observer *So attuned to subtlety and complexity... a book-length demonstration of Aviv's extraordinary ability to hold space for the "uncertainty, mysteries and doubt" of others. * New York Times Book Review *Profoundly intelligent ... superbly written portraits ... [A] remarkable book. * Guardian *Captures with subtlety and empathy the honest reality of mental illness... a human chronicle that is intimate and unpredictable... Instead of demonizing disorders of the mind, Aviv seeks to understand their causes. * The Times *An incredibly researched, empathetic, and moving book. * Lit Hub *Combines the poise of Janet Malcolm and the confessional bravery of Joan Didion ... Through half a dozen vivid case studies - one being the story of her own hospitalization at age six - Aviv unravels medical diagnoses and demonstrates how societal narratives around illness take hold. The result is fascinating and empathetic. * Vogue *Aviv applies her signature conscientiousness and probing intellect to every section of this eye-opening book ... A moving, meticulously researched, elegantly constructed work of nonfiction. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *In writing against the limits of psychiatric narratives, into the space where language has failed, Aviv paradoxically finds language for the most ineffable registers of human experience. * Wall Street Journal *Writing with uncanny empathy and integrity ... Strangers to Ourselves is a work of landmark reporting that is truly heartbreaking and astonishing. -- Cathy Park Hong, author of MINOR FEELINGS: An Asian American ReckoningA groundbreaking, paradigm-shifting exploration of the relationship between diagnosis and identity. This is the kind of book that can make your life flash before your eyes, glittering with new insights and a sense of unguessed possibilities. -- Elif Batuman, author of EITHER/OR and THE IDIOTRelentlessly faithful to complexity, absolutely unsettling in all the best and most important ways ... Aviv explores her subjects not as diagnoses but as fully dimensional characters. -- Leslie Jamison, author of MAKE IT SCREAM, MAKE IT BURNIn this penetrating, landmark book, Rachel Aviv investigates what she calls the 'psychic hinterlands,' drawing on her customary vivid reporting and her own extraordinary personal story to pose unsettling questions about the ways in which we reckon with mental illness ... Aviv has created an arresting work of profound empathy and insight.Aviv writes with an unpredictable mixture of intimacy and distance, exploring how psychiatric language often alters what it names ... I admire her rigor and eloquence but also her restraint - she makes vivid experiences we can't explain. -- Ben Lerner, author of THE TOPEKA SCHOOLMaster prose stylist Rachel Aviv quietly explodes our neat narratives as she rescues the meanings of lives formed in extremity, including her own. Breaking away from labels that have the power to create the futures they foretell, her case histories are kaleidoscopic, filled with sudden radiance and uncomfortable discontinuities ... Brilliant. -- George Makari, MD, author of OF FEAR AND STRANGERS: A History of Xenophobia, director of the DeWitt Wallace Institute of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical CollegeI was blown away...a radically human book that lead me not to answers, but to better questions, about the infinite contingencies of mental "health" * Observer, *Christmas Gift Guide 2022* *Strangers to Ourselves was revelatory to me in its empathetic, sprawling unraveling of how mental illness forms our identities... It's the best kind of reported nonfiction, an entire book that feels like the best New Yorker piece you've ever read * White Review, *Books of the Year* *Aviv is a skilled writer... The people at the centre of the book come alive through her prose * Times Literary Supplement *This is a really affecting book, and one that anyone with even the faintest interest in mental health should read... meticulous, moving portraits of people, from all walks of life * Dazed Digital *

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Book Synopsis*** THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER ***'If we could issue a reading list to 10 Downing Street, I'd put this book near the top.'GUARDIAN'Explosive, timely and urgent'DAILY TELEGRAPH'Revealing, empathetic and timely'JONATHAN FREEDLAND'Brilliant, powerful and hopeful'PHILIPPA PERRYEven before a global pandemic introduced us to terms like social distancing, loneliness was already becoming the defining condition of the twenty-first century.But it's also one we have the power to reverse.Combining a decade of research with first-hand reporting, Noreena Hertz takes us from a 'how to communicate in real life' class for smartphone-addicted university students to bouncy castles at Belgian far-right gatherings, from paying for cuddles in the U.S. to nursing home residents knitting bonnets for their robot caregivers in Japan.The Lonely Century explores how our increasing dependence on technology, radical changes to the workplace and decades of policies that have placed self-interest above the collective good are damaging our communities and making us more isolated than ever before.With bold solutions for us as individuals as well as for businesses and governments, Noreena Hertz offers a hopeful and empowering vision for how to heal our fractured world and come together again.'Causing a deserved stir'FINANCIAL TIMES'Read it, then pass it onto a friend'CHARLIE BROOKERTrade ReviewThis book is a crucial call to arms: in the wake of the pandemic, Hertz argues, governments have an opportunity to rebuild along better lines . . . If we could issue a reading list to 10 Downing Street, I'd put this book near the top * Guardian *Explosive stuff. Timely . . . urgent -- Simon Ings * Daily Telegraph *Causing a deserved stir * Financial Times *An important new book * Economist *For an uplifting and educational read, The Lonely Century is about how we can overcome our divisions to rebuild a society that works as one * Stylist *Hertz's timely study of modern loneliness shows how social media isolates us, our work atomises us, and even street furniture prevents us gathering. The economist delivers an eloquent call to arms: only connect -- Best Books of the Year * Telegraph *In this timely book, economist Hertz explores the loneliness epidemic that was sweeping the world even before the coronavirus took hold. She looks at the ways tech that's meant to bring us together is driving us apart, the impact isolation is having on our health, and the bizarre 'loneliness economy' that's springing up to fulfil the needs of people desperate for human contact, from lifelike sex dolls to a service offering cuddles for cash. The book is a fascinating look at a key societal question: in an age where technology means we're more connected than ever, why do we feel so alone? * Wired *Revealing, empathetic and couldn't be more timely -- Jonathan Freedland, author of THE ESCAPE ARTISTFascinating, timely and important. Noreena Hertz zeroes in on one of the central problems of our age. Seeing the problem lurking at the back of your head dragged into the light will actually make you feel a tad less lonely. Read it, then pass it on to a friend. If you can find one -- Charlie BrookerAn indispensable, engaging and brilliant book about the pervasiveness of loneliness in the twenty-first century and its far-reaching impact. It reveals the way that loneliness is political as well as personal, playing a powerful role in everything from the rise of extremist politics to the vibrancy of our communities to how we relate to those we love. With its powerful vision for how we can come together again, ultimately it is a hopeful book that couldn't be more important or timely -- Philippa Perry, author of THE BOOK YOU WISH YOUR PARENTS HAD READWe are living in an age where we have forgotten a fundamental truth about humankind that is as old as the Hebrew Bible itself: that we were not meant to live alone. In The Lonely Century, Noreena Hertz recognises this and provides an enlightening, engaging and compelling analysis of the dangers posed by the loneliness pandemic not just to our individual health and happiness, but to our collective ability to reinvigorate society and tackle the many challenges we face today -- Rabbi Jonathan SacksWe're hard-wired to connect, and yet we're in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, which has profound consequences for both our individual and collective well-being. In The Lonely Century, Noreena Hertz delivers a compelling vision for how we can bridge our many divides at this time of great change and disruption. Passionately argued and deeply researched, this book is for everyone who wants to build a healthier and more connected world -- Arianna Huffington, CEO and founder of Thrive GlobalIn this hugely stimulating and ambitious book, Noreena Hertz provides a powerful account of the causes and consequences of the loneliness pandemic that has swept across the globe. Filled with terrifying facts, eye-catching stories and bold ideas, it is a must-read for anybody concerned about the post-Covid-19 world that we are building -- Carl Frey, Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of OxfordSocial connections are vital for our health and well-being, but loneliness is on the rise globally, especially with the measures introduced to contain the spread of Covid-19. In this captivating book Noreena Hertz describes the physical, mental, economic and societal effects of loneliness, and not only provides a fascinating examination of the evidence, but also a rousing call for action - to governments, businesses, society and individuals to address and mitigate the loneliness crisis and build a more inclusive and kinder world -- Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College LondonBrilliant and full of captivating stories about the power of human connection in our lives. A truly engrossing and important book that left me feeling both wiser and more hopeful! -- Brian GrazerA fascinating and original book about one of the greatest challenges of our time - the growing global crisis of loneliness - and a clear and inspiring vision of how we can respond -- Daniel Susskind, fellow at the University of Oxford and author of A WORLD WITHOUT WORKThe Lonely Century is a book made for this moment. Hertz shows a new generation of leaders how we can turn the age of social distancing into a turning point in our fight against the loneliness epidemic. I highly recommend it -- Mariana Mazzucato, UCL Professor and author of THE VALUE OF EVERYTHINGHighly original, persuasive and thought-provoking, The Lonely Century is both a landmark book and a page-turner. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to make sense of our complex times and understand where we are heading. Destined to be a classic, I couldn't recommend it more strongly -- Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics, NYUWe're surrounded by communication technologies and social media, yet loneliness is taking a huge toll on our economy, our health and our democracy. With a rare combination of rigorous research and powerful insights, Noreena Hertz masterfully explains the many facets of our Lonely Century and how we can do better, as individuals and as a society. Highly Recommended! -- Erik Brynjolfsson, Professor at Stanford University and co-author of THE SECOND MACHINE AGEA renowned economist examines why our hyperconnected world feels so isolating and how we can solve the crisis of loneliness. The takeaways are as relevant to our families and friendships as they are to building bridges in our neighbourhoods, schools, and workplaces -- Adam Grant, author of ORIGINALS

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Book Synopsis'Blending science, therapy and personal anecdotes, Break the Cycle empowers readers to disrupt harmful patterns from the past and cultivate new cycles of love and strength.’ Vex King, bestselling author of Good Vibes, Good LifeHow to pass on strength not pain to those you love.When a physical wound is left unhealed, it continues to cause pain and can infect the whole body. When emotions are left unhealed, they similarly cause harm that spreads to other parts of our lives, hurting our family, friends and colleagues. Eventually, this hurt spreads further, affecting entire communities and families across generations.This is intergenerational trauma. It can lead us to become people-pleasers, co-dependent in relationships and even estranged from our families. The wounds are complex and continue to invade our minds, bodies and spirits long after.In Break the Cycle, Dr Mariel Buqué delivers the ground-breaking guide to healing inherited trauma. Weaving scientific research with practical exercises and stories from her therapy room, Dr Buqué will help you understand how trauma is inherited from one generation to the next, break the cycle and disrupt the flow of intergenerational trauma with therapeutic exercises, and encourage you to pass on strength - not pain - to future generations.With a holistic approach to healing that has been absent from the field of psychology for too long, Break the Cycle will help you shift intergenerational trauma to intergenerational abundance.Trade ReviewDr. Mariel Buqué's work is filled with essential gems that help us understand the depths and layers of intergenerational trauma and equip learners of her work to master how to Break the Cycle. Her approach toward intergenerational healing practices is comprehensive, holistic, humanizing, and real. She helps us see how mental health practices can be accessible, culturally responsive, and applicable to people across the world who wish to internalize her healing techniques in ways that can produce sustainable effects in their lives and for future generations to come. This literary work has the capacity to shift the way we see the phenomenon of trauma and helps us to envision a world where emotional freedom from the grip of generational pain is indeed possible. * Layla Saad, New York Times bestselling author of Me and White Supremacy *Mariel is who people can turn to learn more about holistic healing, self-compassion, and mental health. Her work and voice are transformative and so important. * Alexandra Elle, bestselling author of After the Rain and Neon Soul *Dr. Mariel is a being of clarity and light! I truly believe she innately holds a gift of weaving and helping people to show up more authentically than they have previously. Through education, connection, and healing, Dr. Mariel is a weaver of healing and therapeutic wellness. She draws community IN, and invites participants to truly revisit their experiences and perceptions of their lives. * Dr. Jennifer Mullan, author and founder of Decolonizing Therapy *

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Book SynopsisHighly comforting Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of LifeThis book changed how I think Annie Macmanus, author of The Mess We''re InYou will not be able to put this book down The IndependentOUR OBSESSION WITH ACHIEVEMENT IS A TRAP. THIS IS HOW TO BREAK FREE.Emma Gannon was thriving in her portfolio career, enjoying a happy personal life and to anyone looking in, she was undoubtedly a success... She was also burned out and confused at why she felt unhappy, yet was still striving for more.After taking a deep look at her own journey, and interviewing many other successful people on her podcast Ctrl, Alt, Delete, she realised that our overly celebrated and traditional version of success is making us lonely, unfulfilled and dispirited. Now she has worked out a way to do things differently, and here Emma shares her hard-won lessons, including: how to set goals that are ambitious

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Book SynopsisTrauma and compassion specialist, clinical psychologist and private therapist Dr Laura Williams teaches you the psychological mindset you need to break free from negative patterns, heal from past trauma and live a more satisfying life.

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Book Synopsis- Don’t fall for the prodigy myth- Take off your watch- Embrace struggle- Take a nap- To learn it more deeply, teach itThe Little Book of Talent is packed full of 52 simple, practical, proven tips that will help improve any skill. Whether you want a better singing voice, a more powerful golf swing or success in the business world, The Little Book of Talent’s method will help you realise your potential.Trade Reviewan engaging and readable book * DeskDemon/PABook Review *

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Book SynopsisOn the one hand clothes can supposedly help you out with embodied life by concealing the bits you feel ashamed of and accentuating the bits you're proud of. However, fashion isn't really about clothes in any practical sense, but rather the endless replacement of clothes by other clothes, and especially the vilification of certain styles and the extreme elevation of others. Like gambling, fashion is a system that keeps us captivated by treating us badly, trapping us in a cycle of promises and dashed hopes by suggesting that new clothes will help us to like ourselves more. And while it's easy to dismiss fashion as elitist and wasteful, isn't it also fascinating, exciting and perhaps sometimes even radical - not to mention surprisingly egalitarian? Rather than insisting we give up on the pleasures that clothes have to offer, this brilliant new book by psychoanalyst and writer Anouchka Grose puts forward a post-fashion logic that rejects the parade of manufactured novelties in favour of more idiosyncratic forms of sartorial imitation. Taking us on a journey from the court of Louis XIV to TikTok's avant apocalypse, Fashion: A Manifesto scrutinises fashion from a number of angles: historically, psychologically, politically, environmentally, even linguistically, to open up questions about the ways in which it works both for and against us and looks forward to a future where our clothes treat us - not to mention the planet - a great deal more kindly.Trade Review“Grose’s wry tone makes her manifesto a joy, but this small book (enticingly produced, with pink cloth covers) has a serious intent. In light of fashion’s egregious role in the climate emergency, Grose wants to change our approach—to revise it—so that we may retain our abiding joy in clothes without further destroying the planet.” —Claire Messud, Harper’s Magazine

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Book SynopsisMost questionnaires are just a bit of fun, but this one sets out to be both entertaining and useful. It offers us nothing less than a guide to the comforting and supportive relationships we long for. With online apps taking over the dating game, it has never been more crucial to know the rules. Through a series of pertinent questions, it reveals our distinctive style of loving, what our strengths and weaknesses are with partners, and how we might secure genuine fulfilment. As we work through the questionnaire and its accompanying essays, we discover the many reasons why relationships go wrong, and how they might do so less often in the future. The book considers the role of self-hatred, the influence of childhood, the importance of vulnerability, the appeal of unavailable people, and the best ways to overcome patterns of self-doubt and unhealthy attachment. Our minds are such confusing places, even the most thoughtful among us can fail to know central things about how we behave in relationships. This questionnaire will help us to understand ourselves more clearly and so set us free to discover the love we deserve.

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Book SynopsisWhen faced with life's challenges, it's all too easy to get "stuck" in your own thoughts and emotions, unable to move forward toward your true goals. The daily grind of the "real world" can leave you feeling depleted, and keep you from living the deeper, more meaningful life you long for. But there are simple tools you can use to handle life stress and setbacks, live fully in the present moment, and literally act on your deepest values.With the ACT Daily Card Deck, you'll discover the core components of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) right at your fingertips. Each card offers a different skill-such as mindfulness, acceptance, or self-compassion-that you can use as needed for a fully customizable approach. By practicing the "right now" skills on these cards, you'll learn to roll with life's punches and be present in each moment-even the unpleasant ones. Most importantly, you'll learn how to take values-based action to help you get "unstuck" and improve your life. ACT is more than just a therapy-it's a framework for living well. It helps us accept. It teaches us to make a commitment to what we deeply care about. And it works best when practiced daily-whether you're at home, at work, in therapy, or on the go. Pick up these powerful yet practical cards and let them guide you toward the life you truly want!

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Book Synopsis'Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.'Wayne DyerFor years Wayne Dyer has been researching the power of intention, the energy that surrounds all of us. He tells us how we can train ourselves to tune into this energy and step beyond our minds and egos. When we do this we become what Dyer calls 'Connectors' and make ourselves available to the energy of success.Connectors are the people whom everyone sees as lucky, the people who get all the breaks. They don't say, 'With my luck, everything will go wrong,' they just know things will go well. They trust an invisible force that will be all-providing and just don't attract negativity to themselves. This book is full of dynamic steps that we can use to tap into this transformational energy.This book explores intention - not as something you do - but as an energy you're part of. We're all intended here through the invisible power of intention. This is the first book to look at intention as a field of energy you can access to begin co-creating your life!Trade ReviewAn excellent book The Bookseller Warm and inspiring Spirit & Destiny

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Book SynopsisAre you looking for The One? Well, according to Dr Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist and relationship expert, you don’t have to look any further for the way to find that special someone than your very own brain chemistry. Based on Dr Fisher’s groundbreaking personality type study, in which she analyzed the personalities of more than 28,000 people, Why Him? Why Her? provides a formula for long-term love that is based on cutting-edge discoveries in evolutionary neurology. Once you’ve identified yourself as one of the personality types (explorer, builder, negotiator, or director) Dr Fisher provides a detailed plan of how to find, fix, or keep up your ideal love match.Trade Review"Helen Fisher's latest research follows years of experiments analysing the nature of love." * Metro *"Engrossing, entertaining." - Praise for 'Anatomy of Love' * Publishers Weekly *"In times of upheaval, nothing offers safe harbor like science. That’s where Helen Fisher comes in…. Her research led her inside the biological mechanisms of mate choice." * Time Magazine *"Why Him? Why Her? examines how brain chemistry determines temperament and temperament dictates whom we love… [Fisher offers] a giddy, romantic notion, well worth considering." * Los Angeles Times *"Fascinating…. You may already have your dream lover, but you’ll want to read this for the many insights on the science of love." * Boston Globe *

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Book SynopsisBased on don Miguel Ruiz's New York Times bestselling book, The Four Agreements, the 48 cards in this deck provide a simple yet powerful code of conduct for attaining personal freedom and true happiness. There are 12 cards corresponding to each of the four agreements: (1) Be impeccable with your word; (2) Don't take anything personally; (3) Don't make assumptions; and (4) Always do your best. These cards will help you transform your life as you recover the awareness and wisdom of your authentic self!

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Book SynopsisIn this fascinating and often hilarious work winner of the Royal Society of Science Prize 2007 pre-eminent psychologist Daniel Gilbert shows how and why the majority of us have no idea how to make ourselves happy.We all want to be happy, but do we know how? When it comes to improving tomorrow at the expense of today, we''re terrible at predicting how to please our future selves.In Stumbling on Happiness' Professor Daniel Gilbert combines psychology, neuroscience, economics and philosophy with irrepressible wit to describe how the human brain imagines its future and how well (or badly) it predicts what it will enjoy. Revealing some of the amazing secrets of human motivation, he also answers thought-provoking questions why do dining companions order different meals instead of getting what they want? Why are shoppers happier when they can''t get refunds? And why are couples less satisfied after having children while insisting that their kids are a source of joy?Trade Review‘“Stumbling on Happiness” is an absolutely fantastic book that will shatter your most deeply held convictions about how your own mind works. Ceaselessly entertaining, Gilbert is the perfect guide to some of the most interesting psychological research ever performed. Think you know what makes you happy? You won’t know for sure until you have read this book.’ Steven D. Levitt, author of ‘Freakonomics’ ‘He does for psychology what Bill Bryson did for evolution.’ Scotsman ‘In “Stumbling on Happiness”, Daniel Gilbert shares his brilliant insights into our quirks of mind, and steers us toward happiness in the most delightful, engaging ways. If you stumble on this book, you’re guaranteed many doses of joy.’ Daniel Goleman, author of ‘Emotional Intelligence’ ‘This is a brilliant book, a useful book, and a book that could quite possibly change the way you look at just about everything. And as a bonus, Gilbert writes like a cross between Malcolm Gladwell and David Sedaris.’ Seth Godin, author ‘All Marketers Are Liars’ ‘Everyone will enjoy reading this book, and some of us will wish we could have written it. You will rarely have a chance to learn so much about so important a topic while having so much fun.’ Professor Daniel Kahneman, Princeton University, Winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING PARENTING EXPERTS BEHIND THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD COMES A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PLAN FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND RESILIENT.  ‘This unique book shows us how to help our children embrace life with all of its challenges. It’s a treasure chest of parenting insights and techniques’                                                         CAROL DWECK, bestselling author of Mindset   Children can often act out or shut down when faced with a setback or a tricky issue like homework, food or screen time. This is what acclaimed parenting experts Dr Siegel and Dr Bryson call the ‘No Br

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Book SynopsisA FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO WHAT MAKES US TICKThe bestselling Understand Psychology explains basic psychological processes and how they influence us in all aspects of everyday life. It explores why we are the way we are, how we came to be that way, and what we might do to change seemingly fundamental traits. The book puts psychology in context, using non-technical language to analyze everyday situations. It is a comprehensive introduction that shows how human experience can be understood on many levels.Understand Psychology takes you through every aspect of the subject, from child development and social influences to the role of memories and emotions. You will discover how we interact with each other, why we dream, what motivates us, why children need to play and whether watching TV is bad for you.Now fully revised and updated, this 6th edition of the bestselling guide includes brand new material on mindfulness, social living, focusing in partTrade Review"A great book for beginners with plenty of information to open doors to further study . . . . a superb way to get into a deep subject without being overwhelmed." * Amazon reviewer *Table of Contents 01: applying psychology 02: applied cognitive psychology 03: applied social psychology 04: applied bio-psychology 05: applied development psychology 06: clinical psychology 07: counselling psychology 08: health psychology 09: forensic psychology 10: eductional psychology 11: applied psychology of teaching and learning 12: occupational psychology 13: organisational psychology 14: engineering and design psychology 15: space psychology 16: sport psychology 17: consumer psychology 18: environmental psychology 19: political psychology 20: applied psychology as a profession : taking it further : index : cognitive motives : social motivation : cognition : thinking : perception : memory : genetics, evolution and learning : evolution : genetic mechanisms : levels of learning : learning and intelligence : infant learning : forms of learning : intelligence : childhood and adolescence : childhood : adolescence : adulthood, retirement and ageing : adulthood : ageing : working life : why do people work? : human resource management : organisational culture : leisure : watching television : computer games : sport psychology : education and health : the psychology of teaching and learning : counselling and therapy : health psychology : living in the world : proxemics and privacy : sources of environmental stress : disasters and accidents : developing psychological understanding : what do psychologists do? : developing psychological knowledge : index

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Book Synopsis'A practical map for a flourishing life' (Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence)In this groundbreaking, heart-lifting and deeply useful book, Martin Seligman, internationally esteemed psychologist and the father of Positive Psychology, shows us that happiness can be learned and cultivated. Using many years of in-depth psychological research he lays out the 24 strengths and virtues unique to the human psyche and teaches you how to identify the ones you possess. By calling upon your signature strengths, you will not only develop natural buffers against misfortune and negative emotion, but also improve the world around you - at work, in love and in raising children - achieving new and sustainable contentment, joy and meaning.Trade ReviewA revolutionary perspective on psychology. Authentic Happiness is a beacon for human behaviour [and] speaks with a joyful voice about what it means to be alive -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of FlowAt last, psychology gets serious about glee, fun and happiness. Martin Seligman has given us a gift - a practical map for the perennial quest for a flourishing life -- Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional IntelligenceA highly insightful and personal reflection on the nature of happiness, from one of the most creative and influential psychologists of our time -- Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our NatureAn amazing book! Absolutely full of practical wisdom and its authentic sources. What depth of understanding! Seligman affirms our power of choice with a perspective on old and new psychology I found compelling and fascinating. This book will help restore the Character Ethic -- Stephen R Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleSeligman takes the best, most recent science in psychology and applies it to our oldest, most basic human questions: How can we be happy? And how can we be good? His book is groundbreaking, heart-lifting, and most important, deeply useful. With pun intended, I'm optimistic about its success. -- Mary Pipher, author of Reviving OpheliaAn impressive achievement. This book will change how people view psychology and how all of us view ourselves. -- Howard Gardner, Harvard University, author of Multiple IntelligencesMartin Seligman is on a mission: to take the rich and suprising findings of a young field called Positive Psychology and use them to imporve the mental, moral and spiritual well-being of his readers. Being Positive Psychology's founder, as well as a vivid, inspiring writer, he is uniquely qualified for this job. Only one person could have written Authentic Happiness, but millions could benefit from it. -- Robert Wright, author of The Moral Animal

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Book SynopsisThe power of self-confidence: Become unstoppable, irresistible, and unafraid in every area of your life.Table of ContentsIntroduction—Entering the No Fear Zone ix Chapter 1 The Foundation of Self-Confidence 1 Chapter 2 Purpose and Personal Power 17 Chapter 3 Achieving Competence and Personal Mastery 39 Chapter 4 The Inner Game of Self-Confidence 65 Chapter 5 Capitalizing on Your Strengths 89 Chapter 6 Triumphing over Adversity 113 Chapter 7 Self-Confidence In Action 133 About the Author 157 Brain Tracy: Speaker-Author-Consultant 159 Index 161

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Book SynopsisWhen Oliver Sacks was twelve years old, a perceptive schoolmaster wrote in his report: 'Sacks will go far, if he does not go too far'. It is now abundantly clear that Sacks has never stopped going . . .From its opening pages on his youthful obsession with motorcycles and speed, On the Move is infused with his restless energy. As he recounts his experiences as a young neurologist in the early 1960s, first in California and then in New York, where he discovered a long-forgotten illness in the back wards of a chronic hospital, as well as with a group of patients who would define his life, it becomes clear that Sacks's earnest desire for engagement has occasioned unexpected encounters and travels – sending him through bars and alleys, over oceans, and across continents.With unbridled honesty and humour, Sacks shows us that the same energy that drives his physical passions –bodybuilding, weightlifting, and swimming – also drives his cerebral passions. He writes about his love affairs, both romantic and intellectual, his guilt over leaving his family to come to America, his bond with his schizophrenic brother, and the writers and scientists – Thom Gunn, A. R. Luria, W. H. Auden, Gerald M. Edelman, Francis Crick – who influenced him.On the Move is the story of a brilliantly unconventional physician and writer – and of the man who has illuminated the many ways that the brain makes us human.Trade ReviewDeeply moving. . . a gift to his readers - of erudition, sympathy and an abiding understanding of the joys, trials and consolations of the human condition -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *Sacks's empathy and intellectual curiosity, his delight in, as he calls it, "joining particulars with generalities" and, especially, "narratives with neuroscience" - have never been more evident than in his beautifully conceived new book. . .remarkably candid and deeply affecting * Boston Globe *Honest, lucid, passionate, humorous, humane and human (also slightly Martian). . .[a] marvelous memoir, which is as unconventional and singular as the man himself -- Colin McGinn * Wall Street Journal *Absorbing * Chicago Tribune *A fascinating account - a sort of extended case study, really - of Sacks' remarkably active, iconoclastic adulthood. . . .On the Move is filled with both wonder and wonderments * LA Times *Intensely, beautifully, incandescently alive * Newsday *On the Move is as much a dense journal of Sacks's own astonishing, incident-rich life as a meaty handbook on how to live * Globe and Mail *No matter what he writes about - whether struggling to understand what his patients are going through, or describing his love of swimming or photography - Sacks always seems open to learning more. He appears keenly interested in everything and everyone he encounters. He's a wonderful storyteller, a gift he says he inherited from his parents, both of whom were doctors. But as he proves again in his latest . . . book, it's his keen attentiveness as a listener and observer, and his insatiable curiosity, that makes his work so powerful * San Francisco Chronicle *On the Move is entertaining and illuminating and sometimes shocking, and it's given a deep tinge of poignancy by Sacks' public announcement in February that he has terminal cancer. If On the Move is his effort, at age 81 and in the face of death, to record a life well lived, he has succeeded beautifully * Tampa Bay Times *A compelling read. . .The memoir offers a glimpse into one of the greatest minds of our time, made all the more special by the knowledge that it's one of his last gifts to a devoted readership * Men’s Journal *[Sacks'] delving accounts of the invalids he treats have until now stood in stark contrast to his restraint about revealing himself deeply, even though autobiographical threads run through such books as A Leg to Stand On, Uncle Tungsten and Hallucinations. A doctor - concerned, engaging, humane, eccentric and unforthcoming - has occupied the foreground in his self-description. With On the Move, he has finally presented himself as he has presented others: as both fully vulnerable and an object of curiosity. -- Andrew Solomon * New York Times *His truly has been a life lived to the full - and beyond . . . it is the adventure of ideas he has undertaken that has bestowed on his life its remarkable originality -- Will Self * Guardian *[Sacks] could not have written a more breathtaking account of his too-full life. Who knew the most important medical writer of our time was also a complete and total badass? * Men's Fitness *Sacks' zest for life has been extraordinary. . .Coursing through On the Move is his constant sense of joy in the natural world, in scientific epiphanies, and people in all their oddity. . . one of the most singular and inspiring men of our time -- Peter Forbes * Independent *Sacks's accounts are startling in their frankness and express the release of a wise man who, never burdened by snobbery, has also shed that petty encumbrance, embarrassment. . . In February this year Sacks revealed that he has terminal cancer. He wrote in The New York Times that, though not without fear, his predominant feeling is gratitude. "I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given something in return." This book is a remarkable record of those exchanges * London Evening Standard *In this genial and often humorously narrated life, [Sacks] is very much alive and full of passionate energy, as well as of and wry self-awareness . . . He is an astute observer of the life around him. Judging from early motorcycle diaries and writings included here, he could have had an alternative career on the road with Hunter S Thompson * Guardian *Like many of his readers, some months ago I responded with a sense of real personal sadness when reading Sacks' New York Times op-ed announcing his "bad luck" of now facing a terminal cancer. I felt as if a vital window on the world were being closed. On the Move is a glorious memoir that throws open that window and illuminates the world that we have seen through it. In this volume Sacks opens himself to recognition, much as he has opened the lives of others to being recognized in their fullness -- Michael Roth * The Atlantic *This moving book confirms that it is Sacks's expansive passions for learning and for experience that have made his such a vigorous, fascinating and influential life . . .This book is a delight and a fine prompt to return to his earlier work * New Statesman *A lively read and a fascinating insight into a man who changed the way the world sees things. . .revealingand heartbreaking * Courier Mail *What emerges from On the Move is a celebration not just of a life, but of life itself, in all its glorious variousness and possibility. . . [a] joyous whirlwind of a book -- James Bradley * Capital City Daily *A wonderful legacy to leave behind . . .It's an unmitigated pleasure to be in the company of this physician, teacher and storyteller * Big Issue Australia *An affecting read. . .Much will be lost when we can no longer eagerly await the next gift from this dearly loved,stray Santa * The Conversation *

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Book SynopsisAn absorbing, insightful story from Robin Sharma, bestselling author and internationally-renowned life coach, which unfolds the secrets to living a loving, successful and fulfilled life.Catherine, a top businesswoman with a young family, is the sister of Julian Mantle, the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. After being involved in a life-threatening accident, Catherine realises that, regardless of how high she has risen in the business world and of her achievements and accolades her family is the most important thing in her life.Through a series of conversations with her brother, Catherine learns how to reset the focus of her life onto her family and how living with that culture engenders business success too.Catherine's story takes us on a journey towards being an individual who leads a meaningful life; a stable, reliable and a loving centre around which family and friends revolve. Through her eyes, you'll learn:The importance of setting goals in life for ourselves and our childrenHow to fTrade Review‘A wonderful book that will help you become a better parent as well as a happier person.’ Richard Carlson, Ph.D, author or the #1 New York Times bestseller Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff ‘Robin Sharma’s books are helping people all over the world live great lives.’ Paulo Coelho

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Book SynopsisSigmund Freud (1856-1939) revolutionized the way in which we think about ourselves. From its beginnings as a theory of neurosis, Freud developed psycho-analysis into a general psychology which became widely accepted as the predominant mode of discussing personality and interpersonal relationships. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewa model exercise in synthesis, and the final essay on the "appeal" of psychotherapy is especially neat. * Independent *Table of ContentsList of illustrations ; 2. Life and character ; 3. Exploring the past ; 4. Free association, dreams, and transference ; 5. Ego, super-ego, and id ; 6. Aggression, depression, and paranoia ; 7. Jokes and The Psycho-Pathology of Everyday Life ; 8. Art and literature ; 9. Culture and religion ; 10. Freud as therapist ; 11. Psycho-analysis today ; 12. The appeal of psycho-analysis ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisNorman Vincent Peale's books, most notably The Power of Positive Thinking, have sold millions of copies around the world. He founded The Positive Thinking Foundation, which promotes his theories on positive thinking.Trade ReviewThis book had an amazing impact on my life. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThe true antidote to loneliness, this book will teach you the secret to building meaningful relationships and the importance of authentic connections in a lonely world. Is it possible to have hundreds of followers on social media but still feel isolated? To live in a city of millions of people but find yourself alone? No one really wants to admit it, but the answer is certainly 'yes'. So, let's talk about loneliness. Human connection specialist Simone Heng knows a lot about being lonely. She left an enviable career and social life to move back to her family home to care for her mother. All alone in a house filled with memories but devoid of people, she was faced with the realization that human connection is one of our most essential needs. There's a global loneliness epidemic. Every one of us has experienced feeling lonely, even if we don't realize it. The modern world has changed how we live and the 'village' environment with spontaneous connection has been replaced by remote work and contrived relationships. Most importantly, the old stereotypes of what loneliness looks like no longer hold true — in a world where technology has made us more 'connected' than ever before, people of all ages are feeling alone.Simone shares her journey to understanding the value of human connection and explains how to distinguish authentic relationships from fake substitutes. This definitive book on loneliness shows us how to build meaningful relationships with those that matter the most, forge new friendships, and create the genuine connections we all crave.

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Book Synopsis“Enlightenment” in Western cultures has long been associated with the 18th-century movement that brought about a new “age of reason”. As Zen, Buddhism and other Eastern wisdom traditions have captured the imagination of the West, “enlightenment” has come to be known as a specific state of consciousness attained by an individual on a spiritual or meditative path. However, the Judeo-Christian context, with its belief in a divine power “out there” and separate from the individual, hinders most Westerners’ ability to comprehend “enlightenment” in the Eastern sense. Our theistic conditioning leads to such common misunderstandings as perceiving enlightenment as the attainment of supernatural powers, or as something achievable only by those who are somehow “special”. In this work, Osho deconstructs these misunderstandings and offers a radically different view of enlightenment, freed from all spiritual and religious beliefs – including the distortions of asceticism and renunciation that have arisen in Eastern and Western cultures both. Taking the reader step by step through the history of how both East and West have approached the mysteries of the human mind and spirituality, Osho offers a simple science of consciousness that he calls “the psychology of the buddhas”. It is a science that in very clear terms shows how one can, through awareness and taking full responsibility for one’s life, go beyond all limited belief systems, habits, and superstitions of the mind. That process, he says, brings us back to our nature – and that is enlightenment.

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Book SynopsisFive reasons you’re stuck – and what to do about it – by the psychologist and Sunday Times bestselling author, Dr Sophie Mort. Do you feel stuck in a rut and that you keep getting in your own way? Or maybe you have an idea of the version of yourself you want to be – self-assured, happy and thriving – but getting there seems impossible? Drawing on her expertise as a clinical psychologist with a masters in neuroscience, Dr Sophie shares the science of habit formation to help you understand your patterns of behaviour and start living the life you want. Packed full of practical tips, exercises, real-life examples and ‘unsticking points’, Dr Sophie breaks down the five reasons you’re stuck and gives you the tools to: Break bad habits and cultivate better ones Hack the heuristics that are holding you back Stop self-sabotaging Recognise the unconscious games

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Book SynopsisThere is a space within you where you are already perfect, whole and complete. It is a space of pure consciousness - the space inside which all thoughts come and go.When you rest in the feeling of this space, the warmth of it heals your mind and body. When you operate from the infinite creative potential of this space, you produce high levels of performance and creative flow. When you sit in the openness of this space with others, you experience a level of connection and intimacy that is breathtakingly enjoyable and filled with love. And when you explore this space more deeply, you will find yourself growing closer and closer to the divine, even if you're not sure there is such a thing and wouldn't know how to talk about it if there was.Every problem we have in life is the result of losing our bearings and getting caught up in the content of our own thinking. The solution to every one of those problems is to find our way back home. This is both the invitation and the promise of this book.One problem. One solution. Infinite possibilities. Are you ready to begin?Trade ReviewThis is a brilliant book on how to access the space of meditation without meditating. Read, enjoy, and unleash your deepest potential! -- Paul McKenna, international bestselling author of The Three Things That Will Change Your Destiny Today! With rare depth, Michael Neill offers brilliant insights into the mind-boggling upside of being human. -- Mike Dooley, New York Times bestselling author of Infinite Possibilities and Leveraging the Universe The Space Within imparts wisdom with warmth and an understanding of what it means to be human in all its shades. A truly enlightening book that will leave you uplifted and comforted in the knowledge that peace does indeed come from within, once we know where to look! -- Andy Fowler, Emmy Award-winning visual-effects producer/production executive on The Revenant, Noah and 300 At my best as a writer/director, I'm reaching into a space where time stands still and creative ideas flow through like a river. In The Space Within, Michael Neill offers easy access to this space where creativity comes from, demystifying it without taking away any of its magic. -- Sacha Gervasi, Emmy Award-winning director of Anvil! The Story of Anvil and writer of The Terminal This is an absolutely brilliant book about one of the most important subjects of all: the nothing at the heart of everything. It's the first book I know of that explores in practical, useful detail the space within - the vast context of pure consciousness in which our experience occurs. Reading the book is an evolutionary journey in itself, and I urge you to take up that adventure at your earliest opportunity. -- Gay Hendricks PhD, author (with Kathlyn Hendricks, PhD) of Conscious Loving Ever After The Space Within is an invitation to live an impossibly wonderful life. It will help you to move beyond your theories and beliefs about how much happiness is possible and how much is "too good to be true." It will help you to return to love, and to come home to your own innate wisdom. -- Robert Holden PhD, bestselling author of Shift Happens! and Life Loves You (with Louise Hay) Michael Neill has done it again, sharing the secrets of the universe with eloquence and unbridled simplicity. Get it. Read it. Reach for it whenever you need a reminder... -- Shama Hyder, author of Momentum and CEO of Zen Marketing In this amazing book, Michael Neill lovingly guides us home to the space within. With humour, grace and simplicity, he invites us to wake up and remember that who we are is infinite. -- Anita Moorjani, New York Times bestselling author of Dying to Be Me The Space Within contains everything you need to know to be resilient in life broken down in a way that makes it both simple and profound. -- George Pransky PhD, author of The Relationship Handbook Michael has a wonderful way of describing both our spiritual nature and our human nature. He leads the reader to consider both worlds, offering us the opportunity to see the two are One. -- Elsie Spittle, founder of 3PHD and author of Nuggets of Wisdom and Beyond Imagination As I finished the last page of this powerful book, I wiped tears of gratitude from my cheeks. Not often am I reminded of the true beauty underlining the human condition - beneath the ups and downs and everything in between. Michael Neill points us away from the relentless desire for 24/7 happiness toward the infinite potential life has on offer, not only opening the door but offering up a pillow and a blanket to welcome us home to our deepest self. -- Brooke Wheeldon-Reece, CEO of the Cypress Initiative and creator of the S.P.A.R.K. Teen Mentoring Curriculum: Speaking to the Promise, Ability, and Resilience inside Kids

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Book SynopsisDiscover the incredible possibilities of the female brain in midlife, redefine the menopause and access your most vital, confident and wise phase yet.‘This is an important book. I want all women to read it. I wish I had read it years ago!’ Jane FondaMidlife doesn't have to mean crisis, chaos or confusion. In fact, research shows that women become happier with every decade of their lives. Discover the incredible possibilities of the female brain during the second half of life, redefine the perimenopause and menopause, and access your most vital, confident phase yet. Bestselling author and clinical professor of psychiatry Dr Louann Brizendine dives deep into how the female brain changes for the better during midlife and debunks myths and misinformation to create a revolutionary new framework for this life stage. Packed full of real-life examples, accessible scientific studies and practical advice, The Upgrade shows you how to unlock power, clarity and a profound sense of purpose. You'll discover how to:· find freedom and self-confidence with your neurobiology, explained in an approachable way· see hormones as a positive influence on your cognition, memory and mood· protect yourself from dementia and increase longevity and wellbeing· change the conversation in culture about midlife and, more importantly, change the conversation in your own head to reclaim this time in your lifeIt’s time to embrace and step purposefully into a more authentic powerful version of YOU, full of wisdom, stability and courage.

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Book SynopsisThe Breakthrough Experience is an extremely real and practical manual for understanding why we live the way we do, and how to transform our lives into our highest vision.This book is about breaking through the barriers that keep us from experiencing our true nature as light. It presents inspiring science and philosophy in a way that is completely accessible to anyone, to reveal and explore the universal laws and principles that underlie our very existence.

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Book Synopsis'A Masterful guide' YUNG PUEBLO'If human beings came with a manual, It's On Me would be it' SIMON SINEKA revolutionary guide to identifying self-loss and discovering the freedom that comes from taking responsibility for how we live.So many of us feel lonely, unfulfilled, or trapped-in our roles and relationships, in cycles of self-sabotage and wrong decisions. According to Sara Kuburic, it doesn't have to be so difficult.The answer lies in taking responsibility for the choices and actions that create our reality. It's about slowing down, cutting through demands and expectations, and taking ownership of this person we call our "Self." In It's On Me, Kuburic unpacks "self-loss," giving us new vocabulary and offering tools she's used for years to help her clients recover. Self-loss becomes apparent when we feel the pain and emptiness from performing or observing life, rather than living it. Guiding us through self-reflection, acceptance, and discovery, Kuburic proves that we can: · experience but not feel overpowered by our emotions· establish a healthy connection to our bodies· set loving boundaries to define ourselves and heal our relationships· declutter our physical and mental environments to create space for our true selves to thrive· find meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless worldEye-opening and inspiring, It's On Me will teach you how to stop sleepwalking our way through the life you don't want and step into your most vibrant, authentic, and meaningful Self.Trade ReviewA masterful guide to help all those who are building self-awareness, It's On Me eloquently and brilliantly reconnects us with a life of meaning and empowerment by helping us understand the concept of self-loss. . . . Relatable and necessary * Yung Pueblo, No.1 New York Times bestselling author *As the expectations of work, home, social media, parenthood, partnerships, etc., pile on, Sara Kuburic touches on something many people feel in their bones: lost. In It's On Me, she gently yet firmly guides readers through our self-investigation so that we may take full responsibility and ultimately create a more aligned, authentic, and vibrant life * Nedra Glover Tawwab, New York Times bestelling author *If human beings came with a manual, It's On Me would be it! Though we are all subject to the ups and downs of the world around us, we have more control over how we respond to that world than we realize, and Sara Kuburic shows us how * Simon Sinek, New York Times bestelling author *It's hard to know exactly how to return to yourself, especially if you didn't realize how far you had drifted. It's On Me invites you to do what is otherwise deeply challenging and often elusive work in a tangible, supported, and com- passionate way. It lights a path that will lead you back to you * Melissa Urban, New York Times bestselling author *Masterful and provoking . . . Kuburic has outdone herself with her brilliant guide, It's On Me, as she challenges the reader to step toward a path of self-inquiry and discovery. If your goal is to live an authentic life- one of freedom-then this a must read. In a world where skirting responsibility is often the norm, Kuburic argues that finding responsibility becomes the gateway to meaning, which will ultimately lead you to the Self-the most profound form of existence * Vienna Pharaon, LMFT, author of The Origins of You *

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Book SynopsisEvery day is a gift. Open it. Don't throw it away.' The international bestseller

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Book SynopsisIf you''re facing a dilemma -- whether it''s handling a relationship, living ethically, dealing with a career change, or finding meaning in life -- the world''s most important thinkers from centuries past will help guide you toward a solution compatible with your individual beliefs. From Kirkegaard''s thoughts on coping with death to the I Ching''s guidelines on adapting to change, Plato, Not Prozac! makes philosophy accessible and shows you how to use it to solve your everyday problems.Gone is the need for expensive therapists, medication, and lengthy analysis. Clearly organized by common problems to help you tailor Dr. Lou Marinoff''s advice to your own needs, this is an intelligent, effective, and persuasive prescription for self-healing therapy that is giving psychotherapy a run for its money.

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Book Synopsis''A passionate defence of the enduring power of human nature ... both life-affirming and deeply satisfying'' Daily TelegraphRecently many people have assumed that we are blank slates shaped by our environment. But this denies the heart of our being: human nature. Violence is not just a product of society; male and female minds are different; the genes we give our children shape them more than our parenting practices. To acknowledge our innate abilities, Pinker shows, is not to condone inequality, but to understand the very foundations of humanity.''Brilliant ... enjoyable, informative, clear, humane'' New Scientist''If you think the nature-nurture debate has been resolved, you are wrong ... this book is required reading'' Literary Review''An original and vital contribution to science and also a rattling good read'' Matt Ridley, Sunday Telegraph ''Startling ... This is a breath of air for a topic that has been politicized for too long'' EconomistTrade ReviewA passionate defence of the enduring power of human nature ... both life-affirming and deeply satisfying -- Tim Lott * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *Brilliant ... enjoyable, informative, clear, humane * New Scientist *If you think the nature-nurture debate has been resolved, you are wrong ... this book is required reading * Literary Review *An original and vital contribution to science and also a rattling good read -- Matt Ridley * Sunday Telegraph *Table of ContentsThe blank slate, the noble savage and the ghost in the machine: the official theory; silly putty; the last wall to fall; culture vultures; the slate's last stand. Fear and loathing: political scientists; the Holy Trinity. Human nature with a human face: the fear of inequality; the fear of imperfectability; the fear of determinism; the fear of nihilism. Know thyself: in touch with reality; out of our depths; the many roots of our suffering; the sanctimonious animal. Hot buttons: politics; violence; gender; children; the arts. The voice of the species. Appendix: Donald E. Brown's list of human universals.

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Book SynopsisHow much do you really know about your own hands?Throughout history , civilisations have been defined by the work of human hands: inventing tools, writing records, operating machinery, typing, texting, swiping. But beneath this known history is another, secret story: our hands are not the obedient servants that they seem to be. Through conscious and unconscious gesture, they reveal our deepest psychology, our weaknesses and obsessions, our personal history and our social conditioning. Why do zombies walk with their hands outstretched? How does a new-born baby ''talk'' with his hands? What is the connection between prayer beads, snuff boxes and cell phones? And most importantly, can we unlock the mystery of our hands in order to truly know ourselves?The key to understanding everything around you - and everything within you - is staring you in the face. Take a journey through fascinating anecdotes and brilliant psychoanalytic research, through a Trade ReviewPublisher's description. Why do we play with our fingers when nervous? Why do zombies walk with their hands out? What connects prayer beads with iPhones? Journey down the psychoanalytic rabbit hole to discover the strange and fascinating secrets of what our hands really say about us... * Penguin *A breezy cultural history of fidgeting * Times Literary Supplement *Leader is a psychoanalyst with a sideline in smart, elegant books that explain ourselves to ourselves without using the jargon of clinical literature * Guardian *An intriguing meditation on how vital our hands are to our understanding of ourselves and our world * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''Benjamin Hardy is one of the leading voices on well-being and productivity. Willpower Doesn''t Work is an insightful guide to help us thrive in today''s world'' Arianna HuffingtonIf you''re relying on willpower alone to help you lose weight, improve your relationships or achieve more at work, you''re doomed to fail. The environment around us is far too powerful, stimulating, addicting and stressful to overcome it through sheer determination. Willpower, grit, being positive - basically, all the tools you''ve been told are the keys to creating lasting change in your life - are insufficient in this high-paced, information-overloaded world we live in. The only way to stop just surviving and learn to truly thrive in today''s world is to proactively shape your environment. That''s the premise of Willpower Doesn''t Work, by organisational psychologist and Medium''s most-read self-help guru Benjamin Hardy. Building on copious existing research, Trade ReviewIf you want to get more done, don't worry about willpower - focus on motivation. Challenging the dominant view of self-control as a muscle, Benjamin Hardy reveals that productivity is really about clarity and commitment -- Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and TakeTo get things done, we don't need willpower, only the power to begin doing it. Benjamin Hardy explains that mindfulness of context is more important, and that by consciously shaping your context, you have the greatest opportunity for personal growth -- Ellen Langer, international bestselling author of Mindfulness and author of over 200 research articlesAs Seneca once said, 'Life without a design is erratic.' Benjamin Hardy is one of my favorite young writers because he shows interesting and effective ways to organize and design our lives so that we can live and be how we wish -- Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and Ego is the EnemyIn an age when few people think deeply about life, Benjamin Hardy is the exception. Read this book if you want to be better -- Jeff Goins, bestselling author of The Art of WorkBenjamin Hardy is one of the most read writers on Medium.com for good reason. He accomplishes something rare: the ability to blend practical actionable advice with a compelling voice. You're always better for having read something he's written * Srinivas Rao, creator of The Unmistakable Creative and author of Unmistakable *Benjamin Hardy leaves you feeling inspired - like you have no choice but to commit to what you believe you should do -- Richie Norton, bestselling author of The Power of Starting Something StupidI am fascinated by all things performance. Everything Benjamin Hardy writes challenges me to stretch a little further and dig a little deeper -- Joe Jacobi, Olympic Gold Medalist and Performance ConsultantUncommonly thoughtful: that's what I think of when I read Benjamin Hardy's work. Get this book and you'll better understand how to be who you truly want to be -- Jimmy Soni, editor of the Observer and author of Rome's Last CitizenBenjamin Hardy is one of the leading voices on well-being and productivity. Willpower Doesn't Work is an insightful guide to help us thrive in today's world -- Ariana Huffington

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Book SynopsisWhy do some people achieve greater success and happiness than others? The key is positive psychology. For most of its history, psychology has focused mainly on the darker side of human behaviour - depression, anxiety, psychosis and psychopathic behaviour.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 About This Book 1 Conventions Used in This Book 2 Foolish Assumptions 2 How This Book Is Organised 3 Part I: Getting to Grips: Introducing Positive Psychology 3 Part II: Doing the Time Warp: Past, Present and Future 3 Part III: What Positive Psychology Can Do For You 4 Part IV: Positive Psychology in the Real World 4 Part V: The Part of Tens 4 Icons Used in This Book 4 Where to Go from Here 5 Part I: Getting to Grips: Introducing Positive Psychology 7 Chapter 1: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life 9 Putting the Positive in Psychology 9 Looking for a message 9 Being authentically happy 10 Building an evidence-based case 10 Measuring the good, the bad and the ugly 12 Living a positive life 12 Studying positive psychology 13 Having positive experiences 13 Recognising positive traits 15 Building positive relationships 16 Constructing positive institutions 16 Making It Worth Your While 19 Benefiting from positivity 19 Chapter 2: Why Being Healthy, Well and Happy is a Really Good Idea 21 Reaping the Health Benefits 21 A happy heart 22 Living the positive life 23 Building immunity 24 Assisting angry Andrew 26 Creating healthy habits 27 Living with Satisfaction 28 Becoming a well individual 28 Building societies with wellbeing 28 AIMing for Happiness 32 Attending to the good stuff 33 Interpreting for the best 34 Memorising effectively 35 Part II: Doing the Time Warp: Past, Present and Future 37 Chapter 3: Tackling the Past 39 Dealing with the Past 39 Mapping old issues 40 Letting go – forgiving if not forgetting 41 Knowing How to be Grateful 46 Giving thanks 47 Counting your blessings 48 Adopting a Childlike Approach 50 Being how you want to be 50 Choosing the best life 50 Chapter 4: Living in the Present 53 Dancing in the Moment 53 Creating your own energy 53 The Johari Window 54 Being mindful 56 Laying ghosts 59 Getting Into the Flow 62 Being in the zone 62 Boosting happiness and fulfilment 64 Chapter 5: Planning for the Future 65 Looking Forward Joyfully 66 Anticipating the best 70 Making positive thoughts happen 70 Developing Optimism 71 Taking the thinking questionnaire 71 Thinking positively 74 Perfect-world thinking 75 Behaving constructively 76 Focusing on What Matters 77 Sorting out priorities 78 Ditching the unimportant 79 Leaving a Legacy 80 Living with a purpose 80 Making your mark on the world 81 Putting it all together 82 Part III: What Positive Psychology can do for you 83 Chapter 6: Finding Pleasure in Life 85 What Is Pleasure? 85 The law of diminishing returns 87 Breaking free from the materialist trap 89 Finding Real Pleasures 91 Celebrating the ordinary 91 Indulging in simple pleasures 92 Having a beautiful day 93 Sleepwalking through Life 93 Waking up to smell the roses 94 Taking stock of experiences 97 Chapter 7: Engaging in Life: Using your Signature Strengths 99 Analysing Your Signature Strengths 99 Appreciating your strengths 100 Understanding your strengths 100 Considering your weaknesses 102 Playing To Your Strengths 103 Identifying your strengths and virtues 103 Using your signature strengths daily 110 Shoring up your weaknesses 111 Finding Strengths in Others 111 Recognising other people’s virtues 111 Chapter 8: Developing Meaning in Life 113 Is This All There Is? 114 Rising above the humdrum 115 Making your mark on the world 116 Something Bigger Than Yourself 117 Connecting with others 117 Making a real difference 120 Chapter 9: Becoming your Best 123 Keeping Yourself Afloat 123 Sources of resilience 124 Getting through 126 Building your personal model of resilience 128 Having Fun 128 Looking for joy in your life 129 Living humorously 129 Living Confidently 131 Thinking Constructively 132 Listening to the voices 133 Building firm beliefs 133 Taking Gratitude Further 134 Seeing things afresh 135 Practising thankfulness 136 Experiencing Engagement 136 The big five strengths 136 Having self-respect and pride 137 Making Your Life Count 137 Choosing your destiny 138 Living up to your values 138 Chapter 10: Staying Healthy with Positive Psychology 141 Living Like It Matters 141 The healthy life checklist 142 Developing positive good health 143 Changing positively: The four-stage change model 144 Building a personal happiness programme 147 Overcoming Stress 149 Understanding stress 149 Taking a perspective on life, yourself and others 153 Building your resources 155 Learning to bounce back 156 Part IV: Positive Psychology in the Real World 157 Chapter 11: Making Relationships Work 159 Getting to Know You 159 Avoiding relationship pitfalls 161 Acknowledging and using each other’s signature strengths 162 Using Positive Communication 164 Taking the emotionally smart approach 164 Recognising your own feelings 165 Picking up on the non-verbal signs 166 Setting the climate control 168 Keeping talking 169 Looking at you, me and us 171 Investing Your Time 172 Planning the perfect date 172 Celebrating together 173 Creating carefree holidays 173 Building great friendships 174 Chapter 12: Becoming a Positive Parent 177 Making Happiness a Habit 177 Pleasing yourself! 178 Being engaged 180 Finding meaning 182 Measuring Family Strengths 183 Recognising the best in each other 185 Defining the key elements of a happy family 190 Being the Best Parent You Can Be 192 Facing the good, the bad and the ugly of parenting 194 Being a great step-parent 195 Making Happy Children 196 Celebrating success 196 Building positive rituals 198 Avoiding excessive materialism 199 Chapter 13: Embracing the Extended Family 201 Building Family Networks 201 Making connections 202 Getting On with the In-Laws 203 Seeing the best 205 Reaching a compromise 207 Acknowledging the Elderly 207 Developing wisdom 209 Recognising change 210 Extending the Family 211 Chapter 14: Understanding Why Work Matters 213 Providing a Structure 213 Discovering how work can make you happy 214 Using your time productively 216 Right time, right focus 219 Being a Shining Star! 219 Considering you at your best 220 Sharing the limelight 221 Chapter 15: Being your Best in the Workplace 225 Knowing Your Work Strengths 225 Learning from the past 228 Swapping round pegs and square holes 229 Using your work strengths in unlikely settings 230 Using Your Strengths Meaningfully 231 Novel ways of using your strengths 232 Measuring and Increasing Your Flow 233 Knowing Your Signature Strengths 235 Getting the Team Working Well 238 Recognising strengths in others 238 Using other people’s strengths to make what’s good even better 238 Flourishing versus languishing teams 239 Reviewing resilience questions 242 Part V: The Part of Tens 245 Chapter 16: Ten Top Activities 247 Developing Gratitude 247 Recognising Your Blessings 248 Creating a Beautiful Day 249 Learning to Worry Well 249 Half An Hour a Day 249 My Worry Journal 250 Being Me at My Best 251 Using Sentence Completion 251 Recognising Different Facets of Yourself 254 Discovering Your Purpose 255 Learning to Be Optimistic (ABCDE) 255 Undertaking Deliberate Acts of Kindness 256 Chapter 17: Ten Useful Resources 259 www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu 259 www.centreforconfi dence.co.uk 259 www.cappeu.org 260 www.ippanetwork.org 260 www.positivepsychology.net 260 www.dalailamacenter.org 260 Authentic Happiness by Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D 260 Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth by Ed Diener and Robert Biswas Diener 261 Character Strengths and Virtues by Christopher Peterson and Martin E.P. Seligman 261 Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi 261 Chapter 18: Ten Positive Inspirations 263 Pay it Forward (film, 2000) 264 It’s a Wonderful Life (film, 1946) 264 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (film, 2007) 264 Thank you for being a Friend, Andrew Gold (song, 1978) 265 My Way, Frank Sinatra (song, 1969) 265 Lean on Me, Bill Withers, (song, 1972) 265 The Prophet, by Khalil Ghibran (book, 1998) 265 Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways to Make the World a Nicer Place, by Danny Wallace (book, 2004) 266 Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Jones (book, 1998) 266 The Art of Happiness: A handbook for Living, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, (book, 1999) 267 Index 269

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Book SynopsisOther books will tell you how to be hygge. This is the only book that will show you. Though we all know the feeling of hygge instinctively, few of us ever manage to capture it for more than a moment. Now Danish actress and hygge aficionado Marie Tourell Søderberg has traveled the length and breadth of her home country to create the perfect guide to cooking, decorating, entertaining, and being inspired the hygge way. Full of beautiful photographs and simple, practical steps and ideas to make your home and life both comfortable and cheering all year round, this book is the easy way to introduce hygge into your life.Trade ReviewOther books will tell you how to do hygge. This is the only book that will show you. Full of beautiful photographs and simple, practical steps and ideas to make your home and life both comfortable and cheering all year round, this book is the easy way to introduce hygge into your life. * from the publisher's description *

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Book SynopsisBring the benefits of mindfulness into your everyday routine, for self-awareness, focus, stress-reduction and happiness.

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Book SynopsisDon't be so hard on yourself use compassion focused therapy as your guide It's often said that we're our own worst critics and it's true. Compassion Focused Therapy For Dummies offers straightforward and practical advice that helps you view yourself through a more sympathetic lens.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part 1: Getting Started with Compassion Focused Therapy 5 Chapter 1: Introducing Compassion Focused Therapy 7 Chapter 2: Understanding Compassion 25 Chapter 3: Making Sense of Life’s Challenges 39 Part 2: Understanding Ourselves 53 Chapter 4: Introducing the Three Circles 55 Chapter 5: Getting to Know Ourselves: Exploring Our Life Stories 73 Chapter 6: Considering Your Beliefs about Compassion 91 Chapter 7: Facing Barriers to Compassion 107 Part 3: Developing Our Compassionate Mind 119 Chapter 8: Directing Our Attention 121 Chapter 9: Preparing for Compassion 133 Chapter 10: Practising Compassion for Others 151 Chapter 11: Allowing Compassion In 165 Chapter 12: Delving Deeper into Self-Compassion 179 Part 4: Compassionate Practices 191 Chapter 13: Cultivating Compassionate Thoughts 193 Chapter 14: The Power of the Pen: Writing to Strengthen Your Compassionate Mind 213 Chapter 15: Taking Action! 231 Chapter 16: Expressing Yourself 251 Chapter 17: Understanding the Different Aspects of Yourself 265 Chapter 18: Placing Compassion at the Centre of Your Life 277 Part 5: The Part of Tens 285 Chapter 19: Ten Pointers for Seeking a Professional Therapist 287 Chapter 20: Ten Tips You May Want to Share 297 Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Change the World with Compassion 303 Appendix: Additional Resources 309 Index 313

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Book SynopsisDr Rana Conway is a Registered Nutritionist (Public Health) and a member of the Nutrition Society. Over the past 20 years, she has established herself as an expert in nutrition for pregnancy and childhood. She has carried out nutrition research at leading universities, and gained a PhD in 1997 for her work with pregnant women.Table of ContentsIntroduction Acknowledgements Chapter 1 - Healthy Eating for Two Chapter 2 – A Healthy Weight Gain Chapter 3 – Low GI Eating Chapter 4 – Food and Drinks to Avoid in Pregnancy Chapter 5 – Nutrients - what they do and how much you need Chapter 6 - Supplements – who needs what and why Chapter 7 - Pregnancy Problems and How to Deal with Them Chapter 8 – Special Diets Chapter 9 - The A–Z of Foods and Ingredients Chapter 10 - Breastfeeding – the best diet for you and your baby Chapter 11 - Preparing for a New Pregnancy Resources and Useful Contacts

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis‘This is a life-changing book. Read it three times and then give a copy to anyone you care about. It will make things better’ – Seth Godin, author of This Is MarketingWhy Are We Yelling? is Buster Benson’s essential guide to having more honest and constructive arguments.Have you ever walked away from an argument and suddenly thought of all the brilliant things you wish you'd said? Do you avoid certain family members and colleagues because of bitter, festering tension that you can't figure out how to address?Now, finally, there's a solution: a new framework that frees you from the trap of unproductive conflict and pointless arguing forever.If the threat of raised voices, emotional outbursts, and public discord makes you want to hide under the conference room table, you're not alone. Conflict, or the fear of it, can be exhausting. But as this powerful book argues, conflict doesn't have to be unpleasant. In fact, properly channeled, conflict can be the most valuable tool we have at our disposal for deepening relationships, solving problems, and coming up with new ideas.As the mastermind behind some of the highest-performing teams at Amazon, Twitter, and Slack, Buster Benson spent decades facilitating hard conversations in stressful environments. In this book, Buster reveals the psychological underpinnings of awkward, unproductive conflict and the critical habits anyone can learn to avoid it. Armed with a deeper understanding of how arguments, you'll be able to: * Remain confident when you're put on the spot * Diffuse tense moments with a few strategic questions * Facilitate creative solutions even when your team has radically different perspectivesWhy Are We Yelling? will shatter your assumptions about what makes arguments productive. You'll find yourself having fewer repetitive, predictable fights once you're empowered to identify your biases, listen with an open mind, and communicate well.‘All you need is Buster Benson. His methods are instantly actionable, [and] his writing is funny and relatable’ – Adam Grant, author of OriginalsTrade ReviewThis is a life-changing book. Read it three times and then give a copy to anyone you care about. It will make things better -- Seth GodinConflict can be ugly. But if you follow the precepts of Buster Benson, you’ll discover that it’s also inevitable, necessary, and even helpful . . . everybody can learn how to argue better and more productively with this provocative book -- Daniel H. Pink, author of When and To Sell Is HumanAll you need is Buster Benson. His methods are instantly actionable, his writing is funny and relatable, and his book is the ideal companion to Difficult Conversations -- Adam Grant, bestselling author of OriginalsI’m a sucker for frameworks, and this is one of the greats. You’ll learn to turn the messy, frustrating, emotional experience of arguing into a fine art. You’ll watch the quality of your collaborations – and your ideas – go through the roof -- Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and IndistractableIn today’s polarized climate, ‘productive disagreement’ often feels like an oxymoron. Benson brilliantly challenges this idea, offering a thoughtful guidebook on how to lower our voices, tolerate tension, and have the constructive dialogue our world needs -- General Stanley McChrystalBuster Benson turns everything you know about arguing on its head. Before reading this book, I never thought I’d be looking forward to my next disagreement. Productive disagreeing is the most underrated life skill you can build -- Ev Williams, CEO of Medium, partner at Obvious Ventures, co-founder of TwitterReading Why Are We Yelling? is like having your most calm, level-headed friend explain how you might diffuse a tense situation in your life and work. I especially recommend this book to anyone who has ever tried to ‘win’ an argument only to end up frustrated with the results -- Jason Shellen, co-founder of Google Reader, Boxer, and Brizzly; founder of A Little DriveWith provocative ideas – and the brain science to back them up – Why Are We Yelling? offers fresh approaches to conflict and connection -- Sarah Milstein, author of The Twitter BookLively, accessible, and practical guide . . . eight valuable principles for turning rude arguments or suppressed differences into dynamic conversations that illuminate, connect, and yield better results for all -- William Ury, co-author of Getting to Yes, and author of Getting to Yes with YourselfThis clever, empowering book shows how conflict can be a source of growth, intrigue, and joy . . . This is the perfect book at the perfect time to bring some sanity back into disagreements -- Annie Duke, author of Thinking in Bets

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Book Synopsis'Powerful and poignant, this book is for anyone who has struggled with mental health challenges' Lori Gottlieb'[An] invaluable book' Andrew Solomon'A unique, hopeful, essential guide. You Are Not Alone is a treasure' Bruce D. PerryThis singular book is a powerful reminder that help is here, and you are never alone.Millions of people across the world are affected by mental illness every year. Yet the mental healthcare industry remains chaotic, underfunded and often inaccessible, with many people asking themselves the same questions: What does it mean when different doctors give me different diagnoses? Will I be on medication my whole life? Will I ever feel better?You Are Not Alone is here to offer help and compassion. Written by Dr Ken Duckworth, whose own entry into psychiatry was inspired by his father's lifelong battle with bipolar disorder, this comprehensive guide pairs medical expertise with the empathy of someone who gets it.

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