- Table View
- List View
What Doesn't Kill You: The Highs, Lows and Unexpected Gifts of Surviving Cancer
by Rachel HaynesRachel Haynes survived bowel cancer, not once, but twice. There have been many unexpected consequences … this is her story. Exploring the ups and downs of treatment with sensitivity, humour and brutal honesty, Rachel reflects on the psychological impacts of survival not only on herself but on those who have supported her. Being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer while bringing up two growing children, holding down a full time job, going through a break-up and having three days to adjust to a life-changing operation is far from ideal. Add to this a short period of remission, a new relationship, followed by an unexpected relapse and the whole thing starting again, and you know you are going to be in for an interesting read.
What Doesn't Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness - Lessons from a Body in Revolt
by Tessa Miller"Should be read by anyone with a body. . . . Relentlessly researched and undeniably smart."—The New York TimesWhat Doesn't Kill You is the riveting account of a young journalist’s awakening to chronic illness, weaving together personal story and reporting to shed light on living with an ailment forever.Tessa Miller was an ambitious twentysomething writer in New York City when, on a random fall day, her stomach began to seize up. At first, she toughed it out through searing pain, taking sick days from work, unable to leave the bathroom or her bed. But when it became undeniable that something was seriously wrong, Miller gave in to family pressure and went to the hospital—beginning a years-long nightmare of procedures, misdiagnoses, and life-threatening infections. Once she was finally correctly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Miller faced another battle: accepting that she will never get better.Today, an astonishing three in five adults in the United States suffer from a chronic disease—a percentage expected to rise post-Covid. Whether the illness is arthritis, asthma, Crohn's, diabetes, endometriosis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, or any other incurable illness, and whether the sufferer is a colleague, a loved one, or you, these diseases have an impact on just about every one of us. Yet there remains an air of shame and isolation about the topic of chronic sickness. Millions must endure these disorders not only physically but also emotionally, balancing the stress of relationships and work amid the ever-present threat of health complications.Miller segues seamlessly from her dramatic personal experiences into a frank look at the cultural realities (medical, occupational, social) inherent in receiving a lifetime diagnosis. She offers hard-earned wisdom, solidarity, and an ultimately surprising promise of joy for those trying to make sense of it all.
What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know About Sex (Second Edition)
by Stephanie Buehler<p>The second edition of this acclaimed guide to understanding sexuality and working with clients on sexuality issues is extensively updated to reflect recent scientific, practical, and social developments in the field. It provides updated information on relevant disorders in the DSM-5, new theoretical approaches, new pharmacological treatments, updated information on STDs, new understandings of transgender individuals, the impact of same-sex marriage laws, controversies over sex addiction, and much more. Chapters are enhanced with the addition of new take-away points, additional worksheets, and a glossary. <p>Distinguished by an easy-to-read, down-to-earth approach, the text provides plentiful information, tools, and exercises to increase the confidence and comfort of both trainee and experienced mental health professionals treating sexual issues. Based on the premise that the therapist must be comfortable with his or her own sexuality in order to provide effective treatment, the book discusses the characteristics of healthy sexuality for both client and therapist and addresses issues of discomfort that may arise for the therapist.</p>
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility: Your Guide to Fertility Awareness to Plan or Avoid Pregnancy
by Jane Knight Toni BelfieldWritten by a fertility nurse specialist and a sexual health information expert, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility is the most comprehensive, practical and accessible guide to fertility awareness methods available. This essential guide to reproduction puts you in control of your fertility by explaining how your body works, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions about your sexual and reproductive health. It answers every conceivable question about fertility awareness using detailed images, charts and a step-by-step guide to tracking your temperature and observing the bodily changes associated with ovulation, and gives clearly defined guidelines for how to plan, or avoid, a pregnancy.Dispelling the myths around fertility awareness methods, and explaining the pros and cons of reproductive technologies such as fertility apps, this book also gives practical answers to the questions that all women ask, including:* Want to understand reproduction and how your body works?* Want to know how to plan or avoid pregnancy?* Want to use fertility awareness methods?* Fertility apps - what do I need to know?Take control of your fertility and make informed choices at all stages of your reproductive life. With insights into optimum health and preconception care, plus detailed practical advice to ensure the best possible conditions for pregnancy, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility provides unique, comprehensive guidance and choices for all on how to plan or avoid pregnancy naturally.
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility: Your Guide to Fertility Awareness to Plan or Avoid Pregnancy
by Jane Knight Toni BelfieldWritten by a fertility nurse specialist and a sexual health information expert, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility is the most comprehensive, practical and accessible guide to fertility awareness methods available. This essential guide to reproduction puts you in control of your fertility by explaining how your body works, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions about your sexual and reproductive health. It answers every conceivable question about fertility awareness using detailed images, charts and a step-by-step guide to tracking your temperature and observing the bodily changes associated with ovulation, and gives clearly defined guidelines for how to plan, or avoid, a pregnancy.Dispelling the myths around fertility awareness methods, and explaining the pros and cons of reproductive technologies such as fertility apps, this book also gives practical answers to the questions that all women ask, including:* Want to understand reproduction and how your body works?* Want to know how to plan or avoid pregnancy?* Want to use fertility awareness methods?* Fertility apps - what do I need to know?Take control of your fertility and make informed choices at all stages of your reproductive life. With insights into optimum health and preconception care, plus detailed practical advice to ensure the best possible conditions for pregnancy, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Fertility provides unique, comprehensive guidance and choices for all on how to plan or avoid pregnancy naturally.
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Gut: The FLAT GUT Diet Plan
by Barbara Ryan Elaine McGowan* Digestive problems* Bloating* Diarrhoea* Constipation* PainDo you identify with these symptoms? Does your digestive system feel like your enemy? Is your unpredictable gut a source of embarrassment or fear, or is it holding you back?If you're a woman who's answered 'yes' to any of the above, you're not alone. More than two-thirds of people with IBS are female; other gut problems are also more common in women. And your needs are very specific.YOU NEED: Clear, accessible information about and insight into what female hormones can do to gut healthYOU NEED: Expert guidance from a consultant gastroenterologist and a clinical dietitian and nutritionistYOU NEED: Stepped, manageable strategies to take control of your troublesome gutYOU NEED: A diet plan that focuses on your specific requirements, which is flexible, achieveable and sustainableYOU NEED: Easy-to-follow recipes that are gut-friendly, delicious and restore your digestive healthYOU NEED THIS BOOK!Professor Barbara Ryan and Elaine McGowan, RD, are The Gut Experts (@thegutexperts and www.thegutexperts.com) and have treated over 60,000 patients with every kind of digestive condition and nutritional requirement. They are bringing their expertise and insights to you in this easy-to-digest book.
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Gut: The FLAT GUT Diet Plan
by Barbara Ryan Elaine McGowan* Digestive problems* Bloating* Diarrhoea* Constipation* PainDo you identify with these symptoms? Does your digestive system feel like your enemy? Is your unpredictable gut a source of embarrassment or fear, or is it holding you back?If you're a woman who's answered 'yes' to any of the above, you're not alone. More than two-thirds of people with IBS are female; other gut problems are also more common in women. And your needs are very specific.YOU NEED: Clear, accessible information about and insight into what female hormones can do to gut healthYOU NEED: Expert guidance from a consultant gastroenterologist and a clinical dietitian and nutritionistYOU NEED: Stepped, manageable strategies to take control of your troublesome gutYOU NEED: A diet plan that focuses on your specific requirements, which is flexible, achieveable and sustainableYOU NEED: Easy-to-follow recipes that are gut-friendly, delicious and restore your digestive healthYOU NEED THIS BOOK!Professor Barbara Ryan and Elaine McGowan, RD, are The Gut Experts (@thegutexperts and www.thegutexperts.com) and have treated over 60,000 patients with every kind of digestive condition and nutritional requirement. They are bringing their expertise and insights to you in this easy-to-digest book.
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Skin and Hair: How the hormones on your inside affect you on the outside (What Every Woman Needs to Know)
by Dr Mandy LeonhardtThe appearance of our skin and hair has a huge impact on our psychological wellbeing and confidence. Women feel pressure to have glowing, blemish-free skin, and thick, luscious hair at all times - in reality, our skin is a dynamic living organ which reacts to hormonal changes across the lifecycle, from puberty to the menopause. When our skin does not look healthy, and when our hair is thin or falling out, we want to understand why, and what we can do about it. We can spend large amounts on different creams and beauty products, or cover the problem with makeup, but ultimately the question most asked by women, and unanswered by skincare regimes, is 'could this be hormonal?'The answer is, of course, 'yes' - and if you read this book, you'll know exactly how and why. By giving you a better understanding of the relationship between your hormones, and common skin and hair problems, Dr Mandy Leonhardt will help you find lasting solutions whatever your issue. Whether you suffer with outbreaks, dry skin, sensitive skin, pigmentation or are concerned about the way your skin is aging in midlife, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Skin and Hair will provide you with the tools to find more holistic and effective solutions which don't just scratch (or moisturise) the surface, but which look at the root cause of the problem. Drawing on both the latest research and on her years of experience as a GP and specialist in women's health, Dr Leonhardt offers scientifically proven and practical advice to both understand and better manage the condition of your skin, hair and nails. She will explain which skincare principles (and types of product) are worthwhile, and which aren't; and how you can effectively connect the dots between your skin health and factors like nutrition and lifestyle. She gives clear advice on which non-medical treatments are worth pursuing (and, again, which aren't), and plenty of additional resources to help you find a cost-effective regime which takes both your hormonal stage in life and your bank balance into account.
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Skin and Hair: How the hormones on your inside affect you on the outside (What Every Woman Needs to Know)
by Dr Mandy LeonhardtThe appearance of our skin and hair has a huge impact on our psychological wellbeing and confidence. Women feel pressure to have glowing, blemish-free skin, and thick, luscious hair at all times - in reality, our skin is a dynamic living organ which reacts to hormonal changes across the lifecycle, from puberty to the menopause. When our skin does not look healthy, and when our hair is thin or falling out, we want to understand why, and what we can do about it. We can spend large amounts on different creams and beauty products, or cover the problem with makeup, but ultimately the question most asked by women, and unanswered by skincare regimes, is 'could this be hormonal?'The answer is, of course, 'yes' - and if you read this book, you'll know exactly how and why. By giving you a better understanding of the relationship between your hormones, and common skin and hair problems, Dr Mandy Leonhardt will help you find lasting solutions whatever your issue. Whether you suffer with outbreaks, dry skin, sensitive skin, pigmentation or are concerned about the way your skin is aging in midlife, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Skin and Hair will provide you with the tools to find more holistic and effective solutions which don't just scratch (or moisturise) the surface, but which look at the root cause of the problem. Drawing on both the latest research and on her years of experience as a GP and specialist in women's health, Dr Leonhardt offers scientifically proven and practical advice to both understand and better manage the condition of your skin, hair and nails. She will explain which skincare principles (and types of product) are worthwhile, and which aren't; and how you can effectively connect the dots between your skin health and factors like nutrition and lifestyle. She gives clear advice on which non-medical treatments are worth pursuing (and, again, which aren't), and plenty of additional resources to help you find a cost-effective regime which takes both your hormonal stage in life and your bank balance into account.
What Every Woman Should Know about Cervical Cancer
by Nenad Markovic Olivera MarkovicThis book (anupdated and extended edition) is about mobilizing women and health care policymakers and providers to unite their efforts in a single strategy for fightingcervical cancer worldwide. The objective of this strategy would be to reversecervical cancer prevalence and mortality rates among all 2. 4 billion women atrisk and to achieve this goal within 10-15 years of implementation. CervicalCancer Screening (Pap test, VIA, VILI, or HPV) failed to stop cervical cancerworldwide simply because many countries could not afford developinginfrastructure necessary to carry on the global strategy, and because theoutreach could not accomplish the targeted 51% of the population at risk. In2015, there is still 600,000 women getting cervical cancer annually and 300,000of them die. Every minute one woman gets cervical cancer and every 2 minutesone woman dies from this preventable disease. In 21st Centurythe Information Technology (IT) Revolution has made substantial impact onmedicine enabling remote points-of care, scattered around the world, to bee-connected with experts in distant medical centers and to obtain qualitydiagnosis and proper guidelines for curative therapy of early stages ofcervical cancer. Low frequency of costly interventions needed makes IT-basedscreening financially and socially beneficial for mass screening. This newMobile Health technology with the Global Strategy for Fighting Cervical Canceris subject to elaboration in our book as the new hope when old efforts havefailed to stop the world "epidemics" of this grave but preventable disease. Thelanguage is adapted for easy reading and understanding by professionals andlay-persons. This book isintended for women at risk for cervical cancer, their health care providers,health insurance companies, government responsible for making health policy andhealthcare industry because all of them have special role in the new GlobalStrategy elaborated in details in this book.
What Fresh Hell Is This?: Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You
by Heather CorinnaWhat to Expect When You&’re Not Expected to Expect Anything Anymore Did you see the title and flame-filled cover of this book, and did your weary, sweaty, confused, and exasperated soul scream, That one! That is the book for me!!? If so, I&’d first like to extend my deepest sympathies, an ice pack, and some of these very helpful edibles. If it&’s three in the morning as you&’re reading this, as it may well be, you likely want those more than a book. But since I can&’t really give you the other stuff, I can at least offer you this book. . . . Perimenopause and menopause experiences are as unique as all of us who move through them. While there&’s no one-size-fits-all, Heather Corinna tells you what can happen and what you can do to take care of yourself, all the while busting pernicious myths, offering real self-care tips—the kind that won&’t break the bank or your soul—and running the gamut from hot flashes to hormone therapy. With big-tent, practical, clear information and support, and inclusive of so many who have long been left out of the discussion—people with disabilities; queer, transgender, nonbinary, and other gender-diverse people; BIPOC; working class and other folks—What Fresh Hell Is This? is the cooling pillow and empathetic best friend to help you through the fire.
What Fresh Hell Is This?: Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities and You
by Heather Corinna'This book feels like your best friend talking to you over drinks - if your best friend is a shit-talking, patriarchy-smashing, intersectionally feminist professor of the history of reproductive medicine and also an endocrinologist with a side hustle as a comedian.' - Dr Emily Nagoski, NYT bestselling author of Come As You AreWhat to Expect When You're Not Expected to Expect Anything AnymorePerimenopause and menopause experiences are as unique as all of us who move through them. While there's no one-size-fits-all, Heather Corinna tells you what can happen and what you can do to take care of yourself, all the while busting pernicious myths, offering real self-care tips - the kind that won't break the bank or your soul - and running the gamut from hot flashes to hormone therapy.With practical, clear information and support, inclusive of those with disabilities, queer, transgender, nonbinary and other gender-diverse people, people of colour, working class and others who have long been left out of the discussion, What Fresh Hell Is This? is the cooling pillow and empathetic best friend to help you through the fire.
What God Is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss by and for Native Women and Women of Color
by Shannon Gibney Kao Kalia YangNative women and women of color poignantly share their pain, revelations, and hope after experiencing the traumas of miscarriage and infant loss What God Is Honored Here? is the first book of its kind—and urgently necessary. This is a literary collection of voices of Indigenous women and women of color who have undergone miscarriage and infant loss, experiences that disproportionately affect women who have often been cast toward the margins in the United States of America. From the story of dashed cultural expectations in an interracial marriage to poems that speak of loss across generations, from harrowing accounts of misdiagnoses, ectopic pregnancies, and late-term stillbirths to the poignant chronicles of miscarriages and mysterious infant deaths, What God Is Honored Here? brings women together to speak to one another about the traumas and tragedies of womanhood. In its heartbreaking beauty, this book offers an integral perspective on how culture and religion, spirit and body, unite in the reproductive lives of women of color and Indigenous women as they bear witness to loss, search for what is not there, and claim for themselves and others their fundamental humanity. Powerfully and with brutal honesty, they write about what it means to reclaim life in the face of death.Editors Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang acknowledge “who we had been could not have prepared us for who we would become in the wake of these words,” yet the writings collected here offer insight, comfort, and, finally, hope for all those who, like the women gathered here, have found grief a lonely place.Contributors: Jennifer Baker, Michelle Borok, Lucille Clifton, Sidney Clifton, Taiyon J. Coleman, Arfah Daud, Rona Fernandez, Sarah Agaton Howes, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Soniah Kamal, Diana Le-Cabrera, Janet Lee-Ortiz, Maria Elena Mahler, Chue Moua, Jami Nakamura Lin, Jen Palmares Meadows, Dania Rajendra, Marcie Rendon, Seema Reza, 신 선 영 Sun Yung Shin, Kari Smalkoski, Catherine R. Squires, Elsa Valmidiano.
What Happens Next?
by Jade SkyAnswers about the afterlifeHave you ever been alone but felt that you were not really alone at all; that someone else was there? You didn't feel scared, you felt comforted and you knew that the energy felt familiar, like that of a passed loved one. But your sceptical mind told you it was just your imagination. Signs from the spirit world come in many different ways; it could be just a small thing, such as sensing a presence or even the lights flicking on and off whenever you think about a passed loved one. Is this just coincidence, or is it more? In What Happens Next, spiritual/medium Jade-Sky shows you that it is possible to feel, sense or even hear your passed loved ones in spirit. In her work, Jade-Sky is asked hundreds of questions about life after death and here she answers them all, such as what happens to loved ones when they pass, including children, parents, partners, friends and even pets; how to recognise signs from passed loved ones; and all about angels, spirit guides and ghosts. Drawing on her many years of communicating with the spirit world Jade-Sky's sympathetic answers offer comfort and reassurance to anyone who wonders: 'What happens next?'
What Happens to a Hamburger? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
by Paul ShowersRead and find out about your digestive system in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.What happens to food when you eat it? Read and find out about your digestive system and how it turns food into energy your body can use.This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:hands-on and visualacclaimed and trustedgreat for classroomsTop 10 reasons to love LRFOs:Entertain and educate at the same timeHave appealing, child-centered topicsDevelopmentally appropriate for emerging readersFocused; answering questions instead of using survey approachEmploy engaging picture book quality illustrationsUse simple charts and graphics to improve visual literacy skillsFeature hands-on activities to engage young scientistsMeet national science education standardsWritten/illustrated by award-winning authors/illustrators & vetted by an expert in the fieldOver 130 titles in print, meeting a wide range of kids' scientific interestsBooks in this series support the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards. Let's-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.
What Happens When We Die
by Echo BodineThe success of mega-bestsellers like Proof of Heaven and 90 Minutes in Heaven shows that readers hunger for insight into what happens when we die. But can we know? Are there those who've been "there" and back? Echo Bodine is beloved for her down-to-earth wisdom on the decidedly out of this world. In these pages, she shares her lifetime of learning -- and personal experience -- about the above questions. She offers practical tools for being with the dying (including what not to do), for grieving (through the poignant experience of her own mother's passing as Bodine was writing this book), and for cultivating clear and inspiring communication with the deceased. Learning what happens when we die turns out to be inspiring, reassuring, and profoundly life changing.
What Happens When We Die?: A Groundbreaking Study Into The Nature Of Life And Death
by Sam ParniaDr. Sam Parnia faces death every day. Through his work as a critical-care doctor in a hospital emergency room, he became very interested in some of his patients’ accounts of the experiences that they had while clinically dead. He started to collect these stories and read all the latest research on the subject, and then he conducted his own experiments. That work has culminated in this extraordinary book, which picks up where Raymond Moody’s Life After Life left off. Written in a scientific, balanced, and engaging style, this is powerful and compelling reading. This fascinating and controversial book will change the way you look at death and dying.
What Happy People Know: How the New Science of Happiness Can Change Your Life for the Better
by Dan Baker Cameron StauthDan Baker, director of the Life Enhancement Program at Canyon Ranch, has devoted his life to teaching people how to be happy. And apparently, most of us could use a little tutoring. Research has shown that the root of unhappiness--fear--lies in the oldest, reptilian part of our brains, and negative reactions are often dictated by primal instincts. We're literally "hardwired for hard times." In What Happy People Know, Dr. Baker uses evidence from the new science of happiness to show us how we can overcome this genetic predisposition toward negative reactions and lead a truly rich, happy, and healthy life.
What Happy Teachers Do: The Three-Step Self-Care System to Support You Inside and Outside the Classroom
by Michelle AutonDiscover the simple three-part self-care system that will help you stay calm in class, enjoy a good work–life balance, and keep doing the job you love.It&’s a cliché but it&’s true: teaching is the best job in the world. So why are more teachers leaving the profession than ever before? Thanks to staff shortages, accountability pressures, and heavy workloads, teachers are burning out fast. This raises the question: How do you stay happy and keep teaching?Michelle Auton has the answer. Drawing on both her own 20+ years in the profession and the experiences of her many teacher friends, Michelle has developed a three-part system to help you not just survive, but thrive in teaching.In What Happy Teachers Do, she takes you through these three principles:1. Self-care: You&’ll learn how to deal with the unique highs and lows of the teaching year and practice good self-care every day.2. Mindfulness: Michelle explains the neuroscience and benefits of mindfulness, and details short mindful practices that can help you in times of stress, overwhelm, exhaustion, or judgment.3. Tapping: Tapping is an alternative treatment for physical pain and emotional distress, and can help to restore balance to your body's energy. Use these tapping—aka Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)—scripts in both your personal and teaching life, such as when you&’re having difficulty sleeping, preparing for a lesson observation, or worried about an awkward conversation with a parent.This book will help all teachers, whether you&’re in your first or thirty-first year of teaching, to reduce stress, prioritize self-care, and feel empowered. This is what happy teachers do.
What Happy Women Know: How New Findings in Positive Psychology Can Change Women's Lives for the Better
by Dan Baker Cathy Greenberg Ina YalofThe director of Canyon Ranch's award-winning Life Enhancement Program draws on the latest discoveries in psychology and gender-specific medicine to help all women enjoy richer, healthier, more fulfilling lives.In this innovative book about what brings women happiness, Dr. Dan Baker focuses on the five traps that can compromise happiness and leave women yearning for a better life.Unlike clinical psychology, which focuses on trying to fix what's wrong with an individual, positive psychology builds on a person's natural strengths. The root of most unhappiness, fear, finds a special expression in women, who too often succumb to the happiness traps of perfectionism, wanton wanting, people pleasing, seeking revenge, thinking I'm nothing without X, and overinvesting in their careers.In What Happy Women Know, Dr. Baker synthesizes a wide range of current research on how women uniquely respond to life's slings and arrows and how they can best bounce back from them. The book offers women a compelling set of tools that will help them accept the past and actively move toward a happier future of their own design.
What He Can Expect When She's Not Expecting: How to Support Your Wife, Save Your Marriage, and Conquer Infertility!
by Gregory Rosen Marc SedakaMarc Sedaka stood by while he and his wife endured endless rounds of drug therapies, sixteen artificial inseminations, ten in-vitro fertilizations, three miscarriages, and, finally, a gestational surrogate ("womb for rent") who carried their twin girls to term. He was as supportive and loving as he could be, but he really wished he'd had a book like What He Can Expect When She's Not Expecting during the process. Most books about dealing with infertility are geared toward women, leaving the man to his own devices when it comes to comfort and encouragement (never a good idea). With the help of his own infertility doctor, Sedaka provides straightforward guy-friendly advice on situations such as: What questions you should ask at the consultations. How to help rather than annoy. What kinds of tests you and your wife should expect. How to console a wife who appears inconsolable. How to enjoy procreation sex. Sedaka's accessible, empathetic voice, combined with the fact that he experienced everything he writes about, makes this a must-have book for any infertile couple.
What Her Body Thought: A Journey Into the Shadows
by Susan GriffinIn this boldly intimate and intelligent blend of personal memoir, social history, and cultural criticism, Susan Griffin profoundly illuminates our understanding of illness. She explores its physical, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects, revealing how it magnifies our yearning for connection and reconciliation.Griffin begins with a gripping account of her own harrowing experiences with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), a potentially life-threatening illness that has been misconstrued and marginalized through the label "psychosomatic." Faced with terrifying bouts of fatigue, pain, and diminished thinking, the shame of illness, and the difficulty of being told you are "not really ill," she was driven to understand how early childhood loss made her susceptible to disease.Alongside her own story, Griffin weaves in her fascinating interpretation of the story of Marie du Plessis, popularized as the fictional Camille, an eighteenth-century courtesan whose young life was taken by tuberculosis. In the old story, Griffin finds contemporary themes of "money, bills, creditors, class, social standing, who is acceptable and who not, who is to be protected and who abandoned." In our current economy, she sees "how to be sick can impoverish, how poverty increases the misery of sickness, and how the implicit violence of this process wounds the soul as well as the body."Griffin insists that we must tell our stories to maintain our own integrity and authority, so that the sources of suffering become visible and validated. She writes passionately of a society where we are all cared for through "the rootedness of our connections. How the wound of being allowed to suffer points to a need to meet at the deepest level, to make an exchange at the nadir of life and death, the giving and taking which will weave a more spacious fabric of existence, communitas, community." Her views of the larger problems of illness and society are deeply illuminating.
What I Do with Vegetable Glue
by Elena Odriozola Susan Chandler"When my right arm fell off, I knew what to do. I stuck it back on, with vegetable glue." This is a quirky story about a little girl who refuses to eat her vegetables. Suddenly things start falling off her body! Her right arm, her nose, and even her head roll away and she must use vegetable glue to stick them back on. Whenever she coughs, something is bound to go flying from her face-poor kid. Granny comes to save the day, though, with a bag of wonderful produce, and the little girl digs in as she realizes that eating cake for every meal might not be the healthiest of choices. What I Do with Vegetable Glue offers a silly story with a very important lesson for young children to inspire good eating habits-and a belly laugh or two.
What I Like About Me
by Jenna GuillaumePlus-sized sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin never thought she had the figure to compete in a beauty pageant, but this vacation is about to change everything.Maisie has spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone: her gorgeous best friend, her pageant-winning sister, and definitely her longtime crush. Never one to jump in the water, Maisie is planning on taking it easy while her friends chill at the beach.But then her BFF starts flirting with the boy she's always loved, her older sister comes home and steals the spotlight, and Maisie has found herself pushed aside like usual. Except now, she's had enough. After forging new friendships, Maisie takes the deep dive and enters the local Miss Teen Queen. Now, with all eyes on her, can Maisie prove she has a place in the spotlight?This contemporary young adult novel is as relatable as it is charming and Maisie's realistic journey towards confidence and self-love will draw readers in as she learns how to celebrate all of herself.
What I Lost
by Alexandra BallardWhat sixteen-year-old Elizabeth has lost so far: forty pounds, four jean sizes, a boyfriend, and her peace of mind. As a result, she’s finally a size zero. She’s also the newest resident at Wallingfield, a treatment center for girls like her—girls with eating disorders. Elizabeth is determined to endure the program so she can go back home, where she plans to start restricting her food intake again.She’s pretty sure her mom, who has her own size-zero obsession, needs treatment as much as she does. Maybe even more. Then Elizabeth begins receiving mysterious packages. Are they from her ex-boyfriend, a secret admirer, or someone playing a cruel trick? This eloquent debut novel rings with authenticity as it follows Elizabeth’s journey to taking an active role in her recovery, hoping to get back all that she lost.