Books

I have personally read the books listed on this page and found them to be understandable and their content useful. They are the kind of resources I personally use and I heartily recommend them to you. Most are available at Amazon.com. The link following the description will take you directly to their site where you will find additional information, reader reviews and ratings and the means to order your copy. Of course, you can always borrow the copy I have in the office.

As a navigation aid to this list I have categorized the recommendation into the following groupings. Click on the Heading to be taken to that section.

Aging

The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being by Sherwin B. Nuland (author of the best seller “How We Die”) is an outstanding book on how to age is a positive and productive way. Through various examples, citing both famous and regular folks, Dr. Nuland emphasizes four main components to aging well: keep physically active, look forward to the next day, keep your life full and help others. The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being

For those of you that are over 40 years old, this is a must read book: I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron. It puts aging into perspective plus you will have lots of laughs. And as we know, laughter is the best medicine! [Its also available in paperback] I Feel Bad About My Neck

Wise Women by photographer Joyce Tenneson. As most of you know, I am amateur photographer. This book was recommended by a fellow photographer. I was excited at seeing Tenneson’s latest work. What surprised me was not just the quality of the photos but the included “words of wisdom” from women who are celebrating the last third of their lives! And live they do!

Medical

Studies have shown that people who struggle with Chronic Sinusitis have an increased risk of developing clinical depression. Dr. Ralph B. Metson, M.D. has written an excellent book called Guide to Healing Your Sinuses. Dr. Metson is a clinical professor at Harvard Medical School. This book takes a very complex subject and makes it easier to understand. He also explains all the medications available citing their positive and negativity attributes. But most importantly, Dr. Metson explains some excellent, non-surgical, treatments the patient can do by themselves. It is a very empowering bookHarvard Medical School Guide to Healing Your Sinuses (Harvard Medical School Guides).

Did you know that dealing with the pain of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) can lead to depression? The Robert O. Uppgaard, DDS book Taking Control of TMJ gives an excellent review of the body of knowledge on TMJ plus it gives specific treatment plans to help decrease the pain. If you have TMJ this is a must read. Taking Control of Tmj: Your Total Wellness Program for Recovering from Tempromandibular Joint Pain, Whiplash, Fibromyalgia, and Related Disorders

Healing Your Sinuses by Dr. Ralph B. Metson, MD @ Harvard Medical School. This is one of the easiest to understand books on sinus problems that I have ever read. Some of you have come to me in depression after fighting years of sinus infections. For you, this book is a must read!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Second Edition by Alison C. Bested, M.D. This is the best book on this disorder that I have read to date. I give it 10 out of 10! The author explains complicated medical systems in easy to understand language. He also gives a comprehensive summary of all recommended treatments to date. This is a must read for anyone who has this disorder and for their family members as well.

The Body Broken by Lynne Greenberg – this is a must read for anyone who is trying to adjust to chronic illness. This book is very well written and a pleasure to read. It is about the journey a woman takes in adapting to having chronic pain while still having a productive and full life. This book certainly instills life.

Divorce

For those of you thinking about or going through a divorce, I recommend 3 must reads:

We're Still Family: What Grown Children Have to Say About Their Parents' Divorce by Dr. Constance Ahrons. I highly recommend this book to parents who are concerned about the impact that their divorce may have on their children, and to adult children of divorce who are struggling to understand how their parents' divorce has impacted their lives. We're Still Family: What Grown Children Have to Say About Their Parents' Divorce

The Good Divorce – Keeping Your Family Together When Your Marriage Comes Apart by Dr. Constance Ahrons. In this provocative new book, acclaimed social scientist and family therapist Constance Ahrons defines the good divorce and shows how couples can achieve one. Dr. Ahrons focuses on what we can learn from those families that maintain family bonds and continue to meet the needs of their children. The Good Divorce

You've had enough? or so you think. But should you really leave? In Should You Leave?: A Psychiatrist Explores Intimacy and AutonomyPeter Kramer examines how people seek an answer to this crucial question of the heart. Along the way he offers great insights into the human condition and helps the reader to understand why we each do what we do about interpersonal relationships on the brink of a breakup. Should You Leave?: A Psychiatrist Explores Intimacy and Autonomy--and the Nature of Advice

Mental Health

Tell Me I’m Here – One Family’s Experience of Schizophrenia by Anne Deveson is a well written, easy to read, short book that really captures what it is like to live with a schizophrenic child. Over forty million people worldwide develop schizophrenia at some time in their lives. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, I recommend reading this book.

Depression Is Contagious by Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. was recently published. Dr. Yapko is a world known expert on depression. This book looks at the root causes of depression – it is about our relationships. Michael does not buy into the prevailing line that depression is a brain disease caused by malfunctioning neurons and chemicals. His prespective is that depression occurs when our social worlds are not working. It is an easy read and has many good points. As most of you know, I believe depression has three causes: genetic predisposition, primary relationship and our social enivornment. All three work together. Michael gives a good view of how our social enivornment can cause depression.

Grief

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold was given to me by a recently bereaved client who was having difficulty getting into the story. After reading this book, I would have to agree with my client. It is not a good book to read if you are recently bereaved. With that said, it is an outstanding book.

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. If you did not believe in Heaven before reading this book, you might afterwards. This book really gets you to thinking about the after life. It also tells a great story of how someone reestablished a new normal for themselves.

Heaven Is Real by Don Piper. His follow-on book was informative, however, I thought it repeated concepts often, mirrored “90 Minutes in Heaven” too closely and frankly was not written very well. Hence, I would not recommend reading this book. You get the vast majority of information from his first book.

Teenagers

Parents, if you are having trouble finding a book that teaches what pure womanhood is and how to empower your daughters to stay pure, I can recommend Pure Womanhood written by Crystalina Evert. This book does have a religious slant however; it provides excellent education on male/female relationships. For young ladies who wish to remain or become pure, this book is a must read. Pure Womanhood

Parents and teens – if you are wondering how to stay pure in this sexually permissive society the DVD called Romance Without Regret is a must see. Whether you are in a relationship, looking for love, or just trying to understand how to properly use sexuality, this DVD will hand you the tools you need in order to know the difference between love and lust. You can order it from http://www.catholic.com or by calling 888-291-8000.

If You Really Loved Me 100 Questions on Dating, Relationships and Sexual Purity” by Jason Evert. Mr. Evert has compiled an excellent list of questions and answers on how to have the real intimate relationship that most of us desire. This is a must read for teens and young adults.

Your Body

For those of you struggling with body image issues I recommend: Bodies and Souls – The Century Project by Frank Cordelle and Dr. Naomi Weinshenker, MD. These are beautiful nude untouched images of females from birth to over ninety years of age. These photos were taken over 25 years and each one is accompanied by a powerful story - strongly emphasizing the beauty in the different body types of women. Bodies and Souls: The Century Project

Women’s Health and Wellness – An illustrated guide This book provides an at-a-glance understanding of all major women's health issues, from arthritis and high cholesterol to diabetes and menopause. It explains what each condition is, lists risk factors and symptoms and offers key prevention and management strategies - all in concise comprehensible language. Women's Health and Wellness: An Illustrated Guide

Anatomy and Pathology: The World's Best Anatomical Charts The charts show the human body in a format that provides a clear and visual understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and diseases. The 5th Edition features 58 new and updated anatomical charts created by the world’s best medical illustrators. Anatomy and Pathology: The World's Best Anatomical Charts (The World's Best Anatomical Chart Series)

Self Improvement

For those of you who made a New Years resolution to tap into your creativity, I highly recommend The Artist’s Way – A spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron and the accompanying The Artist’s Date Book – A Companion Volume to the Artist’s Way by the same author.

You Being Beautiful – The Owner’s Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty by Dr. Roizen, M.D. and Dr. Oz, M.D. This is one of the best health books I have read in years! They take very complicated medical concepts and make them easy to understand. The book is well organized, easy to read and interesting. The authors use a wonderful sense of humor throughout the book (do read the footnotes they are a stitch!). This is a must have in your library.

Mistakes Were Made But Not By Me by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson. This is a book about why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions and hurtful acts. In other words, why we do not own up to our mistakes. The book gives excellent insights to human behavior – certainly worth a read. On a scale of 1-10 I give this book a strong 8.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, - this book is well written and shows how one person can really make a difference in our world. It also gives an excellent view of Afghanistan's culture.

Insurance

Fight Your Health Insurer and Win by Laurie Todd. For those of you that have had claims denied or were surprised to discover that 80% of Usual and Customary resulted in you paying 80% of your therapist fee, this book is for you. For more information go to: www.theinsurancewarrior.com