Book Review = My Retirement, My Way: A Workbook for the Newly Retired .. by Veronica McCain

#partner @penguinrandomhouse Thanks for the free book  

 This is a workbook, so instead of just presenting her experience or suggestions in a book form to absorb while reading the various chapters. this author makes the reader work through a number of exercises to determine what works for them, what their goals are and what are the plans for retirement. To me, this approach helps me absorb the lessons learned in the book much better than if just read through a book. 

The book is well structured with various chapters starting off with

• Retirement starts here and now
• create meaning and find your passion
• set goals 

You can alresdy see a natural progression in the headings and each part has again multiple chapters, such as Retirement starts here and now is split up into

• Where are you now?
• Who are you?
• What is success? 
• The Nitty Gritty
• Your Vision of Retirement 

I like how the author has structured the book and I recommend that the reader complete each worksheet in the series before moving on. Even if you like me may feel that you are clear about plans or what your personality is like for retirement, please do not skip any of the exercises. They may reval things about you and your plans that may surprise you. All exercises can easily be completed in a few minutes, but just like retirement that is no rush and you should take your time to think and work through each exercise. Be very intentional and of course be very honest.

As someone that bought their house with an eye towards retirement for my parents and then bought a condo with an eye towards my retirement, I appreciate how many facets the author covers. From thinking ahead to how suitable the house is or difficult modifications are and then covering whether your locatron or even your city is right, the author really brings to the attention of the reader all the aspects of retirement that need to be considered. Again, while some exercises can be completed quickly, it is important to not rush through them and carefully and truthfully answer all questions and really think about your responses. 

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I recommend this book to anyone interested in planning for retirement and wanting to take a rational approach to the retirement planning. If you are still years removed, I suggest working through the book now and again as you get closer to retirement because circumstances change. I know that the author addresses the newly retired, but I find the exercises helpful in the planning stages too. Especially when it comes to topics like is my house suitable for retirement or whether a second career makes sense and how to approach it. For example, I have taken on a part-time job that I intend to continue with in retirement. I may still be a few years away, but why not start on that second career and you have a smoother transition into retirement. 

The opinions expressed are my own and only reflect my personal impression of a product or book.  No financial compensation was received, but I was provided with a free copy of the book for review purposes.

 

 

The Gift of Anxiety: Harnessing the EASE Method to Turn Stuck Anxiety into Your Greatest Ally by Diante Fuchs

This author takes an interesting, but I think necessary approach on how to view anxiety. Anxiety is not just bad and negative and worrisome but can also have positive impact. Anxiety is part of our body's response to certain stresses, and such will always be around, and we have to learn to not fight it, but embrace it and live with it. And this is what this book is attempting to help the reader with. 

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We have come a long way in terms of body positivity and accepting that bodies in all shapes are beautiful. Simply dieting works for some to lose weight, but not for all. The same is true with the mental aspects of our bodies like anxiety. The author explains that anxiety can be experienced in different way and one focus for her is stuck anxiety. The type of anxiety that is often debilitating and leaves a person unable to cope and literally freeze with inactivity. Some people experience this type of anxiety, and it is a lifetime of suffering the impact. Others have learned to cope and by nature can cope with these phobias and even find them it is invigorating, driven by overcoming a challenge and thriving in that experience. Others have never experienced stuck anxiety. The point the author makes, people are different and rather than suffer, she is now presenting strategies to overcome anxiety and not see it as an enemy, but a potential driving force for better life, action and self. 

 

To deal with anxiety, the author has developed the EASE method to help the reader to work with anxiety rather than just against it and blindly trying to overcome it.  The author is a clinical psychologist that has used this method to help people deal with anxiety in a successful way that enabled the patients to learn how to deal with anxiety rather than see it as a debilitating state. The latter part of the book guides the reader through the EASE method in clear steps and very calmly works with the reader to accept that anxiety will never disappear but can be worked with. This enables the reader to see anxiety as part of life, but without its former negative impact on life. Instead, anxiety can be part of a healthy and successful life that the reader will enjoy. 

I found this book to be very uplifting. Anxiety is something most, if not all, people suffer from, but learning to deal with it in a positive way is key. It will not go away and merely accepting it is not enough. Instead of just learning to cope, use the anxiety as an empowering aspect of life and embrace it in a positive way. 

 

The opinions expressed are my own and only reflect my personal impression of a product or book.  No financial compensation was received, but I was provided with a free copy of the book for review purposes.

 

Book Review: Soccer Stars: Stories and Skills from the World's Best Players (Sports Stars) by Travis Dileo

  #partner @penguinrandomhouse Thanks for the free book 

This book is intended for soccer fans aged 8 to 12 years and can teach these soccer fans or kids just interested to learn about the game about some of the famous players through the ages. 

Using 10 stories about famous soccer players past and present, DiLeo does an excellent job of showing the young reader what made each player excel and what drove each player to pursue soccer at the highest level. In addition to the biographical information, the book also covers the technical aspects of the sport. Each player's signature move is covered in easy to understand steps and graphics so the reader can try to emulate the idols and also improve his or her own technical skills. 

The text and images are very age appropriate for the targeted age group and allow the kids to read at their own pace and practice then the skills of the stars.

What I really appreciate is that male and female stars are covered because by now we know that soccer is something fun for both boys and girls. Covering stars from Pele, who I grew up watching on TV, to present day stars like Ronaldo and Alex Morgan, this book is not only providing a fun read for kids, but also teaching history and technical aspects of the sport.

I highly recommend this book as a gift to the young fan or the kid seriously involved in the sport; both will have enjoyment reading the book and learning more about the sport.

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The Self-Led Internal Family Systems Workbook: Learn IFS Skills to Understand and Love All Your Parts by Tanis Jo Allen

   #partner @penguinrandomhouse Thanks for the free book 

I never heard of IFS or Internal Family System before reading this book, but it is an interesting approach to having a healthy personal balance. This workbook is self-guided and endorsed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems. The workbook is intended for the reader to work through and through the process achieve inner harmony, the goal of the internal family system approach.

IFS does not require or even relate to family dynamics in the general sense. It is intended for the individual to achieve an inner peave and be at ease with their internal family, the parts that make up each person.

The book is meant to help the individual improve how they relate to themselves and find an equilibrium for mental health that is stable and healthy. Generally, IFS views every person as having an “internal family” of parts or subpersonalities, each with their own set of thoughts, feelings, and roles. Some parts hold pain from the past, while others work to prevent that pain from surfacing. If the individual understands and accepts these parts,  person can release this pain and heal and find a good equilibrium.

This workbook is intended to help the reader achieve the true, authentic Self, acknowledge the internal family and respond to them as needed, compassionately and healing to find a true and stable self. respond compassionately when they’re activated, and send them healing energy when they need it.

The book is supplying the needed tools

• A Self-Paced Process to guide the reader through the IFS practice at their needed pace.
• A Clear and Structured Approach through the use of step-by-step skills, exercises, and worksheets, the reader can understand their internal world
  
• Strategies for Common IFS Challenges, such as parts of the internal family that hold the reader back and how to acknowledge them and respond to them with compassion rather than frustration or anger.
• Transcripts of Self-Led IFS Sessions to teach the reader how an IFS expert would address challenges and heal.
  

An interesting approach to find a mental state that is healthy and puts the person at ease with themselves rather than be frustrated with shortcomings or angry at perceived mistakes. If you are looking for a book to teach you how to accept yourself and be happy, this maybe a new approach to try

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Communication Skills for Healthier Boundaries: Express Your Needs without Giving In or Blowing Up by LaToya S Gilmore

  #partner @penguinrandomhouse Thanks for the free book 

Sometime people feel that others constantly take advantage of them and are worried that speaking up will be considered rude or make them appear unapproachable and in a negative light by others. This book is intended to help you stand up for yourself, but maintaining healthy boundaries that are not offensive and still protect yourself in a situation where your opinion may just be your own.

The author advises and teaches the reader with select tools to stand up for yourself and communicate with clarity and confidence, but not be offensive or seem angry. Setting good and healthy boundaries without feeling guilty and stand up for yourself without worrying about offending others.

Communication Skills for Healthier Boundaries includes:

• The author covers both verbal and nonverbal communication skills and activities. Attain lifelong skill sets to build assertiveness, confidence, and self-awareness.
• a number of real situational dialogue scripts. The reader can learn how to set up firm, but rational and healthy boundaries before tackling situations in real life. 
• Following teaching the reader the core communication skills in the first part, the second part of the book features common scenarios where boundaries are challenged in everyday life, relationships, and at work. Again teaching the reader how to tackle situations and learn at their own pace before dealing with these situations in real life.  

This is a good book for anyone that struggles standing up for themselves or, when speaking up, seemingly seems loud and abrasive. Learn how to have a healthy and friendly discussion, where you can still stnad your ground and your life will not longer be full of regrets regarding missed opportunities.

 

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The Mind-Body Method: How Moving Your Body Can Stop You Losing Your Mind

 #partner @penguinrandomhouse Thanks for the free book 

 In Latin the saying goes a healthy mind in a healthy body and so this book was focused on a something that I grew up with in my family. You keep your body healthy and your mind will function so much better. 

The author Dr. Anders Hansen proposes as a simple yet effective method to improve your life "Exercise".  Regular exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, boost memory and slow down the aging process. Pretty good impact for something that does not require a lot of money or significant time commitment. The emphasis is on regular - you need to be persistent, but you do not need to be a marathon runner or reach prime athlete levels of achievement. The most improvement will be seen if you exercise daily and a walk through the neighborhood or some basic pilates or yoga is sufficient.  This book goes into specific detail such as what are the best types of exercise and the duration needed to improve your attention span, memory, and overall mood.

So let's start moving and improve our mind!

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Would You Rather? Sports Edition: Play Ball with a Hilarious Game of Slam Dunk Scenarios

 

#partner @penguinrandomhouse Thanks for the free book 

This is another installment in the Would you rather ... series of books to help you keep kids and adults entertained on long drives. The concept of the books is simple. On a specific topic, in this case Sports, start discussing which is two options you would prefer. From the US-specific questions such as select March Madness or NASCAR racing as your favorite participant experience or more global appeal questions such as prefer a win at a national level versus losing at the Olympics, but participate in them nevertheless. 

The age range is for kids 8 to 12 years of age, but that does not preclude adults or older kids from participating. The books also includes a tiebraker session for determining the overall winner of the game for each section - consistent with the sports theme. A judge, who reads the questions, determines the best answer to each selected choice and in the end, you can even score an overall winner. Overall, a fun book that is very affordable and can certainly long hours in the car or in a plane move faster. Even a rainy day can be fun and not be seen as more than being stuck inside with a fun would you rather question and answer game. 

Highly recommend this book and it is so affordable and so easy to participate whenever time does not move fast enough.

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