5 comments about Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships.

1. Opening Up is a much-needed book which provides an overview of a number of different styles of ethical non-monogamy. Taormino touches on many different issues about which those curious about exploring non-monogamy should think: legal issues, sexually transmitted infections, and dealing with friends, family and children, for example. It is a collection of the personal advice--much of it excellent--of one very knowledgeable and experienced educator and writer, who has a good deal of experience with open relationships herself. Her personal advice is supplemented and supported by stories of other non-monogamous folks throughout the country, and it was these stories which, for me, were the highlight of the book.
   
   I would suggest this book is especially appropriate for those just starting out exploring open relationships, and it is best used as a starting place. It can be very useful in provoking a reader's own questions and inspiring discussions with a reader's partner(s). Armed with their own questions, readers can then seek out further resources, such as those listed in the appendices, which will expose them to other perspectives, as well.



2. My partner and I have been considering adding a third person to our relationship, and this book gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect overall when transitioning from monogamy. I also found an e-book online that was helpful for this topic at Trinogamy.com.



3. This book is a good, comprehensive, frank and non-judgmental treatise on non-monogamy. What more can I say? Opening Up has sparked quite a few discussions amongst my friends and me, and has given me the confidence to sit down with my husband to discuss our own personal style of non monogamy. Of all books I have read on the subject, this is the one that my husband will be most able to stomach reading on his own (rather than getting the synopsis from me), cynical anti-self-help-git that he is. It will definitely be the book I will recommend to anyone else interested in reading up on the subject.



4. This is an invaluable resource for anyone personally interested in exploring non-monogamy, as well as for scholars, psychotherapists and others with a need to learn about alternative relationship models. Opening Up is far more than just a very readable guide filled with useful exercises. It's also a very thoroughly researched and scholarly effort to define various forms of non-monogamy. Taormino explains how open relationships function, while making a strong case that the healthiest approach to relating - whether one is monogamous or not - involves communicating and choosing consciously. The interviews are thought-provoking and engaging. A profound and important book.



5. The author has clearly done her homework. She covers a wide variety of alternative relationship styles (polyamory, swinging, etc.), and discusses benefits and difficulties with each. An excellent read.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II.

1. I think that this book was a very good and fun book to read. Anyone who enjoys hearing about different teens telling their own stories would greatly enjoy this book. While I was reading it, there were times when i felt like laughing and other times when I felt like crying too. The things that teenagers go through are so hard and alot of adults do not understand this, that is why this book is so helpful. It is a very good book to read and I would recommend it to anyone, espically teens.



2. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is a great book for teens because it is something we can relate to. It is filled with short anecdotes written by teenagers or once-teenagers about their adolescent experiences. It is inspirational and teaches us about who we are, about people, and about life in general. I recommend this book for all teenagers.



3. This is a great book for every teenager. Every teen goes througha tough time at least once in their life and this book can really help. It has stories on things from teenage romance to suicide. This is a great book for everyone from teenagers to adults.



4. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul ll is a great book written by teenagers and some adults about life. It teaches us about life and how to deal with it. It shows us that no matter where you came form, what you look like, or how you act, almost all teenagers are the same. This book is an inspiration to everyone.
   This book influences me because it inspires me to become a better person. Before I read this book I thought, "Oh this book is just some boo full of made-up stories", but as I continued to read into it more, I thought" Wow this is a really great book". This book tells you that all teens go through the same stuff. It shows you that your not alone, and with faith and courage you can overcome most obstacles. This book is filled amazing stories of love depression, and hope. I encourage everyone to read this book.



5. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Volume 2 is an inspirational and enlightening book. Being a teenager myself I can relate to a lot of the stories told in this bestseller. The first time I read this book I was younger and didn't understand what the authors in the book were saying, but when I revisited it this year I actually understood it and connected more to the stories. This book has inspired me to write about my personal experiences and really look back at the good, bad, or in between as a way to learn from my mistakes. Instead of breaking down I decided to write. This book has taught me and helped me through some rough times. This book is great and I recommend it to anyone. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is not just for teenagers, I have even read some stories with my friends and family. This book has been a real joy and inspiration on all aspects of my life. Thanks Chicken Soul and I hope all readers out there will get a chance to read this delightful, motivating, and wonderful book.

5 comments about Divorce Poison: Protecting the Parent-Child Bond from a Vindictive Ex.

1. informative, accurate and advice is well explained. The children involved are ALWAYS of the highest priority. As usual though grandparents are forced to take a back seat and await a time when things are so out of control and the children are damaged before the court system recognizes the important roll they play in the children's future.



2. Anyone who has seen parental alienation inflicted on a child up close knows what a horrible form of child abuse it is. Children afflicted with this child abuse often carry the psychological wounds for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, our divorce system encourages this abuse by needlessly designating one person as the real parent and the other parent as a scapegoat and not a real parent. This creates a situation ideal to proprogate this sort of abusive behavior.
   
   Fortunately, this book provides a good survey of this form of child abuse, including how to recognize it and how to deal with it. This is important because the first time you see this abuse, it is so horrible you can't believe it is happening. This book is a must read for anyone in the divorce industry, especially judges.



3. After a couple of years of my husband and I trying to figure out what was wrong with my step daughter who's now 11, we finally found out that her mom has been repeatedly telling her numerous appalling lies about her dad which she believed and became scared and distant from her dad. She never mentioned the bad mouthing from her mom because she was told by her mom if she spoke up the judge would take her away from her mom. Finally it all came out during an extended stay with us and with the help of a couple of books "Divorce poison" and "The boys & girls book about divorce" we have been able to appropriately address this concern and the positive results already show in my step daughter. Since using the book's recommendations my step daughter has opened up about a lot of negative things going on at her mother's home which we were not aware of, and we have now been able to guide her on how to deal with it emotionally and how to address it directly with her mom. She acts and looks so much better now, her confidence has already improved and she is now relaxed with us like during the old time. This book is an excellent tool to help deal with a very sensitive and troubling situation that can seriously damage a child emotional welfare.



4. I was looking for something that my step daughter could read and understand how and why divorced parents might try to turn their children against the other parent. Which is the situation her father and I have had to go through. I wanted something that would better explain why parents do those sorts of things and why they are not healthy. This book is written for adults and I believe is a good tool for parents to use in understanding the other set of parents actions but a child would not understand reading this book.



5. 
   There is public outrage that accompanies hearing about a child that has been abducted. What if the abduction is emotional? Psychological abduction is just as offensive and damaging. Dr. Warshak, in his book Divorce Poison,
   explains this poorly recognized form of child abuse. Dr. Warshak defines this insidious problem and offers strategies to protect your child's emotional attachment to you so that it doesn't end with the marriage.
   This book is required reading for anyone involved in a hostile divorce. READ IT!!

5 comments about The Silver Kiss.

1. I have read all the Twilight Series, loved them. Wanted to read something like that so I read the reviews sounded good. Over all the book was okay, I have to admit that it was hard to want to put the book down, because you felt for the characters but didnt have the romance I wanted. I didnt really like the ending either, it fell flat.
   Borrow this from the library, fast read.



2. Although this book was interesting in some of the twists it was overall predictable. Very solid for the 13 and under age group though if your looking for the quality of Blood and Chocolate it isn't in this book.



3. The first time i read this book I was in middle school. But when I read the ilver kiss it instantly became my favorite book. I'm now 21 and it is still my number one. It relates to girls alot. Especially in the fact that most all girls want a bad boy. And thats what got me hooked. its romantic yet i think sophisticated.



4. So going into this book I figured itd be your classic romance story of to people who cant be together, pretty much Romeo and Juilet. But I was surprised to find that the story didnt dive right into that. There was a much bigger story than just two teenagers hooking up. The ending very much surprised me as well. I just didnt see it coming as soon as it did.
   
   This is basically a story about two teenagers finding themselves all alone in the world. One trapped by the undead and the other trapped by the uncoming death of her mother. They take on comfort in their short friendship to understand each others fears about death. Its a beautifully written story full of suspense and meaning. Highly recommended.



5. This was a really good book. It was short and easy to read. My only complaint would be the ending. It was horrible. I'm guessing, you were supposed to feel happy for the characters revelation, but it just left me upset. Excluding the ending, it was over all a descent book.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love & Friendship.

1. This was a great book! I really enjoyed it a lot! It had lot's of diffrent topics some about break ups, romance, friendship, gaining, and losing friendship! i enjoyed them all. But it did just talk a little too much about friendship, i think next time they should include a little more on other subjects. Although i enjoyed this book very much! and hope to read more of these!



2. In this book I read it was about love and friendship and growing up and going through tough times with your family or friends and boyfriends. There really wasn't much of a setting. It took place everywhere outside on the beach. Outside at the school soccer field. The polt was a little bit of everything kids growing up, and beening in love. Kids having hard times with their friends, and family members. Coming to someone when they needed it help doing something. Or if they needed help period. There wasn't really much of events that happened well yes it was. Teenages being in love, breaking up with that special person that they loved. Going through things you really wouldn't imaging if you experinced it yourself. The resolution was that is life being a teenager you live life and you deal with it cause that is the way life goes. Life goes on and on so you deal with it the best way you possible can.



3. This Book Chicken Soup was about teens finding their way around life. Teens finding love and breaking up and getting back together. Finding their out who their true friends are. Finding out the true the meaning of love. Finding out who they can lean on when they are down. This book had different stories about love and friendship. This book took places everywhere even though it had amny different stories in it. It took places on a soccer field, at school, at home. It took places in so many places that it really doesn't have a setting. The plot was different things. Like you realize that you was in love with your bestfriend's boyfiend and you didn't want her to know that cause you didn't want ya'll friendship to end all because of a boy she went with and because you was in love with him. The conflict was that a lot people got hurt in this book because of the word love. Some people got cheated on and heartbroken and dumped because of this word love. If you don't mean it then don't say it cause alot of people can get hurt because of that word. Some people founded out who their real friends were. Some people left their friends over a guy/girl and left them hanging. Then they started to realize who their real friends were. The resolution was that the people who did wrong they realized what they did was wrong and asked the friends that they once had to forgive them some of them forgave them and some of them said no cause you might hurt me again. By Porsha S. Hamilton



4. I buy these for my teenange daughter, these are the only books I can get her to sit down & read & discuss.



5. I have enjoyed this book so much it has everything i wanted to understand from the teenage life. first the book discribes how we fall in love, I told almost all my friends.And then it discribes how we break up and how we react
   Rosa E.Diaz

5 comments about The Suicide Index: Putting My Father's Death in Order.

1. Joan Wickersham's The Suicide Index: Putting My Father's Death in Order is best described as engaging, gripping and candid.
   
   Wickersham leads us through her father's final moments. She reveals details of this confusing tragedy in a family's life--suicide. Those who commit suicide leave loved ones with a black hole of unanswerable questions. Anyone who has been touched by suicide knows the pain of never fully understanding or resolving this aspect of life.
   
   The author seeks to unravel the mystery of her father's suicide by investigating anyone who knew him. She reflects on her own memories, both as a child and an adult to find reason for his drastic act of selfishness. As much as we'd like to know everything about those closest to us, there are limitations. Can we really comprehend the mind of someone else?
   
   Gently and transparently Wickersham reveals her phases of denial, anger, hopelessness and grief. She searches for a murderer, rejecting the idea that her father would have ended his life. She wishes blame on her mother, her father's business partners and associates. Was it a jealous neighbor? A so-called friend? Finding no answers, she settles that her father did take his own life-and he left no clues.
   
   Wickersham struggles to live daily life as a mother and wife, sister and daughter, as everything comes into question. Is it all a lie? Does she view her father through rose-colored glasses? Did he suffer an undetected medical condition?
   
   Walking the high road of inspection and low road of introspection simultaneously, I must agree with the author that suicide is difficult to understand. The search for answers is evasive and frustrating. I discovered along with Wickersham the conspicuous void in my family album left by one who committed suicide. Nevertheless, life goes on.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: A book worth reading for anyone whose life has been affected by suicide.



2. All memoirs are about memory; but suicide poses a special challenge. As Joan Wickersham writes: "When you kill yourself, you kill every memory anyone has of you." And later: "If you shoot yourself, you are labeled as a suicide. Your death becomes your definition." The Suicide Index starts when Wickersham's father kills himself; it goes backward in time, exploring his past like a detective; and then it carries us forward to show what this mysterious and destructive act did to her family. The writing is spare, but vivid - every word counts, every scene comes alive. The chapters are arranged alphabetically, in index format. It's a device that gains power as the book proceeds; it gives a shape to all the different stories that Wickersham tells us, and all the different ways she has of telling them. In her book Wickersham has met the challenge of suicide: she has restored her memory of her father, and in some sense restored his life. The Suicide Index is, quite simply, the most powerful and original memoir I've ever read.



3. Wickersham looks behind the scenes of her father's life to try to find the answer to "why". A troubled marriage, a difficult childhood spent in two countries with very narcissistic parents, bad-luck in business...all these factors (and many more) contribute to the troubled mind of Wickersham's father when he committed suicide at the age of 61.
   
   Wickersham doesn't seem to come to any certain conclusions of the decisive reason her father did what he did, but she does piece "things" together to help herself cope with the act, both at the time and in the years following his death.
   
   She's a good writer and the words flow with a deft fluency.



4. In this engrossing nonfiction work, the author traces the events surrounding the loss of her father in an eminently readable and gripping fashion. Suspense and empathy dominate this narrative wherein family secrets and dynamics are gradually uncovered and revealed



5. Wickersham simultaneously tells the story of and tries to come to terms with her father's suicide. I respect the author's willingness to avoid sentimentality and easy answers in favor of the ambiguity and uncertainty left behind. This honest and difficult book is a valuable read for folks whose lives have forever been altered by suicide. I also think this book would be useful for someone who has not personally been touched by suicide but wants to understand the legacy and long-ranging impact that lasts long after the fact.

5 comments about Water Bugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children (Looking Up).

1. I work in hospice and see many lives affected by great loss. Often children are forgotten as adults mourn. I give this book to parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to provide both attention to the children and a way to help them through a difficult time. This book is helpful and hopeful to all!



2. This book is an excellent way to explain death and dying to young children. It really can be used for any age group. It is a wonderful story. I work in a hospice and have used this book for young children and adults love the story.



3. Loved the story and the helps and prayers. Pictures are lacking to grab the little ones' attention.



4. A mother told me about this book when I was searching for help in explaining death to my 7 year old son. He was overwhelmed and worried about the people he loved dying after a pet had died. Most reviews will tell you how wonderful this story is but there is so much more in this little book. The book also includes a prayer that you and your child can say (if someone in their lives has died). Also, there is a section for parents that offers methods to initiate a discussion with children on how the book relates to them and their experience. This is a helpful tool that explains death in a gentle way.



5. There are many better books for teaching children about dying. I do not recommend this book at all. I have a curriculum for teaching children about death and this book did not meet our standards.

5 comments about I Love You Rituals.

1. My children just adore the I Love You Rituals that we do. Even if we are at a crowded place and we can't hear each other, the I Love You Rituals come in quite handy!



2. Becky Bailey has done a beautiful job giving creativity and connection where I lack the imagination. Games and activities that really capture your and your children's hearts! Excellent!!!



3. The little rhymes in this book are really engaging. I've been using them with my son who has been feeling neglected even since my 4 month old came home from the hospital. He loves it. I made a little book with the rhymes to help me remember them and he asks me to read them over and over. I enjoyed the book because there's a lot of positive and helpful information on parenting, the importance of these little rituals and suggestions on when to use them which has been really helpful for me.



4. I purchased this book after sitting in on one of my 3yr old daughter's preschool classes. The teacher was singing the book's version of Twinkle Twinkle Little star. I found it so refreshing. "Twinkle, twinkle little star. What a wonderful child you are. With bright eyes and nice round cheeks. Talented person from head to feet. Etc, etc." I wanted to see more. I like this book for all of my kids (1, 2 and 3yrs old). Some of the reviews talk about how this is only for kids who have experienced trauma. Where the book advises on that, it is not the focus. All of our kids have had totally "normal" experiences in life and still respond really well to the book. Who wouldn't? It simply gives ideas on ways to engage with your kids in a fun and loving way. I am addicted to the hearty giggles these nursery rhymes bring out in my kids.
   p.s. for what it is worth, I am a part-time pediatrician and this is a book I would recommend to families as a professional also.



5. I'm a school director. The little ones in my school LOVE these rituals. For parents struggling with their kids, I recommend these to help the heart connections that get lost in the struggle. And for parents and teachers who are sailing along, these little activities may add another playful dimension to your relationships with your children.

5 comments about The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are.

1. I was pleased to read this book by Daniel Siegel. It is an easy read about a complicated but fascinating subject! Thank you



2. I'm not brilliant, nor am I stupid. I am a doctoral level psychologist who has read many books on neurophysiology, memory, cognition, attachment, etc. I regret having bought and read this book. It is repetitive, repetitive, repetitive. If you take out the repetition, it doesn't say much that is new. Largely, we don't know, we can hypothesize, we need more research.



3. Dr Siegel has mastered the art of weaving the story of how experience wires brain tissue. Your character is the result of interactions with people and experiences that shaped your brain. Your unique experiences help shape your eating-brain: determining the desire for comfort foods, cravings and how often you feel the urge to eat. "Retrain your Brain Reshape your Body" provides specific brain-based tools made up of pleasant experiences that help rewire the adult eating-brain in reverse: away from old patterns of cravings and compulsive overeating, allowing you to stick to your weight loss program and achieve a healthy weight.



4. This book is a great summary on the current understanding of the brain and the nervous system, and how it can only be looked at as a whole, anything else will only limit the understanding to temporary symptoms. For a non-brain expert, this book is definitely not an easy read, I would read 2-4 pages at once and then take a few days to digest it. I know I will re-read it again, there is so much material in there.
   This book opened the door to finally having an idea of what it was that has been going on in my mind since childhood, unlocked the integration of my experiences, to heal and become my true self.



5. This book is very compelling reading. It explains how the brain develops and the way that a child's interactions impact and shape the brain's development. As a Social Worker I found it very interesting to apply to some of the abused kids that I work with, as this book shows how brain development is impaired by abuse. Pretty deep and hard to understand for the lay person but overall the best out there on this subject. Highly recommended!

4 comments about Guys Like Girls Who . . . (Revolve Books).

1. This book is SO good... I recommend this boook to any girl who is dating or going to in the future.... it has lots of useful information, and it keeps you attention... he uses some really good and funny examples!!! Its just all around amazing you will enjoy this book... and you will learn alot about guys that you didnt know before!!!! Enjoy!!! i know i did...



2. Chad does it again!
   
   Speaking from experience, research, and incredible insight, Mr. Eastham brings his young audience back to where every teen girl should start: Being okay with who they are.
   
   This is a great followup to his first book, The Truth About Guys. Rather than being a reference for young ladies to figure out what guys like and follow suit, Chad explains that the basis of every quality that HEALTHY guys find attractive about girls are all rooted in how the girl views herself.
   
   Guys like girls who like themselves!



3. This book definitely explains things in a way that are easy to grasp. With a lot of humor and serious heart to heart, he helps to reshape the way we see the world around us(girls)-- with light. Its always nice to hear a guy that could focus on the downfalls that most people see when they talk about girls, speak simply, constructively, and bright about the positives and negatives with the way we (girls) typically tend to see things. If you have ever heard him speak, he has a gift-- and he definitely knows how to talk about these subjects. I can't wait until his next book!! :)



4. Chad upholds the "higher road" for teen girls to respect themselves in their interactions with guys.