5 comments about Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life and Relationships (9th Edition).

1. This is such a great book. It was actually one of my text books in college,used in one of my HUS electives.
   I gave it to a friend who I thought needed it and then bought two more copies 1 for my personal enjoyment and then a copy for a guy at church that made soup look nervous.
   Great book!



2. It helped me get to know who I am and how to express my feelings while taking into consideration and respecting the other persons rights.



3. This book helped me identify my aggressive behaviors that weren't beneficial and find alternative ways to be assertive. It has helped me consider others without sacrificing my needs.



4. Even after assertiveness training classes, I still found value in this book. Wise, practical, with help and instruction! HIghly recommend!



5. Assertiveness means a lot in life, and can be the line between happiness and misery for many people. Now in its ninth edition, "Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality In Your Life and Relationships" gives advice to readers that can help them improve their attitude and personality, and indirectly help them deal with life's many challenges. A seminal guide to those who have let themselves be trod upon for too long, "Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality In Your Life and Relationships" is a must have for community library collections dedicated to self-help.

3 comments about Cosmo's Steamy Sex Games: All Sorts of Naughty Ways to Have Fun with Your Lover.

1. There are 12 different games like truth or dare and sexy scavanger hunt where your partner is blindfolded and you put three different foods of your choice on different parts of your body and he has to find them only using his month. Very fun cards and highly recommended.



2. This is a great idea for a bridal shower, bachlorette gift, Valentine's day - it doesn't matter the occasion! Get it for yourself, your significant other (male or female) you'll be hard pressed to find someone who's returned it!



3. My wife bought this as a surprise for our romantic weekend away. Most of the games are not very exciting and they don't tell you ahead of time that you'll need a lot of props. So we couldn't even try half the games on our weekend. The other games are mostly roll playing and questions. This is great if your a young couple who are still getting to know each other in the early stages of a relationsship and what to have some fun. If you've been married for a few years there is not much here unless your totally sexually repressed.

1 comments about 1-2-3 Magic for Kids: Helping Your Children Understand the New Rules.

1. As a mental health provider, I believe this can be a great way to train parents to really teach their children the 123 way. I love the section where it addresses how they might get around the system and cuts them off from the start.

5 comments about Don't Sweat The Small Stuff For Teens.

1. I always read books I get for my daughter first to confirm that I got her something right/good for her. This one is no doubt a winner. The titles of each chapter were catching enough to make you curious as to what you were about to read and then the story you read were a great explanation to the sometimes funny and odd titles. The story in each chapter was absolutely great. They were short enough to keep any kids attention, make a good lesson and walk away feeling good that you learned something new and were inspired. The really great thing is, my 13 year old who usually complains about sitting still and reading because she'd rather be actively playing sports, isn't complaining a bit about winding down and reading this book. She loves that most chapters are only 2-3 pages each, but even better, she is mimicking what they are teaching and I'm loving it, too, as a mom. This is a great read, a great inspiration and a lot of the stories are what these kids can relate to. I plan to buy it as a gift to others, but I'm not sure if I should get it for the parents or the kids.



2. When my grandma first gave me this book, I thought it was gonna be another useless book saying "just be yourself" and all that [...]. But this book actually has substance and I was surprised that I actually got something out of it. Recommended to any teen on the "emotional roller coaster" who needs some guidance in their life.



3. This book is irresponsible, and I equate selling this book to teens with selling them drugs. Each could drive a troubled kid over the edge to suicide. The premise of the first chapter is that for a teen to tell their troubles to a friend or anyone else is the same as "barfing on your friends". As crisis center and peer counselors know, many teens hold their most disturbing thoughts and emotions to themselves, and in all too many that leads to suicide attempts or successful suicides. Any useful ideas the author may have expressed in the rest of the book is more than negated by this irresponsible, lunatic advice. Please Amazon.com, withdraw this item from sale to impressionable teenagers looking for advice in their troubled lives.



4. I am very dissapointed in this book. It is intended for a teen audience, but is written for an adult audience. I read it to several teens individually to get their opinion. One student commented, "It's obvious he doesn't have any teenagers." Try the library before buying this book I wish I had.



5. I had previously bought and read two other books by Richard Carlson, Shortcut Through Therapy and Don't sweat the small stuff...it's all just small stuff. I had found that both those books made a huge difference in my life and helped me, as someone who suffers from anxiety, to look at life in a very different way. I had even read bits and pieces of Don't sweat the small stuff to my sons when they themselves were dealing with issues of their own. My younger son is soon to be 13 and my older son is 16 and has Aspergers syndrome. What was interesting was the my older son, the one with Aspergers, really crasped the simple easy to understand writing of the late Richard Carlson, so when I came across the Don't sweat the small stuff for teens I decided to get it too. As with Don't sweat the small stuff...it's all just small stuff, the one for teens is fantastic. Another thing which makes them so great is that each chapter is unrelated to the others, so you can just jump to a chapter which is very short,( takes only 5 minutes to read), read it with or to your teen and it will offer a simple solution to the situation at hand. I even carry the don't sweat the small stuff books in my handbag, as they are small and light, and we often just stop the car, pull to the side and solve a problem there and then! I would recommend both Don't sweat the small stuff books as I feel they go hand in hand and compliment each other. And if you have a high functioning Autistic teen, then I would really go for it, even though it is not written for teens in the autistic spectrum. The reading is so short that you won't loose their attention and actually encourages them to look deeper inside and see a way out which then lessens anxiety.
   
   Dora Blondal Mizzi

5 comments about Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook: A Practical Guide for Individual, Group or Classroom Study (Nonviolent Communication Guides).

1. Has info in it that the regular book doesn't have and I found it useful to understand more of what was in the regular book. I definitely would recommend finding a group to study this with for sure. The group brought it all together for me.



2. The dither surrounding this workbook is unwarranted. There is little need in the world for such stilted speech.



3. This, and the companion book Non Violent Communication, offer very helpful insights into the effects of how we communicate with others, as well as very practical, concrete exercises for improving the effectiveness of our communication, decreasing anger and violence, and in learning to hear and understand the communications of others.



4. This book maps the way to get in touch with feelings and needs and then shows how to get those needs met for everyone in a win/win context. Learn to let go of judgments and criticism in order to truly "see" other people and understand the needs driving their actions. Empathy and compassion for ourselves and others is the end result, making the idea of peace on earth more than "just a dream some of us had."



5. This is an invaluable companion workbook for getting the most out of the textbook of the same name.

4 comments about The Three-Minute Classroom Walk-Through: Changing School Supervisory Practice One Teacher at a Time.

1. An effective guide for pinpointing effective classroom instruction. This book also outlines specific strategies for engaging teachers in reflective dialogue that could enhance classroom instruction. A must read for administrators.



2. This book was an easy read and had very practical, easy to put into practice, tips on observing classrooms. Time-saving techniques that still are quality practices.



3. I was expecting something less technical and more user friendly. I will have to devote some time to reading this in the summer and then perhaps implement next year.



4. The Thee-Minute Classroom Walkthrough is a thorough introduction to the philosophy and implementation of this type of classroom supervision. The authors advocate using many visits to each classroom every year to develop a picture of education in the classroom and in the school. The book also promotes a collaborative approach to classroom supervision, one in which the teacher reflects on instructional and curricular decisions and then plans for improvement. The classroom supervisor becomes a facilitator for such reflection.

5 comments about Sextrology: The Astrology of Sex and the Sexes.

1. I picked up this book after reading it for a few minutes for its unparalleled accuracy, right down to the orgasm!



2. A fun read! No, there aren't twelve personality types or astrological archetypes and, yes, there are many other factors at play in a birth chart. I've read other astrology books (I have Linda Goodman's classic "Love Signs" too, an oldie but goody), but this one is not just about sex and really goes into detail about the psyche. I don't agree with everything in it, but I did find some startling revelations about my sign. I think it may have saved me a few sessions of therapy. Worth checking out, even just for fun. And I love the suggestive cover.



3. I got a kick out of this book. It's pretty funny. Even more fun to read out loud with Co-workers.



4. Yup, I have a few astrology books out there - including one coming out July 2008 called "LOVE IS IN THE STARS - Wicked and Uncensored Advice for Getting the (Almost) Perfect Guy"... but, ah, no - this is not blatant PR. Quite the opposite: I'm stating my credentials for conceding and lotsa-star recommending ;) that this must be a polished addition to any collection (married or single). Truth is, I simply couldn't help myself: I had to write a shining, rave review of Sextrology. And no, I don't personally know the authors. What I do know is this.. Astrology books these days cover the surface - these authors go in deep and get it right. It's not often I expound poetic - there are only a handful of astrologers I truly think have got the goods - but I craved this down to every page. They did a fabulous, entertaining, masterful job. So well done. And you should own it. Bravo to both.



5. Great fun if you are into astrology, and its not ALL about sex. Probably one of the more accurate books I've read on signs. Enjoy~

5 comments about Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias.

1. The author of this book missed a golden opportunity to create a viable work about the vast changes happening to the baby boomer population just now beginning retirement. Instead, he chose to concentrate on such silly things as how "age restricted" developments are, in his sad little mind, a "vast discriminatory action". Obviously he is upset because he is too young to move to the Villages. He also has an ax to grind with anyone who became very rich by hard work, and/or is a Republican. He claims he prefers his broken down hometown with derelicts living above stores, crumbling infrastructure, and smelly dumpsters to the beautiful, clean, well managed towns available to the residents of The Villages. The fact that he openly admits to driving a car that left a puddle of oil everywhere he went in The Villages, and that he didn't care about it is a sign of his lack of character. He spent a very small amount of time actually at The Villages, and didn't even interview some of the people he chose to demonize. This is just another sign of his lack of character. I also have a problem with his assumption that any woman who plays softball must be a lesbian.
   
   Anyway, being a resident of The Villages maybe I am a bit protective of our wonderful life here. I do think the author was able to accurately portray our daily life, and the love we all have for this place. He is correct when he says all we do is play all day and drive around in golf carts. We worked all of our lives, scrimped and saved to be able to earn enough money so that we can live like this. Maybe he will understand when he grows up, but with his major character flaws I doubt it.



2. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first picked up this book. However once I started reading I couldn't stop. Blechman's perspective and quirky humor made me laugh out loud. This book is funny and also sad but true. The premise of this book is that a large block our our aging population has opted to spend their remaing years in a high school version of Utopia. If you think spending the rest of your life on a golf course is a good idea, then you will hate this book! But if you care about other people and want to make a contribution to life and actually develop a conscience, then you will be appalled at what the "Leisurevillers" have chosen. I think this is an important book and would not be surprised if it becomes required reading at the college sociology level. This is a GOOD BOOK. I highly recommend it!



3. This book is very funny in some parts
   and very enlightning in others.
   This tells it like it is and has a history lesson to boot.



4. Great book. We live in a community on the outskirts of The Villages. We're so glad we decided NOT to buy in the Villages 5 years ago. This book just reiterated what we thought at the time. Was great to read about all the places we're familiar with, but the behind the scenes info was an eye-opener.
   
   Those looking to move into a "retirement" community should read this book before making any decisions.



5. Blechman raises three issues that are of paramount importance, all of which make it worthwhile reading for anyone -- especially in the Northeast -- who is grappling with generational issues in local government; it should also be of interest to those who are concerned about the long-term physical and resource impact of age-restrictd communities.
   
   First, if we do value our seniors, why aren't we doing more on a local level to encourage them to stay in integrated communities? The cost of public education, health and other benefits, and an aging infrastructure are clobbering the tax base, but we may need to find the extra money in strained municipal budget to better support programs that make life in the communities in which they've lived for decades easier and more rewarding for them. That said, seniors have hardly helped their cause -- it is tiresome to hear well-heeled retirees complain that they shouldn't shoulder some of the burden for the exact same municipal services that previous generations willingly provided them when they were raising children.
   
   Second, what is going to happen to The Villages and Sun City as they decay? These are not particularly well-constructed or sustainable communities. If the people who live there do not invest in their future -- by repairing infrastructure and building a strong team of municipal employees -- the housing stock and streets will eventually decline. These seniors are fleeing that very problem, but it will follow them if they live long enough. Local communities may yet wind up paying for these developments.
   
   Third, Florida and especially Arizona are already in serious trouble with water usage. These seniors may not be around when water shortages become a fact of daily life, but their children will be.

5 comments about Coping With Your Difficult Older Parent : A Guide for Stressed-Out Children.

1. This book is very easy to use as an aide in dealing with difficult aging parents. It starts with a questionnaire which helps categorize what type of difficult person you are dealing with and then has chapters dealing with each category. It includes lots of real examples and gives tips as to how grown children can best deal and cope with the different situations that arise. It also includes an extensive Bibliography for further reading. I recommend this to those who are having a hard time with their aging parents. (It does not address dealing with alzheimers though).
   
   --Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"



2. Son!
   
   Don't buy this book. I'll be good.
   
   I'm not going to the track anymore! See! I'll stop gambling away your inheritance. I'll even stop having sex with that woman. Point is, you don't have to chain me to the radiator.
   
   Remember that time I took you to the baseball game? Wasn't that fun! Ha Ha.



3. If you are dealing with a difficult situation with your older parent, it will help to read this work. The authors present different personality and communication styles that are common toboth the older adult and the adult child. They then describe why older adults say some of the things they do how to respond in a way that is firm yet respectful of the needs of both adult and child. If you had the time and the inclination to think about what these authors suggest you might of come up with some of the same conclusions. They have done it for you. I refer to mine often.



4. This book provided a great resource for us in dealing with a difficult mother-in-law. We still have problems with her, but the book has help identify how to cope with some of her behaviros and we seem to be able to cope much better.



5. I sent this to my mother who is taking care of my grandmother with dementia, who, despite her condition, had resisted all types of care and driven dangerously against the doctor's orders. My grandmother had even locked caregivers out of the house, and hidden spare car keys around the house. My mother said every page of "Coping with your Difficult Older Parent" she turned to was helpful, and addressed difficult situations in a practical manner. It gave her and my aunt the courage to take away the car keys, offer my grandmother long-term care options, and move forward with making my grandmother's life more comfortable (and they even resolved some personal issues along the way). This book has provided a healthy "outside" voice for an overwhelming situation.

5 comments about The Therapist's Notebook for Children and Adolescents: Homework, Handouts, and Activities for Use in Psychotherapy (Haworth Practical Practice in Mental ... Practical Practice in Mental Health).

1. This great book is for the therapist working with children and adolescents, where the therapist can use the material as homework, handouts and activities in therapy. The editors, Catherine Ford Sori, professor of psychology and counseling at Governors State University, Illinois and Lorna L Hecker, professor of marriage and family therapy at Purdue University in Indiana, have together with 36 professionals compiled a very important tool for the therapist.
   It is divided into eight sections: childrenýs feelings, play in therapy, specific childhood problems, illenes, trauma and bereavement, adolescents, interventions, family and parent education with a total of 46 chapters.
   This is a very resourceful book with plenty of ideas, plans and suggestions for use in the encounter with children, adolescents and their families......



2. THE BOOK WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND SEVERAL RESOURCES THAT I WAS ABLE TO USE IMMEDIATELY. IT'S WORTH THE MONEY.



3. Great, user-friendly treatment planner with lots of different activities for both children/adolescents and their families. Great explanations for each topic.



4. Practical ideas to utilize in therapy make working with children and adolescents so much easier for therapists who are uncertain how to work effectively with young people. This book helps therapists understand children's needs within a variety of family circumstances and to work effectively with parents to facilitate their parenting skills. Chock full of useful ideas; a wonderful resource! Nancy Nickell



5. This is a wonderful resource for children's mental health practitioners. It includes art and play techniques on a wide variety of treatment issues. Highly recommended.