1 comments about Self-Image: How to Overcome Inferiority Judgments (Resources for Biblical Living).

1. I purchased this book to give to a friend, but needed to review it before giving it away.
   
   Basically, it breaks our self-images into three categories: inaccurate perceptions, accurate perceptions that are not sinful, and accurate perceptions that are sinfull. The author then discusses how to deal with these perceptions in a biblical way. This is also as much a work book to deal with low self-image issues.
   
   Mr. Priolo writes well and provides a sound method for dealing with our inferiority feelings. The only reason I gave this book a 4-star rating was due to the low content of the book.
   
   I am definitely frugal and feel that a 32 page booklet for a $3.99 price tag is high. Also, I would have liked to see additional content on the subject. Especially on the topic of sinful self-perceptions, deeper scriptural content could be added here ( a layman's opinion only ).
   
   That aside, it is still a very good book on the topic. I think it is a helpful book and would recommend it, even to those who don't have a self-perception issue.

No comments about P-B-A-R Revisited: Your Thoughts Determine Your Future.

No comments about Adictos a La Infelicidad / Addicted to Unhappiness: Liberese de los Habitos de Conducta que le Impiden Disfrutar de la Vida que Usted Desea / Freeing Yourself ... Y Autoayuda / Psychology and Self-Help).

No comments about Autoestima en 10 días.

5 comments about Bountiful Women: Large Women's Secrets for Living the Life They Desire.

1. This book is one that should be read by all women of size. The author's non-apologetic and positive approach to the subject matter can't help but encourage and empower the women who are fortunate enough to read this book. The writing style is direct, and the book is an easy read--unlike some self-improvement and self-help books on the market. I am already planning to share this book with the other bountiful women in my life.



2. Bonnie Bernell is a full-figured, licensed psychologist who draws upon her more than twenty years of expertise and experience leading workshops and psychotherapy groups for women seeking to get on with their lives in Bountiful Women: Large Women's Secrets For Living The Life They Desire. Her insightful commentary, advice, observations, and recommendations are organized into four major sections: Me, Myself, and I; Friends, Foes, and Family; Bountiful Women on the Move; Romancing and Dancing. Of special note is her summary chapter "Begins and Ends with You". Bountiful Women is enthusiastically recommended for women's studies groups in general, and Rubenesque figured women in particular seeking to life their lives with a true joy and sense of self-worth.



3. Bonnie Bernell uses her own experiences as well as those of other "bountiful" women to provide readers with the ammunition to live their lives to the fullest. Her manner is gentle and caring as she addresses issues that we as women of size face on a daily basis from the "meaningful" parents who berate us for our size to the airplane seat that is too narrow to finding Mr. Right. Ms. Bernell's advice is reasonable as well as doable. After reading Bountiful Women, I felt as though I had undergone a much needed but extremely inexpensive therapy session! I recommend that all large women and the people who love them treat themselves to Ms. Bernell's "secrets." It is a book that you will pick up again and again for inspiration and encouragement.



4. Bountiful Women is an uplifing, delightful book to read. Each page is full of practical as well as spiritual advice about how to live life to its fullest today. I recommend it for all women who are sick and tired of waiting for a thinner tomorrow in order for their lives to begin. Today is the day!

   Compared to most self help authors who push a "lose weight now, ask me how" approach, Dr. Bernell is as refreshing as a cool glass of sparkling water on a hot desert day. She makes size acceptance not only understandable, but doable, too. Every plus-size woman should own this book.




5. The whole full-figured women oppression issue is something that has been of interest to me for a while, but only recently have I become introduced and interested in the sociology of it. I picked up this book b/c of all the rave reviews on this website, but when I actually went to go read it, I found it to be one of the cheesiest and most eye-roll inducing self help books I've probably ever encountered. Now, I haven't even read the whole book yet, so my review might not have 100% credibility, but from what I've read, I hated.
   Why you ask? Well, even though I appreciate that a heavy woman feels beautiful and wants others to feel the same (cause they all are) I'm really looking for a book w/ insight. These books really are made to build a woman's self esteem and create awareness in both men and women to the cruelties and ignorance made by people about heavy people, but a reader doesn't just want to author to continuously say "you are beautiful and you can do anything!" over and over again. A reader wants research, theories, hypocrisies of world cultures to really feel like she does have a right to happiness even though she's a heavy woman; in other words, we need facts and important info to back up a compliment. This books gives none of that. Instead, what we have here is just a collection of old folkies telling cheesy short stories on how they make themselves feel beautiful. In between these quotes all we have are bridges given to us by the author to prepare us for the next quote. Each chapter is entitled with a different subject, and the first paragraph to the chapter talks briefly about that title (making you think you're in for something good), for example "In-laws" or "They just mean well," and "dating and romance," etc. Then it once again goes into more stupid, pointless quotes by people we don't even know, all pretty much saying the exact same thing. A lot of the stuff isn't even about big women and how they make themselves feel beautiful. A whole bunch of it is simply talking about what colors can match others in clothing, make-up tips, etc. It's so shallow it's annoying.
   If your over the age of 60, there's a chance you'll probably find this book interesting, other than that, you'll be bored to death. If you want REAL research and challenging insightful theories, not to mention at least a hint of laughter which this book gives nothing of, check out Wendy Shanker's "The Fat Girl's Guide to Life." I love big women, but this book is junk.

No comments about I Am Already Successful.

4 comments about Live Large! Affirmations for Living the Life You Want in the Body You Already Have.

1. This book is amazing. It's all about taking your life back. Society has told fat people that we are bad, guilty, lack self control, shameful...and that if we were to just try harder then we could lose the weight and be accepted. What a load of &^&*()%$#&. Most people I know who have a few extra pounds have left no stone unturned in the quest for a thin body and societal acceptance. Self hatred and denial of myself, my size has robbed me of my life because I only thought I deserved to live if I were thin and EVERYTHING, all my hopes, plans, dreams, goals....were universally on hold. Every time I would "get thin" I would try to cram in all those things I was missing as a fat person.

   This book is about getting back to business, despite your size. It debunks all the myths and stereotypes about fat people, that we are all lazy, unmotivated and hate ourselves. It teaches us self love despite the challenges of living in a society that clearly hates fat people.

   Everyone is entitled to a life and a chance to live it. This book does not tell you what to eat or how to eat, or even that you should go out and eat a dozen doughnuts. It tells you that if you start loving yourself at your size and stop trying to change yourself it is amazing how your life will automatically change for the better! Stop putting your life, dreams on hold. Start loving yourself starting today...even if you're fat.




2. This is exactly what I was looking for! Yes! Concise, beautifully written, and compassionate. And a little cheesy. I don't agree with every bit of it, I didn't do the "actions" (other than the couple that made sense to me) and I didn't do any of the affirmation-repeating, but just reading it was enough. It really did make a difference in how I feel (and a little bit in how I live). A must-read for anyone who is feeling limited in life by their weight.



3. Live the life you want now, not at some imaginary time when you might lose weight. Since diets don't work, that time will never come. You are fine the way you are, and this book will help you to follow your dreams regardless of your body size.



4. "Affirmations for living the life you want in the body you already have."
   
   Although this book was first written almost ten years ago it is still relevant to today's lush woman. In the introduction, Cheri K. Erdman, EdD says, Live Large! brings a positive voice into your life and helps that voice to become your own. This is so true.
   
   The 148 pages of affirmations are divided into four parts: initiation, inspiration, determination and live large. Each page has a title like the 'Mirror Lies' or 'Live For Today'. Erdman provides a brief commentary on the topic followed by a one line affirmation like: I see myself as acceptable, lovable and beautiful. This is then followed by 'Size-wise action' which further describes how you can put intention behind the affirmation. This can be a simple visualization or journaling activity.
   
   I loved this little book. Erdman's voice is not condescending and her concepts are legitimate and easy to understand. You can journal along with each prompt or just use it for bedside or bathroom reading. Each page is filled with valuable insight into our bodies, psyche and the world around us. She doesn't just tell you how it is but how you can choose to make a difference.
   
   There is a small section of resources at the back, some outdated. This really has no affect on the rest of the content which is positive, inspiring and easy to relate to your own life. This is a definite must for your plus size library. I highly recommend this mini book. Reviewed by M. E. Wood.

3 comments about A Dog in Heat Is a Hot Dog and Other Rules to Live By.

1. 
   "It's a gas, and sometimes a revelation... E. Jean's punchy wisdom shines."
   --- Indianapolis Star

   "There's seldom a dull moment with outrageous E. Jean."
   --- New York 'Newsday'

   "For all of us who are 'tormented, driven witless and whipsawed by confusion,' there is E. Jean Carroll."
   --- Chicago Tribune

   "A 'Dear Abby' for the 'fin de siecle' generation."
   --- Columbia Dispatch (SC)

   "Witty and wise... You think E. Jean is either intoxicating or just intoxicated."
   --- Entertainment Weekly

   "Outrageously brilliant E. Jean Carroll is the only advice columnist in America with the wisdom, the guts, and the pure rambunctious flair to give it to you straight. And if you haven't caught her act, honey, you don't know what you're missing."
   --- Quote from Book Jacket




2. 
   "It's a gas, and sometimes a revelation... E. Jean's punchy wisdom shines."
   --- Indianapolis Star

   "There's seldom a dull moment with outrageous E. Jean."
   --- New York 'Newsday'

   "For all of us who are 'tormented, driven witless and whipsawed by confusion,' there is E. Jean Carroll."
   --- Chicago Tribune

   "A 'Dear Abby' for the 'fin de siecle' generation."
   --- Columbia Dispatch (SC)

   "Witty and wise... You think E. Jean is either intoxicating or just intoxicated."
   --- Entertainment Weekly

   "Outrageously brilliant E. Jean Carroll is the only advice columnist in America with the wisdom, the guts, and the pure rambunctious flair to give it to you straight. And if you haven't caught her act, honey, you don't know what you're missing."
   --- Quote from 'A Dog in Heat is a Hot Dog' book jacket




3. You will love this book if you've seen a few of E. Jean's advice columns, and would like a whole lot more! This is lots more of E. Jean's advice, to your heart's content, and amusing commentary as well. I was a little disappointed--but for a positive reason; I guess I'd already read many of these in Elle magazine, being a fan of E. Jean's! So if you regularly read Elle, this might be a little bit redundant. But I'm still not sorry I bought this.

3 comments about To Hear the Angels Sing: An Odyssey of Co-Creation With the Devic Kingdom.

1. I bought *To Hear the Angels Sing* in an earlier edition in 1982 and fell in love with it. Dorothy Maclean, a Canadian who became one of the founders of Findhorn, tells her story with wit and deep insight. As interesting as her life is, however, what fascinates me most is her ability to communicate with the devas, or "angels," or "pattern-holders" of plants and trees (the Hindu term, deva, wasn't as well known when she first wrote the book so she called them "angels" and has retained that term in later editions). Her book includes transcripts of her dialogues with an extraordinary range of powerful nature spirits -- some speak of their vision of life, others complain about a humanity that refuses to listen, still others plead eloquently for interspecies cooperation between their realms and ours. The words are profound and often deeply moving. (The story that has stayed with me the longest is on pp.93-94 where Maclean picks up a pebble on a Scottish beach and has an unexpected encounter with the mineral deva.)

   Like all mystics, Maclean sees the Otherworlds through her own societal filters, which leads her to speak of a monotheistic male deity and sometimes to explain things in Christian terms (e.g., God's will, God's plan). Other than this minor quibble, the book is superb. Since reading it, I have never seen "reality" in the same way as before. I am not psychic but Maclean is so grounded and wise in her approach to such matters that I feel I can trust her insights. I may not be able to communicate with the devas myself, but that they are *there,* I no longer doubt. To a world as ecologically troubled, polluted, and out of balance as ours is, this book brings a vision of hope and offers a path of respect between the realms.




2. This is a very personal story about Dorothy's ordinary-turned-extraordinary life, as she expanded her consciousness in simple ways that anyone can do themselves, privately, not attempting to attract attention but seeking for her own personal fulfillment. The book is a real page-turner as it moves into Dorothy MacLean's spiritual adventures while she and the Caddys created the impossible-by-all-scientific-accounts garden at Findhorn, Scotland. It got to the point where I just couldn't put it down but did-- just so it wouldn't end! The messages she wrote down from the devas (her word for celestial beings that hold the blueprints for all of matter) are direct, simple and comforting -- but also haunting in their admonitions to mankind to work on an intuitive level with nature and have the courage to reduce the consumption and accompanying waste of our natural resources, which, as they very clearly communicated, creates a divide between man and the spiritual forces of the planet. As Albert Einstein said: "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."

   Toward that end, I have found this book to be profoundly inspiring as I go about my not-very-extraordinary daily life, and I find myself thinking of Dorothy and the Caddys often as I seek the best possible solutions for my own daily problems. It has definitely expanded my own relationship with the world and my own infinitely smaller (but no less important) role on the planet.




3. I read this when it was first published and it has been a major influence in the way I look at the universe ever since. Dorothy's story of her unfolding awareness is wonderful. The "Kingdom of the Gods" book by Hodson and the Perelandra Garden books are also good and along similar lines, but this one is my favorite.

5 comments about Get Ready Cause Here I come (A Journey to Sexual Bliss).

1. I loved this creative, outrageous take on achieving orgasims. Life is short and Shanti has had many sexual experiences that will come in handy for both men and women.
   A must read- quick and fun to read.
   
   Shanti rocks!!!



2. This book is an absolute must read. Young, old, married, single, man or woman, everyone can benefit from the wisdom, humor, and solid, "common sense" advice Shanti Milan offers in her latest release. Shanti uses anecdotes from her personal life, as well as her professional experience as a relationship adviser and fitness trainer to help women, and men, learn how to have a satisfying sex life. Shanti also explores how exercise and self-esteem can affect intimacy. Fun and insightful, you'll find yourself reading this book over and over again. Well done, Shanti!
   Get Ready Cause Here I come (How to achieve multiple orgasms)



3. I met this vivacious author at Book Expo America. Get Ready Cause Here I Come is a down to earth self-help book that explains sex with a sense of humor and experience that only Shanti Milan can provide. You will be enlightened, and entertained on the finer points of intimate activities!



4. Shanti,
   In sanscript your name means "peace". Reading your book made me realize just how much more spirit can mean.Thank you for being open and sharing your journey with everyone.



5. This is a Must Have and Must Read Book! I Keep this "Making Love" Resource in my nightstand..... Anyone who is interested in "spicing up" or invigorating their "tools" should buy this book and better yet share it with someone! Thank You Shanti for adding heat to my passion!!!!!