The Book of Help by Megan Griswold

Title: The Book of Help: A Memoir in Remedies
Author: Megan Griswold
Genre: Memoir, Self-Help

The Book of Help is an interesting memoir, written by a woman who has tried nearly every alternative treatment available. Author Megan Griswold reflects on the self-help seminars she's been attending since she was a child, traveling to South America and finding love in the process, and experimenting with pretty much everything under the sun to find herself.

The book reminded me a bit of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, but it has a unique format. I wasn't sure what to expect wen I picked up this book, but Griswold's story is interesting and her tales are varied. She writes in short chapters that make it easy to start and stop the book as you wish. You'll learn a lot about different methods of treating pain (both physical and emotional), and watch Griswold's growth to adulthood.

- Jamie

Check out The Book of Help @ the library!

A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life by Brian Grazy and Charles Fishman

Title: A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life
Author: Brian Grazer and Charles Fishman

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Motivational

Movie producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Splash, Backdraft, Apollo 13) talks about the many times that curiosity has propelled him along in both finding his career and furthering it. The names dropped, and there are many, are some of the tippy top of lists everywhere: Oprah, Jonas Salk, Isaac Asimov, and more. 

Grazer also talks about different types of curiosity, when to engage them, and when to turn it off. In this Golden Age of Curiosity, he feels that those who ask have a better-than-ever opportunity to find their answers. 

While I didn't end up in love with this book, I did find it a good reminder that simple curiosity can take you places that maybe you never anticipated going. 

- Sarah R.

Check out A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life @ the library.

Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog by Dave Barry

Title: Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog

Author: Dave Barry

Genre: Humor, Self-Help

If you're looking for a light-hearted*, but enjoyable read, this is your book. With Dave Barry's consummate panache he is able to marry laughs and lessons in this book about being more like his dog. With topics like being in the moment and letting things go, it is full of good reminders for us - though easier said than done (at least for me). 

*If all you want is the lighter, feel-good bits, don't read the last chapter to his book about his daughter's run in with transverse myelitis. That will make you cry - especially if you've borrowed the audio book and can hear him choking up as he tells the story about his daughter woke up paralyzed one day. It is well done, but nothing to laugh about.

- Sarah R.

Check out Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog @ the library.