I love learning new things. I'm 58 years old as I write this, and I tend to ignore the people in my life that hint that I'm too old to learn new thingI love learning new things. I'm 58 years old as I write this, and I tend to ignore the people in my life that hint that I'm too old to learn new things. Now I think I'll just send them a copy of this lovely book. I highly recommend this entertaining and informative account of learning new things in the second half of life. Now I need to go practice piano. ...more
Chatter is the negative voice in your head that doesn't know when to shut up: the worrying about the future, the ruminating about the past. I have my Chatter is the negative voice in your head that doesn't know when to shut up: the worrying about the future, the ruminating about the past. I have my fair share of it, and there were some things here that seemed very helpful for me. If you try to be as self-aware as possible, you, like me, may have moments of "so that's why that works" as you read this. Kross's style is engaging and easy to read. He's in a difficult field because a lot of the data is of the self-reporting variety of how people feel before, during, and after an experiment; and that can lead to artifacts pretty easily. However, he's very upfront and fair about how the research is done--which is interesting in it's own right--so I didn't feel like I would have to look up all the original studies to "really know" what the conclusions were. If you worry or ruminate, this book can show you concrete, experimentally verified things to do to alleviate your troubles. ...more
I have known about the Enneagram for over 20 years. I first learned about it from a workshop run by a Catholic priest from my parish. I found it very I have known about the Enneagram for over 20 years. I first learned about it from a workshop run by a Catholic priest from my parish. I found it very helpful then--I was in my mid-30s. I hadn't paid much attention to the Enneagram for several years, but now in my mid-50s, I thought a refresher might be helpful. I found The Road Back to You the most engaging introduction to the Enneagram that I have read. Ian Cron writes with a great deal of humor. He is also earnest without being heavy, which I liked. I still can't type my husband of twenty years, but I don't think that is the book's fault. The great thing about the Enneagram, in my opinion, is that each mindset ranges from healthy to unhealthy beliefs and tendencies to action. It doesn't see personality as such a "done deal" as other typing systems. If you are curious about the Enneagram, or want a good written source describing the main nine types of personality after attending a workshop, I highly recommend this book....more
Publisher, author, and literary agent Douglas Abrams "chairs" a week of conversations on the subject of joy between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop DesmPublisher, author, and literary agent Douglas Abrams "chairs" a week of conversations on the subject of joy between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in honor of the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday. The tremendous wisdom of both men coupled with their joy, good humor, and friendship makes for delightful and insightful reading that doesn't get preachy. I especially enjoyed seeing the friendship between the two that has tremendous respect for the other as its foundation, even though they come from different faith traditions. There is much practical advice for living with joy even in a troubled world, and both men obviously have lived and led through dark and troubled times. It is an excellent book for buoying one's spirits, if you are finding the present world unkind and hostile. It also manages to be lighthearted and serious simultaneously, which I found refreshing. Highly recommended. ...more
I jokingly told my husband I was getting this book to read about myself. I wasn't. I'm better organized and less distracted. If you can't control yourI jokingly told my husband I was getting this book to read about myself. I wasn't. I'm better organized and less distracted. If you can't control your digital or real life, you might find some tips here, but I found the neuroscience scant (I'm a scientist), and the tips pretty basic. No need to finish....more
I really enjoyed learning much of the information in this book. Who wouldn't find learning that the scientific name for turkeys translates to "guinea I really enjoyed learning much of the information in this book. Who wouldn't find learning that the scientific name for turkeys translates to "guinea fowl-chicken-peacock" entertaining? However, the writing is quirky. There's anecdote about his life with his wife Janet (who we meet without her being introduced--suddenly there's Janet!) in San Francisco mixed in with linguistics and history. The chapters are a bit of a cross between chapters and separate essays, and they are not tied together into a whole as well as they could be. But I love neat linguistics and the social history of eating, so I enjoyed this book even though its structure was often exasperating. Recommended with reservations....more
I was hoping for more science and less self-help, but this book was written in the mid-90s, which I consider the zenith of self-help books. I didn't fI was hoping for more science and less self-help, but this book was written in the mid-90s, which I consider the zenith of self-help books. I didn't find the self-help very helpful, but then, I wasn't looking for help. There are tests in the book to see if you are highly sensitive, which is very genetically driven and exists in non-human animals as well. The little science there was was intriguing. I should look for something more recent....more
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