change Books

This book started with a breif chapter on brain research and then chunked the rest of the chapters starting with the individual, moving to the environment, content, process, products, management, and quick steps. This book discussed everything I had read in other books, but also had insightful stories and a section on classroom management. The layout and writing made it quick to read; I read it in an afternoon.

Specifically written for classroom teachers and curriculum developers for grades K through 12 by Martha Kaufedlt (an experienced classroom educator, including the responsibilities of having been the lead teacher and restructuring coordinator for a demonstration brain-compatible school), Teachers, Change Your Bait!: Brain-Compatible Differentiated Instruction explains how teachers can apply brain-compatible learning theory in a practical manner to ensure that no child is truly left behind in the classroom. Chapters discuss how to develop accurate student profiles, how to adapt presentation and content to the different tastes of individual students, how to help students show what they know and have learned in order to best plan further instruction according to their needs, and much more. A cornucopia of valuable ideas for hooking student interest and helping a classroom full of dramatically different students function smoothly.

This is a wonderful book. If you have a hard time coming up with your own prayers this book is perfect for you. Everything we could possibly be grateful for or need help with is covered in this book. Thanks again, Stormie

Having read The Power of a Praying Woman, I decided to give this book a try. It is seriously the best book I've ever read. It has helped God and the Bible and Praise and Worship changed my life like no other book (except the Bible) has ever. Omartian teaches very clear ways to Praise God no matter what, and I have already seen the ways it has worked in my life and the blessing of God that have resulted from it. (I just realized I sound like a bad informercial, so I will stop here). Anyway, I've been recommending this book to EVERYONE I know, so do yourself a favor and get this book!

This book is really life-changing, at least from my own experience. I bought copies for relatives, I was so excited about the power of praise and thanksgiving as shown in this book. Try it - I hope you like it.

Finally! Words of wisdom I can actually use! After being stuck for over a year, I read this book from cover to cover. The advice is sound, practical, and do-able. I appreciated the simple yet actionable steps, as well as the lists of words and exercises to get me unstuck. Best of all, Katy'a voice is encouraging throughout. I now have lists of contacts for informational interviews, specific industries and job titles to consider, and am well on my way to a new career. Thank you Katy Piotrowski!

I recently bought this book, "Career Coward's Guide to Changing Careers" (CCGCC), along with "What Color is Your Parachute" and "Do What You Are." The latter two were quite helpful; unfortunately, CCGCC was not. (And I have read numerous career-related books in the past several years.) I will discuss CCGCC and then the other two books.

I guess the title of CCGCC should have warned me, as books such as "The Idiot's Guide to [Whatever]" and "[Whatever] for Dummies" were never my cup of tea. I tried, however, several times, to give CCGCC a chance, to see if maybe there was something worthwhile in this book to merit suffering through to the end. There was not. Some of the problems: (1) the author's juvenile, cheerleaderish attitude--I really couldn't stand it, page after page (her writing style seems geared more towards teenage girls than adult career changers); (2) her giddy overuse of exclamation points (if the writing is effective, exclamation points aren't necessary--this seems to be a cheap trick that lazy writers use to try to be more "expressive," or in this case, "motivational"); and (3) her condescending tone ( she never seemed to tire of using "coward," again and again). I kept thinking, "Can you give it a rest?" In short, this book just didn't work for me--a guy who is looking for a well-written, well-researched, and useful book to help me change careers. Simple. There are much better career change books out there. I will now turn to two of these.

I have read several past editions of "What Color is Your Parachute," and as always, I found the 2008 edition quite helpful. Briefly, "Parachute" helps the reader determine: (1) what their favorite transferable skills are, (2) where they might best use these skills, and (3) how to go about finding their dream job. I had to spend a good bit of time reflecting and writing about myself in order to complete the exercises in the book, but it was time well spent. (There really are no short-cuts when planning a career change.) Doing these exercises gave me a clearer idea of the types of job I should pursue, by (a) confirming what I had suspected about my favorite skills, interests, etc.--this was reassuring, as it made me more confident that I was on the right path, and (2) making me consider other career options that I had not previously thought of. I could have done without the author's occasional use of "God," "His Plan," etc., but since he doesn't overdo it, it wasn't a big deal.

"Do What You Are," is a book to help one discover their "type." There are free online sites that can help one do this (and my results were the same for both--the book and the online site); but as the book required me to think more (instead of just choosing between two choices, as many online inventories do), I felt more confident with my results. These writers also seem to be exclamation point-happy, but overall, the book is well-written and I fould it quite useful.

But if I had to recommend only one career change book to buy, it would be "What Color is Your Parachute." This could be supplemented by doing the inventories on free online sites to discover one's Type, as well as Interests, Values, Skills, etc.

Hope this helps.

"Career changing has seemed like such a scary step for me. I love that this
author tackles it head on...'You're going to be afraid, and that's
normal!' Her upbeat, encouraging writing style makes the process seem much
more doable to me. After YEARS of thinking about a career change, I've
finally started taking action on a few of the career experiment exercises
she recommends...and they're fun. I truly believe I can make a career
change this time. I love this book!"

Really enjoyed the author's enthusiasm and insight. She knows her stuff! Activities are very helpful. Worth the money! Highly recommended.

Making a career change can feel traumatic. So many fears and doubts can get in the way. How do you start? How do you decide what career to pursue? Is it really possible? The Career Coward's Guide to Changing Careers answers all of these questions and more.

There are 3 reasons I recommend purchasing this book if you are even contemplating a career change:

(1) This book gets to the heart of what stops you from making a career change--your fear. Each chapter contains a golden nugget called "The Panic Point!" that identifies the specific fears career changers have and more importantly, shows you how to overcome them.

(2) This book isn't theory; it's fact. Katy has worked with hundreds of career changers. In fact, as I was reading this book, I was thinking, "Boy, a lot of what she describes mirrors how I made my own career change." (I'm a former practicing lawyer-turned-career coach for lawyers.) From brainstorming exciting career possibilities to deciding which career is for you to re-crafting your resume, this book covers it all from A-Z.

(3) It's easy to get bogged down in career books. Not this one. It's clear, concise, and fun to read. It is indeed a step-by-step guide.

Beware: If you're just interested in complaining about how your career makes you miserable, don't read this book. Because if you do and you do the exercises, you may find yourself transitioning to a career you love!

Ms. Day and I have a few things in common. We both had our major crisis at age 32. We both had to fight for our child. I fought to keep mine alive. She fought to keep custody of hers. Both single mothers raising our child. She is correct when she says that crisis can be positive. However, over the many years, (I'm 66) I have seen women deny, deny, deny and end up, in a few cases, homeless.

I am not an intuitive, but am a sensitive. All my life I was able to 'see' things and have them turn into reality. I 'saw' some very strange events coming in my life that could not possibly, in a thousand years, occur. Yet they all did. Every one of them. Very few things surprise me now.

Trying to help people when you see their crisis coming is not always successful. Unlike Ms. Day, I do not work with rich clients, companies, etc. I have, over the years, warned my employers about events coming down the pike. Some listened, some didn't.

I have had clients over the years and still do, but I do not charge for my services. It is a pact I made with the Spirit World long ago. They will help me 100 percent if I do not collect money for their help. If I do, I chance losing my ability to see. It doesn't bother me that I am not wealthy or live the kind of lifestyle Ms. Day does. The Spirit World has kept me whole, healthy and happy all these years.

I would like to see her write a book that is current that speaks to what is happening now with regard to housing losses, job losses, gas prices, and what the future holds. She needs to take the gloves off and really lay it on the line. She doesn't sugarcoat things, but she needs to get down and dirty about people taking responsibility for their lives. Her stories are very interesting. I just wish we knew what happened to the father in San Francisco. Did his wife return and take their daughter back?

I did very much enjoy her book. I just wonder, if she was such a powerful intuitive, why she didn't save money over the years she was married to her millionaire husband. Why she didn't see the divorce and child custody battle coming.

I may have to break down and write my own book soon. Of course all proceeds from the book would go to charities. My clients, over the years, have begged me to do this. Maybe it's time.

Laura Day narrates her own journey out of a crisis ... first through the tragic loss of her mother at 14 ... and then the devastating divorce that left her life in tatters ... to its gifts of healing and intuitive ability and career as a writer and speaker. Laura Day has been there herself ... a crisis ... and the stakes have been high ... but she pulled herself out of it ... and now shares the tools that became her lifeline. Day addresses the unique response styles and how you can make them work for you in a crisis. Best of all she has set up a website for this specific book with resources and group support so you need not go through this alone. I first met Laura Day at a Circle workshop on the East Coast in 2002 and returned to her work when she published the Crisis. More than any other self-help book on the market, this is stunning in its brilliant simplicity. No New Age blame game, no woo-woo, no magical thinking. A great tool to have in a self-help tool kit that keeps you empowered with YOURSELF.

Day emphasizes the gift of a crisis because you cannot go back to the past. This is the best advice in the book. It is like an old episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Captain Jean-Luc Picard is given a chance to return to his youth and change destiny. Instead of having the trauma of a fight in a bar that lead to his receiving an artificial heart, Jean-Luc averts the disaster. Good? Not really because when he returns to the present he discovers that his life has been mediocre rather than stellar. In fact, he is a low-level ship mate who is not seen to have any leadership ability! The gift of his crisis was the development of impeccable judgment and calculated risk taking. Jean-Luc opts to go back and claim his sacred wound and returns again the Star Fleet legend and Captain of the Enterprise. This old storyline depicts Laura Day's wisdom on why the rock bottom of a crisis can actually be starting point of a brand new life that outshines the old.

When a disaster directly affects us--an earthquake, a hurricane, a car accident on the freeway--we respond in different ways. Writing as a widely consulted expert on adapting to change and crisis, author Laura Day explains four different reactions to crisis: denial, anxiety, rage and depression. Most of us experience one or more of these typical reactions as we respond to the sudden setbacks and unexpected difficulties of our lives.

Yet instead of these largely negative reactions, Day believes we can train ourselves to respond to a crisis with positive energy, transforming what might have seemed disastrous into a life-changing experience that fills us with hope, vision, and fresh energy. The difference is not the depth or difficulty of the experience, but rather our attitude as we encounter it.

Counselor to the star and guest on major TV shows, Day believes instead of fearing change, she believes, we should learn to expect change and be empowered by it. The worst of circumstances can be transformed if we are willing to adjust our perspective.

As Day writes on page 77, "To be effective in your life...you need to grow from your experiences, rather than being derailed by them." This is the primary thrust of Welcome to Your Crisis, as the author teaches us that even a major disaster can become a stepping-stone to personal growth.

Many of her ideas are not new, yet she explains them with a fresh voice. Readable and easy to understand, her prose keeps you moving forward, turning the pages and continuing to learn.

Decide who you want to be, Day insists, rather than letting the difficult moments of life define you and limit your future. Transform the negative thoughts, attitudes and feelings
that you encounter into warmer, more confident beliefs and values.

"Good lives are not easy," Day writes on page 219, "they require daily acts of adaptation, courage, and love." Clearly, the author supports the idea that all of us can learn to face our challenges in these ways--and by doing so we can improve our own lives and the lives of those we encounter.

Armchair Interviews says: Thought-provoking information.

I felt guided to this book by a higher power -- and boy, am I glad I listened to that voice. (Or rather, to those Voices!) For so long, I was burning my candle at both ends, to steal a line from Edna St. Vincent Millay. And nothing seemed good enough, until my own personal crisis arrived. Well, needless to say, this book was -- as you can tell from the cute little life preserver on the cover art -- a lifesaver! Many blessings to you, Laura.

Life Changing.

Crisis or not, this book will help you find a new path if you let it. Your true path. The simple tools and ideas in the book provide immediate direction. Hope. Energy. I'm a big fan of this author, I absolutely adore "The Circle" and "Crisis" takes her work to great new heights.

It is personal and practical and immeasurably powerful.

Thank you, Laura Day.

The I Ching has been an immensely important influence on my life. For well over three decades, I have sought its advice, judgment and solace. It has remained an unchanging spiritual lifeboat for me, like the shoals of dolphins that rescue and secure the shipwrecked to safety. I credit the Wilhem/Baynes/Jung edition for saving my life and, in particular, the editions by Carol K. Anthony, Sam Reifler, Brian Brown Walker, Sarah Dening, R. L. Wing, John Blofeld and Stephen Karcher for enriching it.

This latest of Karcher's books on the I Ching, Total I Ching: Myths for Change, is a masterpiece. Karcher successfully takes the original texts and jettisons almost all the moralistic moorings that are at times difficult to get around in other translations. He takes a shamanistic and pragmatic approach, eschewing doom-and-gloom predictions for succinct, somewhat dispassionate advice. For instance, rather than hearing hopelessly negative news from the 6th changing line of Hexagram 24 (Return), Karcher says "Trap!...You are returning to an old delusion, blinded by self-deception and infatuation. If you go on in this way, your hard-won growth will be destroyed. It will take at least ten years to deal with the repurcussions of this catastrophe. The Way is closed. Think about where this desire comes from. Whatever you do, don't act this out....Take things in. Be open and provide what is needed." I find this type of advice far more useful than the the stark proclamation of horrific bad luck given in some versions of the I Ching, which could almost cause the susceptible to contemplate jumping off the Golden Gate bridge.

His commentary on the 2nd line of Hexagram 49 (Skinning/Revolution) is: "There is excellence in moving now. This is your time. Move into the dance. You can change the world. Put everything into solution. Don't be shy. Be a hero. Vigorous action opens the Way. This is definitely not a mistake. Be resolute. You are connected to a creative force." This successfully communicates the positive energetic information without quite making one giddy. I enjoy and need a slightly sober reminder that my good fortune lies in remaining connected to the creative force, from which all blessings flow. Total I Ching provides this without the puritanical tone found in some other versions.

It is easy to bypass some of the more esoteric information on each hexagram and go directly to the sections most important for divination. The tone is helpful and grounding, yet invigorating. I personally am more interested in that than the scholarly details, but those who seek them won't be disappointed. My only criticisms are that it would have been far, far more helpful to have the Hexagram numbers placed on each page. You have to go through pages and pages to get your bearings in the text, rather than being able to flip easily to the hexgram you want. Also, I really wish this book was available in hardback. For those of us that actually use and refer to the I Ching on a regular basis, this is essential as well as aesthetically preferable. The text deserves to be preserved in a hardback edition. This is a wonderful, wonderful book.

Fantasic for maximum information, insightful interpretations, and maintaining clear readings while encouraging intuition.
Better for people who already have experience with the I Ching and Chinese and Taoist philosophy.

If I could give this book six I would.

If you love the I-Ching; If you read every single one you can find; this book is simply eons beyond all the rest.

The other I-Chings I used to really like were the one by Alfred Huang, and the one by Rudolph Ritsema. This is like taking the best aspects of both of those two and combining them and making them even better.

Check it out!

This is one of the BEST I-Ching Translations I've ever read. I had found several before, most notably the Legge Version and the Idiot's Guide. These are awesome versions for the basic Divination Student, but the depth and wealth of connections, syncronicities, and interrelationships between all the Hexagrams is best related in this text. I highly recommend this one, as well as the Karcher I-Ching with Concordance, and the simpler How to Use the I-Ching by Karcher as well.

This is the 2nd book I have bought written by the author Stephen Karcher.This book is very indepth and offers more guidance on all matters.The advice is easy to understand but beginners might want to find suitable learning books before adding this book to your collection.The number of pages for each hexagram can vary from about 4 pages and some are up to 6 pages long.Thats a bit too much for my liking,but,some people might like it.Consider that factor before you buy this book.

The print in this book is smaller compared to the authors "Symbols of love" book.Both books are very similar but "Total I Ching" is for all matters.

I also recommend these books:
1)"I Ching:a new interpretation for modern times."By Sam Reifler.
2)"Practical guide to the I Ching".By Kim-Anh Lim.

I cannot believe I paid for this crummy book. I thought it was going to give solid info regarding angels etc Perhaps explain some confusing parts of the Bible. The author continually puts scholars down and pats himself on the back. Way off the wall theories. Do not waste your money.

Using science, technology and a little bit of logic, historical myths and religious parables are called into question. This book will make readers rethink everything they've ever known. Everything from angels, demons and the paranormal will be addressed. Nothing is safe, and everything will be cast in a new light.

First-time author Craig Hines challenges readers to look beyond what they have been taught and accept a new reality. His interest in using scientific methods to investigate history sheds interesting light on everything we thought we knew.

Hines's apparent fascination with questioning history through science will appeal to readers who yearn for the truth. Readers will become entranced in the "new" history that Hines is telling. - 3 Stars - Reviewed by Leigh O'Donovan, Authors on the Rise Book Reviews.

Craig Hines book `Gateway of the Gods' is and insightful and in-depth exploration on three of my favorite topics (Watchers, Fallen Angels and the Nephilim) and the role these beings play in the ultimate destiny of mankind. The 62 pages that comprise Part 2 of this 432 page volume make this book worth the purchase price. His suggestion and subsequent discussion that the terms `Son's of God' and `Nephilim' might refer to not different gradations of angelic beings but actually the same creatures undergoing a title change after their "fall" is masterful and something I had never considered. Mr. Hines makes it so obvious I'm stunned that I could have overlooked that possibility all these years.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the brief 20 pages of Part 1 outlining exactly how the author became involved in the research of such esoteric matters. Dreams have always held a great fascination and significance for me and reading how it was through the vehicle of dreams and the necessary follow up confirmation in the waking state started it all made it personal and exciting for me.

Part 4 is where it gets a little difficult to follow but that comes from my own lack of expertise in matters of hyperspace, gravity, string and M theory and quantum physics in general. Dispite my inadequate level of knowledge in these areas I must say Hines did an admirable and cohesive job at bringing the material together and presenting a comprehensive and understandable analysis that should satisfy both the adept and the novice in these scientific disciplines.

If there is anything to find fault with Hines' book it would be trying to cover too much material from such a broad area of subject matter; Theology, mythology, archeology, alchemy, Kabbalah, quantum physics, conspiracy theories, environmental issues and more. However I would prefer to commend the attempt rather than fault him for it.

`Gateway of the Gods' is definitely a challenging read and not for someone looking to wile away a couple of hours before falling asleep. It's extremely dense, at times ponderous, someplaces overly immersed in detail and a little too abrupt and evasive at the end, but overall satisfying and thought provoking.

Like I said, not for everyone, but if you're one of those individuals who love exploring alternative ways of looking at our past and postulating where we might be heading this is definitely something you have to read!

This book touches upon a broad spectrum of topics including climate change, the Nephilim, alchemy, quantum physics, and the parallels of these topics in mythology. Craig Hines creatively weaves these matters into an intriguing mélange, but ultimately Hines' writing is mediocre; his credibility and expertise is lacking. This book reads largely like a regurgitation of hypotheses from several (and some questionable) sources that are then connected by Hines under the guise of needing to build an inter-dimensional gateway so that we can evolve more highly and become like gods ourselves. While I did find the section about fallen angels and their gigantic offspring to be especially frightening and believable (evidence is given from the Bible, ancient myths, and archaeology) and Hines has convinced me to research further the subject of alchemy, these parts of the book are not enough to redeem it.
If you are looking for a book with solid research and great writing, look somewhere else.

I feel that these types of books are nothing but dangerous for the believing Christian. This author has no credentials in theology but publishes his own interpretation on scripture. Craig Hines states that his experience in Multimedia and the Paranormal are his credentials to write a book on this subject which deals heavily in theologic interpretation. You have got to be kidding me! NO THANKS! The title of this book is in itself a dead giveaway. "Gateway of the Gods" there is only one true God not gods, and his return is very near.

This book really does not hold up well in today's world. Full of late 1990s exuberance, it adheres to the mantra that progress in the form of technology is going to save us -- a precept with which I wholeheartedly disagree. In my opinion a waste of time.

I found this book to be a very useful survey of the apparently large numbers of people who are seeking solutions for a more equitable world. Looking at our future through the lens of evolution and taking the long view tends to show us that evolutionary trends rooted in negentropic or the anti-entropic forces of a multi-dimensional universe are having a profound affect and subsequent effect on the thinking of many people. My only disagreement with the book is that it fails to dialogue with one of the most important negentropic forces available to humankind--the power of virtue or human excellence. Imagine talking about conscious evolution and not one word about virtue or even self-restraint. Despite these notable omissions, this book is an excellent resource for anyone thinking about the future.

Sean O'Reilly, author of How to Manage Your DIC K: Redirect Sexual Energy and Discover Your More Spiritually Enlightened, Evolved Self

I have a lot of trouble to get through this book: to me it is just a long list of "grand" statements and visions being poned without much of a logic structure. Well, I guess it is a good thing many people are inspired by it. Maybe I am too much a male, or too Dutch (van dik hout..)

The first 100 or so pages of this book nearly sent it to my shelf for good. I've never known somebody to find as many different ways to say the same thing over and over and over and over again. With each paragraph ending upbeat and inspiring, I was like "Okay, now here's where we get into the meat and potatoes". But we wouldn't. I started uttering about this new agey fluff being worthless. But by the time I finished reading it, I have to say it was good.

Of course, the core messages in the book are critical to us. They speak of a visionary truth both past and future that we all need to recognize. So, skim if you have to, but make it to the second half of the book. That's when she stops pontificating about loving the vast cosmos and starts pointing the book in a direction. But be wary that the ideas she suggests are her own legacy. They're a wonderful start and I believe are designed only to be a launching point, so don't feel bound to them as the only way through this mess of civilization we've created.

Barbara Marx Hubbard is a flawed visionary, like many in the human potential and "New Age" movements. She combines transpersonal insight with prerational garbage. She spouts about her revolutionary new political program, but says little of substance. In one breath, she supports genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and space colonization- and in another she damns the infrastructure necessary to make these advancements possible.

Conscious Evolution is, to be completely honest, a substanceless mess. Hubbard can't seem to get across any semblence of a message without resorting to quoting another book- typically with quotes that are of a declaratory rather than factual nature. The writing is poor and lacks depth. Although there are good ideas within (the "Peace Room", SYNCON, etc.) one must read through pages of fluff in order to get there.

Rather than waste your time with this book, take a look at some of Hubbard's sources, such as K. Eric Drexler or Ken Wilber. Your time and money will be much better spent.

This workbook really helps you get the most out of the textbook, Changed Into His Image, by Jim Berg. The workbook is set up so that you cover a chapter of the book every week. This gets you through the textbook in thirteen weeks. Each day (five days a week) you will read a few pages from the text, write down two significant statements, answer some thought-provoking questions, work on memorizing a verse, and pray for change. This resource can be used individually, with another person, or in a small group Bible study. The only warning I have is that you better be committed to doing the work if you are going to buy this book. It takes about a half hour a day.

This Book and study guide are perhaps the best Discipleship/ small group material on the market. A++++

This material is superb, Jim Berg presents Christian truths so that even the us ordinary guys can understand it. Away with the psycho mumbo jumbo, real honest basic truths are brought to light for the new and older Christian .

The two book series, Book: Changed Into His Image and Workbook: Taking Time To Change give the true Christian tools to successfully implement lasting life change by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Once ones own life is being directed toward sanctificaton, the ability is there to begin helping other Christians begin the journey towards sanctification. Real life problems and responses to them are addressed so that the Christian can begin to see life from God's perspective rather than the individual's own situation. This book should be required reading for the new Christian as well as the older Christian. It's principles will benefit any Christian willing to take the time to implement them into his or her life.

At 322 pages, this book is about 200 pages too long. The book starts out with a very interesting summary of the newly divorced author's toxic romantic/sexual relationships and other self destructive behaviors, and describes her interesting plan to improve her life. Unfortunately, my interest waned rapidly as the book progressed. The writing style was inconsistent. Brilliant in places, incredibly boring in others.

Borrow this book from the library if you feel you must read it.

As an editor and book critic at PODBRAM, I have read a number of books aimed at women, and this is certainly one of the best of those I have read in that genre. I cannot speak for all male readers, but from my viewpoint, Cathy Alter is a highly competent writer in all respects. As I have sometimes done, I chose to read Ms. Alter's lighthearted poke at the frivolity and pseudo-seriousness of women's magazines sandwiched between a pair of books of much heavier subject matter, and Up for Renewal proved to be a very satisfying read.

Up for Renewal is apparently autobiographical and has been composed in a sort of real-time framework. Ms. Alter has been a contributor to some of the same magazines discussed in the book, showing off her insider expertise on a plotline of which she is intimately familiar. What I was most impressed with was her deft, yet compact, use of the characters, dialog, pacing, and language in the storyline. I felt as if I was being taken along on a slice-of-life joyride by a lady who really knows how to drive. Although this is only Cathy's second book, her extensive experience in magazine writing drips off the pages. Maybe that's why the storyline is so precise. The author knows how to truly make every word count, showing off some really tight editing. Do I have anything negative to say about Up for Renewal? I get a delicately queasy feeling that Ms. Alter has led a very easy, comfortable, upper-middle-class lifestyle that has left very little room for any angst to develop that cannot be solved by a little dose of feminist, pop psychology. Maybe that's just the impression I get when I read Up for Renewal between a morality treatise on the death penalty and the history of religious politics in America.

Cathy Alter creates a style that I strongly admire, one that I have diligently tried to impart in my own books, the concept of giving the reader the deepest and best experience possible in as few words as possible. Up for Renewal held my interest from the first word to the last, and I'm not even a member of the skirt-wearing target audience for the book!

Floyd M. Orr is the author of The Last Horizon: Feminine Sexuality & The Class System, Timeline of America: Sound Bytes from the Consumer Culture, and a few books on subjects that men like to read.

When I first read the description of this book, I thought it would be like the website chronicling following Oprah's every piece of advice. I was wrong.

The magazine advice is really just a structure around which the author builds her story of breaking her self-destructive patterns and creating a new life for herself. Each month, she focuses on a different area- diet (the author doesn't need to lose weight and isn't trying; she just wants to stop eating her lunch out of the vending machine), sex, clothing, exercise, etc. She chooses the subject based on what she needs in her life at the time, and she often uses the advice in a way that the original article does not always intend. For instance, an article about wardrobe essentials that is obviously meant to inspire readers to go out and buy becomes a guide for cleaning out her closet instead.

One word of warning- the author starts out as pretty unlikeable. Even her best friend wants to ditch her (one of the catalysts of this journey). She does some pretty stupid things, and initially makes it sound like she divorced her ex-husband because he gained 100 lbs. However, her sheer determination to fix her life by focusing on one small thing at a time is pretty gutsy and endearing. I was really prepared to hate her through the whole book. I did find myself rooting for her by the end, though.

Cathy Alter's life is a mess - fresh off a divorce, affairs with the wrong men, bad job, bad eating habits...just a lot of bad choices all the way around. Instead of saying "hmm, I'll make a list of resolutions and stick to them", she turns to various magazines for helping her make a better life for herself.
She picks [Giftscriptions Magazine Gift Certificate: O, The Oprah Magazine (Giftscriptions) Self (1-year), Real Simple (1-year),Cosmopolitan (1-year),In Style, April 2008 IssueElleMarie Claire (1-year) and Glamour (1-year) as the guides for her life for the next year. Each month she would pick one particular theme to focus on and she recounts her adventures with with and humor.

The first month she tackles her diet. She begins to brown bag her lunch with the help of "Real Simple"'s guide to using plastic wrap. (I never knew there would be a guide to that.) It seems strange how the small simple act of packing lunch could cause such a change, but it did.
M's Alter documents each step along the way of her year long experiment with honesty and a sense of humor. She details her past problems, warts and all, and I found myself rooting for her through out the whole book. I wanted her to make it to the happy ending.

Reading this book is like catching up with an old friend. Inbetween M's Alter's magazine experiment, she writes about her job, her family and her friends. She writes about her experiment in being a bitch with an old lover and how that does not work out quite the way she had planned.

I recommend this book highly to anybody who has stood in front of the magazine rack at the store and surveyed the many choices available. It's very good and I hope to see more from M's alter in the future.

The author is not only real, but she gets it. Even before identifying myself in this mini-memoir I found this book to be a barrel of fun, puns and chuckles with shrewd insights into life's domestic relationships. Most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, have experienced many of these adventures and disappointments but not been able to see the silver lining of humor in the situation. We all tend to take ourselves too seriously. But dating, looking for Mr. Right, and even sex is enormously funny if one can only behold, and then admit the truth. This tome was a laugh a minute and I think it will make the author very popular and hopefully, rich. Go to it, girl! You've found your groove! You have that rare ability to see the humor in all your life experiences and we are all richer for your ability to share it with each of us. Your life will never be meaningless or unappreciated. Readers, be prepared to laugh while you learn. We learn from every life experience and this book will enable every reader to make the best of whatever seeming disaster goes wrong with the "best laid plans of mice, men and women."