Wise, Important, Fun, Down-to-Earth.
351780
If you could do only one simple thing to better the lives of yourself, your children and your loved ones, I would suggest that you buy this book, today! Spent is a wise and easy-to-read book that will live on your night table for evening reading, sit on your coffee table for friends and family to benefit from and will take a place on your bookshelf as one of the most important resources you've ever come across - if you are serious about achieving wellness and quality of life. My golden rule for following advice is to make sure it stems from a place of absolute authenticity. Dr. Lipman appears to be an M.D. with an enormously diverse background in all forms of the healing arts, a doc on the cutting edge of health-care, rather than disease-care. I have benefited enormously in just a short period of time from the down-to-earth wisdom of Spent. After years of receiving confusing and fear-based diagnoses and endless invasive procedures from other physicians (who are well-intended, but who operate from an old, out-dated paradigm of how medicine is practiced), I am grateful and uplifted to have come across an approach that is both scientifically-based and heart-based. And fun! If you like to dance, make sure you get the Spent CD as well - the rhythms are amazing for getting your body back into its natural groove. Anyway, if you hope for change and dare to make it happen, this is the book to read. Feeling well and being happy is our collective birthright. This book will help you reclaim your health and wholeness. In my opinion, it should be required reading in our children's schools, medical schools and available in your local library. Here in Miami, we are starting a movement to make that happen.
1414279
Witty and Wise! Mary Andrews gives heartfelt advice that is practical and written in a down to earth sometimes humorous way. Worth reading! I loved it.
1840249
I don't need much encouragement to enjoy life and all its abundant pleasures. "The Skills of Pleasure" by Stewart Blackburn has sweetened my experience even more with his loving, humorous and instinctively right on how-tos on further development of the enjoyment, and appreciation, of this precious life we have been given.

Yes to a good read!

Lisa Alpine, author&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Exotic-Life-Laughing-Rivers-Dancing-Drums-and-Tangled-Hearts/dp/0984229302/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Exotic Life: Laughing Rivers, Dancing Drums and Tangled Hearts</a>
4943904
This is one of those books that you could borrow from your library, or from a friend, but you will likely need to buy your own copy since there are so many passages that are either so wise, so funny, or so meaningfully touching that you will need to use your pencil in order to happily jot checkmarks, brackets, and asterisks throughout the book. I know that I did.
David Hays has a surfeit of academic, personal, and professional accomplishments. In his sixties, he was semi-retired, kids grown, had good health and a happy family life. His mind is unquestioningly fertile (yet organized) and he seems to embrace new experiences. As a child he gazed into a mud bubble, and glimpsed eternity. As an adult he throws himself  into the grass in his back yard, in order to look more closely at the earth.  His life was full, and meaningful, but  he does not brag, and he is likable from the outset.
Rather than rest on his not inconsiderable laurels, he decides to become a Bar Mitzvah, joining a class of local eleven and twelve-year olds - in order to devote himself to study with his congregation's rabbi, Doug, for more than a year. It is this journey - and there is a steady unfolding, with no outburst of religiosity -  that forms the starting point for this wonderful narrative.
Hays has an ability to tell you a lot about himself by telling you about other people. He respects himself, and he respects others. He is never boring. His parents, in-laws, grown children, grandchildren,  his wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and his classmates are interesting to him, and worthy of reportage. He lets you in on these people and their lives and their histories with unstinting (and never maudlin) respect, even awe. In doing this you find out a lot about Hays and his subjects. Their privacy is never violated, and their dignity is sustained.
There is uncloying, laugh-out-loud humor throughout. Family lore emerges, and it is often funny. Hays delights in his wife Leonora's knack of elegantly summing up a situation with a trenchant malapropism. Of his new-found fervor for religious study, she says, "He hooked, line and sinker!" Of the Bahamas: "It's a third-war country."  He also shares his family history, including a terrific (true) story, "How my family saved Israel." His feelings and observations as a sensitive member of his class (of the kids at  recess he marvels, "They always know where to go.")  - and his relationship with his wonderful rabbi - are a pleasure to watch unfold.
Hays includes a piece on Anne Frank that is dramatic, thoughtful, and not at all funny. It is appropriately included, given that the concerns of an adult approaching his bar mitzvah are different from those of a child. And at one point, he attends a Harvard reunion - which maybe could have been left out of this book, with no loss of substance to this great story.
In all, a wonderful book.
887308
First, I think any book that has earned praises from Vint Cerf deserves to be read, just saying. :)

This is not your grandmother's self-help, let's-work-on-conflicts, how-to-find-your-purpose book. An easy to read book with lots of humor makes reading this book an enjoyable ride. The authors doesn't sugar coat anything and speaks to you in a matter of fact manner. I mean, until they pointed out on page 17, "your != code", I suddenly realize 'do' sometimes mistakenly become defensive when somebody make suggestions about my code. As the book stated, nobody likes to be criticized, but the risk of working in silo is the risk of wasting your valuable time in going down the wrong track, which choice would you rather have? Lots of useful advices in the book.

I personally find the two chapters on 'Dealing with Poisonous People' and 'The Art of Organizational Manipulation' very useful. Despite the tabloid like titles, as the authors openly admit, the two chapters try to deal with serious issues that we all face in our careers at one time or anther.  Whether you are trying to deal with people who takes time away from your time and focus, or dealing with an office politician, there are ways to minimize the impact while still get things done. The book suggested a few ways to do so.

Some chapters might be a bit focus on the software development ecosystem, but the dynamics should be applicable in multiple situations. As engineers, we all seek the truth, but the reality is that we deal more with human emotions that are 'spontaneously buggy'. They can be your coworkers, users, or yourself. Until somebody pointed them out in plain text, it just might not be so obvious
to you.

Bottom line, this is a short, enjoyable read. I feel like I received valuable lessons that I can apply to my life and career. I hope you would enjoy the book too.
4599464
Wise little lessons, smooth easy-reading two-page stories, clear fonts, bright colors, and every border a different sure delight; what more could you ask from a smart hard-backed story-book to be shared with small children? Combining the savor of Aesop with the whimsy of Peter Rabbit, Demis The Pandas and their Chopsticks, and other animal stories, is a genuine delight. Each fable takes two short clean pages. Each telling is bright and light. And each is illustrated with vivid colors, genuine artistry, and pictures full of visual intelligence and appeal. Colored borders with animal figures make favorite stories easy to find. And every tale ends with a simple wise moral, perfect for bedtime telling and those quiet lessons remembered before sleep.

Some of these stories might illustrate familiar conceptsthe pandas' generosity that helps everyone for example; others offer wisdom you might not have seen so brightly told before, as with the faults that follow unless we do something to leave them behind. But all are bright and new, refreshingly told, a pleasure to read and a treasure to own.

Which story do I love best? I really cant say. The humble ocean perhaps... the wily fox... Youll have to read them and choose your own favorites, as Im sure you will.

Disclosure: I was offered a free copy by the publishers and I offer my honest review.
3417441
Sure, in some fundamental ways getting older is what it is.  However, it isn't necessarily what it was!  This is a collection of wordly wisdom from a lady who is committed to living life "flat out"- without driving herself crazy in the process. Wit and balance, humor and kindness  abound here  with a generous dollop of straightforwardness.  Glammy takes on the dicey questions about love,relationships and expectations as we go forward.  Thank you, Glammy!!
984174
I so enjoyed reading this book. The advice from the author's life experience felt wise and serious. However, there were some earthy anecdotes included which added to its vigor.
4352394
One of the things I find most wonderful about this book is that I can pick it up and read only a page, and have something worth thinking about.  It is packed full of good, clear advice and ethical guidance. On first glance there are some ideas that seem obvious, and some that seem impossible. But with further reading and effort the impossible becomes easier to conceive of, and ideas that seemed obvious reveal hidden depths. I am on my second reading of the book, mixed with frequently jumping around in the text, and I'm certain I'll get something new from it with future readings as well.

A particularly lovely touch to this book is that with every piece of advice, there is an explanation, an example, or an anecdote - something to tie the subject in to our every-day lives.  For example, the section on common sense and tact quotes the late Jewish humorist Sam Levenson in saying "It's not so hard to be wise.  Just think of something stupid to say and don't say it." This seems like such a small thing, but this little bit of humor stays in my mind better than any lecture, and is just enough to remind me that I mean to improve.  Other such anecdotes show that some of the "impossible" expectations through the book are in fact anything but.

So many "self-help" and "self-improvement" books are easy to skim through, more fluff and cheery stories than content.  While many books on living the good life have passed through my hands, no other has lingered quite as well as this one.  Every time I open it I am reminded of some aspect of life that I should focus more on, and I expect it will be on my shelf for a very long time.
3920832
This is one of those great books that is enjoyable on several different levels. First and foremost, the content is informative and balanced, and gets to the highs and lows of foods (mostly a focus on the highs and positives). Then there are the nutritional notes about how certain foods are advantageous to the body.  The content is deep enough to peak interest, but no so deep that it ends up being doctor talk.  Then there are the pictures of the wide variety of healthy foods, grouped by types. The end result fosters a high appreciation for quality foods, and creates an inner push away from the opposite, trashy foods that Americans like to indulge in (fast food, junk food, fatty foods, etc).

This makes a great coffee table book to pick up and read small sections, if desired, in addition to being a serious book to consult for answers to questions about specific foods.

Makes a great gift for anyone you care about.  I can see no reason not to like (or love) this book.
3396576
What's not to love.  Witty, wise, and wellness information all wrapped up in a book that brings fun into any conversation or relationship!
4638410
This is fun, sometimes witty, light reading. I found it perfect for reading before bed. Very calming.

Ms. Gray has a positive mindset, looks to find the lesson if she's had difficult experiences and is grateful for all she's been blessed with. She doesn't waste time swelling overmuch on the past or negative people and scenarios. She shares the lessons she's learned and the wisdom gained. She doesn't share anything extraordinary. At my age, I've heard it all before, but it was pleasant to read. Sometimes it felt like a very, long article in a women's magazine, including recipes and fashion suggestions. Like I said, it's light reading and she succeeds in creating that kind of pleasant experience for the reader.

I was so happy to learn that she and Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy were great friends for decades. So many shows, you find out the stars hated each other, so I like it when it turns out they enjoyed each other's company so much they hung out off set.

This is a good choice if you are looking for a positive, life affirming book from a female celebrity.
1525836
Down to earth writing,  He wit and wisdom points us  to seek God's plan for our lives and understand when things seem hard to understand.
3281539
Lots of fun and pretty true to life, as I understand it. A fun romp.
683883
A delightful and refreshing pep-talk and reminder for those times when you need to lighten up.
I was going to say that it's good for when your mind is controlling you, rather than you controlling it...but that's not quite it...
Or for when you need to make that little voice in your head shut up already and let you live your life in peace...but that's not quite it either...
So I'll just say that Lisa and Franco's book is a light hearted, friendly and funny way to help get  some peace of mind and to enjoy life for a change.
Best of all, there's no homework, it doesn't take itself so desperately seriously -- a great accomplishment, because the authors very well know that not having peace of mind is a very serious concern.
I guess in this case, the medium really is the message -- a lighthearted way to help lighten up.
I whole-heartedly recommend it.
3210419
A relevant guide for something everyone experiences-hurtful words. The author is down to earth, transparent, whimsical, humorous, but most importantly practical in both prescription and counsel. I found page after page of helpful wisdom for rising above, and comforting resolution that sometimes the consequence of hurtful words just cannot be fixed, just simply endured...and that's okay.
1007440
John is a down-to-earth writer with good insights that he shares with the reader. One of my favorite quotes is "Rich people plan for the future; poor people plan for Saturday night." That says a lot in a few words. Another quote is "What you focus on grows." Good to keep in mind in all areas of life, not just money matters. Wherever you are in life right now, this book has plenty of gems that will be useful to you. Pick it up. It's worth your money and worth your time.

Dr. Diane Chesson