Recommended for People Searching for Hope

703: How I Lost More Than a Quarter Ton and Gained a Life by Nancy Makin

This was a book a customer was searching for. She found it, but I remember seeing her put it back. Intrigued, I took a look myself and made a mental note: Read. In case you missed it, this has been in my Reading List off to the left for quite some time.

I finally got to it (and while reading it, it caught the interest of one of my managers as well). It's a fascinating story that will make you angry, make you smile, and yes, even perhaps shed a tear or two. I know, that all sounds awfully cliche, but it's true. When my manager asked how the book was going, I told her I'd finished it. Was it worth reading? Emphatic "Yes" on my part. Honest to heavens, if you're running out of hope for whatever reason, read this book. Understand that it's not impossible to love life again and escape from whatever dark prison you or others have managed to build around you. This book is actually in the Health/Diets section of our store, but it really can give you a boost no matter what you weigh.

Notes from the playlist: "When She Loved Me" by Sarah McLachlan

Recommended for Writers (who need inspiration)

Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Bud Gardener

I discovered this book one day while in the library looking up writerly things. This was actually years and years ago when I was just beginning to look up how to get published. I never knew they made a Chicken Soup book for writers and thought it was grand. I borrowed it, read it, and then went out and bought it. This book has been a great way to keep my spirits up whenever I get bummed about rejection. Positive stories remind me that everyone has gone through the same process. It is possible to get accepted somewhere. Writing is both a pain and a joy. Frankly, I think this book helped me even more to handle rejection. I already knew it was going to be a fact of life when it comes to writing, but this made it much easier.

So for any writers that need a boost or are feeling burnt out, try a bowl of Chicken Soup and see if that doesn't make you feel better.


Notes from the playlist: "Becoming One of the People/Becoming One with Neytiri" by James Horner