Blog Archives

Trust Yourself to Be All In: Safe to Love and Let Go

The narrative of Amanda’s life, as depicted in this book, offers a raw and poignant exploration of the impact of divorce and personal loss. Amanda’s journey begins in the wake of her parents’ separation, primarily due to her father’s affair, a situation that significantly alters her familial landscape. The book delves into her deep connection with her brother, Jeremy, who, despite his own struggles with addiction, serves as a crucial pillar of support until his untimely death. Tragically, Amanda faces a series of losses, including the passing of five close individuals within a span of three years.

This book candidly portrays her struggle with alcohol addiction as a coping mechanism and how these experiences leave indelible marks on her life. Particularly moving is how Amanda cherishes memories, such as a shared love for the band Pearl Jam, highlighting the bittersweet nature of remembrance. Amanda’s story is not just about loss and grief but also about resilience and healing. The narrative follows her as she confronts and manages an anxiety disorder, navigates the near breakdown of her marriage, and embarks on a journey toward recovery. The decision to relocate and the challenges of adapting to a new environment without familiar support systems are also explored, showcasing her strength and adaptability. The author’s candidness and emotional depth make this memoir particularly engaging. Amanda’s experiences are conveyed with a sincerity that invites empathy and reflection.

Trust Yourself to Be All In: Safe to Love and Let Go is not just a chronicle of hardships; it’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and grow. This book is a compelling read for those interested in memoirs that offer a deeply personal and touching narrative filled with genuine emotion and the triumphs of overcoming life’s adversities.

Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0C4M137BJ

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Power To Excel: How to Get the life You Want by Leveraging What You Already Have

Power to Excel offers an insightful exploration into personal development, adeptly interweaving author Valerie McDowell’s journey with broader themes of self-empowerment and discovery. McDowell draws from her formative years at John B. Russwurm School and her time spent in local libraries, crafting a narrative that is as nostalgic as it is enlightening. The book adds a rich historical layer by paying tribute to historical figures such as John Brown Russwurm and Malcolm X, suggesting a continuity between past struggles and personal growth.

Central to McDowell’s narrative is the introspective examination of the qualities inherent in individuals who have achieved greatness. She delves into the concept of ‘power’ as a critical catalyst for personal transformation and success, encouraging readers to ponder their own potential and aspirations. This is exemplified in her thought-provoking questions, such as “What Do I Want?” The book’s structure is commendable, with McDowell skillfully transitioning from personal anecdotes to a broader philosophical discourse. She emphasizes recognizing and utilizing one’s unique talents and experiences.

The inclusion of motivational stories and interactive questions transforms the reading experience into an engaging dialogue, enhancing the book’s impact. McDowell’s talents as a writer and administrator are evident throughout the narrative. Her skill in blending personal stories with practical guidance offers an engaging and informative read. The narrative strikes a balance between inspiration and pragmatism, providing actionable steps for tapping into one’s internal power. Her vivid descriptions bring to life her experiences growing up in the Abraham Lincoln housing projects in New York City, establishing a solid connection with the reader and fostering introspection.

Power to Excel: How to Get The Life You Want By Leveraging What You Already Have stands out as a thought-provoking guide for those seeking personal growth and fulfillment. McDowell’s authentic storytelling and insightful philosophy render the book a valuable tool for anyone on a path of self-discovery and empowerment. It prompts reflection on one’s current self, future aspirations, and the impact of life experiences. The book is a testament to the necessity of change and evolution in one’s life.

Pages: 150 | ASIN : B0C7J9DD93

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Living a Fulfilling Life

Jennifer Gasner Author Interview

My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis is your memoir and call to action for accessibility and inclusivity after receiving your diagnosis of Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). Why was this an important book for you to write?

There are a few reasons, but I’ll stick to two:

I wanted to show a positive representation of living with a disability. For too long, it’s been described as a tragedy and something that needs to be fixed. But that is not always the case. Being disabled has its challenges, no doubt, but living a fulfilling life is possible.

Secondly, I wanted to show people going through similar things that they are not alone.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Some ideas include that the ability to walk does not equal happiness, and disabled people have value and are capable.

What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?

The neurologist who diagnosed me told me not to let FA stop me from doing what I had planned with my life.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?

Living a fulfilling life with a disability is possible, and don’t assume disabled people aren’t intelligent or capable to do a job.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Hollywood Book Festival Awards Honorable Mention for biography/autobiography

Jennifer Gasner is seventeen when her dreams are shattered overnight.
Receiving a diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, means she must prepare herself for a life of loss. When she starts college, she can still walk on her own, but as her disease progresses, she spirals further into sadness, denial, and alienation. She turns to alcohol and a toxic relationship to distract her from what she refuses to accept—that her body, her self-esteem, and her hope for her future are failing.

When Jennifer develops a friendship with rock star Dave Matthews, her outlook changes. She begins to understand that using a wheelchair doesn’t mean her life is over. In fact, when she discovers disability culture, she realizes it’s not her body that needs to be fixed but her assumptions about being disabled.
In her captivating memoir, My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis, Jennifer invites you into her world, where she must learn to view her changing body with compassion and choose gratitude over anger as she finds strength and acceptance in a whole new way of moving through life.

The In-Between: Life in the Micro

The In-Between: Life in the Micro by Christian Espinosa elegantly merges memoir and self-help, offering readers a thoughtful exploration of the author’s personal transformation. Espinosa’s narrative is richly grounded in the appreciation of life’s smaller moments, often unnoticed yet fundamentally shaping our experiences. His approachable storytelling reveals his transition from focusing on broader life goals to appreciating the intricate, everyday occurrences that impart significant impact.

Spanning ten chapters, the book skillfully navigates Espinosa’s journey from a broader perspective to a more nuanced understanding of life. This shift personalizes his story and turns the book into an inspirational and practical guide for readers embarking on their own self-discovery journeys. One notable chapter focuses on redefining personal identity, providing insightful strategies for personal development. Espinosa’s openness and sincerity in this section particularly resonate, offering a powerful and relatable resource for anyone seeking meaningful change. The discussion on aligning with core values is another highlight, presenting moments of realization that reinforce the book’s profound influence. Espinosa combines practical advice with actionable steps throughout, presenting a clear guide to discovering life’s deeper meaning and value. His emphasis on mindfulness and awareness serves as a potent tool for those seeking fulfillment and peace.

Espinosa’s narrative echoes Robert Brault’s sentiment, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things,” illustrating this philosophy across the book’s pages. The In-Between: Life in the Micro is a valuable source of insight for individuals at various life stages, filled with wisdom from Espinosa’s life and teachings. It stands as a significant contribution, meriting recognition for its ability to inspire readers to value life’s transient moments and find joy in the mundane.

Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0CP8RYV55

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There Is Hope

Shilpi Pradhan, MD Author Interview

Goodbye, Dry Eye! offers readers a comprehensive guide to dry eye disease including causes, symptoms, treatments, and methods of prevention. Why was this an important book for you to write?

As a dry eye specialist, I see so many people with basic questions and errors which can cause their eyes to get worse. I hope my book provides some relief to those who are struggling and not getting the answers they need from their doctors or tips to allow their treatments to work more effectively. It was important to write this book to try to increase the number of people I can help through a widely accessible book rather than only my patients who I see in clinic.

Readers will connect with the personal accounts in your book. Can you tell us a little about that aspect of your research and writing process?

This was my first book so the writing process was probably more scattered than it could be in the future. I would write chapters and then think of new things to add and move paragraphs around to help it flow better. Researching the updated research to put in my book was also fun. It helped me organize my thoughts to read research papers and different perspectives on the causes and treatments of dry eye disease. It took about 5 months total to research and write the book before I submitted it for professional editing and formatting. Learning about the publishing process was also fun and enlightening.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from Goodbye, Dry Eye! ?

I want readers suffering with dry eye to realize there is hope and a way to get them back to living a normal life with proper treatment.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

My next book is called How Healers Heal, and it was published in August of 2023. It is a collection of stories from 33 physicians about our own health struggles and how we used tools from the six pillars of health in Lifestyle Medicine to transform our lives and our health.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | EyeDoctorMD | HowHealersHeal | Amazon

Do you suffer from dry eyes?
Did you know you can prevent dry eye disease?
Do you want to discover the treatment options available?
Then this is the book for you. Look no further!

When you read this book, you’ll discover:

•The seven most common symptoms of dry eye disease.
•The three major medical conditions that can affect dry eye disease.
•The one thing you could be doing which are making your eyes worse.
•The seven most important aspects of the dry eye exam performed by eye doctors.
•And much more!

You may be surprised at what you discover about dry eye and how this book could help you treat your dry eye or prevent you from having dry eye disease for less than the price of a bottle of artificial tears.

If you want to be empowered about your eye health, then take charge with this concise, focused, and easy-to-understand book. Scroll up and click the “Add to cart” button right now!

Goodbye, Dry Eye!

In the genre of medical literature, few books manage to bridge the divide between professional expertise and everyday understanding. Goodbye, Dry Eye! achieves just this, offering an enlightening dive into the often-misunderstood world of dry eye disease (DED). While many associate dry eyes with mere discomfort, Dr. Shilpi Pradhan, a distinguished board-certified ophthalmologist with a specialization in DED delves deeper, shedding light on its multifaceted nature.

Drawing from her personal battle with dry eyes and a rich tapestry of professional experiences, Dr. Pradhan expertly navigates the landscape of DED. She emphasizes the widespread nature of this ailment, underscoring the urgency for effective remedies. Not stopping at DED, the book ventures into associated conditions, such as blepharitis and neurotrophic keratitis, to name a few.

Written with exceptional clarity, Dr. Pradhan’s narrative style is both engaging and instructive. She is particularly adept at demystifying complex ophthalmologic concepts, using everyday analogies—like the comparison of fluctuating vision in DED to a windshield wiper—to make her points relatable. The systematic presentation of the material, coupled with firsthand patient accounts, lends a personal touch, ensuring readers easily connect with the content.

Goodbye, Dry Eye! stands out in the medical nonfiction genre for its comprehensive coverage of the eye’s anatomy and the pivotal role inflammation plays in DED, marking a leap forward in our understanding. Beyond the afflicted, this tome serves as an invaluable resource for eye care professionals eager to deepen their grasp on this subject.

Goodbye, Dry Eye!, by Dr. Shilpi Pradhan, is an illuminating guide, artfully blending medical intricacies with accessible explanations. Whether you’re a curious reader or a seasoned ophthalmologist, this book promises a wealth of knowledge and insight into the world of dry eye disease.

Pages: 125 | ISBN : 978-1961549043

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