The Novel Bookworm: Friday Finds!

The Novel Bookworm: Friday Finds!

A really good and different book. I think you'll like it. Have you read Bufflehead Sisters?

Book Review

Beyond Trauma: Conversations on Traumatic Incident Reduction

If you are interested in an overview of Traumatic Incident Reduction model of treating traumatic experiences, read Beyond Trauma. The book offers a compilation of comments, experiences, and explanations of Tramatic Incident Reduction (TIR) and addresses the use of TIR in various types of trauma, including that of soldiers, people feeling grief and loss, victims of crimes, the incarcerated, survivors of terrorism, accident victims, and children. Treatment of phobias and anxiety is also covered. The components of TIR, including cognitive restructuring, and desensitization, are discussed.

The technique is person-centered, highly structured, and brief. The therapist does not offer any interpretations, only instructions to view a traumatic incident from beginning through the end. The book gives transcripts of the same story as it is retold, allowing the reader to see how the story changes as the person retells it.

The TIR model adheres to the idea that permanent resolution of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is possible, but depends on the recovery of repressed memories

(Anamnesis). It is viewed as a simple technique and is taught to lay people as well as psychiatrists, social workers, pastors, nurses and other mental health professionals.

TIR is described from different perspectives, including that of practitioners and those whose suffering has been alleviated by it. Transcripts of sessions are included as are the rules of practice. In addition, TIR is compared to other treatment techniques. Many success stories are included. Patients are cured and clinicians report that the effectiveness of TIR is beyond their expectations. This book addresses the myth that people who suffer from trauma cannot recover and must remain scarred and helpless for life.

People with a history of trauma and mental health professionals are the target audience. The purpose is to educate them about the effectiveness of the technique. Some concepts are complicated, however, and the explanation of trauma is not easy to comprehend. The lay reader probably will benefit most from the stories of victims and how the therapy led to recovery.

A proponent of TIR edited this book and practitioners who advocate TIR wrote the articles. Some research studies are reported, but case studies are the main focus.

Book Review: Everyday Greatness

Insights and Commentary by Stephen R. Covey

Compiled by David K. Hatch

In his introduction, Stephen Covey states the outcomes he hoped to achieve with this book. First, he wanted the reader to relax and enjoy reading the book, that the information would be reassuring, comforting and uplifting. Second, he hoped the book would be inspiring to those who read it. Third, he hoped the collection of stories would arouse passion for being a transition person, someone who breaks the flow of negative traditions or practices from one generation to another.

To achieve these goals, this book offers stories, reflections, and quotations about everyday greatness. Everyday greatness is defined as being a person, who chooses to act rather than be acted upon, and chooses to act for meaningful and honorable purposes and acts in accordance with proven principles.

Does the book achieve these goals? The first goal of being an enjoyable read is easily achieved. The book is like a comfortable blanket to wrap up in when you have a moment, but it will wait for you when you have other things to do. Like the stories in Reader’s Digest, the entries complied are short, make a point, and don’t raise your blood pressure. It could be a reference book, one you read when you have a few moments and want to be inspired. The stories and quotations encourage you to be your best. Is the book inspirational? Absolutely. Not all the stories will be effective with all readers, but the variety of offerings means there should be a piece that speaks to each person. Finally, does the book arouse passion to break a negative cycle? Clearly, it does. The stories are of famous people, such as Walt Disney, Charles Dickens and Norman Rockwell to name just three, but also about everyday people like your neighbor, or like you, who make a difference by living the three characteristics of everyday greatness. As you read, you’ll realize you have what it takes to exhibit everyday greatness and what a powerful impact that can make.

Member of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger Program: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

An Almost Perfect Murder

By Gary King

The July 2006 murder of Kathy Augustine made headlines. She was a high profile, dominating political figure in Reno, Nevada, who made history by being the first woman elected state controller. She had her photo taken with both President George Bush and his son President George W. Bush, survived an impeachment process, and in 2004 was a finalist for the office of Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. She had a history of using less than above board political tactics. A Republican Party colleague stated publicly he considered her an embarrassment to the party. Nevertheless, she could win elections and had an impressive resume.

Her husband, whom she was divorcing, died in 2003, and three weeks later Kathy married a former bodybuilder, Chaz Higgs. After being married for three years, they discussed divorce, and Chaz flirted with another woman. Then Kathy died of an apparent heart attack. Based on a tip from the woman Chaz had been flirting with, the police looked for poisoning by succinylcholine. Based mainly on the FBI finding traces of that chemical in her urine, Chaz Higgs was charged with the murder of Kathy Augustine.

King's account of the investigation and the trial of Chaz Higgs for Augustine's murder is detailed and interesting, though the facts related in the beginning of the book flow less smoothly than his writing about the trial. He repeats facts, particularly in describing succinylcholine effects, which interferes with the pacing of the story at times. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating read.

Gottman's Four Horseman of the Apocalypse

John Gottman, a psychologist and a researcher, is able to predict within three minutes which relationships will survive over the years and which will not, with about 94% accuracy. He identified four characteristics that are lethal to commitment and one of those characteristics is the presence of what he calls the four horsemen of the apocalypse in the couple's communication style. The four horsemen are criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling 1. Criticism: Attacking your partner’s personality or character, usually with the intent of making someone right and someone wrong. "You never" and "You always" signal someone is using this tactic. Instead of addressing the issue, the partner is blamed for lacking in some way. An example is saying "You never take out the trash. You always expect me to do all the work." The correction is to address the issue that concerns you and not blame the person: "Could you find a way to remember to take out the trash? It annoys me when you forget and I have to rush to get it out before I leave for work." 2. Contempt: Communicating in a way that you look down on your spouse, expressing distain. The use of sarcasm and ridicule indicates contempt is in play. Contempt must be eliminated and replaced with respect. An example is as follows: "I've lost all respect for you. You are a poor excuse for a human being." 3. Defensiveness: Seeing yourself as the victim, warding off a perceived attack from your partner, you offer excuses and explanations. When you constantly deflect issues brought up by your partner, you are ignoring his or her concerns. "I meant to get the materials you needed but I ran out of time. You wouldn't believe my day. You don't appreciate how busy I am." Learning to listen and accept your partner's point of view is necessary to repair the relationship stressed by defensiveness. 4. Stonewalling: When you stonewall, you avoid conflict by shutting down, refusing to talk or engage with your partner, either because you don't know your own feelings or because you are afraid of direct discussion. Staring at the television when your spouse is bringing up an issue of concern or walking out of the room, refusing to talk are examples of stonewalling. Learning to problem solve together is the repair for this horseman.

Review Published

My review of Bufflehead Sisters has been published at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. Please check it out, leave a message to support the author of this book. Thanks!

Bufflehead Sisters

Book Review

Janet lives an ordinary life with an ordinary family, growing up against a backdrop of the Vietnam War and the growth of the drug culture. Her parents struggle for a balance between compassion and control and Janet yearns for a sister, a Thelma for her Louise. Then Sophie enters her life. Delois has Janet describe Sophie as follows: "Her hair was a nest of blond curls that made me think of Goldilocks, and there was a smug look about her mouth that suggested she might have already helped herself to someone's porridge and found it just right." DeLois writes with a magic wand. "One day in late winter, Sophie suggested we dig our way to another country. Not China, she said--they would look for us there. We would dig a hole halfway to China, and then we would veer off toward Amsterdam." DeLois enters the world of two children and shows the reader both how Sophie viewed her dysfunctional family and how Janet viewed her own parents as well as her relationship with the Sophie. The author is as adept at showing the child's view as she is the adolescent view. The imagery she creates is so realistic you'll think you're back in your high school lunchroom, hoping against hope a certain boy will sit with you. A coming of age story, a book about heartbreak and the ways women and men struggle with their wounds, and a tale of everyday lives, Bufflehead Sisters is all that. You may see yourself in the pages. There's something special about Sophie. Every one who meets her thinks so. This reader agrees.

Bufflehead Sisters

Book Review

Janet lives an ordinary life with an ordinary family, growing up against a backdrop of the

Vietnam War and the growth of the drug culture. Her parents struggle for a balance between compassion and control and Janet yearns for a sister, a Thelma for her Louise. Then Sophie enters her life. Delois has Janet describe Sophie as follows: "Her hair was a nest of blond curls that made me think of Goldilocks, and there was a smug look about her mouth that suggested she might have already helped herself to someone's porridge and found it just right." DeLois writes with a magic wand. "One day in late winter, Sophie suggested we dig our way to another country. Not China, she said--they would look for us there. We would dig a hole halfway to China, and then we would veer off toward Amsterdam." DeLois enters the world of two children and shows the reader both how Sophie viewed her dysfunctional family and how Janet viewed her own parents as well as her relationship with the Sophie. The author is as adept at showing the child's view as she is the adolescent view. The imagery she creates is so realistic you'll think you're back in your high school lunchroom, hoping against hope a certain boy will sit with you. A coming of age story, a book about heartbreak and the ways women and men struggle with their wounds, and a tale of everyday lives, Bufflehead Sisters is all that. You may see yourself in the pages. There's something special about Sophie. Every one who meets her thinks so. This reader agrees.

Something Bothering You? Only Four Things You Can Do

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., is a research-based therapy full of useful psychological facts. One energy saving realization is that no matter what’s going on, there are only four things you can do. I love the simplicity of that.

First, you can solve the problem. Come up with a solution. Brainstorm all the possibilities you can. Then challenge those solutions. What could happen to make them ineffective. Then implement the solution that fits you best, with a plan to deal with the roadblocks that are predictable.

Second, you can change your perception of the problem. If you can’t get rid of the banana trees in your yard, then learn to love those banana trees.

Third, you can radically accept what is going on. This means completely accepting the way things are. You don’t have to agree, or like what is happening, but you fully accept it. This is a lot like que sera, sera and letting go of what you can’t control.

Fourth, you can stay miserable.

Your choice.

Feeling the Heat

It's hot in Texas. That's not news. We tolerate the heat in July and August, it's expected. That water-logged, so heavy you can't breathe heat is the price we pay for the beautiful 70's we have in December. But this is June and already I see the blue burn of heat rising from the road before me when I drive to work. The sun's rays are so bright they hurt my eyes when I'm out after ten a.m., even through the tinted windshield of my air conditioned car which moves me from one artificially cooled building to another. This weather is unexpected, atypical. So I give myself permission to complain. It's times like this I wonder why I live here. I love mountains, they're bred into me. I love jagged, rock encrusted cliffs and tall, billowing trees. I seek out secluded nooks in forests and meadows filled with flowers. I crave the feel of soft grass under my bare feet, or warm sand with ocean waves washing over. I need stars in the sky to wish on. I delight in chasing lightening bugs and letting them go. I adore open windows with the breeze flowing through the house and the chatter of birds catching my ear. Looking for miles without seeing another building is freeing. My environment can define my mood, and cacti do not warm my heart. Someone said you grow where you're planted. Transplanting a root bound life is not easy. Colleges should offer courses on the importance of deciding where to plant yourself. I'm going to a naturopath on Friday. Maybe she has an answer. All this because it's too hot outside.