I have wanted to read The Body Keeps the Score for a long time. It is absolutely insane how terrible those statistics are, but I can definitely (sadly) vouch for their veracity. I had a friend at work to whom I would tell “eventful” stories about family gatherings, interactions, and drama. She was always absolutely horrified by my stories. She had no concept of violence or chaos with regard to her family life. She is only one of a very few people I have ever met who have no concept of that kind of dysfunction. More hugs to you on your journey through trauma.
The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control took me two months to read because I needed to absorb the information. Highly recommend. It is about how our personal brand of perfectionism (and she breaks it down into four or 5 categories) is a strength, when we use it adaptively, and how maladaptive perfectionism comes about - coping mechanisms, etc. Definitely recommend.
I read for fun, for the most part, when I read this year. I took 4 classes, so there wasn’t a whole lot of time for reading, outside of that. Once classes ended, I jumped into a bunch of silly, easy reads that required very little thinking and then some more thought provoking ones that I enjoyed to varying degrees. Remarkably Bright Creatures was definitely my favorite book of the year.
I’d love to read Bright Creatures as well, thanks for the recommendation! I’ll sometimes burn myself out with deep nonfiction; I need to remind myself every once in a while that there’s many more light and enjoyable reads out there!
As for “The Body,” I finally read it after a close friend told me that it was hard for her to get through but she ended up feeling a lot lighter afterwards. That’s all I needed to hear. It was definitely heavy reading through the first 4 parts. The last part gave me a lot of hope, however.
I need to read “The Perfectionist!” I’ve been recommended it several times in the past few weeks and gifted it so I will definitely be prioritizing it!
Great books all! We can never go wrong with Dr. Seuss! All five of these intersect at the search for purpose. The door only opens to the inside. Something tells me our soul has to wait because it’s the ego that has to open it. I am ordering your book as we speak but it says it won’t ship to Canada. Any other options, as I like to hold it in my hands. Thanks for leading the way and have a wonderful holiday. 🙏❤️
You’re so kind, Jamie! Haven’t figured out the difference in shipping costs for Canada, but I’d love to set that up so that it’s accessible outside the states.
Truths are necessarily uncovered by applications of The Principles of Reasoning that are the solution to the Problem of Induction but though this problem was solved half a century ago,, few of us know of these Principles!
Adding to my '24 list. I love this and the King book sounds great, "Don’t search for a goldmine of good ideas; it doesn’t exist. Good ideas can emerge from anywhere or nowhere. Your job is to recognize them when they appear.!" I have read several memoirs this past year, The Part That Burns by Jeannine Ouellette and The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch.
This year I wrote a book (Baseball: More Than a Game) about my dad and his life in baseball. I’d never written a book or tried to publish anything. My mom died a year ago and I was worried about my 89 yr old dad. The book was my attempt to give him something to look forward to. I learned so much, both technically but also connected with my dad in a much deeper way. I’ll write more, but nothing that significant.
I love that Scott! I think it’s so important to put our thoughts out there in a concise and accessible way. Even if it just changes one’s own life I think it’s worth it ♥️
Thanks for sharing. Great books. The Body Keeps the Score was one of my 2023 favs. And Stephen King's On Writing is one of my all-time favourites. It showed me what it takes to become a proper writer.
Congrats on your book! What an achievement to be published!
Btw I too read and loved “The body keeps the score” this year. It’s a phenomenal book and I learned so much about unacknowledged even forgotten trauma. Also taught me how much needs to be accessed through our bodies vs our minds. Yoga and pranayam have been transformative for me!
I've tuned in to some before and would love to visit TOU when I'm in FL next! So glad to know there's another Singer fan out there - its hard to put into words how grateful I am for his work!
Right on! Stress is to blame for more than 50% of our illnesses ...ALL SELF IMPOSED...control your thoughts ...keep them positive ! and... 100% TURN OFF THE "NEWS":~)
The Body cannot think thoughts, only the Brain, when engaged, mindfully , sends signals , thought forms through Thinking consciously or Unconsciously.
Be sure to engage brain before Speaking, or the entrenched habit of knee jerk reactions to many false BS, (Belief-Systems) Software -hardwired Programs utilized on Society for Eons can & will cause one to resist Change required for Deep knowledge & Wisdom of the Sages. Stockholm syndrome tuning Rogue WorldWide.
Great Blog Thank you. 🕊️o Peace & Unity. Buffalo 🦬 WNY 💫 CJ
Love these recommendations, especially the King advice to Get Over Yourself! I heard about the book The Body Keeps the Score and will definitely add it to my list.
Having been a former bookseller at an independent bookstore here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I am ALWAYS interested in people's favorite books. Thank you for all your picks. I also enjoyed reading THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE, ON WRITING and OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO. In the past year I have read 2 books by Joyce Maynard that I really loved.......THE GOOD DAUGHTERS and THE BIRD HOTEL. Even though they are fiction, they express so many of the desires, frailties, joys and challenges that so many of us humans have in common. I am always swept away with the truth, beautiful imagery and language and in her books.
Thank you so much for sharing some good reads! I heard great things about The Good Daughters and The Bird Hotel seems super intriguing! I'll check them both out!
The Body Keeps the Score should be required reading before one can become a licensed human being.
Good retort 😊🤣 Yes inded! Great Idea. 👍
Must shout out Gabor Matè "The Myth of Normal" whenever I hear the words Bessel Van der Kolk. They are complimentary and both fantastic. Good taste
Or graduate high school.
Let’s embrace the liberating properties of “and.”
Let us, just.
“...biggest problems (which are all mind-made, btw)” love this!
🤗
Did you mean “ Man-Made ;-)) ? 😊
I have wanted to read The Body Keeps the Score for a long time. It is absolutely insane how terrible those statistics are, but I can definitely (sadly) vouch for their veracity. I had a friend at work to whom I would tell “eventful” stories about family gatherings, interactions, and drama. She was always absolutely horrified by my stories. She had no concept of violence or chaos with regard to her family life. She is only one of a very few people I have ever met who have no concept of that kind of dysfunction. More hugs to you on your journey through trauma.
The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control took me two months to read because I needed to absorb the information. Highly recommend. It is about how our personal brand of perfectionism (and she breaks it down into four or 5 categories) is a strength, when we use it adaptively, and how maladaptive perfectionism comes about - coping mechanisms, etc. Definitely recommend.
I read for fun, for the most part, when I read this year. I took 4 classes, so there wasn’t a whole lot of time for reading, outside of that. Once classes ended, I jumped into a bunch of silly, easy reads that required very little thinking and then some more thought provoking ones that I enjoyed to varying degrees. Remarkably Bright Creatures was definitely my favorite book of the year.
Would love to connect via Goodreads!!
I’d love to read Bright Creatures as well, thanks for the recommendation! I’ll sometimes burn myself out with deep nonfiction; I need to remind myself every once in a while that there’s many more light and enjoyable reads out there!
As for “The Body,” I finally read it after a close friend told me that it was hard for her to get through but she ended up feeling a lot lighter afterwards. That’s all I needed to hear. It was definitely heavy reading through the first 4 parts. The last part gave me a lot of hope, however.
I need to read “The Perfectionist!” I’ve been recommended it several times in the past few weeks and gifted it so I will definitely be prioritizing it!
Hey Kris! Here’s my goodreads account, would love to connect there 🤗
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/119270435
Sent a friend request. 😊
Just accepted!
Great books all! We can never go wrong with Dr. Seuss! All five of these intersect at the search for purpose. The door only opens to the inside. Something tells me our soul has to wait because it’s the ego that has to open it. I am ordering your book as we speak but it says it won’t ship to Canada. Any other options, as I like to hold it in my hands. Thanks for leading the way and have a wonderful holiday. 🙏❤️
You’re so kind, Jamie! Haven’t figured out the difference in shipping costs for Canada, but I’d love to set that up so that it’s accessible outside the states.
If you could, email me your mailing address at jenhitze@proton.me
I’ll see what I can do! 🤗
Truths are necessarily uncovered by applications of The Principles of Reasoning that are the solution to the Problem of Induction but though this problem was solved half a century ago,, few of us know of these Principles!
Touché!
Hi Jen: What do you mean by "touche"? If you mean an exchange of arguments for the purpose of finding truths I am all for it..
“used to acknowledge the appropriateness of an argument, an accusation, or a witty point”
I say it in agreement with what you said!
I used it synonymously with “Agreed!”
Adding to my '24 list. I love this and the King book sounds great, "Don’t search for a goldmine of good ideas; it doesn’t exist. Good ideas can emerge from anywhere or nowhere. Your job is to recognize them when they appear.!" I have read several memoirs this past year, The Part That Burns by Jeannine Ouellette and The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch.
I love memoirs! I'll definitely check these out.
Thank you Rhaine! Happy New Year!
This year I wrote a book (Baseball: More Than a Game) about my dad and his life in baseball. I’d never written a book or tried to publish anything. My mom died a year ago and I was worried about my 89 yr old dad. The book was my attempt to give him something to look forward to. I learned so much, both technically but also connected with my dad in a much deeper way. I’ll write more, but nothing that significant.
I love that Scott! I think it’s so important to put our thoughts out there in a concise and accessible way. Even if it just changes one’s own life I think it’s worth it ♥️
Would love to see what else you put out there
Thanks for sharing. Great books. The Body Keeps the Score was one of my 2023 favs. And Stephen King's On Writing is one of my all-time favourites. It showed me what it takes to become a proper writer.
No wonder your writing is so deliberate and delightful! 😉
Thank you. :):):)
Congrats on your book! What an achievement to be published!
Btw I too read and loved “The body keeps the score” this year. It’s a phenomenal book and I learned so much about unacknowledged even forgotten trauma. Also taught me how much needs to be accessed through our bodies vs our minds. Yoga and pranayam have been transformative for me!
🙏
Pranayama is something I hope to focus more on in the New Year! If you have any recommendations, please let me know!
Email me Jen. There’s an online service I can suggest for a trial that I use...
Just did at reenakapoor@substack.com, hopefully it goes through!
Send it to me at Reena1988@gmail.com Jen.
Michael Singer gives talks twice a week at Temple of the Universe in Alachua, Florida.
You can find them for free at www.tou.org
I've tuned in to some before and would love to visit TOU when I'm in FL next! So glad to know there's another Singer fan out there - its hard to put into words how grateful I am for his work!
Happy New Year!
Right on! Stress is to blame for more than 50% of our illnesses ...ALL SELF IMPOSED...control your thoughts ...keep them positive ! and... 100% TURN OFF THE "NEWS":~)
Preach!! 🙌🏽
Hmm, more 95%
The Body cannot think thoughts, only the Brain, when engaged, mindfully , sends signals , thought forms through Thinking consciously or Unconsciously.
Be sure to engage brain before Speaking, or the entrenched habit of knee jerk reactions to many false BS, (Belief-Systems) Software -hardwired Programs utilized on Society for Eons can & will cause one to resist Change required for Deep knowledge & Wisdom of the Sages. Stockholm syndrome tuning Rogue WorldWide.
Great Blog Thank you. 🕊️o Peace & Unity. Buffalo 🦬 WNY 💫 CJ
Love these recommendations, especially the King advice to Get Over Yourself! I heard about the book The Body Keeps the Score and will definitely add it to my list.
Thanks so much! 🤗
Many thanks for inspirations.
Absolutely! Thank you, Tom!
An Interrupted Life-Etty Hillusum
Man’s Search For Meaning- victor Frankl
Homer’s Odyssey-Gwen Cooper
The Elephant Whisperer- Lawrence Anthony
All Creation Waits- Gayle Boss
Ahhh! Thank you!
Adding these to the reading list now. I appreciate you!
Nice article thanks so much
Thank you 🙏
Having been a former bookseller at an independent bookstore here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I am ALWAYS interested in people's favorite books. Thank you for all your picks. I also enjoyed reading THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE, ON WRITING and OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO. In the past year I have read 2 books by Joyce Maynard that I really loved.......THE GOOD DAUGHTERS and THE BIRD HOTEL. Even though they are fiction, they express so many of the desires, frailties, joys and challenges that so many of us humans have in common. I am always swept away with the truth, beautiful imagery and language and in her books.
I was just in Madison, WI for the holidays!
Thank you so much for sharing some good reads! I heard great things about The Good Daughters and The Bird Hotel seems super intriguing! I'll check them both out!
Happy New Year!