Book Review: How to be an Introvert in an Extrovert World

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of an introvert to extrovert, you will be enlightened about yourself and those around you. Connolly recommends the reader think of this book as an “introvert resource kit.” She delivers just that—insights, strategies, and inspiration for the introvert life. I recommend this book for all humans. 

Check out my full book review on LinkedIn.

Connolly, M. (2018). How to be an introvert in an extrovert world. Louder Minds.

Book Review: Why We Get Fat

 

The author presents a compelling case that obesity results from a hormonal imbalance, not a caloric one. If you are a fan of Gary Taubes, then you will enjoy reading this book (published in 2011). If you are looking for similar information but more recent and ketogenic-focused, then read his book, The Case for Keto (published in 2020). 

The hormones, enzymes, and growth factors regulate our fat tissue. The stimulation of insulin secretion caused by eating easily digestible carbohydrate-rich foods (refined carbohydrates, starchy vegetables, and sugars) drives us to accumulate fat, makes us hungrier, and makes us sedentary. It also causes obesity, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s. If you want to lose excess fat, then stay away from these carbohydrate-rich foods. Taubes provides the science, historical context, and research against conventional wisdom that it is only about calories in versus calories out.

Check out my full book review on LinkedIn.

Taubes, G. (2011). Why We Get Fat and what to do about it. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Book Review: The Case for Keto

The author states this book is not for the lean and healthy. Instead, it is written for those who fatten easily and are curious about the low-carb, high fat (LCHF) or ketogenic lifestyle. Eighteen chapters cover the history of the diet, its evolution, scientific research and reasoning, and the basics of the plan. I would recommend it to someone who knows very little about the diet and wants to be convinced to try it. It is not a prescriptive, how-to book, but rather an in-depth explanation.

Check out my full book review on LinkedIn.

Taubes, G. (2020). The Case for Keto: Rethinking weight control and the science and practice of low-carb/high-fat eating. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Book Review: Year of No Sugar

If you are looking for motivation and inspiration to reduce added sugar, this book is for you. You can do it! Schaub is very open about their mess-ups and how they navigated the year. And perhaps most interesting, after the year-long project, the author continues to make most meals from scratch, avoid fructose when possible, and limits the number of desserts the family eats.

Proverbs 27:7, One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

There were two things I didn't like about this book: its length and the reference of dextrose being OK. It could have been much shorter. I appreciate a succinct description of events. The author is verbose and colloquial. I can't really fault the author for substituting dextrose--this was her journey, her rules, her substitutions. I had to keep reminding myself that she is not a nutritionist and this was not a nutrition book--it is a memoir, as advertised.

Read my full review of the book, including golden nuggets, on LinkedIn.

Schaub, E. (2014). Year of no sugar: A memoir. Naperville: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Book Review: Breath

Journalist James Nestor shares his quest to improve his breathing along with the research, medical history, biochemistry, physiology, and modern practices that implore us to make adjustments in the way we inhale and exhale today. It is an interesting and quick read that could help you to improve your health and well-being.

“No matter what we eat, how much we exercise, how resilient our genes are, how skinny or young or wise we are—none of it will matter unless we’re breathing correctly” (p. xix).

There are three parts to the book. Part One: The Experiment, Part Two: The Lost Art and Science of Breathing, and Part Three: Breathing+.

Check out my book review and golden nuggets on LinkedIn.

Nestor, J. (2020). Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. New York: Riverhead Books.

Book Review: Why We Get Sick

 

This book presents research to show how many chronic disorders share the common origin of insulin resistance. Diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes are recommended to reverse or prevent insulin resistance and reduce the risk of these conditions. It is a quick read and easy to understand. I'd recommend it for those that want to know more about insulin and its effects. 

There are three parts of the book: Part I, The Problem: What is Insulin Resistance and Why Does it Matter?; Part II, Causes: What Makes Us Insulin Resistant in the First Place?; and Part III, The Solution: How Can We Fight Insulin Resistance?

Check out my book review and golden nuggets on LinkedIn.

Bikman, B. (2020). Why we get sick: The hidden epidemic at the root of most chronic disease—and how to fight it. Dallas: BenBella Books, Inc.

Book Review: The Home Edit Life

The authors show you the most common spaces, items they come across, and how they go through the process of organizing it. The focus is on function first and then beauty. The goal is to use your space to honor and highlight what you love.

The book has an Introduction, Part 1: Adopting the 360 Mindset, Part 2: Organizing for How You Really Live, and the Finishing Touches.

Check out my book review and golden nuggets on LinkedIn.

Shearer, C. and Teplin, J. (2020) The Home Edit Life: The no-guilt guide to owning what you want and organizing everything. New York: Clarkson Potter Publishers.