If you are a Christian, and you have ever struggled with anxiety and/or depression, read this book. If you are a Christian, and you have never strugglIf you are a Christian, and you have ever struggled with anxiety and/or depression, read this book. If you are a Christian, and you have never struggled with anxiety and/or depression, read this book.
Depression is not a sign of sin. It's okay to have Jesus and a therapist too. It's okay to have Jesus and prescribed medications too.
The only drawback from this book is that it's a bit longer (relatively speaking- a couple hundred pages), so if someone is struggling with depression or anxiety, they may feel slightly overwhelmed. But for the most part, very easy to follow, practical, and not too long for most readers.
I'd rate this book a PG, simply due to the subject matter and mention of suicide.
I remember reading these stories when I was less than ten years old. Because I read them during my formative years, they impacted me in a way that's sI remember reading these stories when I was less than ten years old. Because I read them during my formative years, they impacted me in a way that's shaped my thinking throughout my life.
My woeful devotion to Christ pales in comparison to the men, women, and even children in these true stories who were willimg to give up life and freedome for their faith, let alone creature comforts.
I'd rate this an R for disturbing content including abuse, torture, and murder.
Friends, if you read one book on Complex PTSD in your entire life, let it be this one.
C-PTSD differs from PTSD in that, rather than a solitary event,Friends, if you read one book on Complex PTSD in your entire life, let it be this one.
C-PTSD differs from PTSD in that, rather than a solitary event, someone living with C-PTSD experienced chronic on-going traumatic events over an extended period of time. This may be the difference between someone experiencing a single event of rape versus someone growing up in a home where sexual assault from family happened consistently.
Somethings that set this book apart for me:
1) Readability- the author is careful not to delve into psycho-babble and speaks in terms that most people can easily follow.
2) Compassion and empathy- the author courageously shares his own story and this lends to his credibility. In addition, he addresses the reader with such kindness throughout the book, it draws the reader into feelings of being in a safe space.
3) Practicality- the author gives ample suggestions, work sheets, and exercises to guide the self-directed reader.
Amazing book. Immense gratitude to Pete Walker for writing this gem. Don't let the cover or title fool you. This is no textbook. It just might be life-changing.
I'd rate this book an R for some direct quotes from patients that contain cursing (including the F-bomb), adult themes, and heavy content related to causes of C-PTSD.
When the nazis came for the communists, I did not speak out. I was not a communist. When the nazis came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out. IWhen the nazis came for the communists, I did not speak out. I was not a communist. When the nazis came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out. I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I did not speak out. I was not a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.
I feel a small degree of guilt to admit I was completely and totally underwhelmed by this book. I agreed completely with the premise. Something didn't sit well as a whole.
I didn't love that, instead of focusing on the issue of abuse in the church, they focused so heavily on a couple people as examples. Valid? Of course. Did it feel vindictive? Almost like they were trying to get the last word? That too. Maybe that's a ME issue. Maybe we should call abusers of power out by name. Maybe I didn't understand what they were trying to accomplish. It just rubbed me the wrong way that the focus felt microscopically pointed at specific people.
Abuse of power in some churches is an issue. I completely concur with that. I've been involved with at least one church, possibly two, that struck me as spiritually dangerous because man made rules were passed off as Biblical teaching. It's heretical and heinous. It's not cool. And maybe because I fully recognize that and didn't need convincing, I felt like this could have been reduced to a blog post rather than a 220+ page book.
If the idea that a pastor called to lead their flock could sin, and should be publically called out for it, makes someone feel uncomfortable then perhaps this book would hold some value for that person to read. If you're already on board with that concept, it's probably going to offer no revelation for you.
I also got a little lost at the end when they were disputing pastors as leaders. I get the concept. It was thin and not deserving of the redundant discussion involved.
Gradually, I'm working through the workbook that pairs with this one. Boundary setting has been a big struggle in my life, whether by not setting themGradually, I'm working through the workbook that pairs with this one. Boundary setting has been a big struggle in my life, whether by not setting them when needed or feeling immense guilt when I do. While this book didn't "fix the problem," it definitely helped set the wheels in motion.
In terms of personal development books, top read of 2023 for me. Hands down. Thank you, Nedra.
I'm sorry this is over. I will re-read this duology many times again in my life and constantly be on the lookout for more books publishing by Mr. PeteI'm sorry this is over. I will re-read this duology many times again in my life and constantly be on the lookout for more books publishing by Mr. Peterson. Everyone should read these books.
12 More Rules For Life
1) "Do not carelessly denigrate social institutions or creative achievement."
2)"Imagine who you could be and then aim single-mindedly at that."
3) "Do not hide unwanted things in the fog."
4) "Notice that opportunity lurks where responsibility has been abdicated."
5) "Do not do what you hate."
6) "Abandon ideology."
7) "Work as hard as you possibly can on at least one thing and see what happens."
8) "Try to make one room in your home as beautiful as possible."
9)"If old memories still upset you, write them down carefully and completely."
10) "Plan and work diligently to maintain the romance in your relationship."
11) "Do not allow yourself to become resentful, deceitful, or arrogant."
I am astounded, challenged, stimulated, and encouraged by Jordan Peterson every time he speaks. His mind is incredible. He states hard truths kindly aI am astounded, challenged, stimulated, and encouraged by Jordan Peterson every time he speaks. His mind is incredible. He states hard truths kindly and has an unexpected dry humor that catches me off guard every time.
I also listened to him read his own book on Audible; I was moved when his voice caught and he cried while talking about making the world a better place and several other topics.
This book was phenomenal. I'm planning on buying it and re-reading the physical copy. I'm also excited to read the sequel.
Sidebar. He has an interesting approach to religion. Truly, I'm still not sure if he actually believes God exists or not.
12 Rules for Life
1) Stand up straight with your shoulders back 2) Treat yourself like someone you're responsible for 3) Make friends with people who want the best for you 4) Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today 5) Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them 6) Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world 7) Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient) 8) Tell the truth or at least don't lie 9) Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don't 10) Be precise in your speech 11) Do not bother children when they are skateboarding 12) Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street
Yes, indeed. I'm actually rating this leadership book five stars. I think I've read so many self-help/leadership books, I can get a little snobbish abYes, indeed. I'm actually rating this leadership book five stars. I think I've read so many self-help/leadership books, I can get a little snobbish about them at times. But this...this knocked it out of the park.
Maybe it was timely. Maybe I'm in need of this particular message right now. Maybe it's Maybelline. But chapter after chapter touched my heart, and I'm grateful to Carey Nieuwhof for pouring himself out and challenging my priorities as a leader. I bought copies of this for other leaders' Christmas gifts, and this is already on my re-read list.
In terms of a workbook with enlightening questions and work sessions to cause one to ponder, plan, and execute the readings of the book, I can't say tIn terms of a workbook with enlightening questions and work sessions to cause one to ponder, plan, and execute the readings of the book, I can't say this one hit the mark. The questions largely felt incredibly obvious to me, and the reading sections mostly regurgitated the main book. Even the sections with encouragements to put things into practice felt either tedious or unreasonably overwhelming. No in between.
I almost feel like someone could buy this book on its own and not use it like a companion to the original book. In which case, I probably would have enjoyed it a little more instead of feeling like I was just rereading large chunks of the book over again.
Some chapters struck me as incredibly applicable. This could have been a season of life reason or just me. Some didn't jump out so much. But over-all,Some chapters struck me as incredibly applicable. This could have been a season of life reason or just me. Some didn't jump out so much. But over-all, great book!
I've learned a lot from John Maxwell over the years. He's a leader building leaders he will never meet.
I was unsure what to expect going into this book. Typically, retellings from a different character's point of view, feel like a cheap way to milk a buI was unsure what to expect going into this book. Typically, retellings from a different character's point of view, feel like a cheap way to milk a buck from a series *coughstephaniemeyercough. But the author is Holly Black. And...I heard there were pictures.
This book reminds me of The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo, which makes sense since the authors seem to know each other based on the acknowledgements in Holly's books (by the by, if you haven't read that book, I recommend).
This book was a string of different short stories in Cardan's life, both before, during, and after The Cruel Prince trilogy. But it wasn't a play-by-play of scenes in the trilogy, nopity-nope. They were actually original and quite helpful to some of the reactions and behaviors we saw in his character.
Kidding. Although, there's not much to say that hasn't already been said by many better reviewWell, well, well.
That is all I have to say about this.
Kidding. Although, there's not much to say that hasn't already been said by many better reviewers than me.
I loved: The pacing. It's rare that I feel a trilogy truly NEEDS to be a trilogy. Not only did Holly Black fill every page with solid story- no filler- there are things referenced throughout this trilogy I WANT to know more about. Kingdoms and courts and settings that could have been explored further, but she left us wanting more. What a saucy minx, she is.
Morally grey characters. She nails it. Too many authors pull their punches when it comes to them, but these characters' ethical backbones were the exact same substance as gummy worms.
All the speed of a YA story with little of the jouvenile content.
My [perhaps] only complaint: The romantic pacing felt off. Like the romantic payoff should have held off longer so the eclipse came towards the end of book three...
Stellar trilogy that has the flavor of comfort food. I could actually see myself rereading this in five years.
I'd rate this a PG-13 for adult content including some sexual, mild swearing, and violence/gore....more
I have this deeply rooted mistrust of authors. Specifically, that author that sucks you into a duo/trilogy or series, lures you into investment of timI have this deeply rooted mistrust of authors. Specifically, that author that sucks you into a duo/trilogy or series, lures you into investment of time and money, and then!... yawn, walks away from their entire reader group, and laughs derisively as the readers wonder why on earth this author has forsaken them and chosen not to write the final book. Okay, so maybe not authors-plural so much as author- singular. He knows who he is... Specifically looking at you, Patrick Rothfuss.
Needless to say, most authors realize it's essentially immoral to rob people of their money and not deliver a finished, promised product, so they would grow an ethical backbone and power through whatever decade(+) long writer's block/energy slump/menopause problem they have and deliver a final book for the good of the people. *still looking at you, Patrick Rothfuss*
So I say all that to say, I'm SUPER glad I waited to read this trilogy until all the books were published. Not because Holly Black would ever Rothfuss her fans. She has probably never done anything wrong ever in her entire life. We know this and love her.
But I waited all the same. And NOW I get to read all three back to back. Bing, bang, boom. Woop-woop!
It's not that often that I'm so drawn into a trilogy. Especially a YA trilogy. But here I am twitching. Waiting for the library to text me that it's ready at the desk. I also cast Cardan in my head as Ben Barnes, so that works nicely. And Rothfuss as that one guy that thing happens to in that one part.
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