S. Atkins

A Conscious Breakdown

Revisado: 11-18-16

Byron Katie connects her readers and listeners to a path that found her in her darkest hour. I really feel she has much in common with many spiritual paths that embrace the idea of awakening or enlightenment. However, her approach is applied to the every day conflicts people have with their families, their life circumstances and their own thoughts. The procedure she outlines in this book was almost exactly what occurred to me after I had my own experience of awakening, except she breaks it down with specific steps and questions that I did not have before.

The book was explained in mostly interview style. It felt more like listening to a talk show than a book at times, which I really liked because the conversations and emotions felt real and vibrant. "The Work" is the procedure Katie outlines and it breaks down a conscious relook at a situation into questions. "1. Is it true? 2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true? 3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought? 4. Who would you be without the thought?" Beyond this she has the person confront their projections by replacing the subject in the question with themselves or an opposite statement. Because the conversations seemed authentic we could watch the questions melt away the pain and suffering that the people were holding on to. She covered everything from infidelity, grief from losing a spouse, child molestation and abuse, drug abuse, conflicts with one's parents, and just simply not being able to accept the moment. Some of the situations are very graphic, but I think that this is still worth listening to, but maybe with a trigger warning to those in the direct midst of trauma.

Overall, this book was a great way to apply consciousness work to life situations and if you follow the questions and really consider them then you could end your suffering for good. It works for me. It's almost like applicable epistemology for everyday life. I urge anyone into personal development, consciousness work, or with a strong emotional crisis to pick this up.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

For Passionate Readers, Students & Autodidacts

Revisado: 11-17-16

Any avid reader might take one look at the title of "How To Read a Book" and scoff at it, thinking that their reading comprehension is more than adequate and that there would be no need other than some humorous whim to read it. I know I have every time it popped up. Then it appeared on lists for avid self learners and as a recommendation in another book I was reading so I finally caved. I read 80 pages and then purchased the audiobook. This book blew my mind!

There is no way I would have gotten out of my literature major in college without learning analytical reading, but this book retraced the steps for me and introduced bad habits I have developed while trying to attempt to speed read rather than fully comprehend a book. This book is about learning how to read other books to not only understand and learn their contents, but to fully understand the author's arguments, problems and intellectualize them. I know now from reading this what to expect when I encounter a book a bit above my level of understanding and how to intellectualize that material. As far as the audiobook goes the narrator was clear, concise and kept a great pace.

Overall, I would recommend this to every reader out there. Especially every autodidact and college student who will need to have a firm grasp on analytical reading.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Reinforcement Of The New Common Sense

Revisado: 10-11-16

Knowledge reinforced by this book:

-Eat whole foods, avoid processed, man made creations.
-Growth hormones and industrialization are part of this.
-You can reverse a bad diet.
-Nutrition science isn't yet a whole and comprehensive science.
-Our diet has been changing based on fads and marketing. Grandma's cooking doesn't make money.
-Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes rates are skyrocketing despite a constant influx of new nutritional information and low fat, processed diet themed products.
-Fruits, veggies, and whole grains are missing from most people's diets.
-Looking at nutrients alone doesn't give us the whole picture of the benefits of food.

All of this information is presented in an entertaining narrative style using statistical information, research, anthropological studies and some cultural comparisons. The audiobook narrator was suitable for the content and didn't make it boring. The information isn't necessarily ground breaking or new as I feel that I've been hearing it everywhere so I do feel that reading this is just a reinforcement of it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

I've Learned So Much About Myself

Revisado: 10-11-16

They wrote a book about me. No, it's not a biography. It's “The Highly Sensitive Person”, which are the hyper emotional, empathetic, detail oriented, easily over-stimulated, and introspective 15% of the population in a world where this trait is heavily undervalued and misunderstood, even by ourselves. Every person who might be a qualified HSP should be handed this book when they reach an age where they could make use of the information in it and their families well beforehand. I've known that I've been an 'HSP' for years, but didn't pick up the book until recently. During a very busy afternoon I felt 'anxiety' settling in, but realized that from this book that it was simply overstimulation. I retired to a dark bedroom for an hour, away from light, people and noise and was rejuvenated. If I had known this simple trick from this book I might have saved myself from years of anxiety attacks and lost sleep. That's just one example of the great advice and reflections in this book that completely make sense to me.

There are plenty of anecdotes of self care, how to heal from childhood traumas, interacting with a work environment, interacting in various life phases, making friends, falling in love and why and what makes us fall in love, and even why we stay with our parents well into our twenties. This is one of the best books I have ever read for gaining knowledge on myself. It's very inspiring for taking charge of the aspects of our trait that don't quite correlate with the norm or that trap us into pitfalls that I've discovered from this book are just what HSP's go through, due to the way we perceive the world.

The narrator sounds like a calm, gentle British grandmother who is handing down timeless wisdom. I've seen some other reviews really critique her voice, but it just shows me that the reviewers are a bit biased and don't really hear a variety of British accents and lean on their xenophobic associations via television media in the US. It's very eloquently narrated and her mood always fits what she is reading.

Overall, I suggest this book to anyone who has been told or feels that they are 'overly emotional', 'too deep', or are constantly searching for meaning in every detail. No, you aren't 'weird', you can't 'fix' it, and you won't grow out of it, you might just be a Highly Sensitive Person and you can use this trait advantageously.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 65 personas

How To Handle Your Introvert

Revisado: 10-06-16

It took me a few months to get through the audio of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking”. I would mostly listen to it on days where I would travel to accomplish some important errand because the book simply has that impression. It's business, work, and success oriented. As an introvert, I felt almost like the author was preaching to the choir. The only real impression I left with is, “Fake it 'til you make it” or find the type of career that let's me live the stereotype. Well, any book or website for that matter on introversion could have told me that.

The writing and pace of the book went well and it felt very important to listen to, but I feel the information would actually be more useful to extroverted family members, teachers and business leaders on how to handle their introverted children, students and employees. The section near the end was the most interesting and also the most irrelevant for me, personally. It touched on how our society, through the school system and therapy, tries to act like introversion in children is some kind of illness and unfairly pressures them to behave extroverted and was full of stories on how parents began connecting with their introverted children. If I titled this book, it would be called, “How To Handle Your Introvert.”

The overall underlying message was that introverts are the intellectual, deep, smart and dedicated ones and that they are being treated unfairly. This introvert is still not surprised. If you never read it, just be yourself, work on your social skills if the goals you have require them. Let the people in your life know about your introverted tendencies and needs. Treat the introverts in your life fairly and don't expect the same reactions or excitement out of them and finally, take this book with a grain of salt because the world isn't really this black and white.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

The Battle Of Good Vs. Evil Within Man

Revisado: 07-08-16

Would you consider the audio edition of Interview with the Vampire to be better than the print version?

Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator. Kudos to him for keeping up an accent the entire novel. I wouldn't consider audio to be better than print, but looking at the audio as a stand alone, this is one of the best. High quality, wonderful narrator, and a modern classic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Interview with the Vampire?

The love Louis has for Claudia really stands out to me. The story takes us beyond the limitations of human society into the dark mindset of the vampires, which is a constant struggle between their predatory instincts and their humanity. As my title stated, a modern struggle between good and evil. Louis narrates his fall from humanity as the book progresses. First they try and attack the evil without (as Lestat) and then realize that the nature they struggle with is within.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have some of his other narrations waiting for me to listen to them and they will be near the top of my list. His voice is wonderful. One of the best audiobook narrators out there. He creates an immersive mood and atmosphere and narrates clearly with such a rich, deep voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

What really struck me in this book were the parts about Claudia not being able to experience her full adulthood. These were the most horrifying and touching to me.

Any additional comments?

This book has it's engrossing moments, but it does get slow at times. Louis becomes so stuck in his own thoughts and it kind of rambles on. I do believe having an audiobook at moments like these can really save a book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Dynamic and Immersive

Revisado: 05-28-16

Simply sold on the premise, I immediately started listening to 'The Crimson Petal and The White'. At first I wasn't too sure about the narrator, but she proved to be utterly fantastic and talented creating believable voices and mood for every character and situation. The story is completely captivating. As you can see this is quite a long audiobook, but the world of Victorian England is quite immersive because of this length and attention to detail. The detail is quite necessary to really feel each character's constraint and limitations within their society. The characterization was phenomenal and I felt my emotional investment being pulled in every direction as the story progressed. I was taken through internal and external dialogue between characters, their religion, their societal norms and their internal struggle with human nature and privilege.

This book is explicit, but due to the content it was in just the right delivery and tone. I did not feel that the sexuality presented was arousing or tacky in any regard. I feel that this could become a classic in the future as it really conveys great writing technique, character and story development all against societal and political commentary that lives on beyond the realm of Victorian society. I would highly recommend to everyone.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Soul Food

Revisado: 05-26-16

After reading one of Adyashanti's books, I immediately used an audible credit to listen to this book. Adyashanti has a soothing voice and comes across being quite genuine and vulnerable with his message. I'm new to this type of spiritual thought, but I sought it out after having a sudden, mind opening experience that I could only call "enlightenment". Adyashanti's work is among the very few that I could find touching on this subject. His work doesn't simply feed the ego some spiritual promise or fraudulent riff raff which is rampant in spiritual self help books, no. His works are quite grounding and tell you about his own accounts with enlightenment and losing one's ego. The process is very gradual and humbling. Listening to him is like having a personal guide or friend who can help you see some contentment in where you're at right now. I think the focus of this text was humbling experiences that lead to the conclusions of spiritual enlightenment, sort of letting go of expectations and wants and just embracing what is. Overall, I would suggest this to anyone who is interested in personal development on the spiritual side.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

History Come Alive

Revisado: 05-26-16

What made the experience of listening to The Six Wives of Henry VIII the most enjoyable?

The subject matter itself, and that it is historical is enough to intrigue me. However, Alison Weir's narrative account and full bodied characterizations of King Henry VIII and his wives are a work of art. I felt as if I was listening to a scandalously delightful novel.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Six Wives of Henry VIII?

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book which is mostly about Catherine and Anne Boleyn. The book continuously kept my interest with his subsequent wives, but Catherine and Anne's stories are so shocking. I was truly at the edge of my seat listening to how this scandal unfolded.

Any additional comments?

My favorite aspect of this book was how the background information of the society they lived in was painted. I felt so immersed and because Alison Weir put so much detail in it helped me understand why these situations unfolded as they did. I could almost feel the heavy religious and societal pressures that compelled these people. At first I wasn't sure what to think of the narrator, but his voice really grew on me. I would purposefully seek out a narration of his in the future, and I've already got another Weir book in my library.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Thought Provoking & Informative

Revisado: 05-26-16

What made the experience of listening to The Body Keeps the Score the most enjoyable?

I felt like I continuously learned something new throughout my listen to this book. Being a therapy patient, anxiety sufferer, and person with chronic depression all stemming from a traumatic childhood and some other events, I felt as if I had gained a huge amount of insight into my own mind and actions, as well as the countless many (as informed by this book). I was already empathetic, but I feel as if now my eyes are completely open as to why trauma victims express their experiences through mental illness and other behaviors. After I read this book I felt very much compelled to seek improvement and change certain behaviors that I have held for a long time.

What did you like best about this story?

Both the author and narrator had a compassionate and informed voice. I didn't feel as if I was hearing watered down information, but real, heart felt, gritty, true and solid information about trauma and how it expresses itself through behavior, experiences, and patterns. I also learned some statistical information as well as the more common traumatic events that are happening all around us in our society. It boggles the mind that the public dialog doesn't match that of something like this book seeing how prevalent it really is.

Which character – as performed by Sean Pratt – was your favorite?

Since it is a work of non fiction, there is only Sean Pratt narrating the facts. However, I really felt connected with the descriptions of PTSD sufferers, especially the war veterans that were described in this book. The narrator had just the right tone for this material.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I felt myself consistently moved by this book. There is so much to gain from giving it a listen or a read.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I loved this listening experience. I suggest this book to anyone with an interest. I will warn you that if you are a victim of trauma that this isn't necessarily a personal development book and there are very descriptive accounts of abuse, child abuse, war experiences, violence, molestation, rape, incest, and others that might trigger you. So yes, this is a trigger warning. If you are on the path of overcoming from traumatic experiences and these topics no longer trigger you, I believe that this book is extremely insightful into behaviors and diagnosis one might have. I will be listening to this again soon. It was one of my first listens here on audible and I'm so glad that this introduced me to the wonderful world of audiobooks.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona