101 Tips For Survivors of Sexual Abuse: A Pocket Book of Wisdom

Amy Barth Loving Healing Press (2009) ISBN 9781932690941 Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/09) "101 Tips for Survivors of Sexual Abuse" is a twenty-three page book that does not waste one word.  Small enough to be carried around in a purse or briefcase, this book touches on the subject of sexual abuse.  Each tip addresses a different issue that a victim might be dealing with or have dealt with.  By reading the tips, I felt that survivors of sexual abuse will be easily be able to relate to most of them and in doing so, they will also know that they are not alone with whatever feelings they are experiencing.  This would especially apply to the painful areas of feeling guilt and shame. Each tip has a paragraph space underneath it which will also allow the reader to make personal notes for themselves.  This will be helpful because as they go through their recovery, they will probably be experiencing a myriad of emotions at different times. By taking notes, they will be able to address the feeling that they are experiencing at that moment in time, and they will also be able to look back and reflect on how far they have come with their recovery. At the end of the book is a list of suggestions and exercises for people to do when they are having bad moments.  There is a suggested reading list. I think that all of these will make excellent tools for people who need some guidance when they are dealing with their painful thoughts and negative emotions.  It will give them something practical to do to help with their healing.  I think that "101 Tips for Survivors of Sexual Abuse" by Amy Barth will be perfect for both individuals, family members and for people in group therapy.  The information within is highly personal, however, it would make great discussion material for both family members in recovery and for group counseling sessions.

Awakening Consciousness: A Boy’s Guide!

Robin Marvel Marvelous Spirit Press (2009)  ISBN 9781932690910 Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 11) for Reader Views  Kids(6/09) "Awakening Consciousness: A Boy's Guide" by Robin Marvel is a workbook that helps the reader to "awaken his inner consciousness."  The book's format was interesting because, like a typical book, it had information and stories, but it was also a workbook in that it had spaces for the reader to draw pictures about how he felt about things or to write his thoughts.  I had fun reading it.  It was a short read so even if you are kind of impatient and not much of a fluent reader, you will be able to easily and quickly read it.  Of course, you could spend a lot of time doing all the activities.  It would probably be a good book for kids to do with their parents. The book has some really cool activities such as making a balloon drum and a didgeridoo out of toilet paper tubes.  It also has Native American lore that is supposed to help you to understand your spirit, and some "ChakraCizes" that help to relax and energize your Chakras.  Meditation is emphasized. My favorite part of the book was a Native American lore story.  It was about an old Native American who described his spirit as two wolves, each vying for control.  One wolf was at peace with everything around him, and the other was angry and wished to destroy everything around him.  When the storyteller's grandson asked which wolf won, the grandfather replied by saying, "The one I feed."  The moral of the story is to feed your good side, and not give in to the bad.  I would recommend this book to boys who wish to understand their spirit or find inner-peace.  The book was pretty good and it was fun learning about spirits and other cool things.  "Awakening Consciousness: A Boy's Guide" by Robin Marvel was an interesting book and kind of helped me to understand myself in a new way. Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live