psychology

You had me at "In the tradition of Oliver Sacks..."

I love listening to scientific books, but not being a scientist myself, need a particular type of science writing. I want to go in depth into whatever subject is being explored, but I need the author to perform that particularly impressive feat of giving me some basic background without boring me or making me feel talked down to. Sacks, in his psychological case studies, mastered this talent, covering many of the fascinating, horrifying, sad and beautiful cases he had encountered over his long career as a doctor and writer. Sacks sadly

Confession #1: I shy away from Science Fiction.
Confession #2: I checked this out because the audiobook was readily available... 
Confession #3: And maybe because there was a lot of buzz about the movie.

And you know what? I liked it. A lot. So much that I immediately started listening to another book in the series because I couldn't compel myself to finish my weekend housework unless my mind was in the universe of Ender Wiggin.

Admittedly, it took awhile getting used to young children conversing in such a mature tone, but the characters drew me in. Ender is unrealistically pure, a type of

In his new book, Scott Stossel describes his harrowing experience with clinical anxiety as well as its origins as a psychiatric disease. He looks at the philosophical and biological underpinnings of anxiety and the amazing response from pharmacology, both as a benefit for those who suffer from the illness and as an industry that pathologizes normal emotions upon the arrival of drugs that can alter them.

Most amazing of all is how Scott holds nothing back while not seeming to whine as so many others do in memoirs about personal challenge. Read this book if you’re curious about what can be

In our society, which prefers and glamorizes extroverts, the natural born leaders, and the charismatic public speakers, introverts are, at times, looked upon as second-class citizens.  Quiet gives validation and appreciation to this personality type by telling us why introverts are important to our work places, work teams, and society.  The book provides a personality test to determine if one is an extrovert or introvert, which is not always a clear cut divide. Quiet cites scientific studies of introversion and gives examples of their positive presence among us, and those who have made a

Gretchen realized at one point that her life was passing by like a fast train and that she was not focusing on things that are important or that matter to her. She reminds her audience that a person does not need to divorce a spouse and travel the globe to look for happiness or the real “self.”

She derived a strategy on how to recognize what is important to her and how to incorporate it into her everyday life.  This book chronicles her one year attempt of self discovery and self improvements. Part of the book is a memoir of her life, as Rubin ruminates over the life lived so far. With an

Adrian Furnham, a pioneer in the psychology of money, presents here a readable synthesis of years of research and study in the area. He provides information and advice that would benefit anyone. This book is a must for employers and human resources professionals. Anyone who is interested in money-- or who has someone close who would benefit from being more interested in the topic-- might take a look at this book. It's a quick, but solid, read.

Kuffel offers interesting insight into her weight loss, different from a how-to diet book or even an account of how she did it. Her focus in on why she did it, and how her own journey transformed her relationships and her life is an engaging read about one woman’s struggle to overcome a lifelong addiction.

In answer to the constant question “were you always fat”?  Kuffel explains, “I identified myself as fat at such an early age that for a long time there was no other adjective to follow.” While she may not have always been fat, her memories seem to revolve around the food she schemed and