Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Everything is Not Peachey by Lisa Peachey is a courageous memoir about life with chronic illness that offers hope without sugarcoating reality. Peachey offers a raw, honest account of shifting from health to relentless medical challenges, providing hope and practical guidance for those facing similar battles. Through detailed and often vulnerable storytelling, she chronicles her journey from an active, career-focused life to one shaped by chronic illness, exploring the complex emotions and practical challenges that come with such a dramatic life change. Her narrative skillfully balances the harsh realities of chronic illness with moments of unexpected joy and discovery, creating a testament to human resilience that resonates with both patients and caregivers. Peachey describes navigating healthcare systems and maintaining relationships while managing chronic illness. She offers practical value for readers in similar situations, and her detailed exploration of identity transformation and the search for purpose beyond traditional measures of success is sure to resonate deeply with anyone facing life-altering challenges.

Author Lisa Peachey writes with a voice that feels like a trusted friend sharing hard-earned wisdom over coffee in a casual but clear way. I enjoyed her engaging, deeply personal prose, filled with sharp insights that cut through common misconceptions about chronic illness, a subject very close to my heart as a sufferer for many years. I particularly admire how she transforms difficult experiences into moments of profound understanding and even occasional humor, making the heavy subject matter more approachable without ever diminishing its seriousness and certainly keeping the realities of constant pain, tiredness, and threats to health at the forefront. The blend of personal experience and advocacy creates a powerful resource for both patients and their support networks, while her ability to find moments of joy and meaning amid suffering offers hope without falling into toxic positivity that goes nowhere. Her frank discussion of the emotional and psychological impacts of chronic illness also creates space for readers to acknowledge their struggles and feel less alone. Overall, I highly recommend Everything is Not Peachey to anyone seeking understanding about life with chronic illness, whether as a patient, caregiver, or compassionate friend.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

On the Origin of Being by Luke Comer and Dr. Jenny Powers explores the conflict between human biology and modern lifestyles, focusing on circadian rhythms, diet, and the disconnect from nature. They explain how human evolution, shaped by natural cues like sunlight and sleep patterns, does not align with today's tech and societal demands, leading to health problems like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairments. They trace sleep from nocturnal mammals to early humans, the role of social sleeping, and the use of fire in shaping modern rest habits. The authors also explore the shift from hunter-gatherer diets to agriculture, highlighting the health issues stemming from processed foods and nutrient imbalances. They stress the importance of realigning sleep, diet, and work-life balance with evolutionary needs. They argue that reconnecting with nature can reduce stress and improve well-being, advocating for sustainable living and environmental education as key to human health and the planet's future.

On the Origin of Being: Understanding the Science of Evolution to Enhance Your Quality of Life by Luke Comer and Dr. Jenny Powers offers a unique look into, among many things, humanity’s relationship with nature and the detrimental effects of modern disconnect. The authors skillfully mix scientific research with thoughtful explanations, and the look into how ancient hunter-gatherer societies maintained a deep, harmonious bond with the environment was not something I was aware of. The writing style is intelligent but still somewhat conversational, making more complicated ideas relatable for readers of all backgrounds. Comer and Powers lean into the massive health benefits of reconnecting with nature, from reducing anxiety to boosting immunity. Their call to reintegrate natural rhythms and embrace environmental education is urgent and essential. Overall, this is a great resource for those who are interested in living better, living healthier, harnessing what we have learned through anthropology, and making it work for us today. But first, get some sleep! Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

I Blew My Diet! Now What? by Connie Bennett is an amazing health guide. Although it focuses on losing weight, it is not a diet or health book but a combination of both. We cannot lose weight healthily if we do not pay attention to the way we are trying to lose weight. It is no simple feat; most of us have tried diet after diet, only to realize we are doing it all wrong. This comprehensive guide details what the problems are using examples and straightforward anecdotes and messages, why dieting usually does not work, and gives us advice on how to go about it while preserving and even improving our health. It concludes with recommended resources, healthy recipes, and so much more!

I Blew My Diet! Now What? by Connie Bennett is a must-have and must-read guide to better health and a leaner you. It is meant for everyone, but mostly for people who have tried to lose weight unsuccessfully again and again. It is fun to read and I love the anecdotes and explanations. It is clear and comprehensive and includes delicious recipes. My favorite ones are the garlicky basil cream sauce and the Moroccan cottage pie. You will also learn about Za’atar, a popular Middle Eastern spice. The author shares numerous tips as well including cooking tips, storage pointers, recommendations, etc. I love it when you can learn so much while being entertained. This book is perfect, and I highly recommend it. Enjoy reading and implementing some of the wonderful advice!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Aging reduces our ability to balance, significantly increasing the risk of falling. In Fall Prevention Balance Exercises For Seniors, author Linette Cunley introduces readers to practical and effective daily exercises to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling and injury. Cunley presents a 28-day action plan designed to help seniors establish a balanced, focused routine to reclaim their vigor, flexibility, and strength and improve their overall quality of life. You will discover how balance works in humans, learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of balance decline, and find the tools to recover and restore your balance capabilities. Additionally, the book presents step-by-step guidelines to prepare for balance exercises, set realistic physical goals, make a 28-day beginner-to-advanced balance plan, track your progress, adapt and modify your exercises according to your progress, and more.

Fall Prevention Balance Exercises For Seniors is a must-read for anyone above the age of sixty. Through descriptive illustrations and detailed instructions, author Linette Cunley offers actionable activities and exercises for seniors to enhance their balancing abilities and lead healthy and active lives full of confidence, fitness, and energy. Each exercise focuses on a specific part of the body and its mobility, with room for modifications according to the participant's progress over the course of the 28-day plan. I was impressed with the way Cunley describes each exercise, along with the illustrations, and provides helpful tips to ensure readers find it easy to follow and copy the instructions. This is your comprehensive guide to living a healthy life as a senior. So grab a copy and begin your journey to rediscovering your balance and physical fitness.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In Longevity for the Lazy, Richard Malish identifies heart disease, cancer, and accidents as the leading causes of death in America, with atherosclerosis contributing to cardiovascular diseases. While medical advancements have reduced deaths from infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer have become dominant causes. Malish discusses the importance of human physiology and energy conservation for longevity, critiquing poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. He speaks on strategies for combating heart disease and cancer, shining a light on medications like statins and early screenings. Malish argues that medications provide more effective risk reduction than lifestyle changes alone and champions a balanced approach that combines both. He introduces "medical realism" as a strategy for improving health outcomes, leaning into strong healthcare relationships, evidence-based treatments, and the role of the FDA and Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Longevity for the Lazy by Richard Malish is a guide that offers the most pragmatic and accessible approach to extending life expectancy with minimal effort, even up to the age of 100. Malish makes an extremely strong case for combining lifestyle changes with medical interventions, which, frankly, is a refreshing opinion over the slew of natural remedies flooding the market right now. Malish's writing is clear and structured, guiding readers through more complicated medical issues with ease. I love how he agrees that lifestyle improvements like diet and exercise are important, but they cannot match the risk reduction offered by medications for conditions like heart disease and cancer. Overall, Malish’s strong combination of practical advice, medical insight, and realistic recommendations makes this a supremely valuable resource for anyone seeking to live longer. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite

My Heart Attack Saved My Life, But For What? by Susan Smith is a reflective, true account of someone on the treadmill of life, when suddenly the treadmill is derailed, life alters course, and the bottom falls out. This book recounts a series of other stories besides the one about her heart attack, and at the end of each of these, the reader has the opportunity to stop, reflect, and perhaps weigh up some life choices. For the author, it was a heart attack that her body suffered for quite a bit of time that finally forced her to stop, assess, and begin to heal. Not only that, but a mini-stroke along the way added to her daily living challenges.

The writing style is engaging, straight to the point, and doesn’t get in the way of her message. Some books are filled to the brim with platitudes and words that don’t mean much or add to the message being portrayed. But not this one. Susan gets right to the heart of what happened to her in admirable detail, and how she responded to those events. A book like this can help those in similar life situations. It provides some guidance and thought process about how to proceed from debilitating conditions, preventing us from going around and doing those normal and ‘easy’ things we are so used to doing, and often without thinking. It also helps us to go back to previous events in life and see things differently. My Heart Attack Saved My Life, But For What? by Susan Smith is a recommended read.

Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite

Death By Comfort by Paul Taylor details how the comfort of modern life is the cause of major illnesses and how specific uncomfortable measures hold great rewards for tackling associated issues. The major comforts center around the fast-paced development of technology where, by clicking a button, humans cater to most of their needs without moving an inch. Though this has advantages, it has given rise to a lazy culture in which people use technology to avoid movement. It is already bad enough that many people don’t exercise, but the basic movement required for daily living is also declining. Though modern life is all about comfort, Taylor reinvigorates excitement about mundane activities like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving, cleaning the house, and cooking unprocessed foods instead of ordering processed foods. Taylor teaches us how to use our mind and body, reclaiming the enjoyment of living intentionally and uncomfortably.

Death By Comfort by Paul Taylor is a compelling and insightful book providing actionable steps that you can implement immediately to improve the health of your mind and body. I enjoyed this book because although I am familiar with some of the techniques that Taylor lists, like the benefits of cold showers, identifying your Inner Gremlin and Inner Sage, and exercise, he places it all into perspective, explaining how these and other techniques tie together to create an overall healthy human being. His explanations are concise, giving sufficient information for me to implement his techniques while being motivated by the benefits of why implementing them is essential. Taylor gives just enough information about each method to pique my interest without overloading me with information. After reading this book, I remember most of the techniques he shared and feel I can implement them without re-reading. His practical and easily actionable methods make Death by Comfort an ideal read for anyone wanting to start building a better version of themselves.

Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

Katy Clayton addresses the well-being and longevity of the American population in To Finding Healthy. She delivers forty strategies listing the skill to acquire, the health benefits it provides, what might hold you back from it, and "action steps" you can take to develop a healthy habit. While Clayton outlines the way to pay special attention to nutrition labels, portion sizes, and the types of foods you eat, she also touches on mindfulness, self-care, grounding, and spiritual growth. The author concludes the book by sharing stories from her patients that talk about transformations involved in Clayton's plan and sample recipes.

Katy Clayton's book will change your life if you let it. She relates stories from successful people who have implemented one or more of her suggestions and turned their lives around. If you're concerned about cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, there's something about one of those topics in about every ten pages with menu options, a supplement guide, and resources for a healthy lifestyle. It may seem as if I've given away important parts of the book in the review, but the wealth of knowledge in the pages is so vast and descriptive that you will find yourself reading every page—even if you only intended to read some key chapters. The road to a healthy lifestyle is a journey that requires true commitment and the author prepares you with knowledge to make your decisions more carefully. Don't miss out on To Finding Healthy, a comprehensive guide to managing your food choices and making positive lifestyle commitments.

Reviewed by Samantha Dewitt (Rivera) for Readers' Favorite

Who among us has ever challenged the status quo? How about on something important? Something that could affect more than just ourselves but possibly people around the world. That’s exactly what Dr. Sarah Hallberg does in Status Quo Thinking is Harming Your Health. She researched nutrition and health and what it takes to get and stay healthy throughout our lives. In the process, she found that what’s been touted often as the answer isn’t the answer at all. But is there really an answer to our nationwide obesity crisis? Hallberg certainly thinks so. And after reading Status Quo, the reader will likely feel more optimistic about it as well. This is certainly Hallberg’s life’s work, and she did it well, helping countless patients through her face-to-face programs and many more through this book.

Status Quo Thinking is Harming Your Health is a well-written discussion on nutrition and getting healthy through making changes in nutrition and our understanding of health that challenge the status quo. It’s filled with detail, statistics, research information, diagrams, and more designed to give in-depth information without overwhelming the reader or making it too ‘scientific’ for the average person to understand and apply. The content is also written in a way that tells Dr. Sarah Hallberg’s story and the development of this philosophy. This helps the reader get to know the author even more in the process of changing their thoughts on food and nutrition. The reader can learn more about not just the new ideas and research that the author espouses, but also the reasons that the old ways of thinking are inaccurate or even harmful. This information is presented for the benefit of those who are suffering from obesity but can be applied to the overall ‘diet’ of the average person as well, improving general health factors. This book can be considered as a call to always challenge the status quo and never to accept things at face value without doing the research. You never know what you could discover by questioning the prevailing wisdom for just a moment, as Dr. Hallberg did throughout her life.

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

In Reconstructing Reality: Outsmarting The Brain To Rewrite Our Life Stories, Amy L. Rosner shows how our brains are always doing their best to protect us from so much, including trauma, stress, pain, and fear. Sometimes, this can cause us to overreact to certain situations. Amy helps seven-year-old Jake overcome his fears so that he can enjoy a family vacation and helps a woman discover that driving doesn’t have to be a frightening experience. As hard as it may be to believe, even having problems losing weight can be caused by our brains. Fear and anxiety are very real things that can inhibit the way we enjoy the world around us.

Reconstructing Reality is an educational and inspiring book that gave me a lot of interesting insight into the human psyche and how the mind and body work. I enjoyed reading about the different ways Rosner helped others overcome fears so effectively. I find it amazing that her patients left the sessions feeling more secure and excited about making progress by discovering ways to understand where the fears come from, how to cope with them, and how to face them safely. The best thing about this book, besides the invaluable information, is the way the author gave the information without using a lot of complex terminology, which makes this book easy to understand and learn from. I recommend Reconstructing Reality by Amy L. Rosner to anyone who wants to know more about how the conscious and subconscious influence the things that we think and feel and gain some positive insight into how to cope with fear and anxiety.