Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Meet Me Where I Am: An Alzheimer's Care Guide by Mary Ann Drummond is a non-fiction book mainly designed for caregivers who deal with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In this book, Mary Ann Drummond draws upon her personal experience in the field of nursing and management of facilities that are specifically created for elderly people who have dementia and require long-term care. The book is divided into several broad chapters including an introduction to the book, understanding what Alzheimer’s disease is, how to maximize success and minimize loss, providing a calm, therapeutic environment for the patient, how to manage challenging symptoms and behaviors such as sexual inappropriateness, personal hygiene, caring for the caregiver themselves, and a quick list of questions and answers for easy reference, among other things. The book also includes a list of some reference books and websites for further reading on Alzheimer’s disease.

I really enjoyed Meet Me Where I Am by Mary Ann Drummond and I felt that this was a comprehensive, well-thought out book on Alzheimer’s disease and how to cope with it in the best possible way from the perspective of a caregiver. Indeed, this book is applicable to all forms of dementia in the elderly and perhaps the title can be modified to broaden the scope of this book and give readers an accurate idea of what to expect. Mary Ann Drummond obviously comes from a place of compassion for these patients and this shows through in her thorough and careful writing style. This is definitely a must-read for anyone working or living with someone with any form of dementia for helpful guidance and tips.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection in the Medicine of Light is the second book in the Called into Life by the Light Series by Bernard Fleury, a book with a content that is aptly captured in its title. In this book, the author explores the connection between mind, body, and soul and how mastering this connection can ensure inner peace, harmony, robust health, and fullness of life. Having experienced the phenomenon of light in its diverse forms, the author began a journey which would lead him to uncover the treasures in light and its healing energy. In this book, the author explores a new way of diagnosis and treatment for a variety of illnesses, sharing with readers powerful medical concepts related to light, the place of the eyes as the windows of the soul, and a lot more.

This book discusses modern medical procedures that use light and advanced devices to diagnose and treat different kinds of illnesses. The methods used in the modern treatments are less invasive, more accurate in diagnosis, and most effective when it comes to actual treatment, which has no life-threatening effects. This is one of the first medical books I have read that offers methods combining science and a holistic approach to treatment in a stunning manner. There is a spiritual as well as a philosophical aspect of this book that readers will enjoy as well. The book is well-researched and offers surprising discoveries about the energy of light, which comes primarily from the sun and is present in different life forms. This isn’t just a book for people seeking to be cured of an illness, but one that proposes a path to general wellness and wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection in the Medicine of Light is informative, a book that explores the mystery of life from a fresh and unique perspective. Bernard Fleury’s book is a gift for those who want to experience life deeply.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I am not overly vain and I have resigned myself to getting old and not being able to do as much as I could in my youth. But I have had a full, even luxurious head of hair my entire life and if I can keep it, I want to do so. Right now, my hairline is receding in the front and there is a spot on the top where hair is disappearing fast. This is why I read Hair Loss: Options for Restoration and Reversal by Gustavo J. Gomez Ph.D. I am a methodical person and I like to approach problems like hair loss in a systematic and scientific manner. I would rather read a book by an expert than react to a sixty-second infomercial. The only drawback to this way of doing things is finding the right book. If you are in a similar situation as to what you can do about hair loss, let me assure you. This is the book for you.

Hair Loss by Gustavo J. Gomez does exactly what the title and subtitle implies. It lists your options to combat and restore the loss of hair in a clear and very organized manner, one that is not intent on selling you something but just giving you information you can use. The writing is clear and concise. The explanations reasonable and scientific. Hair Loss: Options for Restoration and Reversal has helped me decide which direction I need to go in as I tackle this problem. It is rare to find the book that tells you everything you need to know on a subject. When it comes to hair loss, Gustavo J. Gomez has written that book.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

ADHD Explained: What Every Parent Needs to Know is a nonfiction book about children’s health and learning disorders written by Dr. Nekeshia Hammond. Hammond has been a practicing psychologist for over ten years and has her own private practice. What is ADHD, and how does a doctor or psychologist actually come to the decision that a child has it? Dr. Hammond describes the symptoms and behaviors that prompt parents or teachers to consider if a child should be evaluated, and she sets out the procedure which begins with a medical examination to ensure that the child’s behavior is not the result of a physical ailment or illness. She also discusses the various issues that might result in a misdiagnosis. Is the child being bullied at school or has he or she been a victim of abuse? Once an assessment has been made, then parents, teachers and the child’s doctor/psychologist can begin to craft a personalized program to ensure that the child’s educational development continues at a pace that fits their abilities.

ADHD Explained sets out easily understood information about a disorder that has many parents confused and understandably concerned. Will a diagnosis of ADHD affect a child’s future as an adult? Does a child’s disinterest in completing chores or homework or disinclination to keep a tidy knapsack mean they’ve got ADHD, or are they simply being kids who haven’t gotten organizational skills down pat? As I read this informative work, I breathed a sigh of relief that this diagnosis hadn’t been around when I was a child. It was fairly well understood that kids really didn’t enjoy doing chores, especially if they had homework assignments to keep them occupied, and some kids were neat freaks while others really didn’t care about the condition of their backpack or their desk. That said, I was most impressed with Dr. Hammond’s work as she quite ably demystifies ADHD, giving parents some guidance for navigating doctors’ offices and principals’ offices, and ensuring that their kids receive necessary treatment or therapy as necessary. I especially appreciated her cautioning parents not to use this or any other book to diagnose their child themselves as there are just too many variables to be considered that are properly left to the professionals. ADHD Explained: What Every Parent Needs to Know is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Dr. Gordon Fimreite's 15 Steps to Healthy Living is an uplifting and useful guide for all readers who are on the lookout for tips to lose weight naturally, get a health plan organized, and glow from the inside out. The book speaks about eating healthily and keeping the mind and body active for a healthy and long life. The 15 steps include food selection, detoxing from the inside out, sleep, exercise, stress strategies, and happiness that will guide all readers to achieving an enriching and fulfilling life. The book also introduces readers to the author’s 105-year-old grandmother and her healthy living, which is inspiring, and terms it as one of the main reasons that contribute to longevity.

I like the way the author handles a topic that has been discussed many times before with a different outlook. The tips are simple, clear, and easy to comprehend for readers who want to make changes in their dietary lifestyle. There is a lot of healthy information, insights, and a positive approach towards handling diet, thereby making readers think about health in a new way. The transition to healthy living is a slow one for those who have been leading a not-so-healthy lifestyle, and the tips and techniques in this book will motivate them to make healthier choices so that they can feel better, look different, and have more energy. And as the author rightfully puts it, ‘healthy living is a process, not a destination.’ I have written down my health plan after reading this book. What about you?

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

Physician: How Science Transformed the Art of Medicine by Rajeev Kurapati achieves three major milestones of non-fiction writing. It is hugely important. It is masterfully researched. It is fascinating to read. Dr. Kurapati has done a major service to his profession by recapping the most cogent aspects of medicine’s rise to respectability, consistency, and applicability, including the earliest days of philosophical and religious-based misunderstandings, entrenched myths and dogmas, as well as genuinely good intentions towards healing the diseased and stricken. One might think this would take volumes, but it speaks to Dr. Kurapati’s keen ability to condense a mass of information into a coherent and highly accessible chronology that this book reads so easily and quickly, yet impacts one’s understanding with the power of revelation.

Lest one think Rajeev Kurapati deals only with the past in his comprehensive book, Physician, the whole point of his efforts is to bring the reader into present awareness of current day medicine and the implications for its rapid immersion within a fast-approaching, almost incomprehensible future. In so doing, Rajeev Kurapati is compelled to return to medicine’s philosophical roots and the grand ideal of a holistic but personalized study, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals. While there is no going back to mystical incantations or denial of technological tools, the digital age promises an ability for internal monitoring and reporting and even experimentation and treatment that rivals past and current methods with quantum levels of improvement. The implications and ramifications of this profound development, along with some last-minute adjurations to his fellow doctors, are what concludes this brilliant author’s elegant summary of what it means to be a physician.

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

As the name suggests, The Bi-Polar Express by Ela and Natasha Simon is a book that throws light on how the life of a family is affected by depression and other mental instabilities. Ela, in the first half of the book, expresses the point of view of the mother of a daughter who is suffering from bipolar disorder. The life of a mental patient is difficult as it is; however, the caretaker of the patient, especially if he/she is a family member, goes through an overwhelming journey themselves. They often end up requiring some help to keep them sane. This is what happens when Natasha, the daughter of the author, is diagnosed with ADHD. Even before she was diagnosed, Ela and her husband, Peter, knew that there was something different about her. Natasha was always restless, sometimes utterly active and multitasking; on the contrary, sometimes hopelessly depressed. Although making friends was difficult for her, keeping them was a bigger task. Picking up the signal that she was not wanted was always hard for her. So, she would try her best to keep these "friends" in her life, not realising that she was being played by these people. When she realized the reality, she would be heartbroken. In these moments, only her family and she would be left to pick up the pieces. Ela's struggle to keep up with Natasha's manic episodes, and her desire to keep her daughter happy are well depicted in the first part of the book.

The second part of the book, which is written by Natasha, gives readers an insight into Natasha's side of the story. I have often wondered about how the entire picture changes based on the perception of the audience. This proved to be true from the second half of the book. For instance, according to Ela, Natasha was coming on too strong and thus many of the guys whom she assumed were "The One" ran away; however, when I read this part in Natasha's own words, I realized that she knew when a relationship was over. She could understand it clearly from the guy's behavior, but she chose to hold on because of her undying faith in love. While reading Natasha's version of her life, I developed strong feelings for her. I felt protective of her, which doesn't happen very often. Nevertheless, while reading Ela's part, I could not help but respect her every step of the way. Of course, a mother's love is above every other love, but, in Ela's case, she actually proved her limitless love for her daughter even when Natasha pushed buttons that Ela didn't even know existed.

The interactive style of writing of both the authors is extremely entertaining. From the first chapter to the end, I became a part of the world of Ela and Natasha. I connected with both of them on so many levels. Although the subject of the book is quite emotional, the book is far from it. The authors have ensured that the book doesn't become a dark universe, where readers would only see the darkness. They have kept the mood light and introduced many light-hearted events as well. I learned a lot about bipolar disorder and have developed more empathy towards its patients and their families. I would recommend this book to readers who wish to know more about mental problems or who have, in any way, been in contact with its patients. Also, readers who are intrigued by well-written memoirs should give this book a try. I loved everything about the book.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Opioids, alcohol, and prescription drugs used in moderation can help in several ways for pain relief and relaxation, but in excess these can become an addiction. Why would people risk their lives and their well-being for prescription drugs or another drink? It's not them personally; the signals that their brain gives off is the cause of their addiction. An addiction is the dependence on a legal or illegal drug, substance or medication. The Craving Brain: Science, Spirituality and the Road to Recovery by Dr. W. Anderson Spickard Jr., James B., and Barbara Thompson is a candid account of how the brain signals cravings that stimulate addictions. The Craving Brain: Science, Spirituality and the Road to Recovery is a self-help guide that provides the reader with everything that they will need to know about addiction and how to start the healing process. In The Craving Brain, you will learn a lot about how addiction can be genetically susceptible and be passed on from one generation to the next, the negative effects of addiction including abuse, and learn the symptoms of addicted behavior. Whether you or a loved one are struggling with some type of addiction, understand that you are not alone and that The Craving Brain can help you to become fully equipped with a comprehensive solution to the problem.

To fully understand the value that The Craving Brain brings, the book was developed and told from various sides. In The Craving Brain, a recovery addict tells about his journey into the world of cocaine and alcohol; Dr. W. Anderson Spickard Jr., a recognized expert in the field of addiction and substance abuse, gives his advice and input on the patients that have been in his care, and author Barbara Thompson has the expertise in putting the finishing touches on a story and bringing it to life. Immediately upon reading the Table of Contents, you are hit with section titles like Heavy Drinking: A Trap At Any Age; Like Father, Like Son; It Will Never Happen To Me; The Family Trap; Surrender to Win and Sustaining Recovery. Within seconds you want to learn, read and understand more about addiction and substance abuse. Addiction and substance abuse have a catastrophic effect not only on the individuals, but on their families, the community, the healthcare system and our tax dollars. People can overcome addiction and substance abuse, but it takes a lot of work and effort. With your own copy of The Craving Brain: Science, Spirituality and the Road to Recovery by Dr. W. Anderson Spickard Jr., James B., and Barbara Thompson, it can make the path to recovery easier.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Thirty Days to Natural Blood Pressure Control by David DeRose MD MPH, Greg Steinke MD MPH, and Trudie Li MSN FNP is a timely health tool that can change the lives of millions of people. High blood pressure is a perennial problem and, as I write this, I am well aware that mine isn’t normal. The competitive work environments, the unhealthy habits, and the stress that come with our contemporary culture are strong factors that fuel high blood pressure in individuals. This book is an invaluable tool for people with high blood pressure. Starting off with a general overview of hypertension and its ill effects it has on human beings, the authors move quickly to offer solutions that combine modern medical science and holistic therapies.

Written by experts in the field, Thirty Days to Natural Blood Pressure Control rings with great authority. The message of the book is very clear, and the writers use their backgrounds in medicine, anecdotes, and personal experiences to corroborate the powerful points they make. There is no denying that this is a work that has been perfected through practice. The writing is clear and very accessible; the authors have done a great job by avoiding any jargon that could make the message difficult for their readers. This is the kind of book that everyone should read because it contains therapies that will help readers prevent blood pressure, cure it, and eliminate its effects on their lives. You should read this informative and groundbreaking work if you are looking for a successful fight against high blood pressure.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

How to Befriend, Tame, Manage, and Teach Your Black Dog Called Depression Using CBT by Dr James Manning is a powerful book with a message that will undoubtedly help millions of people battling their “black dogs” of depression. “Black Dog” has been used before by writers to describe the symptoms of depression, and, in this book, the author uses it in a very creative way. It is very interesting to see how he introduces a kind of interaction between the reader and these symptoms, by carefully using the symbol of the “Black Dog” and portraying how it reacts to the different responses and scenarios.

Dr James Manning’s book is very informational, written in a simple style, with most of the psychological jargon that could make reading complicated to the average reader cut out completely. Starting from the way the mind works, the author leads the reader to powerful truths about depression and its symptoms and how to handle them. Readers will understand why what they have been doing to combat depression doesn’t work. They will understand the way their “Black Dog” operates, and create the best strategy to combat stress, keep depression at bay, allay their fears, and regain emotional health and freedom.

How to Befriend, Tame, Manage, and Teach Your Black Dog Called Depression Using CBT has a very direct sub-title that indicates what readers will find in the book: "Accessible CBT techniques, CBT principles, CBT worksheets, and on-line CBT resources for depression in a nutshell." This book is a great tool for professionals working with people with emotional problems and those battling depression. It comes with many tools that can be accessed online. This is a book for everyone who wants to achieve inner freedom and keep their sanity amidst the stress and challenges of today’s competitive work environment.