Category: Book Review
Smart Girls: Success, School, and the Myth of Post-Feminism
by Kathy Joyce
Smart Girls: Success, School, and the Myth of Post-Feminism by Shauna Pomerantz and Rebecca Raby, University of California Press, 2017. The co-authors, professors of child and youth studies at Brock University, Ontario present the outcomes from a five year study of 57 girls and 17 boys from Canada, aged 12-17 years. The authors question “Are girls really taking over the world?” and if so is … Read More Smart Girls: Success, School, and the Myth of Post-Feminism
Designing Your Life: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
Feeling a little lost? Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life, by university professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans uses the theory of design thinking to work out what you want and a life that works for you. Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life was originally offered, by the authors, as a Life Design course at Stanford … Read More Designing Your Life: Book Review
South of Forgiveness by Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger
by Kathy Joyce
South of Forgiveness by Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger is the remarkable story of rape and subsequent forgiveness by both the survivor and the perpetrator. Both Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger tell their remarkable story that started in Reykjavik with teenage infatuation, developed into rape and finally ends with forgiveness, with Tom travelling from his home country Australia. We follow both Thordis and Tom … Read More South of Forgiveness by Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger
Gene Genius by Dr Margaret Smith
by Kathy Joyce
Gene Genius Understand your DNA and create your own genetic roadmap to health and happiness by Dr Margaret Smith with Sue Williams. Gene Genius helps to answer the questions like why two people can follow a diet together yet one losses weigh faster or why some some people thrive on taking risks where others don’t? The answer appears to lie in our genes. Gene … Read More Gene Genius by Dr Margaret Smith
You Are Awesome by Neil Pasricha
by Kathy Joyce
You Are Awesome by Author Neil Pasricha explores resilience as the antidote to today’s broken world. Anxiety in children is epidemic, suicide and stress related illness has never been more prevalent in history than now. Why? How can we fix it? Resilience is at an all time low in contemporary society. Neil comments that we live in an age of abundance – no world … Read More You Are Awesome by Neil Pasricha
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
by Kathy Joyce
The owners of Basecamp have written a thoughtful and brutally honest guide to reducing workplace stress and creating a work-life environment where everyone thrives. Employers and Employees are both asked to question their culture at work. The Authors then outline the policies that Basecamp have adopted to create a culture where the person is respected. Their time (9am-5pm M-F only – no weekends or … Read More It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
Life Adventures of a Chippie, Graeme Tosh by Helen Maguire: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
Life Adventures of a Chippie: Graeme Tosh, as recorded by Helen Maguire, is a collection of memories, from a lifetime spent living in Armidale NSW. In Life Adventures of a Chippie we are provided with an intimate view of a remarkable man who valued family and a good honest-day’s work, working with his hands as a ‘chippie’ (carpenter). Graeme Tosh’s Scottish parents settled on … Read More Life Adventures of a Chippie, Graeme Tosh by Helen Maguire: Book Review
The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
The High Mountains of Portugal is the latest novel from the 2002 Man Booker prize-winning author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel. Spanish-born, Canadian author Yann Martel has crafted this mesmerising story that is as good, if not better than Life of Pi. Yann Martel once again uses the tools of religious allegory and zoological lore to explore the meaning of life and the … Read More The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel: Book Review
Option B by Sheryl Sandberg: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. Following the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg plumbed the depths of grief and despair. Afraid that her children would never find joy again Sheryl Sandberg, together with friend Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, decided to write a book that presents the latest research around resilience. Sheryl … Read More Option B by Sheryl Sandberg: Book Review
Cross Stitch (Outlander) by Diana Gabaldon: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
Do you want to escape for a while into a really good story? Look no further than the Outlander series. Cross Stitch (Outlander) is the first book in the Outlander series by New York Times best selling author Diana Gabaldon. The first book in the series is now called Outlander, however it was previously published as Cross Stitch in the UK. Word of warning: stock up … Read More Cross Stitch (Outlander) by Diana Gabaldon: Book Review
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg examines the topic of women’s leadership, issues with a lack of women in government and business leadership positions, and feminism. Sheryl Sandberg sends a call to professional women to help themselves, and support other women to make small changes in their life so that change in the workplace can happen on a … Read More Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg: Book Review
A Man Called Ove by Erik Backman: Book Review
by Kathy Joyce
A Man Called Ove: A Novel by Fredrik Backman is a wonderful feel good story, about a cantankerous old man called Ove and set in a small Swedish town, . Oh, but A Man Called Ove is so much more than that! The author, Fredrik Backman, has masterfully used this story to explore love, grief, what it means to be a ‘man today, ageing and … Read More A Man Called Ove by Erik Backman: Book Review