Philosophy & Psychology
Dharma para la vida diaria/Everyday Dharma: 8 hábitos esenciales para alcanzar el éxito y hallar satisfacción en todo lo que haces.
By Suneel Gupta. Tr. by Oscar A. Unzueta Ledesma.
July 2024. 224p. HarperCollins Español, paper, $19.99 (9780063358812). 180.
Gupta, an expert on well-being and work, delves into the essence of fulfillment and success through eight essential habits. His narrative is deeply rooted in personal experiences as he draws inspiration from childhood memories, his family, and lessons learned from both failures and successes. This approach adds authenticity to his insights, making them relatable and impactful. Gupta’s ability to weave these intimate anecdotes into passages of practical wisdom creates a compelling guide for readers to discover their path of rightness (“dharma”) and lead a more fulfilling life. As a best-selling author, successful entrepreneur, renowned speaker, and Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, Gupta brings a wealth of diverse perspectives to the table. Through this book, he inspires readers to embrace their essential self, navigate challenges with resilience, and cultivate habits that elevate performance and well-being. Gupta sends readers on a transformative journey that transcends conventional success paradigms and offers a holistic approach to living a meaningful and satisfying life.—Roxanne Pico-Lenz
Grief Is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss.
By Lisa Keefauver.
June 2024. 272p. Univ. of Texas, $21.95 (9781477329306). 155.937.
This isn’t a book that anyone will want to read. And yet, because of the very universality of death and loss, it is an indispensable purchase. Grief activist, writer, and speaker Keefauver’s debut, based on her podcast of the same name, reassures readers that all their feelings and reactions are okay and dispels the myth that there is a singular “right” way to grieve. Transparent about her own journey through the loss of her husband, Keefauver offers a primer that can be read in any order helpful to grievers. Short chapters brimming with affirmation help readers navigate the fraught journey of grief; each concludes with practical exercises and journaling prompts. Keefauver’s warm conversational tone, along with a “judicious use of cussing,” permeates, exploring the physical and psychological effects of grieving and our cultural grief illiteracy. Her goal is to help people move forward with life, incorporating grief into their future. Valuable appendixes include encouraging reminders and what supporters should (and should not) say. Since we all will deal with grief, this is absolutely essential, highly recommended for all public libraries. As the book invites readers to highlight and write in, copies are likely to be returned marked up—maybe buy two.—Karen Clements
Hello, Higher Self: An Outsider’s Guide to Loving Yourself in a Tough World.
By Bunny Michael.
June 2024. 336p. Little, Brown/Voracious, $30 (9780316471565). 158.1.
Bunny Michael, host of the OX Higher Self podcast, knows what it means to be an outsider. Growing up queer and nonbinary in a Mexican/Samoan family in Texas, they were forced to confront both racism and gender prejudice. The answer, according to Michael, is to view the world through your “Higher Self,” where you’re not only enough, but everyone else can be accepted for who they are. Our lives are filled with “Learned Hierarchical Beliefs” (LHBs). These beliefs tell us what we need to be, feel, and achieve to be successful. The author aims to provide “revolutionary and practical tools for staying connected to your ‘Higher Self’ daily” in this carefully structured book. For each of the 18 topics (including family, friendship, body image, sex, spirituality, and self-care), the author shares a personal story, offers “Higher Self” insights, lists affirmations, and suggests journal prompts. Michael speaks frankly about their own struggles, particularly with their sexuality, but the message throughout is positive, accepting, and life-affirming. Readers searching for their own answers will be guided by the author’s keen insights.—Candace Smith
YA/M: Older teens will relate to Michael’s search for self. CS.
Religion
Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself: A Guide to Closing the Space between Us.
By Chanté Griffin.
June 2024. 256p. WaterBrook, paper, $17 (9780593445594). 261.
Author, artist, and advocate Griffin was born a church baby whose world was “completely Black” until age ten, when she moved to a new neighborhood that didn’t see, and didn’t love, Black people. In this first solo book, she recounts experiencing racism and receiving comments that “sowed death” in her young life. Griffin learned, and now relates to others, how racism always produces pain and death in those targeted and in those who harbor it. She powerfully unpacks the parable of the Good Samaritan and paints a stark picture of a Black neighbor as the proverbial man, beaten and robbed, lying on the roadside as others pass by. Griffin extends the parable to illustrate how people may even blame the beaten man. She is generous, wise, and patient with explanations and in providing prompts for readers to take time to reflect with “heart checks” and “prayer pauses.” Griffin’s book is a valuable guide full of hope and practical steps, “a love tome meant to love and honor the Black community.”—Kelly Fojtik
Social Sciences
Conspiracy Theories: A Reference Handbook.
By Jeffrey B. Webb.
2024. 304p. illus. Bloomsbury
