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Summer Reading
A reader shared a link to The Gift of Fear on his FB page, along with the following note:
"Thanks to a recommendation from Katherine Krok Eastvold I finally started reading "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker. I've owned a copy of this book for years but never read it until now.
I'm only a few chapters into it, but I see that it has an important message for all of us if we want to stay safe in a dangerous world. The main message I've retained so far is that we need to trust our feelings if a situation just doesn't feel right and stop telling ourselves that we are being ridiculous.
If you haven't read it, please do. It could save your life."
I've received a few emails along the same lines too. I'm thrilled. That's why we have each other. But somehow this post got me thinking- perhaps it's time I send along some of my favorite titles. After all, my 'to do' list is rather long this summer, isn't it? I can't write nearly as much as I'd like to... Maybe some of these will provide good company in the meantime. Disclaimer: None of these are "dance" books. I've recommended all of them to students at one point or another, but they are all merely suggestions. You can take them or leave them as you please. They are listed alphabetically. There was my life before Boundaries, and there is my life after Boundaries. They don't look at all the same. It was the first book I gifted to Nick and it is by far the one I've recommended more than any other. Be aware that it is published by New Life, a ministry I've mentioned before. But it's not even remotely preachy- it's focus is on living with healthy boundaries. If you have wounds that will bleed when they reference scripture, then this may not be the book for you. Otherwise... grab it. I'll change your life.
Yes, it's a popular resource in career centers far and wide, but I recommend its first section for everyone. Sure, you'll read it and finally figure out a lot about yourself (felt like they were crawling around in my brain- lots of 'ah ha!' moments for me), but it also helps you understand other people too. I can't think of a single relationship in my life that didn't benefit from this read. No matter what age you are, you'll get a lot out of it.
I didn't ask for this book. Nick took it off the shelf at a bookstore and said, "Wow... you totally need this book." I was a little offended. I told him we weren't buying it... and he bought it anyhow. SO glad he did. It's solid gold. Gold, gold, gold, gold. And she writes like me too- you'll love it.
And yes. It's written for women. But I've noticed that there are plenty of guys that would benefit from it greatly. Nick put quite a few of them into practice at his office. Both of us have enjoyed terrific results.
Okay, men... this one is definitely NOT for you. But ladies, I've used this book with every single woman I've coached for competition. And forget their other follow-up books... this original is the holy grail. It's all you need.
Men, this is the one for you. I referenced it in my Thanksgiving Note last year. John Eldredge is probably Nick's favorite writer, hands down. And I'm glad I read it to, because otherwise the school teacher in me would've tried to curb his nature instead of encourage it. Plus there's that whole "valiant, vulnerable and scandalous" thing. Again, this is written from a faith perspective, so... just be aware. (If you are already an Eldredge fan, then you might enjoy Nick's favorite book of his, "Fathered by...")
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And there you go. It looks like the books I'm recommending to everyone are all non-fiction. I don't think I've ever noticed that till now. Hmmm.
If its fiction you need, well, I'm a Lit major. I don't know where to start. We own 6 bookshelves and Nick's books only take up one. So...
I hope you find something here that you like. Again, these are just my favorites... not a "required reading" list or anything. But they've all influenced my work in some way, so I think you'll like at least a few. | 
