"No More Dirty Looks" by Siobhan O'Connor & Alexandra Spunt

The purpose of this book is to educate readers on the chemicals used in the beauty industry.  From lipstick to shampoo to lotion to face wash to sunscreen to mascara and more, this book covers it all.  Many people trust companies and assume that the government has laws in place to protect the consumer.  Unfortunately, as the book explains, the regulatory framework is underfunded and full of loopholes.  Just like how questionable chemicals sneak their way into processed foods, questionable chemicals sneak their way into processed beauty products.  Each chapter covers a list of chemicals, their uses, and their dangers.  Then there are alternatives listed, as well as the personal stories from the authors.  While chemicals in beauty products are not likely to kill people (the FDA at least covers that!), there is much concern over the long term effects.  Unlike "unhealthy" food that can be enjoyed in moderation, most cosmetics are used by women either daily or multiple times a week.  The authors' position is that the best health and beauty comes from using products that are as natural as possible.  As demonstrated by nicotine patches, what goes on the body makes its way into the body.  If something is not safe to eat, should it really be placed on the body?  While it may be difficult to cleanse all of one's beauty products, every little bit helps.

"Life's Too Short" by Rabbi Abraham J Twerski, MD

 

In this self-help book, acclaimed rabbi and medical psychiatrist Rabbi Twerski dives into self esteem.  With various case studies of patients and friends, the author showcases how low self esteem can contribute to self-sabotaging behaviors (with negative consequences).  Twerski assures readers that they are more special, smart, and valuable than they may think.  He highlights how negative self image destroys people and how those who overcame such thoughts were able to turn their lives around.  There is also a section in the back of the book about raising children with healthy self esteem.  Twerski highlights that--while basic necessities like food and shelter must be met--it is never good to overwork oneself solely to provide for one's child.  No matter how prestigious the school or fancy the toys, children seeing their parents work constantly without spending much time with them is harmful to their development of self worth.  To put it simply, a child benefits more from a modest upbringing with plenty of parental interaction as opposed to an extravagant upbringing with little parental interaction.

"It's Not As Tough As You Think" by Rabbi Abraham J Twerski, MD

Spirituality meets self-help in this book.  As both a rabbi and medical doctor of psychiatry, Twerski is able to put everyday problems into perspective.  Each of the 100+ "chapters" are succinct--not more than a page or two.  Instead of preaching at readers, they offer entertaining and thought-provoking stories.  These stories illustrate key points that amount to the title.  Things are not as tough as we think.  Throughout the book, Twerski shows readers how to be grateful, wise, humble, happy, joyous, and confident.  Just when we think something is really awful, we need to put it in perspective and remind ourselves that it's not the end of the world.  By controlling our mood, outlook, and perspective, we are well on our way to stressing less about life's everyday upsets.

 

"The Natural Beauty & Bath Book" by Casey Kellar

Full of natural recipes and home remedies, this book is sure to delight.  From perfumes to lotions to creams and more, Kellar explains to readers not just why homemade cosmetics are wonderful but also how to make them at home.  Each chapter begins with an introduction highlighting key terms and methods.  There is even a part in the back of the book dedicated to "grandma's secrets" and how to store homemade beauty products elegantly.  I had fun reading this book and feel like it helped shed some light on how people generations ago handled beauty.  Want to bathe in honey and roses like ancient royalty?  Kellar will show you how.  Want to make your own perfume with scents you adore?  Kellar will show you how.  There are also plenty of full color images to help readers visualize the creative processes.

"The Feminine Soul" by Chana Weisberg

 

A remarkable read, this book explains to women the significance of their gender in Judaism.  Ever wondered why ladies light Shabbat candles?  Ever wonder why ladies tear off a piece of challah and discard it?  Ever had questions about the whole mikvah thing and "family purity"?  This book covers those topics and more.  In easy to understand language, Weisberg shows women the beauty and spirituality of their actions that only they can do.  There is also a section in the back of the book explaining feminine energy in kabbalah and how women have a unique role to play in ushering in the era of redemption (i.e.- a Uptonian era when there is no more war).  Short and to the point, this book can be read in a few days. 

"The Weekend Makeover" by Jill Martin & Dana Ravich

This fun book will help any woman transform her life thru bite-sized weekend makeovers.  Everything from diet to exercise to friends to clutter and more is covered.  The chapters include step-by-step instructions for what to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Now no one can say they are too busy to make a change as everyone can find at least one weekend to dedicate to an important area of their life.  If readers follow the weekend makeovers listed in this book, they will find themselves happier, better dressed, more sociable, and organized.  They may also have rekindled romance with their partner and caught up with friends they hadn't seen in years.  As with most books written by two authors, there is a good balance of different personalities and views that keeps the book interesting.

 

"Jerusalem Rising" by Barbara Britton

 

In the writings of the Hebrew Bible, the repair of the Temple wall is recorded.  One verse stands out since it references women assisting in this task--something normally designated to men only.  "Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section" (from Nehemiah 3:12).  Britton takes this one verse and crafts an entire story from it.  Readers learn about Adah and her family.  They see ancient Jerusalem thru her eyes as she first vows to help her aged parents rebuild their section of the wall.  Drama ensues when nearby enemies try to thwart the progress on the wall--something recorded in the Hebrew Bible.  There is some mild romance interwoven in the pages as Adah and her sister get married.  Wholesome yet enticing, there is nothing graphic.  While we may not know much about Shallum's daughters cited in Nehemiah 3:12, this book does an excellent job of creating a believable tale about these remarkable women.  Hebrew mannerisms and customs, as well as Hebrew phrases, are included to truly transport readers into this fascinating time.

"You Are What You Wear" by Jennifer Baumgartner

 

This book was so fun that I decided to host a book club to discuss it with friends.  Split into easy-to-digest chapters, this book focuses on common fashion mistakes.  The author covers things like not dressing one's age, dressing too provocatively, overspending on clothing, not having cohesive outfits, swimming in labels, hiding behind bulky clothing, and more.  As a psychologist, Baumgartner ties in psychology with fashion.  So instead of just saying what fashion errors people make, she explains *why* people make them in the first place and what internal work must be done for the inside to match the outside.  A key takeaway I had for myself is to invest in neutrals and to think twice before buying a statement item.  No matter how pretty a piece of clothing is, it is worthless if it doesn't "go" with anything in one's current wardrobe.  

"Balancing in Heels" by Kristin Cavallari

 

On the lookout for lifestyle books, this title caught my eye.  Not being too familiar with Cavallari I decided to learn about her life and what she has to say about wellness.  At first it can be easy to think that the blond thin famous woman has a perfect life that is unattainable for the average person.  However, as readers go thru the book, they learn that Kristin has had her own struggles in life.  While now married to a wealthy football player, she actually broke of her engagement with him the first time around and had a baby before being officially married.  Despite being happy now, Cavallari's journey to wife and mom were not exactly easy.  Also, while it can be easy to think Cavallari is just blessed with a good physique and looks, readers understand that anyone can be fit and glowing like her.  By eating whole unprocessed foods and working out consistency, any woman can become her healthiest self.  Overall this book was a fun read and I would recommend it to others.

"Face Yoga" by Annelise Hagen

 

Having just recently heard of the concept of "face yoga", I decided to read up on it.  I learned about puffing up my cheeks like a trumpet player, blowing kisses like a movie star, puckering up my face like a fish, and other techniques.  While this book does have some face yoga exercises / examples in it, that actually makes up a very small portion of the pages.  The bulk of the book discusses regular yoga, diet, exercise, meditation, and mindset.  Overall it was a nice book but I did feel the title was a tad misleading given the amount of content solely focused on face yoga.

"Modesty: A Fashion Paradox" by Hafsa Lodi

This fascinating book covers modest fashion from a primarily Muslim perspective.  That being said, the author does occasionally weave in parallels with Christian and Jewish traditions which--while not as strict as Islam--promote their own form of modesty.  Surprisingly, Lodi who is a Muslim herself does not cover her hair.  She approaches fashion from a straightforward approach.  While she does not avoid the topic of religion, she also does not force it on readers.  As a non-Muslim myself, I learned a great deal about Islamic fashion while not feeling like I was being proselytized to.  It was interesting to see how modesty standards vary within even the Muslim community itself.  While some Muslim models are celebrated as heroes, others are criticized as not being modest enough.  From those who argue over whether or not to cover one's hair to what specific hair covering is appropriate, there is a myriad of opinions.  There are even those who argue over colors, sparkles, and even nail polish.  Lodi does a good job representing diverse opinions without overtly favoring one over the other.  This book is a great read for people of all faiths (or none) who want to learn more about modest fashion.  It should be noted that this book is more academic / historical and is not in any way any sort of "how to" guide for modest dressing.  Aside from a few color photos in the middle of the book, this is primarily text.

"Crown of Creation" by Chana Weisberg

 

Chana Weisberg is one of my favorite teachers when it comes to women and Judaism.  While this book is a tad more academic than leisurely, it is fascinating nonetheless.  Chana walks readers thru the lives of Sara, Rebecca, Ruth, Esther, and more.  Through both biblical and talmudic sources, she weaves together tales of mystical proportions.  All of this is done in an attempt to understand the spiritual forces behind the actions of great Jewish women.  I found this book to be very thought-provoking.

Children's Shabbat Books

These various children's books all center around the Jewish theme of Shabbat.  In "Shabbat Shalom" by Douglas Florian, kids enjoy a wooden book with bright colors walking them thru preparation for a delicious Shabbat dinner.  In "Chik Chak Shabbat" by Mara Rockliff, young readers see how a whole community comes together to make food for their cholent chef when she is ill.  In "On Shabbat" by Cathy Fishman, kids are walked thru Shabbat customs with a keen eye for tradition.  In "Around the World in One Shabbat" by Durga Bernhard, children see how families all around the globe celebrate Shabbat differently.  In "Soosie the Horse that Saved Shabbat", kids are delighted to see a horse deliver challah all around town.  In "Dinosaur on Shabbat" by Diane Rauchwerger, little ones laugh along at a dinosaur's clumsy attempts at celebrating Shabbat.  In "The Shabbat Princess" by Amy Meltzer, girls vicariously live thru the Shabbat Queen as they dress up in their finest attire.  All in all, these children's books are rather delightful.  They are an excellent way to take a relaxing break on any Shabbat of the year.  Enjoy!

"Midnight Sun" by Stephenie Meyer

 I remember years ago reading the Twilight Series as a teenager.  The story of a girl falling in love with a vampire was very popular.  Four books and four movies later, the author was an international sensation.  All of the books from the original series are written from the perspective of the female protagonist--Bella.  I recall years ago there were musings that the author was writing a parallel book telling the same story but this time from the male vampire's perspective--Edward.  Unfortunately, someone leaked a few chapters from the manuscript onto the internet.  Upset from this betrayal, the author Meyer halted all work and publication of the book.  Much to my surprise, I discovered she recently changed her mind.  Meyer both finished and published her book.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Although, it should be noted that this book is really just the first Twilight book from Edward the vampire's perspective.  It does not cover Edward's side of things throughout all four books of the original series.  Nevertheless, it does give readers enough of a window into his mind to understand how he feels.

"Miraculous Living" by Rabbi Shoni Labowitz

Beautifully written and thoughtfully organized, this book takes readers on a guided journey of kabbalah thru the ten gates of the tree of life.  Each of the ten "gates" is preceded by a summary of the gate.  Each subsequent chapter (only a few pages at a time) starts off with double quotations.  One quote is from Jewish sources while one quote is from Taoist / Buddhist sources.  The author weaves traditional Judaism in with eastern religious principles.  Though each chapter is quick enough to read in ten minutes, readers will find themselves mulling over the words time and time again.  The book is written in such a concise yet profound way.  There is no "fluff" or paragraphs for the sake of paragraphs.  Rather, each sentence is carefully crafter to lure the reader deeper into their own soul awakening.

 

"Jews, God and History" by Max I Dimont

 

Recommended to me by a friend, this book packed a punch when it came to historical commentary.  Starting at the beginning of the Bible and ending with the current day, the author historian chronicles the Jewish journey through time.  Many civilizations have risen and fallen.  Many have been absorbed into other civilizations.  But something special not only made Judaism survive but also blessed the nations where Jews settled.  Dimont follows the Jews through centuries and continents, noting the changes in economics, law, and culture.  He argues that the Jewish people aren't so much a "lucky charm" as God's chosen people but rather a mass of ideas that has catapulted the world into a more civilized age.  Excellently written and unusually captivating for a history book, this tale of the Jewish saga does not disappoint.

"20 Minute Kabbalah" by Wayne Dosick and Ellen Kaufman Dosick

 

This is a wonderful book to help every person get more in touch with G-d.  After a quick introduction to kabbalah, the book jumps right into the characteristics of G-d and twenty minute meditations.  The meditations are in both Hebrew and English.  There is even a CD included full of songs and chants to help readers get into the meditative mood.  There is also a list of questions in the book related to each of G-d's traits.  This is perfect for contemplative time, journal prompts, or even a book club.  My favorite part of this book is that it encourages everyone to connect to G-d.  People like Moses were special, sure, but they weren't divine.  If G-d can speak to Moses, He can speak to you too!

"The Rules" by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider

 

Lauded as one of the best old school guidebooks for women, this book does not disappoint.  While some of its advice can appear outdated and conservative, there is a commonsense undercurrent that few can argue with.  The authors encourage women to be their best selves both physically and mentally.  They also discourage women from approaching men, opting instead for them to be mysterious and aloofly available.  With modern feminist ladies and career women, many have a "go get them" mentality that is truly counterproductive.  The authors attest that if a man is not approaching a woman, he is simply not interested.  While it can be difficult to not approach a man a woman is interested in, these rules claim to lead to marriage.  Wait for a man to approach you and be a little hard to get.  Don't chase men, don't ask men out, don't be at the beck and call of men, and live your life.  Allow men to delight in the thrill of the chase and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised with romantic attention and (hopefully) a diamond ring.

"The Fine Art of Small Talk" by Debra Fine

 This small book is worth its weight in gold!  Written by an engineer who described herself as shy with social anxiety, this book provides the blueprint to successful conversations.  The chapters are short and to the point.  Readers learn how to approach others, what to say, what not to say, how to listen well, how to keep conversation going, and--most of all--how to be liked.  Whether in one's business or personal life, the art of small talk is extremely valuable.  Make and keep both friends and colleagues with the practical tips included herein.  I personally got reminded myself of habits I need to form and habits I need to break.  No skill in life may be as important as carrying a good conversation, and this book can help you do just that.

"Kabbalah for Beginners" by Rav Michael Laitman PhD

 

Organized as a series of seven essays, this book gives an introduction to the world of Kabbalah.  It discusses the upper world, the ego, desires, souls, and much more.  It is somewhat of an academic book in that it does not read very informally.  As the cover implies, these essays are best read on a contemplative day in nature.  This book is more for calming one's soul and deepening understanding than actually understanding every single nuance of Kabbalah.  While it doesn't hold a candle to Berg's writings, it is a fascinating book nonetheless.