Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life by Nigel Marsh

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Nigel Marsh is about to have his world turned upside down. While recovering from an embarrassing surgery, this stressed husband and father of four was fired from his job. He decides to take some time to rediscover himself and share more quality time with his family. What follows is a frank and honest insight into one man’s experiences with hands-on parenting, training for an ocean swimming race, the battling of alcoholism and the many other issues he must learn to juggle.

This book was a laugh a minute. Even at the most saddest of moments the humour of Nigel Marsh shines through. There were many laugh-out-loud moments as I ventured through the pages but my favourite parts of the book were by far those involving his relationships with the children. In the early days when he rushes to take them to school I found myself both howling with laughter and wanting to give the author an enormous hug. I also found it enlightening as I witnessed the various reactions to his new role in life. It’s amazing how in a world where woman can do anything they choose to, a guy reversing the roles can still seem so abnormal.

Throughout the book, the author shows himself to be full of wit, grace, compassion and many other great qualities. He rises to the multitude of challenges and conquers each, though not always in the way he expects. I am in awe of his fearlessness and determination.

It is a great book. I found it funny, inspiring, honest, brilliant, and a joy to read. It’s a great choice for those seeking a book with a feel-good factor as I was positively glowing by the last page. I love that the author took what could have been a bad situation and rather than let it get him down, turned his life around and took back control. The world could use more books like this one.

Author's website http://www.fatfortyandfired.com/

Now That I Have Cancer I Am Whole: Reflections on Life and Healing for Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them by John Robert McFarland

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Now That I have Cancer I am Whole is a refreshing and greatly inspirational book. John Robert McFarland shares with the reader, his experiences with Cancer which are vast. As a survivor himself, McFarland has many thoughts and opinions on the struggle with this disease. In the latter part of the book, he also shares brief accounts of his experiences as a loved one, supporting his Father, Mother, Wife, Daughter, and Grandson through their own battles.

The book is in two parts. In part one we are given meditations from the author on the subjects of diagnosis, surgery and recovery, gearing up (to fight), treatment, thinking about death, taking responsibility, counting blessings, attitude adjustment, action adjustment, dealing with others (saying no), dealing with others (saying yes), dealing with our feelings, looking for answers, hitting stride (moving forward) and lastly, exams.

In this part, we witness parts of John's journey. His hopes, strengths and what seems like an unfailing optimistic outlook. I say seems, as John is also courageous enough to share his fears and weaknesses, his vulnerability. It is a frank and honest account, spoken from the heart, and at times sprinkled with humour which catches the reader offguard. I didn't imagine I could ever hold a book with such a title, and find myself laughing out loud but that is exactly what happened. He takes the subject of Cancer and splashes positivity and light onto it, making it just a little bit less scary.

In the second part, the author directs the content at those who love Cancer patients. He deals with the subjects of long-term surviving, when a parent or sibling is the patient, when a spouse is the patient, and when a child or grandchild is the patient. Throughout the book the author has a way of putting the reader at ease and sharing his experience in a non-frightening, not-patronizing way. Along with his personal thoughts and feelings, he shares anecdotes and jokes which really made the book a captivating read.

What I had expected with this book, was an account of the cancer experience, a dark read, even maybe at times technical. What I got was one man's personal message for hope. John Robert McFarland was given 1-2 years to live at the time of his diagnosis. He decided to take control of his life, not just co-operating with the medical system, but actively fighting the disease on another level and eventually beating it. It was a truly touching read and if I highly recommend it for anyone who has had cancer touch their lives.

"Yiddishe Mamas" : The Truth About the Jewish Mother by Marnie Winston-Macauley

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Marnie Winston-Macauley holds nothing back as she delves into every aspect of the Jewish Mother. Finally a book that shows real mothers in real situations which are sometimes heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking but always, always truly inspiring.

Jewish Mothers have always been a comical subject. No matter what your ethnic background, you will have experienced it in some form, even in sitcoms it's a popular choice for getting the laughs. While this book does have a great amount of hilarity in it also, the reader is treated to an insightful and refreshing look at many incredible women.

The book has clearly been brilliantly researched and while I had expected the humour and stereotypes that are found within the pages, I hadn't expected the latter chapters to deal with the inquisition and the holocaust - which I was positively thrilled with. Other favourite sections of this book for me, were The Jewish Mother Experience and Experienced: A Bissel of Information, Commentary, Debate, Anecdotes and Humour which covers so much from Yiddish and Yinglish, to Nakhes (pride), Bubbes (Grandmas) and more, and Yes, They, Too, Are Jewish Mothers which covers many Jewish Mothers who achieved so much in their lives. Some accounts that I especially loved were from the Pioneer and Colonial times.

You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this book and I can't imagine anyone reading this and regretting it. It's a perfect mix of personal anecdotes and historical fact, blended with humour, wit, and passion. I also like that just when I reached the end of the book - which I couldn't put down - and thought I couldn't possibly find anything more to love about it, I found The Aleph-baiz of Jewish Mother Humor, Selected Biographies and Selected Bibliographies, all of which are wonderful resources. This is a fantastic book that will never let you see Jewish Mothers the same way again. As for me personally, I found myself wishing I had a Yiddishe Mama of my very own.

Author's website: http://www.ask-sadie.com/

Kabbalah 365, Daily Fruit from the Tree of Life by Gershon Winkler

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

In this book, Gershon Winkler, a longtime practitioner and interpreter of the Kabbalah, brings us a wonderful and inspirational collection of valuable life teachings that are sourced from rare Kabbalistic writings and oral traditions. These messages which give much food for thought are offered over 365 days and the book also has an index at the back so you can find the days which contain the subject you wish to focus on for that moment.

I read through this in a couple of days as I wanted to be able to write the review based on the whole book but I will be using it in the way it is intended also, as each daily message deserves a lot more focus than I could give over a couple of minutes.

This book is a great first step for anyone who is interested in the Kabbalah and while my understanding is that it is primarily Jewish, I can understand why many people from all walks of life, and all religions, are turning to this piece of wisdom. There are so many important lessons in this text and many of the messages that spoke to me, were of being kind to those around us, showing compassion and so on. In short, focussing on things which in this day and age seem to have been forgotten.

This book is a brilliant reminder of just how small, yet precious, each of us is.

I loved so many of these messages but my favourites had to be:

So long as the petals of the rose are folded shut, she has no aroma and does not rise above the thorns. But when she opens her petals, she gives forth aroma and stands out above the thorns. Likewise, so long as our hearts are closed and we are not open to turning our lives around, our auras lack luster and we fade into oblivion. But when we open ourselves up to turning our lives around, we sparkle and we rise above the mediocre and transcend painfulness. -- Sefer Ha'Zohar, Vol 4, folio 232b.

All kisses that are inspired by love wield the power to join the two in total oneness without any quality of seperateness. These kinds of kisses merge one with the other, merge universes with universes, forging all diversity into total unity, so that all becomes one. -- Zohar Chadash 63:4

Why in the beginning was the human created singular? To demonstrate the preciousness of the human, that destroying a single human being would be akin to destroying an entire world, and saving a single human would be akin to saving an entire world. --Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 38a

These are just three of the 365 messages found within this book. Whatever your beliefs are, I believe that no-one who reads this book could fail to come away from it feeling more enlightened. For me, it spoke volumes and it's a book I will be referencing often.

Gershon Winkler is a co-founder and executive director of the Walking Stick Foundation. Learn more here