Self Help – Ryan's Book Blog

Food Rules an Eater’s Manual

April 8, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2009, Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan presents a set of straightforward guidelines aimed at helping people make better food choices in a modern environment filled with processed foods and conflicting dietary advice. Drawing on both traditional wisdom and contemporary nutrition science, Pollan organizes the book into three main principles: “Eat food,” “Mostly plants,” and “Not too much.” He distills these concepts into 64 concise rules, such as “Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food” and “Avoid food products containing ingredients that no ordinary human would keep in the pantry.” The book is designed to be easy to reference and implement, promoting mindful and intentional eating without complex restrictions or calorie counting.

My Thoughts

A relatively quick and appropriate read on eating. Micheal Pollan has written several decent books on the subject, but this one is meant to be pithy and stick with the reader. It was personally inspiring and had me slowing down to enjoy my food. (At least for a while.)

Recommendation

A good read with some good reminders.

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

April 1, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2016, 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest is a collection of short essays that explore themes related to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, personal growth, and mental habits. Drawing on psychological insights and philosophical ideas, the essays encourage readers to examine their thought patterns, confront uncomfortable truths, and reframe how they approach challenges and relationships. The book compiles content originally written for various online platforms and is organized in a non-linear way, allowing readers to engage with the material in any order.

My Thoughts

This collection of essays varied in quality, but overall I enjoyed and agreed with the majority of what was said. I liked it so much that I listened to it twice.

Recommendation

Somewhat sporadic but worth the time.

Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real Good

March 25, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2023, Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real Good by Brenna Blain explores the role of doubt, difficult questions, and personal struggles in the context of Christian faith. Drawing from her own experiences with mental illness, same-sex attraction, and spiritual uncertainty, Blain encourages readers to bring their most challenging and uncomfortable questions into their relationship with God rather than hiding them. She emphasizes that faith does not require the absence of doubt but can coexist with it, suggesting that growth often comes through wrestling with what feels unsafe to ask.

My Thoughts

I really struggled with this book. Blain shares very raw and largely unfiltered thoughts about her life, which were very hard to relate to. I believe her intent was the exact opposite by trying to show her weaknesses to become approachable. However, she came off as entitled, ungrateful, and she just plain misses the point.

Much of what she says is good and works with my belief system. Christ does love us, and God is indeed good. However, Christ is not “madly in love with us,” nor is He “broken with us.” Perhaps the limitations of the English word “love” led to some confusion, but there were several points she didn’t quite get right. My main concern with her perspective is how she repeatedly blames God for her struggles. God isn’t a snowplow or helicopter parent whose role is to remove all hardship from our lives. This mortal experience is meant for learning and growth, which can’t happen if we are treated like spoiled children. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Blain’s version of God is one who makes no demands, but I believe God loves us too much to expect so little from us.

She made a good attempt to pull it all together at the end, but it was only the last few paragraphs. I honestly hope she does a better job reaching people in her ministry.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

How to Let Things Go

March 21, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published on November 12, 2024, How to Let Things Go: 99 Tips from a Zen Buddhist Monk to Relinquish Control and Free Yourself Up for What Matters by Shunmyo Masuno offers readers practical guidance on achieving a calmer, more focused life. Drawing from Zen Buddhist principles, the book presents 99 concise lessons that address modern challenges such as information overload and social media distractions. Masuno emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, embracing imperfection in relationships, and accepting that not everything is within our control. By adopting these practices, individuals can cultivate mental clarity and emotional well-being.

My Thoughts

This book was literally so good I had to go through it again. It was a short but highly applicable set of mantras and good ideas from someone who has thought about them for more than the usual 5-10 seconds. My favorites are “Be humble, be humble, be humble” and “stop with all the bragging”. There were a few that I can accept as good ideas, but I’m not quite ready to get rid of all my unused clothing. (Sometimes it gets cold and I need to match…)

Recommendation

Great read.

Maybe Everything is Okay

March 12, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in September 2024, “Maybe Everything Is Okay: A Parent’s Guide to Less Stress and Worry” by Allison Carmen introduces the “Maybe mindset,” a perspective designed to help parents manage the uncertainties of raising children. Building upon her previous work, “The Gift of Maybe,” Carmen offers strategies to reduce stress and embrace the unknown as a space filled with possibilities. This guide encourages parents to adopt a flexible approach, aiming to foster resilience and hope in both themselves and their children.

My Thoughts

The idea of framing everything with the word “maybe” is a decently sound method to minimize fear of the unknown. It aims to allow the mind to accept even a “bad” circumstance can end well. However, this is a hard sell to someone who is stuck in the victim or control mindset. It also didn’t speak much to creating other possibilities. However, I agree it is beneficial to keep an open mind to positive outcomes rather than stay mired in disappointment. If “maybe” get’s you there then I’m happy for you. Still, don’t forget that most emotions have their uses. Anger and disappointment have been very useful to me in terms of motivation to action and I’ve done some of my best work while emotionally upset.

When it comes to parenting, sometimes the best thing a kid needs to hear is, “no”. Ask any kid what it really means when their mom replies to a request with “maybe”. Maybe is not a word I would have gone with for this concept though it is descriptive. Perhaps, not necessarily, you never know, in shāʾ Allāh, or a host of others may have been a better fit. Maybe…

Recommendation

Not a bad read and some good reminders.

The 5 Resets

March 8, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published on January 16, 2024, “The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience” by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar presents five actionable mindset shifts designed to help readers manage stress and prevent burnout. Dr. Nerurkar reframes stress as a natural biological response that, when properly managed, can enhance well-being. The book introduces the following five resets:

Get Clear on What Matters Most
Find Quiet in a Noisy World
Sync Your Brain and Your Body
Come Up for Air
Bring Your Best Self Forward

Each reset is accompanied by three science-backed techniques, offering readers practical tools to recalibrate their relationship with stress and enhance resilience.

My Thoughts

This book was a good compilation of ideas and techniques to reframe, reset, rethink, and just make life a little easier. There were multiple times during my reading where I stopped and thought, “I should do that.” Fortunately, there were some that I have done and even some I’m still doing.

I find it is worth the time and effort to read one of these books every now and again. The motivation fades over time and it is easy to fall back into the same patterns.

Recommendation

Slow start but a good read.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

February 24, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2018, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” by Margareta Magnusson introduces the Swedish concept of “döstädning,” which involves decluttering one’s possessions to simplify life and alleviate the burden on loved ones after one’s passing. Drawing from personal experiences, Magnusson provides practical advice on determining which items to keep and which to discard, aiming to make the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. The book encourages readers to embrace minimalism, fostering thoughtful consideration of their belongings and the memories associated with them.

My Thoughts

I’ve enjoyed the ideas of minimalism and more particularly as we come to the later years. I have a great deal of stuff as I imagine most of us do. I had a birthday relatively recently and was asked what I wanted for it. That’s a hard question really. I am blessed with both inexpensive needs and enough funds to cover those moderate needs. Thus, I really don’t lack for anything and have no idea what I might want for my birthday. (Particularly since it would be purchased with my own funds.)

The flip side of that coin is I am happy with my stuff. Yes, it is always good to go through your things and I am a fan of the less is more mentality. Yet, I am someone who will keep those left over screws and bolts knowing there will be a time they will come in handy. This book does a great job of explaining how to get started and how to have the proper frame of mind to move forward.

I loved the idea of downsizing by giving things away to people you care about. I had my grandfathers hammer after he died, which meant a great deal to me. However, it would have meant much more to me if he had given it to me himself with a few stories about how it was used. I really have to look at why I’m keeping things and for what purpose. (The chances aren’t great, but it could happen.)

Recommendation

A good read and relatively quick

Supercommunicators

February 17, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection” by Charles Duhigg examines the elements that make conversations effective and how individuals can enhance their communication skills in both professional and personal contexts. Duhigg identifies three types of conversations—practical, emotional, and social—and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and aligning with each to foster meaningful connections. Through a blend of research and storytelling, he provides insights into understanding the underlying layers of dialogue, enabling readers to become more effective communicators.

My Thoughts

I heard about this book on a podcast and it seemed interesting. It started out very strong and was doing a great job outlining why and how being a “super communicator” is both beneficial and possible. This is the reason I wanted to read the book, yet toward the end was unfortunate. Duhigg delved into the world of DEI, which seemed like overreach. Still, it was a good read.

Recommendation

Not bad.

How to Flourish

January 31, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in June 2023, “How to Flourish: An Ancient Guide to Living Well” is an abridged translation of Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics” by Susan Sauvé Meyer. This work distills Aristotle’s exploration of human flourishing, emphasizing the cultivation of virtue through habitual practice and intellectual engagement. Aristotle provides practical guidance on various aspects of daily life, including managing emotions, financial prudence, and social interactions, while also distinguishing different forms of wisdom essential for a fulfilling life. Meyer’s translation aims to make these classical insights more accessible to contemporary readers, offering connecting commentary and presenting the original Greek text alongside the English translation.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I read this nearly 3 week ago and I don’t remember any takeaways from the book. It gave a lot of generalizations but nothing worth remembering.

Recommendation

Just read the Nicomachean Ethics straight from the source.

How to Innovate

January 14, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2021 “How to Innovate: An Ancient Guide to Creative Thinking”, edited by Armand D’Angour, draws on Aristotle’s philosophical concepts to explore the nature of creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. This is a modern work interpreting Aristotle’s methods and ideas. The book delves into how Aristotle’s views on rhetoric, ethics, and practical reasoning can inspire fresh thinking in contemporary challenges. By examining ancient wisdom, the text provides insights into fostering ingenuity, addressing obstacles, and applying logical yet imaginative approaches to innovation in various fields.

My Thoughts

I don’t know that I came away with anything practical in this work. There seemed to be a number of anecdotes and various ideas spread throughout the book but there wasn’t much of a takeaway. For example, the image on the cover was Aristotle’s famed “Eureka” moment of figuring out how to discover the volume of a complex object. The story was told but there wasn’t much in the way of how to apply the principles to everyday life. Perhaps I’ve read too much on the subject of creative thinking to notice the point the author was trying to make.

Recommendation

I’d skip this one.