Collection: Self-Development

Take the stress out of wedding planning with this month-by-month, pocket-size guide that simplifies the ins and outs of saying I do!

Whether you're eloping at city hall or throwing a reception for all of your friends and family to attend, How to Plan a Wedding is a checklist-in-a-guide that helps you knock out to-dos and divvy up tasks so you can enjoy every minute of your engagement. Based on a twelve-month countdown that can be condensed or expanded to fit your needs, this book is ready for you to earmark and scribble in--take the wedding style quiz and use the lines throughout to jot down your ideas. This book is portable enough that you'll want to carry it to every venue visit (that's in month one), vendor appointment (month three), tasting (month four), and fitting (month ten). You can even bring it along for the ride to your bach party (plan that in month seven).

With inclusive tips for LGBTQ+ couples and multicultural ceremonies, How to Plan a Wedding encourages you to choose the things you actually want at your wedding and skip those that don't matter. After all, this day is for the two of you--tie the knot however you wish!

Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Iris Apfel, the style icon and beloved tastemaker known for her eclectic eyewear! Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers!

This Little Golden Book about Iris Apfel--businessperson, interior designer, and fashion icon who has captivated the world with her colorful and unique style--is an inspiring read-aloud for young children.

Look for more Little Golden Book biographies:
- Misty Copeland
- Frida Kahlo
- Bob Ross
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Harriet Tubman

From fake news to conspiracy theories, from inflammatory memes to misleading headlines, misinformation has swiftly become the defining problem of our era. The crisis threatens the integrity of our democracies, our ability to cultivate trusting relationships, even our physical and psychological well-being--yet most attempts to combat it have proven insufficient. In Foolproof, one of the world's leading experts on misinformation lays out a crucial new paradigm for understanding and defending ourselves against the worldwide infodemic.

With remarkable clarity, Sander van der Linden explains why our brains are so vulnerable to misinformation, how it spreads across social networks, and what we can do to protect ourselves and others. Like a virus, misinformation infects our minds, exploiting shortcuts in how we see and process information to alter our beliefs, modify our memories, and replicate at astonishing rates. Once the virus takes hold, it's very hard to cure. Strategies like fact-checking and debunking can leave a falsehood still festering or, at worst, even strengthen its hold.

But we aren't helpless. As van der Linden shows based on award-winning original research, we can cultivate immunity through the innovative science of "prebunking" inoculating people against false information by preemptively exposing them to a weakened dose, thus empowering them to identify and fend off its manipulative tactics. Deconstructing the characteristic techniques of conspiracies and misinformation, van der Linden gives readers practical tools to defend themselves and others against nefarious persuasion--whether at scale or around their own dinner table.

Imagine mind-bending new worlds and express your creativity with more than 1,000 surprising images

From the same team that created the bestselling Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage comes this new collection of surprising images: a trip down the rabbit hole that will blow your mind and add new life to your collages. Every title in the Cut Up This Book series has all you need to create a host of surprising artworks of your own. There are more than 1,000 lively images--including backgrounds so you can create dramatic scenes--and a practical introduction will teach you the tricks of selection, composition, and juxtaposition that will fill your work with meaning and intrigue. Just bring scissors, glue, and your imagination!

The Ultimate Handbook for Success on the Spectrum - Written by and for Autistic People!

I feel like everyone else got a handbook with all the answers, and I never got my copy. This is a common thought among autistic people, because society is built with neurotypical people in mind--but that handbook has finally arrived. Even better, it was written by an autism activist who is on the spectrum himself.

Autistic influencer Daniel M. Jones is an expert on living well on the spectrum. No matter what you're going through as someone with autism, Dan gets it--he's been there. He's here to explain everything he learned, and then some, in this instruction manual and memoir about life as an autistic person. Dan's book is packed with actionable advice that readers can immediately start putting into practice. You'll learn how to navigate common challenges, such as dating on the spectrum, holding down a job, or performing well in school. Best of all, you'll learn to improve your life while also empowering yourself.

Dan's honesty, self-awareness, and sheer knowledge of autism make for a down-to-earth and relatable read that anyone will enjoy. No matter where you are on the spectrum, you'll love this hilarious and comprehensive guide to living an excellent life as an autistic adult.

Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Man's Guide to Sex and Recovery provides insight for gay men struggling with the issues of sex and recovery, and for the professionals who work with them. The reader is equipped not only with essential information on the problems of drugs and sexuality, but also with solutions in the form of tools and resources that will support him along his path. The book is unique in its blend of therapeutic perspectives of addiction and sex therapy, from which Dr. Fawcett has integrated the most useful concepts and tools. Additionally, detailed case studies will assist clinicians who, in Dr. Fawcett's many trainings for professionals, have asked for material on substance use, identity, and sexuality in gay-identified men. These insights and tools will be helpful not only in the early stages of sobriety, but for an individual's continuing personal evolution of recovery as well.

The book is divided into three parts to help guide the reader through this multifaceted topic. The first part, "The Perfect Storm," examines how, through the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, methamphetamine has phenomenal power to change one's mood and entice the user to ingest ever-increasing amounts of the drug. The role of excitement, risk, and even boredom are explored, along with the vulnerabilities of some gay men who find themselves feeling unattractive, left out, or disconnected and utilize meth to soothe these feelings. Finally, this part of the book explores the unfortunate intersection of meth, the gay community, and the rise of dangerous health concerns such as HIV/AIDS.

The second part, "Exploring the Sexual Universe," provides a sex therapist's perspective on sexual desire and how eroticism develops in the brain, an elaborate world of sexual templates, scripts, and themes that methamphetamine penetrates and distorts. This section also highlights exciting discoveries of neurobiology and the direct impact of the brain's plasticity on the profound problem of the fusion of meth and sex. Dopamine is the central player in the drama of both the feelings produced by drug use and the consequent hijacking of sexual desire. New discoveries about the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to compulsive behaviors shed light both on the harmful consequences of drug use and clues about recovery.

The final part, "Restoring Your Life," explores the process of recovery from this drug in detail, with chapters on specific skills derived from thousands of hours working with clients, managing of feelings, and rethinking perspectives on sex. The reader will find that, with increased distance from the drug, such powerful emotions as vulnerability, anxiety, or shame, which once were buried by meth use, now provide direction to promote emotional transformations that ultimately enrich both the sexual and emotional life. Finally, the reader is guided in rebuilding relationships with himself, his loved ones, and the community as he continues in recovery.

Gay men and their helping professionals will find the information in these pages illuminating and motivating as they create lives of recovery from addiction as well as fulfilling and joyous sexual expression.

A professor of religious studies meticulously documents his insights from 73 high-dose LSD sessions conducted over the course of 20 years

- Chronicles, with unprecedented rigor, the author's systematic journey into a unified field of consciousness that underlies all physical existence

- Makes a powerful case for the value of psychedelically induced spiritual experience and discusses the challenge of integrating these experiences into everyday life

- Shows how psychedelic experience can take you beyond self-transformation into collective transformation and help birth the future of humanity

On November 24, 1979, Christopher M. Bache took the first step on what would become a life-changing journey. Drawing from his training as a philosopher of religion, Bache set out to explore his mind and the mind of the universe as deeply and systematically as possible--with the help of the psychedelic drug LSD. Following protocols established by Stanislav Grof, Bache's 73 high-dose LSD sessions over the course of 20 years drew him into a deepening communion with cosmic consciousness.

Journey alongside professor Bache as he touches the living intelligence of our universe--an intelligence that both embraced and crushed him--and demonstrates how direct experience of the divine can change your perspective on core issues in philosophy and religion. Chronicling his 73 sessions, the author reveals the spiral of death and rebirth that took him through the collective unconscious into the creative intelligence of the universe. Making a powerful case for the value of psychedelically induced spiritual experience, Bache shares his immersion in the fierce love and creative intent of the unified field of consciousness that underlies all physical existence. He describes the incalculable value of embracing the pain and suffering he encountered in his sessions and the challenges he faced integrating his experiences into his everyday life. His journey documents a shift from individual consciousness to collective consciousness, from archetypal reality to Divine Oneness and the Diamond Luminosity that lies outside cyclic existence.

Pushing the boundaries of theory and practice, the author shows how psychedelic experience can take you beyond self-transformation into collective transformation, beyond the present into the future, revealing spirit and matter in perfect balance.

A moving and deeply personal excavation of Indigenous beauty and passion in a suffering world

The novel Jonny Appleseed established Joshua Whitehead as one of the most exciting and important new literary voices on Turtle Island, winning both a Lambda Literary Award and Canada Reads 2021. In Making Love with the Land, his first nonfiction book, Whitehead explores the relationships between body, language, and land through creative essay, memoir, and confession.

In prose that is evocative and sensual, unabashedly queer and visceral, raw and autobiographical, Whitehead writes of an Indigenous body in pain, coping with trauma. Deeply rooted within, he reaches across the anguish to create a new form of storytelling he calls "biostory"--beyond genre, and entirely sovereign. Through this narrative perspective, Making Love with the Land recasts mental health struggles and our complex emotional landscapes from a nefarious parasite on his (and our) well-being to kin, even a relation, no matter what difficulties they present to us. Whitehead ruminates on loss and pain without shame or ridicule but rather highlights waypoints for personal transformation. Written in the aftermath of heartbreak, before and during the pandemic, Making Love with the Land illuminates this present moment in which both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are rediscovering old ways and creating new ones about connection with and responsibility toward each other and the land.

Intellectually audacious and emotionally compelling, Whitehead shares his devotion to the world in which we live and brilliantly--even joyfully--maps his experience on the land that has shaped stories, histories, and bodies from time immemorial.

Discover the mystery and wonder of lunar magic in this illustrated introduction to the enchanted world of the moon.

Of all the celestial bodies, the moon brings with it the most mystery, beauty, and opportunity for cleansing renewal. In Moon Magic, author and witch Nikki Van De Car introduces readers to the astrological significance of the moon, and guides readers through spells, incantations, and renewing rituals associated with lunar magic. From honoring the Full Moon and New Moon to cleansing crystals and inviting dreams, explore the divine energy and enriching practices associated with this planetary body.

From the late feminist icon and New York Times bestselling author of All About Love, an in-depth look at one of the most critical issues facing African Americans: a collective wounded self-esteem that has prevailed from slavery to the present day.

"Each offering from bell hooks is a major event, as she has so much to give us." --Maya Angelou

Why do so many African-Americans--whether privileged or poor, urban or suburban, young or old--live in a state of chronic anxiety, fear, and shame? Rock My Soul: Black People and Self-Esteem breaks through collective denial and dares to tell this truth--that crippling low self-esteem has reached epidemic proportions in our lives and in our diverse communities. With visionary insight, hooks exposes the underlying reality that it has been difficult--if not impossible--for our nation to create a culture that promotes and sustains healthy self-esteem. Without self-esteem people begin to lose their sense of agency. They feel powerless. They feel they can only be victims. The need for self-esteem never goes away. But it is never too late for any of us to acquire the healthy self-esteem that is needed for a fulfilling life.

hooks gets to the heart and soul of the African-American identity crisis, offering critical insight and hard-won wisdom about what it takes to heal the scars of the past, promote and maintain self-esteem, and lay down the roots for a grounded community with a prosperous future. She examines the way historical movements for racial uplift fail to sustain our quest for self-esteem.

Moving beyond a discussion of race, she identifies diverse barriers keeping us from well-being: the trauma of abandonment, constant shaming, and the loss of personal integrity. In highlighting the role of desegregation, education, the absence of progressive parenting, spiritual crisis, or fundamental breakdowns in communication between black women and men, bell hooks identifies mental health as the new revolutionary frontier--and provides guidance for healing within the black community.

From the bestselling author of Quiet Girl in a Noisy World comes a gently humorous and poignant collection of comics about anxiety and depression--because sometimes even the simple things like getting out of bed every day feel like an uphill battle.

Everything Is OK is the story of Debbie Tung's struggle with anxiety and her experience with depression. She shares what it's like navigating life, overthinking every possible worst-case scenario, and constantly feeling like all hope is lost.

The book explores her journey to understanding the importance of mental health in her day-to-day life and how she learns to embrace the highs and lows when things feel out of control. Debbie opens up about deeply personal issues and the winding road to recovery, discovers the value of self-love, and rebuilds a more mindful relationship with her mental health.

In this graphic memoir, Debbie aims to provide positive and comforting messages to anyone who is facing similar difficulties or is just trying to get through a tough time in life. She hopes to encourage readers to be kinder to themselves, to know that they are not alone, and that it's okay to be vulnerable because they are not defined by their mental health struggles. The dark clouds won't be there forever. Everything will turn out all right.

Insane Number Hacks For Curious Adults And Daring Students!

In this epic book, you'll uncover 50 unbelievable ways you can manipulate numbers to solve equations, word problems and brain teasers in a flash, no calculator required. Math wizard Tanya Zakowich uses colorful diagrams and quirky explanations to help you see math as a creative tool you can use to quickly solve problems without confusion. Whether you want to divide huge numbers in your head, instantly know the square root of 5,489 or mentally calculate how much you'll spend on a Spotify subscription this year, you'll be able to get your answer in a matter of seconds. These mind-blowing tricks will teach you that numbers aren't just magical, they are an awesome resource for hacking the world around you!

Dissociation 101: The go-to guide for understanding your dissociative disorder, breaking the stigma, and healing from trauma-related dissociation.

"Just as important as The Body Keeps the Score (but an easier read for me)."
--5-star reader review

Guided by clinical counselor Jamie Marich--a trauma-informed clinician living with a dissociative disorder herself--this book tells you everything you need to know about dissociation...but were too afraid to ask.
Here, you'll learn:

• What dissociation is--and why it's a natural response to trauma

• How to understand and work with your "parts"--the unique emotional and behavioral profiles that can develop from personality fragmentation

• There's nothing shameful about dissociating--that, in fact, we can all dissociate

• Skills and strategies for living your best, authentic, and most fulfilled life

• What to look for in a therapist: choosing a healer who sees you and gets it

• Foundational elements of healing from trauma, including PTSD and C-PTSD

With practical guided exercises like "The Dissociative Profile" and "Parts Mapping," this book is written for those diagnosed with dissociative disorders, clinicians and therapists who treat trauma and dissociation, and readers who are exploring whether they may have dissociative symptoms or a condition like dissociative identity disorder (DID). Dissociation Made Simple breaks it all down accessibly and comprehensively, with empowerment and support--and without stigma, judgment, or shame.

108 practical teachings for cultivating mindfulness and compassion in the face of fear and uncertainty, from the author of When Things Fall Apart

Comfortable with Uncertainty offers short, stand-alone readings designed to help us cultivate compassion and awareness amid the challenges of daily living. More than a collection of thoughts for the day, it offers a progressive program of spiritual study, leading the reader through essential concepts, themes, and practices on the Buddhist path.

Readers do not need to have prior knowledge of Buddhist thought or practice, making Comfortable with Uncertainty a perfect introduction to Pema Chödrön's teaching. It features the most essential and stirring passages from Chödrön's previous books, exploring topics such as lovingkindness, meditation, mindfulness, "nowness," letting go, and working with fear and other painful emotions. Through the course of this book, readers will learn practical methods for heightening awareness and overcoming habitual patterns that block compassion.

A gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight, written and illustrated by the best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club - With a foreword by David Allen Sibley

"Unexpected and spectacular" --Ann Patchett, best-selling author of These Precious Days

"The drawings and essays in this book do a lot more than just describe the birds. They carry a sense of discovery through observation and drawing, suggest the layers of patterns in the natural world, and emphasize a deep personal connection between the watcher and the watched. The birds that inhabit Amy Tan's backyard seem a lot like the characters in her novels." --David Allen Sibley, from the foreword

Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world.

In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater--an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.

This bestselling book unveils the secrets to understanding the messages of your body, revealing the underlying causes of symptoms and medical conditions, and offers processes for healing-- featuring a Foreword written by Bernie Siegel, M.D.

Inna Segal, internationally recognized intuitive healer and author of The Secret of Life Wellness and The Secret Language of Color Cards, delves deeply into the possible reasons for mental, emotional, and physical ailments, revealing the underlying energetic causes of more than 300 symptoms and medical conditions. This inspiring and comprehensive handbook offers a unique, step-by-step method and practice to assist your body in returning to its natural state of health, including a free thirty-five-minute audio download where Inna helps you tune into your body for a powerful healing experience of self-care and well-being.

By encouraging you to connect with your innate healing intelligence and calling on your body's built-in ability to heal itself, Inna gently guides you on a journey of life-changing transformation and empowerment where you will:

--heal the mental, emotional, and energetic causes of physical ailments
--use easy, quick, practical exercises to heal your organs
--learn the secret language of disease and powerful processes for healing
--understand and release limiting thoughts and emotions
--discover how to use color to heal your life
--uncover and apply the messages your body has to teach you