Tag Archives: Mental Health

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (By Gail Honeyman)

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine : A NovelWhen I started this book, I was not able to put it down; I cannot wait to read about what happens next. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a story about “a quirky yet lonely woman whose social misunderstandings and deeply ingrained routines could be changed forever—if she can bear to confront the secrets she has avoided all her life. But if she does, she’ll learn that she, too, is capable of finding friendship—and even love—after all.” (goodread)

There weren’t many characters in this story. However, each of them are lovable and especially Eleanor–you really feel yourself grow with her through the story, and experience what she was feeling. She is truly weird and wonderful. This is an important book about mental health, family relationship, dealing with loss. Yet, Honeyman is able to take on an humorous tone that makes you laugh and cry.

This book is just published in May. Highly recommended!! Especially if you liked The Rosie Project, Courting Greta, Lost and Found, and anything like that, you will really enjoy this book.

A Long Way Down By Nick Hornby


Hornby is so good at illustrating our life’s unspeakable pain with acerbic humour. A Long Way Down is not actually about committing suicide. It is about how life can open up another chapter if we don’t die. On another new year’s eve, it makes me ponder how many people out there need a heart-to-heart conversation, and how we can start this conversation … I wish everyone a prosperous 2017. I also hope that we all can take a moment to care for the people around us.

Stoicism, Wabi Sabi and Constantly Moving Targets

Vague, confusing title.  Or perhaps intriguing and poetic?  Maybe both?  Neither?   Did you know that 1 in 10 people in the US is taking some form of psychiatric medication?  Did you know that the US is one of only 2 countries in the world that allows direct to consumer drug advertising?  When the Reagan administration was moving to pass legislation to first allow this advertising, the heads of many pharmaceutical companies actually opposed it.  Pharma heads were indeed a different breed at that time.  Slowly, slowly, one small decision at a time, one justification at a time, a whole culture shifts and a whole industry, …..well, darkens. Continue reading