Amy Lyman reviews From Depression to Contentment

From the moment I saw the eagle soaring above the snow-capped peaks on Bob Rich’s From Depression to Contentment: A Self-Therapy Book, I was hoping the pages inside would be as captivating. I am not disappointed.

I personally do depression, as Dr. Rich would say. After reading this guide, I have many new tools in my belt. From self-care to spirituality, Dr. Rich draws on case studies, cultural and historical references to inspire and help the reader. There is a lot of great information in here. Be prepared to come away with quite a reading list.

Personally, I found many aha! moments. Some even brought me to tears.

The language is lovely. There is even beautiful poetry, quite a contrast to a dark, ugly disorder.

My favorite section is the one on Mitzvahs, or secret good deeds. After Dr. Rich shared his own mitzvahs, I find myself not only wanting to read more of his work but also wanting to meet him for a cup of coffee. Compassion and vulnerability shine through each chapter.

As an author with a title character raven, the fact there were no less than seven bird references is not lost on me.

A recurring theme in the book is Something works for everyone, but nothing works for everyone. Dr. Rich does a fantastic job exploring different treatment options and emphasizing the importance of good self-care.

A must read. I highly recommend this book.

Amy Lyman, Children’s book author, Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka: How Play Therapy can Help Children with Depression

The Last Huck [PB]

SKU 978-1-61599-805-0
$19.95
On Sale
was $21.95 Save $2.00
A Novel
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-805-0
Brand: Modern History Press
Binding: Paperback
Audiobook: Audible, iTunes
Edition: 1st
Author: J.D. Austin
Pages: 202
Publication Date: 04/01/2023

"The Last Huck stands out as one of the most impressive debut novels of this decade." --Joseph D. Haske, author of North Dixie Highway

Jakob, Niklas and Peter Kinnunen grew up playing together on their family's berry farm on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan's U.P. The three of them inherit the land when their beloved uncle passes away, but Jakob goes to prison and Peter, who goes broke during the 2008 financial crash, calls Niklas and suggests they sell the land for fast cash. Niklas fights back against Peter, but Peter convinces Niklas to take a trip up north, from their homes in Milwaukee, to visit the place and get closure. Haunted by their childhoods and the absence of their beloved Jakob, they spend the weekend drinking, fighting, reminiscing and trying to figure out whether or not to sell. Woven together with moments going back four generations, The Last Huck is the saga of a family ravaged by time and modernity, yet holding on to one another for dear life.

"In his first novel, J.D. Austin vividly captures the painful conflicts among the young men as they spend one last weekend in a place that were the scenes of their happiest childhood memories." --Jon C. Stott, author, Summers at the Lake: Upper Michigan Moments and Memories

"We are a large country with many regional literatures. I find the analogy between the 19th-century regional novel and J.D. Austin's The Last Huck provocative and literate." -Donald M. Hassler, Professor Emeritus of English, Kent State University

"The adventure that ensues not only immediately draws the reader in, but does so in a fashion that makes it virtually impossible to put the book down. It is always a joy for seasoned sojourners to witness young talent, such as J. D. Austin, blossom and flourish as we pass through this life." --Michael Carrier (MA NYU), author, Jack Handler Murder Mysteries / Hardboiled Thrillers

"The Last Huck stands out as one of the most impressive debut novels of this decade. The characters, sardonic, clever, and intensely authentic, efficaciously propel Austin's masterful narrative through the backdrop of Michigan's Upper Peninsula like skate blades cutting Lake Superior ice in late winter. With this splendid, unforgettable, first effort, J.D. Austin proves himself a name to watch out for in American letters." --Joseph D. Haske, author of North Dixie Highway

J.D. AUSTIN has resided in the Keweenaw since 2019. He has worked as a kayak guide, ski technician and stage carpenter, among other vocations. Austin's fiction has appeared in The Incandescent Review and U.P. Reader Vol. 7. The Last Huck is his first novel.

Save this product for later
Share this product with your friends
The Last Huck [PB]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *