Did you catch Part I and Part II of the HTP Book Club Series?  7 Inspiring Non-Fiction Fitness Books and 9 Intriguing Food Philosophy Books 

 

Review of Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of An All-Night Runner

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Heather from Dietitian on the Run wrote, “Dean’s insanely awesome tales of late-night runs, ultra marathons and breaking records will make you question every time you thought you were "tired" on a run. He pushes through any perceived human limit to find out what he’s really capable of, and just never stops going. He lets you into the thoughts of a 100-mile races, his "training" philosophies, a race in Antarctica, and the family musings of a guy who somehow balances it ALL. It brings a whole new perspective to distance running, and never discounts any efforts to progress into what a "challenge" means to you. This is definitely a must read for any runner, and especially motivating on those days and/or training cycles where you need a little extra push out the door.”

 

Review of What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets

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Sunny from Mind Sticker wrote, “A photography book that shows the diets of those around the world. A person is photographed with a day’s worth of food. There is quite a bit of variety around the world: from the Chinese professional gamer who drinks energy drinks all day with only one meal, to the American who works in the mall and eats there as well. I always enjoy peeking into others eating habits, so this is the safest way to do that without actually peeking into someone’s dining room. “

 

Review for Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

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Monica from Run, Eat, Repeat wrote, “My favorite "go get ’em" book is "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. While it technically a children’s book, the message can be applied to everyone. From the very first line Oh the Places tells you you’re destined for great things – it’s super motivational… "Congratulations! Today is your day.You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!"  I also love that it mentions how sometimes it’s going to be rough, and you’ve got to work through it. Books don’t have to be 78 chapters or full of SAT vocab words to send a great message. It doesn’t matter who you are – go after your dreams! The message is written simply, but super self-esteem boosting – a perfect 10 minute read when you need a positive push to keep going!”

 

Review of The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

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Theodora from Losing Weight In the City wrote, “After losing 50 pounds relatively quickly, I was really happy with my body and the changes I had made in my life, but I still wasn’t as happy as I thought I’d be. I still had a relatively negative outlook on life. After discovering Gretchen Rubin was coming to speak to a group I am a member of, I had to read her book, The Happiness Project! She talks about small changes you can make to change your perspective and focuses on each aspect of your life–your relationship with yourself, your relationships with family and friends, your career. It was an incredibly uplifting book and really taught me to appreciate the little things in life and realize that pain is usually temporary. My full review here.”

 

Review of Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-It Note at a Time

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Theodora from Losing Weight In the City wrote, “I’ve read Caitlin’s blog for awhile, and occasionally clicked over to Operation Beautiful when I was having a bad day, but when her book came out last summer, I read every word of it and took it to heart. I absolutely love the message of the book. We all put a ton of pressure on ourselves to be "perfect," whatever that is–rather than celebrating ourselves for who we are and what we’ve done. I love how Operation Beautiful changes the conversation to appreciate ourselves for who we are, because we are all beautiful in our own way.”   Melissa liked Operation Beautiful, too.  She wrote a full review here.

 

(Shameless self-promotion, I know, I know! 🙂 Thanks, Theodora and Melissa!)

 

Review of Taking Action: 30 Specific Strategies for Overcoming Emotional Eating

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Margarita from Psych Central’s Weightless wrote, “I loved fellow blogger Katie’s e-book! It provides genuinely practical and valuable ways to overcome emotional eating. It’s also well-written, honest, relatable and clear-cut. What I love is that these are specific, easy-to-understand strategies that you can implement. Katie breaks the book up into tips for before the urge to eat emotionally strikes, when the urge strikes and after the urge. So readers get tips to prevent episodes in the first place, tools to use in the moment and how to move forward in general. Emotional eating and binge eating are so misunderstood in our society, and thereby many of the solutions we hear in the media are just plain wrong. You don’t solve emotional eating with willpower, another diet or shaming and blaming yourself. When I struggled with emotional eating, that’s what I thought my options were. I wish this book was around then. Katie’s e-book is really a compassionate look at helping yourself. It also helps with improving your body image and finding self-acceptance. I think it’s an effective complement to therapy, too. So whether you’re seeking treatment or not (seeing a psychologist is important), this is a wonderful resource. It’s truly a toolbox that you’ll refer to regularly. Honestly, I can’t say enough great things about this book, and I highly recommend it!” 

 

Review of As Good as Gold: 1 Woman, 9 Sports, 10 Countries, and a 2-Year Quest to Make the Summer Olympics

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Sunny from Mind Sticker wrote, “Kathryn Bertine is 32 when ESPN issues a challenge; make it to the Summer Olympics within two years and she can blog about her adventures. She tries many sports; handball, luge, track cycling and racewalking. This is an interesting peek into the life of a well-rounded athlete as well as a peek into several sports that are often not as well-known. It also deals with the particulars of being a female athlete. I loved this book, but I feel that her final method to get into the Olympics may have been a little underhanded.”

 

Book Club Time!  Have you read any of these books, too?  What did you think of them?

{ 55 comments }

 

  • Freya April 22, 2011, 6:21 am

    I basically just added every single book to my Amazon wish-list- except from yours and Katie’s, cos I already have them 😀
    I especially want to read the 80 Diets one (I’m a nosy girl) and the Ultra Marathon man one. I would love to see the life of someone who does 100mile races!

  • cathy/kiki April 22, 2011, 6:41 am

    dean karnazes’ books are among my favourite motivational reads, and ultra marathon man is his best one. i second the motion to grab this one, if you can! dean’s writing voice turns the book into a dynamic read – his charisma shines through.
    awesome that dr seuss was included in this list! i read this one to my nieces; wonderful that a children’s book can still teach us adults a thing or two!

    love this “book club” series, caitlin! thanks!

  • Christine @ Burning It Off April 22, 2011, 6:48 am

    I’m really curious about “What I Eat.” I’m fascinated by other cultures and I’m also fascinated by food and people’s eating habits… so basically that would be the perfect book for me to read 😛

    • Tracy April 22, 2011, 9:28 am

      Yeah, I’m very intrigued by that book too. Off to Amazon…

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope April 22, 2011, 6:57 am

    Another awesome list! There is nothing quite like a book to get you motivated and inspired. “What I Eat” sounds so intriguing to me!

  • Kristy@RunTheLongRoad April 22, 2011, 6:58 am

    I love Oh, The Places You’ll Go! It was a high school graduation gift and I still read it occasionally. It’s very motivating!

  • Brooke @ The Bohemian Coconut April 22, 2011, 7:08 am

    Ultra Marathon Man was awesome! Dean Karnazes is a machine! great book recommendations!!

  • Lisa D. April 22, 2011, 7:09 am

    Hi! Those books all sound awesome. Did you know that in the first five minutes of the movie sunshine cleaning, amy adams-one of the main characters, reads a post-it note of affirmations off the bathroom mirror to herself? Perhaps someone has told you by now, but it is available instant streaming on netflix. Holler Operation beautiful

    • Caitlin April 22, 2011, 11:20 pm

      that is awesome!

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas April 22, 2011, 7:14 am

    I am so digging “What I Eat” – I feel like it would be very interesting to compare the different foods that people eat in a day all over the world. The changes are phenomenal, I bet.
    I have recently read “The Diary of an Exercise Addict” by Peach Friedman – a woman who is in recovery after years of compulsive eating, restricting, and excessive exercising as a means to purge calories. A great inside look to this ED – very relatable and inspiring.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) April 22, 2011, 7:30 am

    I am definitely checking these out. I think we all could use some inspiration from time to time…in life and in our quest for health. Thanks for sharing these!

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing April 22, 2011, 7:41 am

    Wow that “What I Eat” book looks fascinating! I’ll be adding that to my list.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 22, 2011, 7:43 am

    I love the “What I eat” book — I’ve only paged through it and to be honest I kind of forgot about it! I’ll have to check it out again.

  • Lee April 22, 2011, 7:50 am

    I really enjoyed most of The Happiness Project. The only chapter that I didn’t like was the don’t nag your husband one! 🙂

  • Krista @ Journey to a Healthy Berg April 22, 2011, 7:55 am

    I love Ultramarathon Man! I read that book in about 2 days over Christmas, and I recently just finished his latest book (Run!). They are both amazing and so inspiring. I also read his blog on Runners World 🙂

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table April 22, 2011, 7:59 am

    I LOVE that Oh the Places was included! That is probably my all-time favorite. My mom gave me a copy when I graduated high school and I still keep it with me.

  • Sophia @ Raven Waves April 22, 2011, 8:00 am

    Dean Karnazes is such a beast!!! Seriously, that guy is amazing!

  • khushboo April 22, 2011, 8:13 am

    I love that you included the Dr. Seus book- books aimed at kids can def resonate a thing or 2 with adults too! One such example is the classic ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’. Losing weight and eating healthily is portrayed to be some kind of complicated science. As illustrated by the book, it’s simplistic: overeat you will gain weight and well yuck! Stick to eating natural whole foods like fruits most of the time to avoid that feeling. Also when the ‘big fat caterpillar’ comes out of cacoon to turn into a butterfly, it shows that there is hope to overturn a bad situation/obesity.

    • khushboo April 22, 2011, 8:15 am

      Woops, that should read ‘feel yuck’ not ‘well yuck’

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 22, 2011, 8:30 am

    I might have to pick up the Take Action book for professional sake!

  • Caitlin April 22, 2011, 8:37 am

    Keep the book reviews coming! Now I’ve got a list of books to read this summer!

  • Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out April 22, 2011, 8:38 am

    These all look great. I love this, Caitlin! Keep em’ coming.

  • Carolyn L. April 22, 2011, 8:46 am

    Ok, this is a little off-topic, but I was wondering if you and your husband had any special plans for the Royal Wedding that’s catching all the news buzz.

    • Caitlin April 22, 2011, 11:19 pm

      Yes, we’ll be having a watch party 🙂 You?

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me April 22, 2011, 8:50 am

    Totally wrote down a few that I want to read. The Happiness Project sounds like my kind of read! I’m a total cynic and have to change my outlook!

  • Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans April 22, 2011, 8:57 am

    I am almost through Taking Action and would highly recommen it. Its a practical approach to dealing with a very emotional problem!

  • Courtney April 22, 2011, 9:05 am

    All these books sound great! 😀

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats April 22, 2011, 9:06 am

    I read the Happiness Project and enjoyed it. I’ve never heard of As Good as Gold – thanks for the suggestion! That sounds like a great one.

  • Lauren April 22, 2011, 9:18 am

    The “What I Eat” book sounds really interesting! It’d be cool to see what other people actually eat in a day.

  • Heather C April 22, 2011, 9:19 am

    I’m Loving the Book Club! These posts are being book-marked. 🙂 I just started “The Happiness Project” and recommend grabbing a notepad to read it with – it’s easy to start thinking about what you’d do for 12 months, what your “12 commandments’ are, etc.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate April 22, 2011, 9:22 am

    Love your book club posts!
    I’ve only read “Oh the Places You’ll Go”–I got it as a gift for my high school graduation (and will be breaking it out for my upcoming college grad too!).
    I can’t wait to pick up a few of these to read once I’m done with school! 🙂

  • Kelly April 22, 2011, 9:30 am

    Lol- I LOVE Oh the Places You’ll Go! But then again I am a kindergarten teacher so obviously I like it.

    I also really enjoyed Happiness Project. I took a lot of tips I got there and actually used them, which I rarely remember to do after reading these kind of books!

  • RunEatRepeat April 22, 2011, 10:02 am

    Oooooh! I want to read as good as gold! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Melissa April 22, 2011, 10:41 am

    I love “Oh the places you’ll go”!!! My stepson goes to a performing arts high school, and at one performance, 2 young ladies acted out the entire book from memory, complete with original beatbopping and hilarious side commentary. It was incredible and uplifting. I thought it was great that they took the initiative to create such a skit.
    These other books look very interesting. I’ve added a couple to my “must read” list.

  • Natalia - a side of simple April 22, 2011, 10:56 am

    I think I’m going to have to start sacrificing my “blog reading” time for some good “book reading” time! 🙂

  • Jen @ keepitsimplefoods April 22, 2011, 10:56 am

    I’ve heard great things about the Happiness Project! Can’t wait to read it!

  • Sarah for Real April 22, 2011, 11:11 am

    The valedictorian at my high school read the Dr. Seuss book as her graduation speech. The whole book, not just the first few lines. Great book, bad graduation speech. Lol

    Thought it was so cute to add to your list 🙂 I’m enjoying this series and my library queue has gotten so long!

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith April 22, 2011, 11:18 am

    I second (and third) the comments on Operation Beautiful. It’s inspiring and thought-provoking. Changed the way I wanted to see myself and the people around me. Keep up the good work Caitlin!

    • Caitlin April 22, 2011, 11:19 pm

      Thank you, dear friend!

  • monicanelsonfitness April 22, 2011, 11:56 am

    loved Ultra Marathon Man. whoa. 🙂

    I am interested in so many of these. THanks for these posts! I am headed to the boook store this weekend, making a list right now. I bought Operation Beautiful for my neighbor too. You are amazing!

    • Caitlin April 22, 2011, 11:19 pm

      thank you SO much Monica!

  • chelsea April 22, 2011, 11:56 am

    These are some great books. I think i will head to the library today!

  • Michelle April 22, 2011, 12:01 pm

    Seriously loving Book Club here on HTP! Yeah for bibliophiles!

    I can’t wait to read Ultra Marathon Man…I heard he just released a new book called Run. Looking forward to that one, too. I love that Oh the Places You’ll Go got included on this, too. It’s one of my favorite books and I pull it out every now and again.

  • Amber K April 22, 2011, 12:30 pm

    Definitely read Operation Beautiful one of my favorites. And The Happiness Project, I’m off to find What I Eat, because that sounds so interesting!

    • Caitlin April 22, 2011, 11:18 pm

      🙂 I saw you in the Spark People book, Amber! You look fantastic!

      • Amber K April 23, 2011, 12:41 am

        Dang, I haven’t seen it yet! Can’t wait 🙂

  • Steph @321delish April 22, 2011, 12:46 pm

    I’m really interested in As Good As Gold. Thanks for sharing!!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 22, 2011, 1:30 pm

    I have read your book, and “Oh the places you’ll go.” I wish I had enough money to buy a copy of each of those for all of my students.

    I want to read “What I Eat.” It sounds interesting.

  • Kristyn April 22, 2011, 1:33 pm

    Ain’t nothing wrong with self promotion…especially since your book is FANTASTIC!

    I read Oh the Place You’ll Go at the end of every first grade year. =) Dr. Seuss is the man!

  • Jamie April 22, 2011, 1:46 pm

    I LOVE that someone mentioned Dr. Seuss’ ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go!’. I know it’s a children’s book but it really IS a great message. I love reading it to my daughter. I hope that the lifelong motivational message is sinking into her growing mind… 🙂

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good April 22, 2011, 5:47 pm

    You’re welcome, Caitlin! Thanks for including my review. And thanks for all you do to share such a positive message!

  • Megan @ Loving the little things April 22, 2011, 7:39 pm

    Thanks for sharing all these fabulous books with us! I’ve just added to my reading list 🙂

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 22, 2011, 11:12 pm

    This is a great list. Thanks for everyone who contributed input and I appreciated the comments as well. I think Good as Gold sounds really interesting and I’ll have to read more about it!

  • Charise April 25, 2011, 10:35 am

    I loved The Happiness Project! I am all about making small changes that make you a happier person who appreciates everything about your life. I think it goes along well with trying to keep balance among all the hats in your life. I also really liked Brene Brown’s books (I Thought It Was Just Me (but it’s not) and The Gifts of Imperfection) on overcoming perfectionism and the shame game to be a happier, more fulfilled, more authentic you.

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