Jeff Popple reviews three books about anxiety, owls, and the Zen of cats. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Your Name Is Not Anxious by Stephanie Dowrick
Allen & Unwin, $29.99
Anxiety and stress seem to be on the rise in modern society. The reasons for it are readily observable: too much pressure, toxic workplaces and the rise of social media are just some of the causes. Australian author Stephanie Dowrick has been at the forefront of work on anxiety, and she has supported thousands of people through her books and public talks, as well as in her role as psychotherapist. In Your Name Is Not Anxious, she provides a clear and useful handbook on how to deal with anxiety through using a holistic mind-body-brain approach. A very accessible and easy to follow guide.
The Zen of Cat by Carla Francis
Macmillan, $24.99
There is also plenty of advice about mindfulness and reflection in Carla Francis’ beguiling The Zen of Cat. Cats have been in Japan since the sixth century and have left an indelible pawprint on Japanese culture and life. In this lovingly written book, Carla interweaves stories and facts about cats with interesting insights into Japanese society and slices of Zen philosophy. She also draws on the behaviours and calmness of cats to suggest strategies for us to use in coping with life’s pressures. A great book for cat lovers and those interested in a Zen approach to life.
What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman
Scribe, $35
Owls have fascinated and captivated humans for centuries. Their forward gaze and almost silent flights at night have cemented their reputation as a hunter, and have given them an aura of wisdom and foresight. As Jennifer Ackerman points out in her interesting book, owls reside on every continent, apart from Antarctica, and number over 270 different species. Yet despite their number, little is known about owls due to their clever camouflage and nocturnal habits. In What an Owl Knows she combines a rich biological history of owls, which draws on modern scientific research, with reflections on their hold on human imagination. Recommended.
