Book Review: Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert by Erica M. Elliott, M.D.

Book Review: Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert by Erica M. Elliott, M.D.

Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert: My Life Among the Navajo People by Erica M. Elliott, M.D. is a memoir that reads like a suspense novel—what a gripping page turner! When I read the book description for Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert, I thought it sounded like a fascinating read. As it turned out, it was that and so much more!

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How Reviews Support Authors (and help us write better books!)

How Reviews Support Authors (and help us write better books!)

*Guest post by Sarah Stonich

You know that new heart-hugging ‘care’ emoji added to Facebook since the pandemic? It seems like it’s doing double duty these past weeks. As I sit to write this post, my city, Minneapolis is in the news every day. The neighborhood south of where I now live was decimated after peaceful rallies protesting George Floyd's murder were infiltrated and inflamed by outsiders; looters, and misguided bad actors. This murder-by-police has enlivened a movement–one that is spreading from a humble neighborhood to the attention of millions across cultures, borders, and time zones.

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I Asked the Wind: Interview with Poet Valerie Nifora

I Asked the Wind: Interview with Poet Valerie Nifora

I had the pleasure of speaking with poet Valerie Nifora about her new book I Asked the Wind. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I Asked the Wind is a collection of poems about love. Valerie and I chatted about her book and what advice she has for aspiring poets and anyone searching for love.

Scroll down for the video, or continue reading for a summary of our chat.

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Tips for Journaling from Mari McCarthy

Tips for Journaling from Mari McCarthy

After she lost the feeling in the right side of her body due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Mari McCarthy turned to journaling when she learned about Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages through The Artist’s Way. By developing a daily journaling practice, Mari was able to regain feeling on her right side and currently needs zero medication to control her MS. 

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Review of Heal Yourself with Journaling Power by Mari McCarthy

Review of Heal Yourself with Journaling Power by Mari McCarthy

I’ve always been what I call a “reluctant journaler”. I’d start a daily journal practice only to stop a few days later. It would be days or even months before I’d start up again. After reading Heal Yourself with Journaling Power by Mari McCarthy, I’m definitely motivated to cultivate a daily journaling practice that sticks.

I love this opening quote from Mari: “When I change the way I look at me, the me I look at changes”. This had so much meaning for me and really shows how we are constantly evolving. By page 24 of Heal Yourself with Journaling Power, I was already fighting back tears, revelling in Mari’s amazing transformation story.

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Read More to Write Better: My Favourite Speed Reading Tips and Tricks

Read More to Write Better: My Favourite Speed Reading Tips and Tricks

Continuing on with my theme of reading for Drop Everything And Read month this April, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite speed reading tips. When I was studying to be a CPA, I took a course called Effective Speed Reading. Many of the tips I share below came from that course and some I have adapted to work better for me.

Not all books lend themselves to speed reading. There are some books I really enjoy reading, and I want to slow down and read every word. But as the saying goes, “So many books, so little time,” so here are some tips to help you increase your reading speed.

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