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Book Lists

Book Lists for Adults

Book Lists for Adults

Health Literacy Month

Health Literacy Adult Books

Fuhrman, Joel, author.
641.5 FUH
"Discover What Millions of People Have Already Experienced-- Dr. Fuhrman's Extraordinary and Life-Changing Recipes Too busy to shop? Too tired to cook? Not sure what's healthy? From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Eat to Live and the instant New York Times bestseller Eat to Live Cookbook comes Eat to Live Quick and Easy Cookbook, 131 super delicious, easy-to-prepare, incredibly healthy recipes. No guilt, no-fuss, just amazing food that's good for you. From the grocery store to the kitchen table, Eat to Live Quick and Easy Cookbook is just what you and your family have been looking for to become happier and healthier than ever before"-- Provided by publisher.

Gupta, Sanjay, 1969- author.
614.5924 GUP
Drawing on his insider access to the drama's unfolding, including conversations with the world's top public health experts, the CNN chief medical correspondent and America's frontline COVID-19 health journalist shares what he's learned and how we can prepare for--or prevent--the next pandemic.

Perlmutter, David, 1954- author.
616.39 PER
Reveals the hidden health risk posed by high uric acid levels and provides a twenty-one-day program with recipes to reduce the levels.

Amen, Daniel G.
616.89 AME
"In this completely revised and updated edition of the breakthrough bestseller, you'll see scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, or impulsiveness could be related to how specific structures in your brain work. You're not stuck with the brain you're born with. Renowned neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen includes cutting-edge research and the latest surprising, effective "brain prescriptions" that can help heal your brain and change your life: To quell anxiety and panic: Use simple breathing techniques to immediately calm inner turmoil To fight depression: Learn how to kill ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) To curb anger: Follow the Amen anti-anger diet and learn the nutrients that calm rage To conquer impulsiveness and learn to focus: Develop total focus with the One-Page Miracle To stop obsessive worrying: Follow the "get unstuck" writing exercise and learn other problem-solving exercises"-- Provided by publisher.

Pollan, Michael, author.
615.7 POL
"A brilliant and brave investigation by Michael Pollan, author of five New York Times best sellers, into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs--and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. Thus began a singular adventure into the experience of various altered states of consciousness, along with a dive deep into both the latest brain science and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. Pollan sifts the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the 1960s, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists catalyzed a powerful backlash against what was then a promising field of research. A unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, How to Change Your Mind is a triumph of participatory journalism. By turns dazzling and edifying, it is the gripping account of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, the self, and our place in the world. The true subject of Pollan's "mental travelogue" is not just psychedelic drugs but also the eternal puzzle of human consciousness and how, in a world that offers us both struggle and beauty, we can do our best to be fully present and find meaning in our lives"-- Provided by publisher.

McDougall, Christopher, 1962- author.
796.4207 MCD
An illustrated, practical, and holistic guide for every kind of runner, with tips on nutrition, training, shoe recommendations, and suggestions for finding a running community.

Christensen, Jackie (Alternative medicine practitioner), author.
616.462 CHR
The authors explain the various factors that contribute to adult onset diabetes, provide dietary guidelines, lifestyle choices and other unique therapies to combat the disease naturally and without prescription medicines. Learn to evaulate your own unique Ayurveda body type, and follow a customized 12-week program to balance blood sugar.--Adapted from jacket.

Darpinian, Signe, author.
613.0433 DAR
"In a world fraught with diet-culture and weight stigma, many parents worry about their child's relationship with their body and food. This down-to-earth guide is an invaluable resource allowing parents to take proactive actions in promoting a friendship with food, and preventative actions to minimize the risk factors for the development of eating disorders, particularly when early signs of disordered eating, excessive exercise, or body dissatisfaction have been noticed. It provides clear strategies and tools with a practical focus to gently encourage parents and teens to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise by centralizing joy and health. Coming from a therapist, a dietician, and an adolescent medicine physician, with insightful case studies from an array of young people from different backgrounds, this multidisciplinary author team delivers friendly, strategic guidance based in a wealth of expertise."--Publisher's description.

Dusenbery, Maya, author.
613.04244 DUS
"In this shocking, hard-hitting expose in the tradition of Naomi Klein and Barbara Ehrenreich, the editorial director of Feministing.com, reveals how gender bias infects every level of medicine and healthcare today--leading to inadequate, inappropriate, and even dangerous treatment that threatens women's lives and well-being. Modern medicine is failing women. Half of all American women suffer from at least one chronic health condition--from autoimmune disorders and asthma to depression and Alzheimer's disease--and the numbers are increasing. A wealth of research has revealed that women often exhibit different symptoms than their male counterparts, suffer disproportionately from many debilitating conditions, and may react differently to prescription drugs and other therapies. Yet more than twenty years after the law decreed that women be included in all health-related research and drug development, doctors are still operating with a lingering knowledge gap when it comes to women's health. And they're not immune to unconscious biases and stereotypes that can undermine the doctor-patient relationship. The consequences can be catastrophic: too often, women are misdiagnosed, poorly treated, and find their complaints dismissed as 'just stress' or 'all in your head.' Meanwhile, they're getting sicker. Maya Dusenbery brings together scientific and sociological research, interviews with experts within and outside the medical establishment, and personal stories from regular women to provide the first comprehensive, accessible look at how sexism in medicine harms women today. In addition to offering a clear-eyed explanation of the root causes of this insidious and entrenched bias and laying out its effects, she suggests concrete steps we can take to cure it. Eye-opening and long-overdue, Doing Harm is an empowering call to action for health care providers and all women"-- Provided by publisher.

Graff, Brett, author.
649.1 GRA
"Most parents will do just about anything to secure happy lives and bright futures for their kids. Add in competition with other parents and near-constant pressure, their drive to give their kids the best of everything can backfire, setting back the child and the household finances. Not Buying It proves that sound, rational decision-making about spending is far more beneficial for our kids than purchases made out of fear, pressure and confusion. With Graff's guidance, you'll confidently create the financial strategy that's best for your family, not the one pushed by marketers or practiced by your neighbors." -- Amazon.com

Howard, Clark, 1955-
332.024 HOW
Presents a multitude of strategies for saving money instead of spending so much of it.

Shakespeare, Tom, 1966- author.
362.4 SHA
"Disability: The Basics is an engaging and accessible introduction to disability which explores the broad historical, social, environmental, economic and legal factors which affect the experiences of those living with an impairment or illness in contemporary society. The book explores key introductory topics including: the diversity of the disability experience; disability rights and advocacy; ways in which disabled people have been treated throughout history and in different parts of the world; the daily realities of living with an impairment or illness; health, education, employment and other services that exist to support and include disabled people; ethical issues at the beginning and end of life. Disability: The Basics aims to provide readers with an understanding of the lived experiences of disabled people and highlight the continuing gaps and barriers in social responses to the challenge of disability. This book is suitable for lay people, students of disability studies as well as students taking a disability module as part of a wider course within social work, health care, sociology, nursing, policy and media studies."--Provided by publisher.

Dondero, Jeff, 1947- author.
644 DON
Jeff Dondero walks you through your home's walls, doors, windows, and roof, room by room and appliance by appliance, breaking them down into simple terms so that you can make the smartest energy and resource choices possible. He even covers gardens and garages, explaining what household items cost to run, how to conserve energy when using them, giving guidance on what's sustainable and what isn't. This encyclopedic manual is very helpful for understanding the machine that is your house, and how to keep it maintained and running well and "green" while saving you money. This guide is a great fit to make sure that you make the best of your home and the resources that power and run it. Conservation in the home is something that you owe to yourself, your family, and your planet.--AMAZON.

Bowman, Katy, author.
612.76 BOW
Rethink Your Position is every body's guide to everyday alignment. It explains how to check the way different areas are moving now, includes precision exercises to get important parts moving better, and shows how making small changes can increase your physical activity all day long--not only at the gym, but at the office, in the kitchen, on a walk with friends ... even while you're sleeping.--Publisher.

Kunitz, Daniel, author.
613.7 KUN
"A cultural history of fitness explores the ways in which human exercise has changed over time and what can be learned from our athletic ancestors, evaluating whether today's high-tech exercise machines are actually productive while making recommendations based on early health practices"-- NoveList.

Olien, Darin, author.
306.461 OLI
"Fatal conveniences are the toxic products we routinely use and the unhealthy things we do that our culture and corporations have made us believe are safe and necessary for living well and efficiently. These things--from deodorant, cosmetics, dental floss, and sunscreen to laundry detergent, air fresheners, carpets, and crayons to candles, tea bags, cell phones, and chewing gum--are ubiquitous in daily life . . . and they are wreaking havoc on our health and our planet. The environmental toxins found in these products create a cascade of problems, including chemical sensitivities, auto-immune issues, obesity, chronic health diseases, and more."-- Publisher marketing.

Lieberman, Daniel E., 1964- author.
612.044 LIE
"This highly engaging landmark work, a natural history of exercise--by the author of the best seller The Story of the Human Body--seeks to answer a fundamental question: were you born to run or rest? The first three parts of Exercised roughly follow the evolutionary story of human physical activity and inactivity, even as each chapter shatters a particular myth about exercise. Because we cannot understand physical activity without understanding its absence, Part One begins with physical inactivity. What are our bodies doing when we take it easy, including when we sit or sleep? Part Two explores physical activities that require speed, strength, and power, such as sprinting, lifting, and fighting. Part Three surveys physical activities that involve endurance, such as walking, running, or dancing, as well as their effect on aging. Part Four considers how anthropological and evolutionary approaches can help us exercise better in the modern world. How can we more effectively manage to exercise, and in what ways? To what extent, how, and why do different types and durations of exercise help prevent or treat the major diseases that are likely to make us sick and kill us? -- Provided by publisher.

Rosenthal, Elisabeth, 1956- author.
362.10973 ROS
New York Times reporter Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal reveals the dangerous, expensive, and dysfunctional American healthcare system, and tells us exactly what we can do to solve its myriad of problems.

Pursell, J. J., 1973- author.
615.5 PUR
Covers everything from asthma, allergies, and heart health, to pregnancy, lactation, cradle cap, and colic. The 123 recipes include capsules, salves, teas, tinctures and more that are safe and easy to create at home. You will also learn how to build a home apothecary and find value in a primer focused on the most powerful herbs.

Browne, Jennifer (Jennifer Shay), 1981- author.
618.9285 BRO
If you're the parent of a teenager experiencing chronic anxiety, this book is for you. Today's teens are high-strung and socially overextended. We shrug it off as a millennial problem, but is it? In a world that encourages the quick fix, instant gratification, and real-time feedback, can we really expect our children to cope as we did less than two decades ago, in the land of handshakes, eye contact, elbow grease, and grit? This book is a product of a combination of three very different perspectives: those of the anxious teen, the parent, and the therapist. We need to understand what we've created in terms of our current society to gain proper insight on why we're seeing increasingly rising levels of anxiety in our teenagers. Topics include: Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety; Teens and Self-Harm; Anxiety and Gut Health; Sports: Concussions and Anxiety; Natural Ways to Help Your Teen Cope; And much, much more. Within each chapter, author (and parent) Jennifer Browne and co-author (Jennifer's teenage son) Cody Buchanan, who struggles with anxiety and depression, will weigh in on what this affliction feels like, physically, mentally, and emotionally. They share personal experiences to help parents better understand their teens and learn a lot along the way.

Cohen, Elizabeth, 1935-
615.5071 COH
"Combining the personal stories of patients across America with crucial advice on receiving the best possible health care, this guide will enable you to confront and often confusing and perilous system--and come out ahead" --Cover, p. 4.

Michelson, Leslie D., author.
610.696 MIC
"The Patient's Playbook will change the way you manage your health and the health of your family, from finding the right doctor to coordinating the best medical care. An expertly informed guide to the steps that everyone should take--even before illness strikes. The Patient's Playbook is a compelling narrative of personal stories that imparts lessons and illuminates strategies for better, and even life-saving, medical decision-making. With clarity and as a call to action, the book presents the most effective approach to getting the best from a broken system: sourcing excellent doctors, choosing the right treatment protocols in the "no mistake zone," researching with precision, and structuring the ideal support team. Leslie D. Michelson has devoted his life's work to helping people access the best quality medical care--serving as an expert navigator for hundreds of clients. As the former head of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the CEO of Private Health Management he has worked to help individuals find the courage and confidence to get what they need in a challenging health system"-- Provided by publisher.

Lembke, Anna, 1967-
615.7 LEM
"Three out of four people addicted to heroin probably started on a prescription opioid, according to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the United States alone, 16,000 people die each year as a result of prescription opioid overdose. But perhaps the most frightening aspect of the prescription drug epidemic is that it's built on well-meaning doctors treating patients with real problems. In Drug Dealer, MD, Dr. Anna Lembke uncovers the unseen forces driving opioid addiction nationwide. Combining case studies from her own practice with vital statistics drawn from public policy, cultural anthropology, and neuroscience, she explores the complex relationship between doctors and patients, the science of addiction, and the barriers to successfully addressing drug dependence and addiction. Even when addiction is recognized by doctors and their patients, she argues, many doctors don't know how to treat it, connections to treatment are lacking, and insurance companies won't pay for rehab. Full of extensive interviews--with health care providers, pharmacists, social workers, hospital administrators, insurance company executives, journalists, economists, advocates, and patients and their families--Drug Dealer, MD is for anyone whose life has been touched in some way by addiction to prescription drugs. Dr. Lembke gives voice to the millions of Americans struggling with prescription drugs while singling out the real culprits behind the rise in opioid addiction: cultural narratives that promote pills as quick fixes, pharmaceutical corporations in cahoots with organized medicine, and a new medical bureaucracy focused on the bottom line that favors pills, procedures, and patient satisfaction over wellness. Dr. Lembke concludes that the prescription drug epidemic is a symptom of a faltering health care system, the solution for which lies in rethinking how health care is delivered"--Provided by publisher.

Marmot, Michael, 1945- author.
362.1042 MAR
In a Baltimore inner-city neighborhood, a man's life expectancy is 63; in another neighborhood not far away, it's 83. The same 20-year avoidable disparity exists in nearby neighborhoods of cities around the world. In Sierra Leone, one in 21 fifteen-year-old women will die in her fertile years of a maternal-related cause; in Italy, the figure is one in 17,100; but in the United States, which spends more on healthcare than any other country in the world, it is one in 1,800. Why? Dramatic differences in health are not a simple matter of rich and poor; poverty alone doesn't drive ill health--inequality does. Suicide, heart disease, lung disease, obesity, and diabetes are all linked to social disadvantage. In every country, people at relative social disadvantage suffer health disadvantage and shorter lives. Within countries, the higher the social status of individuals, the better their health. Conventional approaches to improving health have emphasized access to technical solutions and changes in the behavior of individuals, but these methods only go so far. What really makes a difference is creating the conditions for people to have control over their lives. Author Marmot emphasizes that the rate of illness of a society as a whole determines how well it functions: the greater the health inequity, the greater the dysfunction. We have the tools and resources to improve levels of health for individuals and societies around the world, and not to do so would be a form of injustice. The Health Gap presents compelling evidence for a radical change in the way we think about health and indeed society, and inspires us to address the societal imbalances in power, money, and resources that work against health equity.--Adapted from book jacket.

Schwarcz, Joseph A., author.
500 SCH
Organic is better for you .. no, it's not. Scientists just discovered a miracle weight-loss food... no, wait, it's actually bad for you. Schwarcz help you separate fact from fiction amid the storm of misinformation that today's media throws at us.

Small, Gary, 1951-
613.2 SMA
Aging expert Dr. Small show us how to live longer, stronger, better lives by following simple guidelines such as a positive attitude, gratifying relationships, and lifelong education. Comprised of advice on memory fitness, healthy diet, physical conditioning, and stress reduction, this book follows the stories of four typical readers in different stages of their lives, and how those lives are improved with Dr. Small's plans.--From publisher description.

Miller, Lisa (Clinical psychologist), author.
J PC 649.7 MIL
"In The Spiritual Child, psychologist Lisa Miller presents the next big idea in psychology: the science and the power of spirituality. She explains the clear, scientific link between spirituality and health and shows that children who have a positive, active relationship to spirituality: *are 40% less likely to use and abuse substances *are 60% less likely to be depressed as teenagers *are 80% less likely to have dangerous or unprotected sex *have significantly more positive markers for thriving including an increased sense of meaning and purpose, and high levels of academic success. Combining cutting-edge research with broad anecdotal evidence from her work as a clinical psychologist to illustrate just how invaluable spirituality is to a child's mental and physical health, Miller translates these findings into practical advice for parents, giving them concrete ways to develop and encourage their children's--as well as their own--well-being. In this provocative, conversation-starting book, Dr. Miller presents us with a pioneering new way to think about parenting our modern youth."-- Provided by publisher.

Health Literacy Adult Books in Spanish

Michelson, Leslie D., author.
SP 610.69 MIC
"Una llamada a la acción -- a que cambies la manera en que gestionas tu salud y la de tu familia. Consejo experto para ayudarte a elegir a los mejores médicos, seleccionar los planes médicos apropiados, mejorar las búsquedas online, organizar tu equipo de apoyo, prevenir errores médicos."--Cover note.

Sánchez, Carlos Cuauhtémoc, author.
SP 152.42 SAN
"What is the greatest desire we have for our loved ones and for ourselves? Money? Education? Love? Fame? Health? What good is it if we're not happy? This book contains 25 life lessons emerged from emotional personal anecdotes. Reading them will make us focus on what really matters."--Publisher.

Health Literacy Books for teens and kids

Taylor, Sonya Renee, author.
J 612.661 TAY
"Celebrate your body (and it's changes, too!) is your guide to understanding and loving your body - now and as it continues to change. Here's everything you need to know about breasts and bras, your period, hair here and there, feelings and friends, and so much more. You'll find support and encouragement in these pages that will help you navigate this whole puberty thing. Think of this book as your new best friend that will help you learn about - and celebrate - your amazing, changing, one-of-a-kind body!"--Cover.

YA 613.9 LIT
Not just a book about sex, but a look at girl culture by teenagers. No stuffy school textbook. No nosy adults. Just a diverse group of teen girls from a community youth project who had questions about sexuality. To find answers, they collected stories, poetry and artwork from other youth. They also interviewed frontline health experts to get solid facts about the personalities and pressures that young women have to deal with. Topics include: relationships, periods, sex, birth control, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections/AIDS, and sexual assault. All the content has been vetted by doctors, and the book is endorsed by health professionals--so girls know they're getting good info. There's also a section at the back with places to contact to find out more. It's all stuff that youth need to know, and it's all decked out in a compact, easy-to-browse zine style.--From publisher description.