Martha Beck (1) (1962–)

I adore Martha Beck. She's one of my favourite life coaching mentors. I thought I'd read every book she's ever written -- until I came across this one at my local library. I picked it up, thinking it was a traditional diet book. (Martha has written on food and body image before, in THE FOUR DAY WIN.) However, I was delighted -- and not altogether surprised -- to find that THE JOY DIET offers various "menu items" for living a happier, more fulfilling life.

As always, Beck approaches these topics with her unique blend of compassion, insight, and humour. It's a heady mix that speaks straight to my soul. I took countless notes, and I began applying the suggested exercises in my life immediately. I saw an improvement in my overall well-being and peace of mind right away. As always, Beck's books land in my lap just when I need them most.… (meer)

Martha Beck, as usual, blends her unique combination of practical advice and woo-woo theories bordering on the stark raving mad. Some of her books are more mystical in nature than others, and this one certainly requires a healthy dose of suspending your disbelief. Beck even warns readers about this in the book's introduction (she calls it 'putting your brackets up'), so it's not as though the magical utterings come as a surprise.

What I always appreciate about Beck is that she allows herself to be her quirky, authentic self on the page: funny, irreverent, academic, and wholly convicted in her beliefs. My only slight complaint with the book is that I would have liked more practical advice for actually tapping into all that Stargazer potential I'm supposed to have inside me. But then again, I guess if accessing it was as simple as filling out a worksheet, it wouldn't exactly be much of a magical process, now, would it?

Ultimately, Beck proves once again that she knows her audience well: spiritual seekers willing to follow her on an in-depth exploration of their hidden places, in the hopes they may discover the starlight has been there all along.… (meer)