What About the Big Stuff?

September 2, 2002
In Carlson's bestselling Don't Sweat books, he declares that the right perspective can help everyday troubles seem less worrisome. Here he attempts to answer a question he received from thousands of readers. Tackling the "big stuff"—e.g., death, divorce, illness, September 11—Carlson offers a kind of advanced-level self-help book that's as heartfelt and useful as his "small stuff" guides. "Fortunately, a vast majority... is small stuff.... However, there's no denying that 'big stuff' exists," he admits. The key to handling it, he says, is to prepare by learning how to practice inner peace. If one is ready, according to Carlson, one can better handle pain. Drawing on Eastern and Western religions, he advises readers on mourning a loved one's death ("Healing from a loss is a natural process of life—just as healing from a broken bone is") and coping with why that person had to die so soon ("The first step toward inner peace... is admitting the fact that we simply don't know certain answers"). He also shares Mother Teresa's thoughts on doing "small things with great love"—since cultivating compassion can help one prepare for big stuff—as well as Buddhist philosophies on the power of forgiveness. Many of the messages readers have heard repeatedly in churches, synagogues, memorial services and even on Oprah. But dealing with the repercussions of September 11 and massive job layoffs, people want and need to hear them again. Carlson's many real-life examples of folks going through hard times and hard decisions are right on. (Oct. 1)Forecast:There are more than 21 million copies of the Don't Sweat books in print, and Carlson's loyal fans will unquestionably pick up this latest offering, which Hyperion will also make available in audio. A
Good Morning America appearance and ads in
USA Today should boost sales.

November 15, 2002
With these two works, publishers continue to milk the desire for feel-good books. Acting more as a compiler than a writer, Allenbaugh serves up more bland, warm-and-fuzzy anecdotes la the successful "Chocolate" series (Chocolate for a Teen's Heart; Chocolate for a Mother's Heart). Women ranging from housewives to business professionals contributed 77 brief and sentimental stories that illustrate pluckiness in the face of adversity. "The Tattooed Stranger," for example, explores prejudice and how to overcome it. Carlson's book will rev the engines of self-helpers without kicking them into drive. Like many of his previous titles (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff), his latest is observational and general, with generic wisdoms that quickly become repetitive. Entries wax on a range of topics, including divorce, stress, and the grieving process. Carlson misses more than he hits, although good points sometimes emerge, e.g., in "Dedicate Yourself to Mindfullness," he exhibits uncharacteristic clarity in advising readers to experience thoughts and emotions peacefully. Of little practical use, this is more a pep talk than a means to an end. Read it in conjunction with more focused titles like T.D. Jakes's frankly Christian Woman Thou Art Loosed: Healing the Wounds of the Past. As with entries in the popular "Small Miracles," "Taste Berries for Teens," and "Chicken Soup" series, these books contain so much recycled material that libraries would be better off purchasing them only on demand. There are also serviceable single volumes like Barry and Joyce Vissell's Meant To Be: Miraculous Stories To Inspire a Lifetime of Love or Anna Quindlen's A Short Guide to a Happy Life.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.