Happy Days, Healthy Living: From Sit-Com Teen to the Health-Food Scene

by Cathy Silver
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Price: $18.95

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

Cathy Silvers is most known to audiences as “Jenny Piccolo” on television's Happy Days, but now she is doing something to make sure our days stay happy by speaking on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Her book is divided into distinguishing parts of her life.

i) There are passages on growing up, with plenty of stories on Cathy's father (Phil Silvers, the famous entertainer and comedy actor), along with how the influence of show business, the experience of public speaking in school competitions, and her talent led her to win a role on Happy Days, becoming a successful actress in Hollywood right off the bat.

ii) There is Cathy's adult life: going to college, getting married, projects she took on (such as helping the homeless in form of fundraising when she was living in Washington, D.C.), having kids, a health scare, and how she was led from being a “fast food mom” to changing her lifestyle for the better.

iii) The end features insight from leaders in healthy living – from the fields of nutrition, beauty, health, and environment.

Forewards by Garry Marshall (creator and executive producer of Happy Days) and Ron Howard (Happy Days, now a famous Hollywood director), and other passages by former co-stars (Erin Moran, Marion Ross, and Henry Winkler), give a nice inside perspective of their experiences with Cathy. All mention her unrelenting energy and charisma.

We always hear about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This book takes it even further, revealing facts that most individuals aren't aware of and would be shocked to hear. It shakes the reader out of their reverie to realize their lifestyle and diet is not good for them. Even more importantly, it inspires thinking for the better – helping to conduce real change.

Live Longer, Live Better: Taking Care of Your Health

by Peter H. Gott, M.D. (2004)
Publisher: Quill Driver Books
Price: $14.95 or $23.50 (CAD)

Reviewed by: John Worobec

Dr. Gott, America's most popular medical columnist, addresses health concerns (in an organized manner) to assist those seeking information and interesting possibilities for their medical issues. Besides the clinical side of medicine, Dr. Gott does mention things that are naturalistic in methods and natural/herbal aids, but also warns about the quantity and/or use that could be detrimental or non-existent in value to health. (Note: It is not a replacement for a personal one-on-one medical advice from a qualified physician).

Each chapter fields a definitive topic in which Dr. Gott explains possible situations/scenarios that could play out based on his experiences, and his views from a medical perspective, as well. The index in the back of the book is very comprehensive in finding a more specific need. Therefore, there is no need to read the whole book or chapter(s) to become knowledgeable about a specific affliction.

All in all, it is a guide for taking charge of your health.

Breakfasts with Archangel Shecky: And His Infallible, Irrefutable, Unassailable, One-Size-Fits-All Secrets of Success

by Gene Perret (2008)
Publisher: Quill Driver Books
Price: $19.95

Reviewed by: Brandee Cote

Who doesn’t love a good success story? Written by three-time Emmy Award winner, Gene Perret, this hilarious portrayal of a guardian angel attempting to turn a Philadelphia wannabe comedian into an entertainment star is hard to put down.

“Is Shecky really an angelic visitor from the other side? Or is he just a blowhard deadbeat who’s trying to con a few free drinks and a meal or two from a kid who wants desperately to make it in the comedy profession? Well, that’s part of the mystery that makes this tale so captivating.”

This book is a light-hearted, fun read that will have you applying Archangel Shecky’s advice to your chosen goals!

No Matter What, You Can Rejoice; Reflections for Teens

by Michelle Grover (2008)

Publisher: BJU Press

Price: $8.99

Reviewed by: Brandee Cote

In No Matter What, You Can Rejoice; Reflections for Teens, Michelle Grover hopes to help today’s coming of age youth realize just how great God and their relationship with him can be.

Grover has a way of presenting the issues that youth are often faced with in a very analytical, yet nurturing way. Her thought-provoking questions to the situations and Psalms that are presented throughout the 12-lesson workbook will undoubtedly, help one build a strong bond with their faith.

Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life

by Karen Maezen Miller (2010)

Publisher: New World Library

Price: $14.95

Reviewed by: Brandee Cote

Written in the same vein as the popular Eat, Pray, Love, this book is about embracing the little things in life – especially in the wake of personal trials. Whether it'd be finding “happiness at the bottom of the laundry basket, the love in the kitchen sink, and the peace possible in one’s own backyard.” Miller discovers that it’s these seemingly mundane things that offer great opportunity for personal growth.

“And I was missing it, because I thought life was something other than my life. I thought life was something envisioned and achieved. I thought it was manufactured from ideals and earned through elbow grease. I thought it was yet to arrive, and so I missed everything that had already come. I was blind to my marriage and my absence from it. I saw my job almost exclusively as a necessity, and rarely as the exhilarating invention that it was. My home was a headache, a pile of rust and dust. I was certain that I never wanted a family: not one more person to clean up after. And I had never examined my mind, my heart, or my hand in any of this.”

A captivating yet easy read, pick this one up if you’re in the mood for a little self-examination.

In Search of My Heart: An Encouraging Story of Healing from Childhood Abuse

by Rebekah Huetter (1998)

Publisher: Words of Hope Publishing Company

Price: $16.95

Reviewed by: Brandee Cote

Few things are more difficult than being a survivor of child abuse. Perhaps the greatest blessing to come from all of that pain is the ability to pick yourself up, and lend some of that strength earned to help others. Rebekah Huetter manages to do just that by candidly recounting memories from her stolen childhood. Her courage will no doubt inspire others to also reclaim their lives.

Despite its heavy subject matter, this book is one filled with hope, promise and encouragement. It should be read by those who are ready to pick themselves up, work through their pain, and move on.

Noah and the Ark

by K.W. McCardell and Antonella Chirco

Publisher: Bible Rhymes Publishing

Price: Become a member on BibleRhymes.com

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

This animated Biblical story comes alive with delightfully illustrated scenes of friendly-looking animals. The story is even expanded on with fun details.

The movement of the characters and animals, with sound effects and background music, adds a lot of dimension to this story, making it more tangible and real.

All in all, a very warm and uplifting read.

“The good Lord had said that he’d make it through

His family and animals, they’d make it too” (23)