Writing can often be a tool for reflection, and this book is a great guide to show you how. The introduction and first chapter detail how to use the book and how to use writing as a tool to know yourself and to gain a greater sense of peace and acceptance with yourself.

At the end of chapter one, Wright discusses ways to use the book, either chapter by chapter, reading it and doing the writing exercises at the end of each section, or by skipping over chapters and going back to them as desired, again taking the time to use the writing exercises at the end of each section. My only initial quibble was with the sections of the book that explore vegetarianism. (I’m a meat eater, and while I have cut back dramatically on the amount of meat my family and I eat, and I have made the switch to meats that are locally and humanely raised and slaughtered, I plan to continue to eat meat.) When I came across those sections of the book, my initial thought was “Oh great, here we go again, someone else preaching about the evils of the meat eater.” To a certain extent that is in there, but Wright’s approach is much more gentle (and thus palatable), simply asking the reader to consider making changes, especially moving away from industrialized foods. (Sage advice we all should heed.) I definitely recommend this book for anyone that enjoys writing and seeks to know him/herself better. From Bristlecone Publishing and available at your local, independent bookseller.