Normally, I really like Caroline Leaf, but this book seemed a bit too textbooky and technical for me to really enjoy it. Usually she provides the science and then puts it into layman terms, but that didn't seem to happen in this book, so it was difficult to get through. All her other books I would HIGHLY recommend, but I think this one misses the mark.

STRIVING FOR PERFECTION

September 20, 2017 · by Lorne Anderson · in Books · Leave a comment ·Edit

I am not perfect. This post is proof of that.

One of the books I read on the beach in August was The Perfect You by Dr. Caroline Leaf. I wrote a post about it, how reading it was challenging but I thought worthwhile.Cover Art

Somehow that post vanished into cyberspace on my phone. I’d blame the instrument, but being less than perfect it was probably operator error, something as simple as forgetting to save or pressing delete at the wrong moment.

However, I did want to give my impressions of the book, though now I am going from memory. And I must admit, with more time to reflect, I am less sure about how worthwhile the book is.

On the plus side, The Perfect You is a refutation of those who think Christians don’t take a scientific approach to things. This is a self-help book firmly rooted in neuroscience. However it is at times so complex I don’t know if it is science or psychobabble I am being asked to accept.

If I had spent a couple of weeks studying the subject I probably would be able to evaluate all the science. I’m assuming the publisher did that for me and the concepts are somewhat solid and scientifically verifiable. It seemed to make sense to me and I did definitely appreciate how Leaf integrated scripture with her concepts.

Self-help books aren’t my normal reading material, so perhaps I have some unconscious biases coming into play. Science aside, I’m not sure about how effective this book is as a tool. It is supposed to help you discover your true identity, but can a book do that?

About a quarter of the volume is given over to a rather detailed personal evaluation, with lots of blanks to fill in. Great idea, but I’m not sure that most people are all that good at self-evaluation. I think the questions would be better handled in a more formal counseling situation as opposed to just reading a book. Then again, some people, for various reasons, don’t have access to counselors so maybe this is a brilliant idea, just not something I would do.

What bothered me most about The Perfect You was a feeling throughout that someone is trying to sell me something, so I had better firmly hang on to my wallet. I think it was the capitalization that turned me off.

In Scripture we are indeed exhorted to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. I won’t get into what could be a long theological debate about whether such perfection is attainable for humans. It seems unlikely for me anyway, but maybe I’m not spiritual enough.

For Caroline Leaf there is no perfect you, a God-inspired goal of being the best you can, but rather a Perfect You. Every time I read the words my mind subconsciously added a registered trademark symbol. Perhaps my reaction was irrational, but something about those capital letters bothered me. Maybe it’s a gender thing; maybe the book is aimed at women who like capitals. (I figured women are more likely to read such self-help books, but I may be clinging to an outdated stereotype.)

Much as I appreciate science, this book would have been stronger if the language was a little less scientific. It is almost as if Leaf was unsure of her audience. Someone wanting to use it as a self-help tool probably doesn’t need the scientific details, just the knowledge that it is a valid approach. Scientists wouldn’t need the questionnaire.

I guess that leaves me feeling somewhat unsatisfied about the book. I guess that is another sign I’m not perfect.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”

Imagine you could become the best you you could be. In this book, Dr. Caroline Leaf links scripture with neuroscience to explain how each person thinks, feels, and makes choices. She explains how negative thoughts affect our neuropathways and get us stuck in patterns and, more importantly, how we can change it

The layout of the text is well-done. The information is easy to understand and eye-opening. The duagrams and illustrations not only complement the text, but also bring it to life for the reader. This is the perfect self-help book for anyone new or familiar with neuroscience who are looking to seriously change their lives.

Dr. Leaf's book is absolutely wonderful. Her message about finding and operating in your perfect you is life changing. As I read the book, I realized I was not operating in the perfect "me". I needed to rediscover who I was. Then operate in that perfect you "me". I was so glad to be a part of her book launch team. I highly suggest everyone get this book and discover "the perfect you".

Let me start by telling you that I’m a self-help queen!  When I read this book title, I knew I had to read it, and especially when I read in the description that there would be analysis on my personality, I dove right in!  I was not disappointed.  Dr. Leaf beautifully incorporates the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (which I’m a fan of, by the way…) in a religious perspective.  The bottom line is that this book will reveal to you who you really are in Christ, if you’re honest and open-minded enough to receive it.  I recommend it!