Best Books

This book provides timely, practical, and high-interest information about marriages, families, and intimate relationships, in an engaging format that is easy-to-use and learn from.

Social scientists use the term social integration to refer to individuals' connections with others in their environments. The concept and its consequences have been the subject of considerable study. Many researchers have asserted that meaningful and enduring ties to other persons serve as a buffer against stress, and thereby promote physical and mental health. The results are especially pronounced for older persons. Social Integration in the Second Half of Life presents integrative reviews of theory and research on this topic. The editors and contributors, all currently or previously affiliated with the Cornell Gerontology Research Institute, also present new empirical findings of research done at their center. The first section of the book discusses basic theory and principles of social integration in later life and its implications for health. The second, largest section examines specific issues: retirement, driving, family support, housing, neighbors. The third section addresses interventions to promote social integration: transportation, volunteering, and peer support for dementia caregivers. Throughout, the authors focus on the diverging influences of social integration and its converse, social isolation, in later life.

It's midnight, and your sobbing 8-year-old has crawled into bed with you, shaking from a nightmare generated by seeing a werewolf in a music video. A college sophomore lies awake in her apartment, obsessing about stalkers after watching Beverly Hills 90210. Violence, and the threat of it, is pervasive in television and movies, and Joanne Cantor believes that as a result kids are scared, sleepless, and at risk of becoming violent themselves. Cantor has worked with the national PTA on projects related to children and television, and with the National Television Violence Study. Her original research and findings about TV and movie violence--and the strong impact it has on children--is presented in this stirring book in a convincing, thorough manner. Cantor is realistic--she knows parents cannot shield children from every influence, and never suggests that parents should avoid TV and movies all together. Instead, she offers tools for limiting children's exposure to scary elements, provides age-related information to help parents predict what will alarm their children, suggests ways to reassure frightened children, and discusses the successes and failings of the movie and TV rating systems. Mommy, I'm Scared is a hard-hitting book that will serve as a wake-up call for many parents--especially those who have come to rely on TV as an inexpensive, electronic baby sitter. --Ericka Lutz

Adopting a child is a complicated, often difficult, process. But the end result makes it all worthwhile. The Adoption Option Complete Handbook gives you everything you need to know to adopt

Anyone — regardless of age or history — can learn how to love and be loved better. Bestselling author Daphne Rose Kingma helps readers expand the possibilities of true love in their lives, and this newly redesigned book contains 60 ideas for bringing love to new levels of intimacy, trust, and pleasure. Chapters include "The Conditions of Love," "Cherishing Your Beloved," and "The Transformations of Love." This edition comes in a beautiful new design, and can be read cover to cover or dipped into as the mood, or the need, strikes.

THE ONLY PREGNANCY RESOURCE YOU'LL EVER NEED!For the past decade, Parenting magazine has gained the loyal readership of smart, involved parents by getting to the heart of what moms and dads need to know about raising a child. Now Parenting, with an advisory board of leading experts, have created a comprehensive sourcebook to give parents-to-be--and their newborns--the best start possible. The Parenting Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth takes you from conception through the first weeks of a baby's life. Here is up-to-the minute information on: What's Going on in Your Body: Common changes Tips for a good night's sleep When to call the doctor Pregnancy and sexWhat's Going on in Your Head: Mood swings Miscarriage fears Ways to feel your best How Baby Grows: Trimester-by-trimester look at fetal development First flutters and kicks PrematurityCheckups and Tests: Choosing a caregiver All about prenatal tests Genetic counseling Eating and fitness: sensible weight gain Sneaking in nutrients Foods to avoid Exercise basics Getting your body back after pregnancySpecial Situations: Multiple births Placenta problems Gestational diabetes Older mom Bed rest The breech babyThe Big Day: Why every labor is different Pain management Stage of labor Epidural pros and cons Cesarean birthPlus: Work Concerns Newborn basics Naming baby Travel tips Real moms' advice stories Handy checklists And much more!* With illustrations throughout *