Official Review: Encouragement by Cathy Burnham Martin

[Juliana_Isabella]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Encouragement" by Cathy Burnham Martin.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best by Cathy Burnham Martin is an inspiring self-help book focusing on the ways in which we recognize and become Encouragers rather than Discouragers. The author divides her book into sixteen “Rust Busters”, which are chapters with advice about how to “polish up some good living skills that may have become a bit rusty” (9). Each of these chapters includes inspirational quotes, examples from the author, and tips that are intended to lead readers towards becoming more encouraging for themselves and others.

I really enjoyed how the author stayed positive throughout the book, even when talking about Discouragers. She focuses on each individual’s ability to choose to be around positive or negative people rather than speaking poorly about people who are negative. She emphasizes the role of empathy when dealing with Discouragers, since you can never know what caused someone to become a Discourager. This emphasis on your own actions rather than others’ makes the reader take responsibility for their happiness, which I believe leads to greater achievement in life than blaming others for your unhappiness does.

I also loved that the author talked about the time before she became an Encourager. She shows that you have to make a conscious change to be an encouraging person and that people aren’t just born automatically happy and positive. She shares the strategies she uses to stay encouraging, and she emphasizes that being an Encourager is about lifting up yourself just as much as it’s about lifting up other people. Her words were truly, well, encouraging!

Overall, I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It provided positivity in my life when I really needed it, and I’m sure it could do the same for others. The author forces readers to take responsibility for themselves without being pushy or condescending, and, although I found a few errors, I would say the book is either professionally edited or has been thoroughly proofread by the author.

I think most people would benefit from this book. It doesn’t employ any mature language, so it’s suitable for all ages. I appreciated that it covered encouragement in many spheres of life, including examples from relationships with friends, coworkers, romantic partners, and children. The advice in the book can be applied to almost anyone’s life, so I would recommend it for people who are hoping to see the world in a more positive light, take charge of their own happiness, and become Encouragers.

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Encouragement
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Letora]

Rust busters that's an interesting way to label life skills you need to work on. It can be hard to stay positive, especially if negative people are around. I think this would be a great read for a lot of people. I certainly could benefit from it. Thank you for your review.

[kandscreeley]

I agree that Rust Busters sounds like a great name for it! This seems like an encouraging book that not only would inspire you, but perhaps inspire you to inspire others! I could definitely use a book like this! Thanks so much.

[Shadiid]

Sounds like a wonderful book to read. I would definitely read this one. Great review

[Ngozi Onyibor]

Sometimes a word of encouragement is all you need to get through a bad day. This will be a really good read for everyone, especially those who struggle with being empathetic.

[Laila Hashem]

Great review! I might read the book as well now. I would love to find out about these rust busters because, personally, I think that people cannot really create their own happiness. Sure, we can make changes in our lives such as cutting out the negative people that would help us lessen our struggles, but it is difficult to make the big problems go away, especially those without solutions such as spiritual crises.

[rumik]

Glad to hear that this book helped you through difficult times. I've found that even during difficult times my life does feel significantly easier and better when I manage to stay positive about it. Thanks for the review.

[Manang Muyang]

I reviewed this book some months back. It had some formatting and other editing issues back then which were, well, discouraging. I am glad those have been addressed as the author indeed has a lot of wisdom to impart.

[Meg98]

This sounds like an interesting read, with a good premise as well. I appreciate the author proofreading and having good editing as well, as it shows that she is conscientious. Thanks for this great review!

[kdstrack]

The author's premise that we are responsible our own happiness is fundamental to being an encourager. I would like to read what strategies she suggests to maintain that 'encouraging' attitude. Your review presents this as an uplifting read. Thanks for the recommendation!

[BookPower9]

This is an interesting book and looking forward to read this someday. Especially nowadays, full of challenges. We need encourages from positive people. Not easy to be one. But the author is correct. To encourage someone will start from you. Nice book. Nice review! Thanks.

[Erin Painter Baker]

I think it's great that the author talks about the decision to be an Encourager as a conscious decision, and one that must be remade all the time. So many people seem to think that others are just born positive, and that they themselves can never be positive, because that is not how they are wired.

[Leen282]

I am not a big fan of self-help books but I do like reading about positivity. This is a maybe book for me.

[rusyalana]

Self-help books are not my cup of tea but I've read the review and book sounds inspiring giving tips to people helping them to become encouraging towards other people. People do need positivity in their lives, so I'm sure the book will find its reader. Congratiulations on becoming BOTD!

[Elizabeth Pass]

I'm not currently interested in a self-help book. However, I like the idea of being an Encourager rather than Discourager. Those terms resonate deeply with me.