February 2025: Make Change That Lasts

                                                                      Title: Make Change That Lasts

Author: Rangan Chatterjee

Publisher: BenBella Books

Genre: Non-Fiction

Pages: 272

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Summary: "We all have things we rely on going our way to help us feel calm and happy. Your partner waking up in a good mood. No traffic on the way to work. No lines at the supermarket. And no rain on your day off.

But what happens when things don’t work out that way? We fall back on soothing habits. A trip to the cupboard for snacks. Scrolling social media. A few beers or a couple of glasses of wine after a stressful day.

Make Change that Lasts reveals the hidden ways day to day life causes these responses—and shows you how to respond to them consciously through:

• Hearing and understanding the music of our own bodies
• Letting go of hero worship
• Embracing discomfort
• Learning to take less offense
• Expecting adversity
• Accepting that you are not your past
• Decoupling busyness from success
• Giving more than you get

Blending ancient philosophy with a deep understanding of health, host of one of the most popular podcasts on the planet, Feel Better, Live More, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee provides a personalized approach and simple techniques for reducing our reliance on the chaotic and uncertain outside world—to help us become an expert in ourselves so we can finally unlock true, long-lasting health and happiness."

I read this book for a book club that Amy invited me to join. This is the first fiction I have read in a while that has kept my interest. This story gives readers a glimpse into the world of a young mother who does not have a lot of support. Her dad is an addict and former pro wrestler, and her mom is a former hooters waitress turned devout Christian to play the role of loving wife (with a hidden gambling addiction) to her new husband. Margo is an absolutely lovable character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the whole story. This book also shines a light on the unfair spotlight put upon sex workers who have children, particularly those that are single. It also highlights how predatory CPS can be, even more predatory, than the men on Margo's only fans. Surprisingly, these men seemed less predatory than her own mother and step dad who filed the initial complaint to CPS. Rufi Thorpe, plays around with narration throughout the story, which lends itself to one of the novel's overall themes: finding one's voice. By the end of the novel, Margo does this. The overall writing and storytelling, are a bit reminiscent of YA novels, but that was a welcomed respite from the non-fiction that I have been reading lately. 

Memorable Quotes/Morals/Moments: 

• A memorable moment is Margo telling off the CPS worker with her diligently compiled notebook of all of the other sex worker cases to establish legal president. 
• Margo leaning into being a heel and not a hero. 
• Jinx's addition and seeing how complex addiction really is. 
• The visceral hatred felt towards Mark, Mark's mother, Kenny, and Margo's mother. 
• The difficulty in raising a baby alone as a woman. Childcare, money, working all is so difficult in this society.

Links: 

Started/Finished: Start 2/14 Finish 2/21