The Bounce Back Book: How to Thrive in the Face of Adversity, Setbacks, and Losses [Paperback]

Karen Salmansohn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 2008

"Salmansohn's writing is bold, playful, insightful—with powerful metaphors that provoke and inspire. Her kinetic images amplify her message and take the book to a new level of literary experience." - Deepak Chopra, author of Seven Laws of Spiritual Success

A bad breakup. A serious illness. The loss of a job. Life has a habit of throwing people curveballs. To which Karen Salmansohn says: "When life throws you curveballs, hit them out of the park."

In The Bounce Back Book the dynamic author whose quirky self-help books—including How to Make Your Man Behave . . . and How to Be Happy, Dammit—mixes from-the-gut wisdom, humor, feistiness, and sophistication to create a hip, inspiring resource that will brighten the darkest mood. The book is grounded in happiness research, psychological studies, Greek philosophy. And it delivers: Here are 70 easily digestible, potentially life-changing tips on how to bounce back from adversity, each on a spread that's as punchy in look as it is powerful in message.

"Shrink negativity into nuggetivity." "Think of yourself as the type of person the world says yes to." With its attitude, techniques, and advice on everything from exercise to staying connected, it is a full-on guide to moving forward with great positive energy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Salmansohn's writing is bold, playful, insightful—with powerful metaphors that provoke and inspire. Her kinetic images amplify her message and take the book to a new level of literary experience." - Deepak Chopra, author of Seven Laws of Spiritual Success

About the Author

Karen Salmansohn is the author of the bestselling How to Make Your Man Behave ... and How to Be Happy, Dammit. She is a relationship expert for MSN.com and Match.com, and hosts her own daily radio show, "How to Be Happy, Dammit" on Sirius. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; 1 edition (May 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076114627X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761146278
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.4 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Self-Help & Psychology

More About the Author

KAREN SALMANSOHN is a best-selling author and motivational speaker with 25 published books, including Good Karma in a Box; The 8-Minute Guts Builder; Even God Is Single, So Stop Giving Me a Hard Time; and the best-selling How to Change Your Entire Life by Doing Absolutely Nothing. She lives in New York City.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bouncing Back November 10, 2009

By NavyWifeLovesLife

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book because my counselor at the Rape Crisis Center I used to go to recommended it. I really liked it and enjoyed it. It short, you can read it in a day, but I constantly refer back to it to help me remember important things. I am still using it and working with it, I am a long way from a full recovery, but the cheerful words and images are much better than the dull self-help books I've read in the past. The illustrations are pretty and the language used makes you feel uplifted, and not like a total loser for reading a self-help book. I enjoyed reading the author's personal story. In my opinion someone who hasn't been through a trauma cannot tell another person how to deal with one, which is what I see a lot of self-help authors doing. They don't know what they are talking about, but this lady does.

I also like the cover, which is rubbery, like a bouncy ball. I think its fun. I totally recommend this book, but for someone who is suffering from a severe trauma and not just a small setback, I would also look for something else to use in addition to the Bounce Back book, because this really is not enough information and help for someone who has suffered very deeply, but this is really good for those times when you just don't feel so hot or are a little down or depressed.

----

I wrote the previous review in 2009. It is now 2013 and I wanted to come back and update this review for anyone searching for this book and trying to decide whether or not to buy it.

As I said before, I purchased and read this book after a recommendation from a counselor at a Rape Crisis Center. I went regularly to my counseling sessions and eventually started seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist, began taking anti-depressants, and basically trying to "bounce back...." My father (and BFF) died in 2010, and it sent me right back into a downward spiral. I read this book again and re-worked through some issues and basic principals. I began EMDR treatments, and got off anti-depressants. I am still in therapy and I still am working through EMDR, but I am doing so, so much better than I was when I first picked up this book.

I used to be a self-harmer, I used to have terrible night terrors that would cause me to scream in my sleep and be unable to distinguish a dream from reality for several minutes even after waking, I used to be so depressed that I couldn't even leave my house. Now I am happily married and have a young daughter. I haven't self-harmed in so long I don't even remember when I did it last. I don't have nightmares anymore, and I function through life like a normal person. I'm not afraid to leave the house and I have close and wonderful friendships. I do have a long way to go before I "let go" of what happened to me. I hurt every day, sometimes more than others, but I have found a way to live with it and still be happy in spite of it. When I first read this book I was unhappy 90% of the time. Now I can saw that I am happy 90% of the time. That is a huge difference.

I'm not saying that all the success I've had is because of this book. I know its from intense therapy, the support of my friends and family, and most of all my hard hard hard work. But picking up this book gave me the confidence to call and make an appointment for therapy, and to know that I deserve to take better care of myself. And that I deserve to be happy. I think you deserve to be happy too. This was my first (and most important) step in a long road that has led to my recovery. To me, this book is priceless. I highly recommend it. Read more ›

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Stuff April 28, 2008

By Mr. Sherman Sall

Format:Paperback

The thing that Salmansohn does that so few authors do these days is synthesize the best of what the thought leaders are saying and thinking and putting it into succinct little chunks that are rewarding and enlightening to read. And then she adds her own thoughts and feelings into the mix to deliver a powerful, emotional yet entertaining ride into a better me or you. This is without a doubt her best book yet. The chapters are developed intelligently, each one is a breeze to read and the graphics really add to the user experience of this content. The cool red rubber cover is the bomb! Go ahead and buy one for yourself and some more for your friends because we all have something we're bouncing back from these days, right?

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous advice for living August 4, 2008

By Bernard Katz

Format:Paperback

This book is necessary for any person who had had disappointments in their life or who has faced adversity and defeat (like all of us!). As a psychologist I can attest to the fact that too many people accept defeat and tend to get depressed. Karen Salmonson's book says "Don't do that". She presents great strategies for rebounding and taking charge of your life. A must read for everyone! Well written, practical and psychologically sound advice.

Bernard Katz, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wise and funny, advice to help you through tough times June 7, 2008

By Madeleine L. Vanhecke

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Bounce Back book is a treasure of useful ideas to help people bounce back from tough experiences. Salmansohn has a great ability to distill the very best from academic psychology, combine those insights with the spiritual perspective of Eastern philosophy, and convey all this with humor and panache. But what is most moving about the Bounce Back book is the very real and human voice of the author - so authentic that you feel she is sitting in your kitchen and talking with you about these ideas over a cup of coffee. This book is a great gift to give yourself or to anyone you care about who's trying to cope with a difficult time in their lives.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Is A Gem! July 3, 2008

By Darlene Mininni, Ph.D.

Format:Paperback

How appropriate that a book titled "The Bounce Back Book" would be so, well, uplifting. From its fun rubberized cover to its clever, quirky illustrations, Karen has created another jewel. In it she includes 75 strategies (and all research-based, I'm happy to say), that the reader can use to mend and shine after life's inevitable hard times. The beauty with her many techniques is that if you can't relate to one, you can always try another (My fav is tip #57). In this book, Karen has neatly packaged the latest info from positive psychology, neuroscience, cognitive therapy and Buddhism to create the ultimate handy dandy life guide. As a teacher of emotional wellness, I think The Bounce Back Book is a gem!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book April 22, 2012

By F. R. Nickles Jr.

Format:Paperback

I've had many trials and set backs
although I find it difficult to practice some of the things the book suggests, the book has many really great ideas. Sometimes moving forward is very difficult when you don't know where forward is. I really like the ideas in here.
This book is very good and I suggest it highly to anyone who is going through pain and struggles in their life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars so fun! August 18, 2012

By charli107

Format:Paperback

This was just what I needed after some rocky times. It's fun and a beautiful layout of simple, yet extremely helpful advice. There are even activities and assignments. I love her positive yet humorous and realistic approach to getting through difficult times. What an awesome gift for someone...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book August 6, 2012

By M. Sok

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this book. I bought it for myself and my friend. It is very uplifting and comforting. Very fun to read unlike other self help books. I love the quotes and could keep coming back to read them. I also love the soft cover. Very nice illustrations and colors.