October 2016 list by Tami Austin   Recent Releases Addict in the House: A No-Nonsense Family Guide Through Addiction & Recovery by Robin Barnett In Addict in the House, author Robin Barnett, a behavioral health expert and addiction counselor, adds her personal experience with her brother’s addiction to her professional expertise in this "straightforward, rich resource" (Publishers Weekly). Though ultimate solutions to addiction are elusive, Barnett offers a place to start and hope for the journey in this pragmatic, step-by-step guide to dealing with a loved one’s addiction, from acceptance of the disease through the possibility of multiple cycles of recovery and relapse.  The Gardener and the Carpenter by Alison Gopnik Alison Gopnik, a psychologist and expert on childhood learning and development, observes in The Gardener and the Carpenter that contemporary parenting, which strives to push children towards adult-determined goals, is bad for both children and parents. She goes on to present research-based evidence that it's better to let children from preschool through adolescence develop their imaginations through unstructured play, observing the world around them, and engaging in let's-pretend activities. The Human Superorganism by Rodney Dietert According to award-winning immunotoxicologist Rodney Dietert, human beings are not single organisms, but are skin, bones, and other organs in symbiosis with trillions of other microorganisms (the microbiome). In The Human Superorganism, Dietert argues that several important non-communicable conditions, including autism, asthma, heart disease, obesity, and cancer result from shutting down the microbiome via widespread use of antibiotics, and that standard medicine needs to shift its thinking about the immune system. Lift: Fitness Culture, from Naked Greeks and Acrobats to Jazzercise and Ninja Warriors by Daniel Kunitz In Lift, author Daniel Kunitz, the former editor-in-chief of Modern Painters magazine, offers a historical survey of physical fitness and a philosophical reflection on bodybuilding. A CrossFit devotee himself, Kunitz considers the ideal body as represented in Greek art, reasons for achieving and maintaining fitness, and training techniques. Presenting profiles of fitness advocates, personal recollections, and a chapter devoted to women's fitness, he also considers the mind-body connection. While this isn't a how-to guide, readers interested in physical training and cultural history will find much food for thought. Pathways to Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander Drawing on her expertise in family systems therapy, author Rosamund Zander provides a guide to replacing the scripts of our childhood with more realistic stories that can direct us toward healthier self-images and relationships with others. While rebuilding our sense of identity is hard work, Zander outlines some key starting points for the journey to more fulfilling maturity. This accessible book provides explanations of scenarios that hold us back as well as examples of stories that help, concluding with a set of "games" to practice new behaviors. Focus on: Breast Cancer Bald is Better with Earrings: A Survivor's Guide to Getting Through Breast Cancer by Andrea Hutton After learning that she had breast cancer, author Andrea Hutton did extensive research on treatment options and how to tolerate surgery and chemotherapy; she also collected accounts of her friends' experiences. Despite all this preparation, many aspects of her treatment surprised her. Addressing everything from choosing a surgeon to drug reactions to wig selection, Hutton brings compassion, humor, personal experience, and detailed research to the subject. Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman Bestselling novelist Alice Hoffman received a diagnosis of breast cancer while raising two young boys, caring for her ailing mother, and pursuing her busy career. The diagnosis blindsided her, but she eventually came to realize that there were plenty of opportunities to find happiness in life. Noting that "while I was in treatment I was looking for a guidebook," Hoffman wrote the book she needed 15 years later. The Ultimate Guide to Breast Cancer: Your Essential Resource from Diagnosis to Treatment and Beyong by Mary Gemignani According to author Mary Gemignani and the staff of Prevention magazine, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives -- but 76% of those women will be alive ten years later. The Ultimate Guide to Breast Cancer presents a user-friendly guide for those who need to understand the condition, find the right treatment for their situation, and live well during treatment and remission. Contact your librarian for more great books!