Title: Living a Positive Life in a Negative World: My Uphill Journey
Author: Linda S. Plunkett PhD
Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
ISBN: 978-1662928093
Pages: 94
Genre: Non-fiction / Health, Fitness & Dieting
Reviewed by: Christina Avina
Pacific Book Review
Whenever a person is experiencing a health crisis, one of the things which can be the most difficult to maintain is a sense of hope. Whenever a health crisis arises, life in general seems to take a heavy hit, with new issues and problems arising which often make the health scare even more difficult to navigate. Finding hope is essential not only to a person’s physical health, but their mental health as well.
In author Linda S. Plunkett, PhD’s Living a Positive Life in a Negative World: My Uphill Journey, the author explores the path of finding hope in a situation which can be overtly negative. The inspirational guide explores the author’s struggles through health problems and the subsequent issues that arose in the weeks, months, and years that followed. Exploring the loss of hope in both mind, body, and spirit, the author navigates the path of depression and a crisis of faith to find hope once more and explores how this can improve on the growing health crisis a person may face.
What immediately stood out in the author’s writing was the heartfelt sincerity in which she brought her own experiences to life. The honesty and depth of emotion these fast-paced chapters can bring to life are incredibly powerful to read, and the tone of the writing itself made the book feel very conversational, as if the author and reader were sitting down over a cup of coffee and speaking face to face. That level of personal detail and connection made the subject matter more powerful overall.
Readers who enjoy non-fiction books, especially those which are inspirational in nature and cover genres such as fitness & health, pain management, alternative medicine, healing, and health memoirs will absolutely love this fast-paced read. The author added a personal touch to the book as well through her exploration of her faith and its impact on her health journey, from the crisis of faith that came with her health diagnosis to the ways in which she overcame what she described as 10 dark days and rediscovered her faith. What stood out in those chapters was the honest discussion that it bred, never shying away from the struggles both physically and spiritually during those moments. A balanced and compelling story of health struggles and finding hope, readers will be inspired by the author’s words. Dr. Plunkett guides readers through her own uphill climb and offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking hope and joy in a world filled with adversity.
