"Kaleidoscope" by Kevin Berry

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

Kaleidoscope
(Stim Book 2)

by Kevin Berry

Kaleidoscope is the second book in Kevin Berry's series about Aspies, or people with Asperger's Syndrome. Also available: Stim (only $0.99; read my blog post).

Kaleidoscope is currently on tour with Xpresso Book Tours. The tour stops here today for my review and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

Chloe is different. She has Asperger's Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and probably a few other inconvenient conditions as well. She's a quirky, resourceful and clever psychology student, but her world is literally about to be shaken apart.

A devastating earthquake sparks a chain of events that spiral her life out of control. She's off her meds. Her oddly-named cat is missing. She doesn't know what she wants out of life any more. Misfortune and uncertainty don't mix well with bundles of energy and Chloe's tendency to ignore consequences. It's as if mayhem and trouble are her constant companions.

Will Chloe be able to cope with the earth-shaking events that rock her world?

Share her journey.

Praise for this Book

"This is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to anyone with someone with Asperger's or bi-polar disorder in their life. Berry brings this charming and ruthlessly honest story alive with a clear and distinctive voice." ~ Tahlia Newland for Awesome Indies

"A remarkable story told with sensitivity, Kaleidoscope describes the despair that follows a tragedy. But, ultimately, Berry’s message is one of hope, since out of chaos, anything is possible." ~ Lee Murray, author of A Dash of Reality, Battle of the Birds, and Misplaced

"5 Stars - The story is well-written and superbly edited. The characters endear themselves to the reader. Chloe’s intelligence is far more important than her various diagnoses. Her strength of character shines through the pages. I heartily recommend this book. It delivers a dose of understanding sweetened by a fast-paced enchanting story." ~ Amazon reviewer

Some of My Favorite Lines

"I fell anxious about flying as it is without having to deal with this kind of useless social interaction. I need my book as an escape, as a little bubble of life-support, as a controlled environment around me to distract me from the fact that I'm surrounded by hundreds of strangers in a tin can in the air that I can't get off if I have a panic attack."

"The nicest part of travelling is coming home again."

"It's a shock to come home and find home isn't where it used to be."

"I felt hesitant about letting anyone, even Robert, sort through my books one by one. They're too personal. Seeing and touching all of someone's books is a bit like fondling their underwear."

"Decisions are hard for me to make. Each one generates a whole heap of stress because of the uncertainty about whether the choice I make is the 'right' one."

"I can't keep myself out of bookshops for long. I love looking through the new titles, scanning my favourite shelves to see which books have been added or taken out, and rearranging any that are out of place. Sometimes I just like to handle the books, sniff their 'new book' smell and flip through the pages."

"I love the feel of my violin, and what it does for me. It's loyal and reliable and constant, like a good book."

"When I play music, it's as if I'm a storyteller, and I'm telling a story with elegant, passionate melody."

"For a while, I pondered over whether I should try writing a bestseller after all. How hard could it be? It would certainly keep me busy, though I would probably have to cultivate a coffee or alcohol dependency to do it properly, like professional writers."

"The way I see things is like through a kaleidoscope - disjointed and broken, ever-changing, yet somehow beautiful in a structured way. But it makes it hard, sometimes, to identify what people want or even who they are."

My Review

By Lynda Dickson

Chloe is an Aspie like Robert, however, she suffers from a number of other conditions as well, most notably bipolar disorder. Chloe experiences the world "through a filter like a kaleidoscope; everything's there, but all jumbled up." She has difficulty making decisions, so she wears a set color for each day of the week and always orders the same take-out in order to avoid making decisions.

Chloe has been on medication for her bipolar disorder for seven and a half months, but she wants to quit and become herself again. But things are never easy for her. She comes home from visiting her father in Australia, only to find that her cousin Stef has moved them all to a new house. Not one to deal with change, Chloe doesn't react too well. On top of that, another massive earthquake strikes Christchurch. As a result, their new house is destroyed, there's no power or water, her cousin Marinda is missing, her cat Sex is also missing, and she becomes obsessed with earthquake statistics. And now she's also off her meds. How will Chloe get back on track?

Kaleidoscope is the sequel to Stim, this time told from the point-of-view of Robert's flatmate Chloe. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but together they paint a fuller picture of the relationship between these two characters. It's interesting to read from Chloe's point of view this time, as we get an insight into her insecurities and quirks. She seems very "together" in Stim, but Kevin is probably an unreliable narrator because of his Asperger's Syndrome. I loved Chloe's neologisms (newly coined words, e.g., passenjerk, tripidation, idiosyncrazies, cuteability), and her passion for books and her violin. Through it all, the New Zealand earthquake is ever-present and is a whole character in itself. Chloe's attempt at writing a best-seller is a great touch.

A delightful and insightful read.

About the Author

Kevin Berry is an indie author. His particular niche is writing Aspie New Adult contemporary novels set in an earthquake zone. The first of these is Stim (published in October 2013), followed by Kaleidoscope (January 2014).

His first novels, co-written with Diane Berry as K. D. Berry, are: Dragons Away! (winner of the Sir Julius Vogel Award 2012 for Best New Talent), Growing Disenchantments, and Fountain of Forever (humorous fantasy).

Giveaway

Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

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"Meeting the Challenge of Bipolar Disorder: Self Help Strategies That Work!" by Association for Natural Psychology, Gabrielle Woods, PhD (Editor), Laura Pipoly, PC EdD (Foreward)

Meeting the Challenge of Bipolar Disorder:

Self Help Strategies That Work!

by Association for Natural Psychology,
Gabrielle Woods, PhD (Editor),
Laura Pipoly, PC EdD (Foreward)

Description

Self help for bipolar disorder can result in positive gains. Your moods involving mania and depression can be positively affected through Positive Lifestyle Changes. By developing an array of coping skills, and making gradual, incremental changes in your lifestyle, you will find that mood swings are less dramatic, and mood stability can be attained.

There are a multitude of factors that affect our mental health. Mental health treatment based on the medical model, usually involving psychiatric labeling and the prescribing of strong pharmaceutical drugs, sometimes with a little therapy, is based on a faulty foundation, and is not the panacea that it is proclaimed to be.

Whether or not you subscribe to the views of mainstream psychiatry, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or displays the symptoms of bipolar disorder, there is much you can do to overcome its symptoms.

Educate yourself on the many avenues of psychological recovery. Don't be satisfied with the medical model interpretation of psychiatric disorders. You have everything to gain by giving due attention to self help when addressing symptoms of bipolar disorder. Remission and recovery is within reach for most who suffer with bipolar disorder.

Additionally, prevention in mental health prevention is an important aspect of psychology that is often overlooked. A healthy lifestyle based on practical wisdom for good physical and mental health should be a part of both formal education and self-education.

The model presented in this book is based on actual experiences of bipolar disorder remission.

In addition to a consideration of the subject in the introduction of this book, the following topics are developed. Each section is researched and contains a recommended reading section.

A Foundation for Change, Growth and Progress

One: Identify and Correct Individual Target Symptoms and Triggers

Two: Education and Self-Education Put You in Control

Three: Self Determination as an Aid Towards Personal Responsibility and Recovery

Four: Journaling is a Stabilizing Multi-Dimensional Self-Help Tool

Five: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) as Self Help (and/or CBT with a Therapist)

Balance

Six: Seek Balance in Your Thoughts and Activities, Along with Structure in Your Routine

Seven: Self Monitor Shifts in Mood and Behavior to Prevent Relapse

Eight: Control Overspending Binges and Get Control of Your Finances

Nine: Take Time Daily for Relaxation

Ten: Determine What Causes Stress and Endeavor to Correct It, Handle It and Modify It

Eleven: Read for Therapy, Information and as a Positive Life Habit

Twelve: Write for Self Expression as a Stabilizing Therapy

Nutrition and Physical Needs

Thirteen: Pursue a Healthy Diet, Give Adequate Attention to Nutrition

Fourteen: Avoid Alcohol and Other Mood-Altering and Mind Altering Substances

Fifteen: Eliminate Caffeine and Cigarette Smoking

Sixteen: Regular Exercise as an Important Element of Mental Health, which Contributes to Feelings of Self-Worth and Stabilization

Seventeen: Order and Personal Hygiene Facilitate Better Mental Health

Visual and Sensory Elements of Mental Process

Eighteen: Create Art - A Side-Effect-Free Natural Mood Stabilizer

Nineteen: Avoid Overstimulation

Twenty: Consider Unplugging

Twenty-One: Engage in Positive, Pro-Active Activities Rather than Indulging in Media Violence

Twenty-two: Avoid Pornography, Overcome Pornography Addiction and Hypersexuality

Twenty-three: Music can Positively or Negatively Influence Mental Health and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Twenty-four: Neurofeeback Can Effectively Reduce Symptoms

Interpersonal Relationships and Support

Twenty-Five: Build a Support System of Concerned Friends and/or family and Extended Family

Twenty-Six: Towards Self-Disclosure: Take Down Psychological Defences

Twenty-seven: Build Your Support Team with a Coach

Twenty-eight: Get Control of Anger: Adaptive Behaviors and Responses Towards Anger Management

Spirituality, Values and Principles and Life Philosophies

Twenty-nine: Be Honest - A Force for Healing and Good Mental Health

Thirty: Seek Spiritual Growth as an Avenue Towards Recovery

Thirty-one: Avoid Negative Spiritual Views and Maintain a Healthy Balance in Your Spirituality

Thirty-two: Develop Life Principles and Philosophies that Facilitate Good Mental Health

Thirty-three: Improve Self-Esteem - Ideas Worth Considering

Excerpt

...bipolar disorder should not be considered to be a life sentence, and it certainly is not a death sentence. The mathematical adage, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" proves to be true with the label "bipolar disorder".

While some in the mental health field have painted a gloomy, even negative view of recovery from bipolar disorder, statistics indicate that not only is recovery and remission possible, but that hundreds of thousands have recovered from bipolar disorder and its symptoms for good. While current statistics might indicate that for the majority who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is considered to be a lifetime condition, part of the problem may be in the way the disorder is dealt with or treated by the mainstream psychiatric community in the first place.

With heavy emphasis on pharmaceutical treatment, which is often not effective as a long-term cure, and where relapse rates are high, even with properly administered psychiatric drugs, adequate consideration of pursuing Positive Lifestyle Changes, in addition to support from family, peers and professionals, can result in a much higher rate of recovery, where remission is likely possible and even probable.

Review

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From the Author

There is much that you can do to overcome symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. Good mental health is hard work. You need to be educated on what causes bipolar disorder and what you can do to address individual symptoms. Because a large percentage of cases of bipolar disorder are not severe, with simple lifestyle changes, many can help themselves through self help efforts. Educating yourself on bipolar disorder and self help methods is the key. This book helps demystify bipolar disorder and provides you with resources that help put you in control.

While it is often stated that bipolar disorder is a lifetime condition, this isn't always the case, and for a significant percentage of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder, recovery and remission can be achieved.

This book provides additional resources to help you reach your goal of recovery and remission. You can win in making gradual progress towards overcoming the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

(This book is not designed to replace professional psychological or medical assistance when necessary, but complements it).

About the Author

The Association for Youth, Children and Natural Psychology (AYCNP) is a New Jersey non-profit association operating as a 501 c(3) in the educational and psychology fields. It is rooted in public school education. It was started by a science teacher and doctor of educational leadership, both in Newark, NJ.

The AYCNP and its literature is non-religious and non-political. It is not supported or endorsed by any religious organization, nor are the ideas expressed in its publications rooted in any particular religious ideology. The literature of the AYCNP is eclectic in that it draws on a wide variety of resources for its information. The AYCNP has no political agenda but is strictly educationally oriented. The focus of Overcoming ADHD Without Medication and similar ideas on mental health is in practicality. Anyone can improve their mental health on any of a number of fronts through attention to practical measures, lifestyle changes and by developing coping skills.

Individual founders of the AYCNP are members of the Society for Teacher's of Psychology and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

The AYCNP uses some of its funds towards charitable contributions directly to the Newark, NJ community to support the social, educational and artistic development of youth and children in Newark, and on a wider platform.

The AYCNP is a Member in good standing with National Council of Nonprofits and the Center for Non-Profits of NJ and operates as a 501 c(3) corporation. It provides materials and book donations to children and youth, as well as materials donations to public schools, public libraries, and to organizations involved with development of printed material on mental health issues.

The AYCNP website is Health on the Internet(HON) certified, Geneva, Switzerland, which is accredited by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Laura Pipoly is a National Board Certified Counselor and is part of the teaching faculty of the University of Phoenix. In addition to teaching she has also worked as a school counselor, case manager, psychotherapist, behavior specialist, and mobile therapist. Laura has presented at the national level at the American Counseling Association and at the state level at the All-Ohio Counselor's Conference. Most recently, Laura was a co-presenter at the Northeast Ohio Regional Drug Summit.

Gabrielle Wood, Ph.D. is a research psychologist and consultant. She is a member of the International Leadership Association, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and the American Psychological Association. She has ten years experience conducting multi-method research and leading numerous research studies. She is a former lecturer at Christopher Newport University teaching leadership, self- analysis methods, and values exploration. She has also taught Social Psychology, among other courses, at George Mason University. Dr. Wood was a Research Fellow for the Research Fellowship Consortium in Alexandria, Virginia.

  

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