“An extraordinary story about an ordinary life.” —People “Brilliant.” —The New Yorker Meet the eponymous and iconic Irishwoman Paula Spencer in this intimate exploration of recovery and motherhood, by Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-winning author of The Women Behind the Door It’s been four months and five days since Paula Spencer last had a drink—she’s counted. It’s been ten years since her husband Charlo died—she’s counted that too. She’s tried to quit before, but this time it will stick—she’s sure of it. As Paula relearns how to be herself again, she must also relearn how to be a mother—to Nicola, already an adult, who still checks Paula’s pantry for bottles every time she visits; to John Paul, who has built an entire life without Paula in it; to Leanne, who seems to be headed down the same path of self-destruction Paula just left; and to Jack, the baby, the only one she’s managed to do right by, so far. Things in Ireland are changing, and Paula is doing everything she can to change too. Told with the unmistakable wit of Doyle’s unique voice, Paula’s dogged struggle for sobriety is a redemptive tale of a brave and tenacious woman, “as real as realism gets” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). If you met Paula in The Woman Who Walked Into Doors, you’ll be eager to see where she is ten years on; if you haven’t yet, you’ll feel lucky to connect with her in this book and its successor, The Women Behind the Door.

“This unflinching novel chronicles a woman’s relationship with a violent man in a way that brings fresh insight to the subject . . . engaging and uplifting.” —O, The Oprah Magazine From Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-winning author of The Women Behind the Door, the heartrending origin story of Paula Spencer, a brave and tenacious housewife Paula Spencer is a thirty-nine-year-old mother of four, a blue-collar worker, an alcoholic in recovery—or maybe not. Then one day a police officer knocks on her door. From the look on his face, she can tell it’s not good news. His revelation takes Paula back to the past, to her contented childhood, the audacity she learned as a teenager, the exhilaration of her romance with her husband Charlo, and the violent marriage to him that left her powerless. Now, as she struggles to reclaim her dignity from the abuse that left her with scars and a worsening drinking problem, this new revelation threatens to shatter the fragile peace she’s built for herself and drag her back down the dark paths she thought she’d left behind. Capturing both her vulnerability and strength, Roddy Doyle gives Paula a voice that is singular and real, the story of an ordinary woman whose extraordinary character will stay with you long after this novel and into the subsequent books in his trilogy, Paula Spencer and The Women Behind the Door.

Roddy Doyle returns to Paula Spencer (“One of Doyle’s finest creations” – Toronto Star), the beloved heroine of the bestselling The Woman Who Walked into Doors, with spectacular results. Paula Spencer begins on the eve of Paula’s forty-eighth birthday. She hasn’t had a drink for four months and five days. Having outlived an abusive husband and father, Paula and her four children are now struggling to live their adult lives, with two of the kids balancing their own addictions. Knowing how close she always is to the edge, Paula rebuilds her life slowly, taking pride in the things she accomplishes, helped sometimes by the lists she makes to plan for the future. As she goes about her daily routine working as a cleaning woman, and cooking for her two children still at home, she re-establishes connections with her two sisters, her mother and grandchildren, expanding her world. She discovers the latest music, the Internet and text-messaging, treats herself to Italian coffees, and gradually ventures beyond her house, where she’s always felt most comfortable. As Paula thinks of herself, “She’s a new-old woman, learning how to live.” Doyle movingly depicts a woman, both strong and fragile, fighting back and finally equipped to be a mother to her children – but now that they’re mostly grown up, is it too late? Doyle’s fans and new readers alike will root for Paula to stay clean and find a little healing for herself and her children, amidst the threat that it may all go wrong.

The book recommended by dementia experts and family caregivers as the most complete, practical guide to Alzheimer's and other dementias-now updated and expanded through end-of-life care. This new edition of Surviving Alzheimer's offers the best, most current thinking on how to help a loved one with memory loss and related symptoms without sacrificing YOU. You'll learn: What's behind odd, frustrating behaviors like repetition, wandering, personality changes, bathing resistance, and aggression-and what you can do How to defuse resentment, guilt, and family friction What to say for better communication and more cooperation Special advice for spouses, out-of-town caregivers, and other specific situations 100s of confidence-raising solutions from top doctors, social workers, dementia specialists, and family caregivers All in a fast, scannable format perfect for busy or overwhelmed dementia helpers.

The only pregnancy resource you will ever need! For the past decade, Parenting magazine has gained the loyal readership of smart, involved parents by getting to the heart of what moms and dads need to know about raising a child. Now Parenting, with an advisory board of leading experts, have created a comprehensive sourcebook to give parents-to-be--and their newborns--the best start possible. The Parenting Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth takes you from conception through the first weeks of a baby's life. Here is up-to-the minute information on: What's Going on in Your Body: Common changes • Tips for a good night's sleep • When to call the doctor • Pregnancy and sex What's Going on in Your Head: Mood swings • Miscarriage fears • Ways to feel your best How Baby Grows: Trimester-by-trimester look at fetal development • First flutters and kicks • Prematurity Checkups and Tests: Choosing a caregiver • All about prenatal tests • Genetic counseling • Eating and fitness: sensible weight gain • Sneaking in nutrients • Foods to avoid • Exercise basics • Getting your body back after pregnancy Special Situations: Multiple births • Placenta problems • Gestational diabetes • Older mom • Bed rest • The breech baby The Big Day: Why every labor is different • Pain management • Stage of labor • Epidural pros and cons • Cesarean birth Plus: Work Concerns • Newborn basics • Naming baby • Travel tips • Real moms' advice stories • Handy checklists And much more!

A cutting-edge handbook for parents from a pioneer in infant brain development Should you really read to your baby? Can teaching a baby sign language boost IQ? Should you pipe classical music into the nursery? Dr. Stamm translates the latest neuroscience findings into clear explanations and practical suggestions, demonstrating the importance of the simple ways you interact with your child every day. It isn’t the right “edu-tainment” that nurtures an infant’s brain. It is as simple as Attention, Bonding, and Communication, and it’s within every parent’s ability to provide. Practical games and tips for each developmental age group will show you not only what the latest findings are but, more importantly, tell you what to do with them.

The author of the monthly Momfidence column in Woman's Day takes a hilarious and sanity-saving look at perfect motherhood and gives readers renewed confidence in their innate parenting skills.

In this revolutionary new book, Dr. Tracy Gaudet, director of the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine, shares her remarkable vision of a new way of looking at self and wellness, which will change the way women think about their bodies, their health, and their lives. Through her own personal journey as well as her work with thousands of women as an Ob-Gyn, Dr. Gaudet knows that being able to tap into the spiritual, emotional, and cyclical realities of female life has a powerful effect on health and well-being. Yet she has found that many women are “unconscious” of the intimate connections between these realms. Now Dr. Gaudet explains to women how to reconnect their bodies and their souls, in order to become “consciously female.” Using her experience in integrative medicine, which draws on the best of both alternative and conventional Western practices, she offers mind-body techniques that will give you a deeper understanding of the inner workings of your body, and access to your unique feminine wisdom. By helping you make the best possible choices to support your health and wellness, the process of becoming “consciously female” will enrich and empower your life, day to day, week to week, year to year.

The Groundbreaking Guide Every Woman Needs With The V Book, women will learn everything they need to know about the basics of vulvovaginal—or “V”–health, an essential yet often overlooked area of women’s health. Dr. Elizabeth G. Stewart, the nation’s foremost expert in vulvovaginal care and sexual-pain disorders, answers the questions about the all too common “V” ailments that women are embarrassed to discuss even with their doctors. Drawing upon the latest medical research and two decades of experience treating thousands of women in her specialized gynecological practice, Dr. Stewart has compiled a wealth of information and advice. This comprehensive and authoritative guide for women of all ages includes: • How your vulvovaginal concerns change throughout the life cycle, from your teens through menopause and beyond • How to pick a good gynecologist, and how to ask the right questions • Dos and don’ts of V hygiene—and why sometimes less is better • The safest use of tampons, pads, and pantiliners • How to handle common symptoms, such as redness, itching, dryness, and discharge • Which medical tests you should insist upon from your doctor • Tips for safe and pleasurable sex, and what to do when sexual intercourse is painful • The latest research on vulvodynia, the vaginal pain syndrome that won’t go away • Diagnosing and treating yeast infections, allergies, and other ailments • What to do if your doctor detects cancer or precancer cells And much, much more...

In a culture that rarely sees pregnancy as a journey to self-discovery, Body, Soul, and Baby offers a fresh perspective on this transformative life experience by showing women how to tune in to the cues offered by their bodies and souls—as well as by the babies growing within them—for a healthier pregnancy, a more fulfilling birth experience, and a deeper bond with their baby. Drawing on the best of both complementary and conventional Western medicine, Dr. Gaudet has written a groundbreaking guide that shows you how to become an active participant in your pregnancy. By working with the natural processes of pregnancy, you can discover how to: • Pick up important signals from within about what you need, what your body needs, and what is right for both you and your baby • Tune in to cues that can alert you to early signs of problems • Use the mind-body connection to reduce stress, explore this remarkable life change, and bond with your baby • Nurture your whole self, including your evolving sexual and sensual needs • Make informed and conscious choices that reflect both your personal feelings and the latest medical information • Collaborate with your doctor or midwife, and build a supportive health-care team Empowering, inspiring, and respectful of the wisdom of the female body and spirit, this invaluable book also includes advice on eating right and staying active, and natural and alternative approaches to pain relief. Whether you’re already pregnant or preparing to be, the time to start listening to your inner wisdom is now, and the guide to doing it is here.