I KNOW I'M IN THERE SOMEWHERE: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner Voice and Living a Life of Authenticity

Brenner, a psychologist who runs workshops for women, focuses on the significant problem: women often are taught to behave as "people pleasers" and keep their emotions hidden rather than express their true feelings. Instead of advocating that women change themselves, Brenner wants women to be aware of their concerns. "I call this a 'self-acceptance' book, rather than a 'self-improvement' book, because I truly believe that you don't have to change or fix or improve yourself in order to be happy," she writes in her introduction, continuing, "I believe that living a fulfilled life comes from learning how to listen to your inner voice, to the truth of your inner being in all of the ways that it speaks to you, and to live from it." The book offers practical strategies focused on finding the "Inner Voice" in five stages: Knowing, Sensing, Feeling, Wanting and Voice of the Larger Self. Using many real-life examples, Brenner offers advice on such common issues as loneliness within marriages, unresolved issues with aged parents, job difficulties, etc. Included are sidebar exercises such as spending 15 minutes writing down wants, reading these wishes aloud and talking to a friend without censoring any feelings. Women who are comfortable expressing their feelings will find this book reassuring, but some of Brenner's suggestions are simplistic and not particularly original. (June)