A Second Helping Of Chicken Soup For The Soul: 101 Stories More Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirits of Mothers

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen

Overwhelmed by the success of their first book, and inundated by stories from members of the public, the authors decided to produce a second helping of this publishing phenomenon. Never losing sight of their audience, they produced a book that, once again, tugged the heartstrings and guaranteed an emotional response to others' heart-warming tales.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Short Stories, Christian, Essays, Adult

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Gina Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful inspiring stories

[Jen • Just One More Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is also posted on my blog.

I liked the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book much better.

This one had exactly what you would expect from a Chicken Soup book, but with far fewer stories that hit me deep, and far more stories that just SCREAMED of being neurotypical or ableist, and were obviously aimed towards Christians only. The number of God-centered stories was rather disappointing. There ARE other religions besides Christianity, there ARE real mental illnesses that have nothing to do with ‘choosing’ whether or not your thoughts will be negative for the day, and disabled people do NOT exist to be your inspiration. ('I’m not handicapped if I can help someone else’? Really??)

The other stories that did not focus on any of those things were, at worst, fine. A select handful of them *did* resound rather deeply and left me thinking. Unfortunately, the bad of the rest kind of made me forget what stories they were and what messages they had.

Yeah, I get this was published in the early 90’s. But that was a short enough time ago that I find it difficult to be very lenient about how I choose to rate it.

Reading this was part of my plan to read the original Chicken Soup books before I move on to the ones that are specialized, and in my opinion, this one is easily skippable. I will not be looking to add it to my collection, and I won’t be re-reading it.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been years since I read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I used to love them so much during my teenage years but reading this book as an adult I kind of struggled at times because I found some stories too boring to even want to finish the book while others I loved dearly and they were the ones that kept me reading.

I can't say though that I want to go out and read another book from this series right away. I may wait a really long time before I do.

[Jaci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me gustan los libros motivacionales, así que este no iba a ser la excepción, pero realmente no me gustó.
Hubo historias que sí me gustaron, pero otras simplemente me aburrieron. Supongo que estas reflexiones fueron hechas para personas con más edad, así que no me sentí tan a gusto con la lectura.
Pero estoy convencida de leer Sopa de pollo para el alma adolescente, lo veo más adecuado para mí.

[hg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book back in January. When my wife and I found this continuation of the first book in a local bookstore, I immediately agreed to make it my September reading. However, I started reading the book at some point mid-August. I mention this because I read this book slowly. That's how the authors suggest doing so in the intro. I believe that is the perfect advice for two reasons. Number one, you get a bit of a warm feeling every day. Number two, you don't get tired of some stories that are too sweet. I had the impression that some of the stories were taken from some kind of novel or a movie script. So, what I did was reading a couple of stories a day. Anyhow, it was difficult for me to get fully engaged with the book, so I didn't enter in the momentum where you want to read more of the book in a sit. This doesn't mean is a bad book though. To me, the stories that I liked the most were in the last couple of chapters: 7. Overcoming Obstacles and 8 Eclectic Wisdom. Those were the ones that made me finish the book in a sit.
For readers new to the Chicken Soup for the Soul concept, I would suggest starting with the first book to put your feet in the water. If you like it enough, then go for this one.

[Lívia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind, touching, thoughtful, heartwarming stories <3

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good human on human stories to inject some hope in current events

[Holy Nainggolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of chicken soup for the soul books. It helps us to contemplate more and more of our own life by the stories it delivers. You know it's just random stories from random ppl out there, but somehow it's inviting tears and joy and happiness at the same time, like you can sense the emotions, it engenders a good energy to your mind. I think, once in your life, you ought to read one chicken soup for the soul book.

[Abrar Alkhalifah · Rating 5 out of 5]

طبق لذيذ من المتعه والالهام❤️

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love the stories in this book. I suffer depression and this book has brought me lots of courage and lifted my spirits many times.

[Clara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Made me cry at some points, but has a LOT of "believe in God and ur depression will be gone!" Sure Jan...

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through the experiences of others, readers from all walks of life can learn the gift of love, the power of perseverance, the joy of parenting and the vital energy of dreaming. Share the magic that will change forever how you look at yourself and the world around you.

I read this book on my Kindle. I was highlighting a lot of passages and stories that were shared so I could go back and refer to them again. I thought the stories in here were nice. They felt like a hug in a book and they made me think but I only resonated with one quote.

My favorite quote was,”You do not have to be your mother unless she is who you want to be. You do not have to be your mother’s mother, or your mother’s mother’s mother, or even your grandmother’s mother on your father’s side. You may inherit their chins or their hips or their eyes, but you are not destined to become the women who came before you. You are not destined to live their lives. So if you inherit something, inherit their strength, their resilience. Because the only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

Would I recommend this book? Yes if you’re looking for feel-good stories to read or if you like feel-good stories.

[Anastassia Dyubkova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Строго говоря, это достаточно проходной сборник, основной недостаток которого в его некоторой... неоднородности. Здесь есть отдельные истории, которые действительно трогают и заставляют задуматься - но есть, напротив, и истории в духе "Жил-был один мужчина, а потом он состарился и умер. Конец". Последние, как правило, ещё и написаны топорным языком пишущего сочинение школьника. Из-за этого, собственно, поставить высокую оценку рука не поднимается.
Но в качестве отдыха для мозга (и души, угу) это вариант неплохой. К тому же рассказы очень короткие, и в любой момент можно безболезненно прервать чтение. Где-нибудь в дороге или в очереди, где заняться нечем, зайдёт на ура. Но в бумажном виде я бы эту книгу не приобрела.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite quotes in the book by Oscar Wilde is, "I have many flowers." he said, "but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all." Pastor John R. Ramsey shares a touching short story you will not forget. Then there's Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck that will sure to make you cry! Les Brown wrote an amazing story on "What Goes around Comes around" that I thoroughly enjoyed knowing about. You'll laugh aloud after reading Jack Canfield's short snippet on "Discouraged?" One of my all time favorites is reflecting on the writing of Art Linkletter, encouraging so many by sharing his personal story, "If I Could Do It, You Can Too!"

[Matt Chlebda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked the first volume of stories in this series, I highly doubt you'd be disappointed with the tales, poems, and art located in this volume! I feel the same way about this one that I did about the first book, and the other four books in the OG Chicken Soup for the Soul series honestly. Great read to lift the mood, and have your soul feel lighter from life's troubles! Great book series, off to the third volume.

[James Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Excellent Follow-up To The Original
If you liked "Chicken Soup for the Soul," you will love the sequel. "A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul" made me laugh, cry, and think about life. The sections "On Love" and "On Death And Dying" were standouts. Patty Hansen's story about her dog, Suki, really touched my heart. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen have a winning formula in this series. Does your soul need a little healing? If so, try some "Chicken Soup."

[Claudio Valverde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una edulcorada visión de distintos aspectos de la vida. Agradable para leer pero la verdad no recuerdo que me haya aportado nada interesante. Probablemente dentro de este tipo de libros sea valioso porque está bien escrito pero no es el tipo de libros que despiertan mi interes. A los que les atrae la temática creo que les va a gustar.

[Mrtn52752 · Rating 5 out of 5]

No esperaba mucho de este libro al inicio pero cuanto más fui leyendo, más me sorprendía a mi misma. Los relatos logran cautivar y reconfortarte, además de que estos son variados, pero los temas que exploran son los necesarios para conseguir un nuevo enfoque sobre uno mismo y más importante, un nuevo enfoque sobre la vida.

[CarolAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry but I just had an overload of sappy stories. It was basically a feel good type book which isn't bad. But I'm not that type of person. I can stand to read a few stories at a time but not a whole book.

[Riddhi_345 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories are beautiful, but I found that it took so long to read them all. I overall would recommend this, but if you read it read it slowly. I read it quickly in a couple sittings which is NOT how you read it.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of stories that can be read off and on which I did. Read a few a day. Each one different to inspire, to just give you something to think about, a poem, a cartoon. Stories others liked and just wanted to share.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

El primero me gustó muchísimo más, pero sigo agradeciéndole a mi abuela que me regaló los dos primeros libros por haberme adentrado en estas pequeñas historias que me encantaron…todas y cada una de ellas

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This collection was a beautiful and moving experience, filled with heartfelt verses that resonated deeply. Each poem felt like a glimpse into something raw and true, making it a joy to read and reflect on!

[Fanni44 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I’ve read this pretty spaced out and did really like it at the beginning in the end it was kinda boring
But some of these stories will definitely stay with me on the long run because they do be hitting some soft spots

[Neelima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing short stories .... scripted by Indian authors... the experiences they have shared is worth reading and inspiring, nice book

[Jemima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very heartwarming and inspirational.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book.

[Jane J. Janas, Ph.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was fun to see the "Ann Landers" type of "feel good" columns all in one place. Couldn't read too many at a time, though, as too many became an overload.

[Royal's Amazings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very motivated stories, it should be read at once, certainly.

[Carol Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of these I have read in other sources. Still, it was a nice little book.