You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way--What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

by Laya Saul

You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way covers a lot of topics that teens need and want to read about: from sensitive areas like sexual abuse, pain, and hard times, to issues like understanding how to deal with peer pressure and making the right choice about drugs. These are the topics that teens asked Aunt Laya to write about. They also asked for inspiration and ideas about goals, life s changes and sex. Laya Saul does not shy away from any topic that can empower a young adult. She gives teens the tools to meet life s trials head on! Like a favorite aunt, Laya Saul encourages her readers to use challenges as stepping-stones. This comforting and strengthening book reads like a letter written from the heart. Although it was written with teens in mind, the book is finding its way into the hands of readers spanning generations! The wisdom is practical, timeless, and helpful. Each chapter is written in bite-sized portions and packed with ideas, stories, quotes, and questions for introspection. Inspiring, motivating, comforting, and helpful, You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way is sought after by teens and the adults in their lives who want them to succeed. It s a great gift to be tucked under the pillow of your favorite teen, or read together to open discussions or bond. This book has become a beloved reference that the reader can return to over and over.

******
I Never Thought of THAT...

Sure, all young people make mistakes. And yes, you should try to learn from them. But does that mean you have to try everything--and make a lot of painful mistakes--before you can say you've learned a thing or two about life? Not according to Aunt Laya. You can learn from other successes and failures of others, make smart choices, and lead an exciting, satisfying life. This book is a great place to start. Listen to Aunt Laya:

"Decide for yourself the kind of life you want. You have to live your own adventure in life, but you don't have to reinvent the wheel."

In You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way, Aunt Laya Saul helps you find--within yourself--the answers to life's most important questions. It's like having a heart-to-heart talk with your favorite aunt, one who understands you, respects you, and wants you to reach high for your dreams.

Aunt Laya shows you how to:

Conquer your doubts--recognize and use your gifts and your strengths
Tap into and trust your intuition to make good choices and avoid danger
Define your boundaries for better, healthier relationships
Open the door to healing places where you hurt
Strengthen yourself with wisdom and information

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Share this book with them!

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

When I was growing up, I can honestly say that I don't remember ever hearing about "self-help" books for teens. If they were out there, I simply never heard about them, and no one ever pointed me in their direction. Maybe if I had gotten my hands on a book as well-written as YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEARN EVERYTHING THE HARD WAY, I would have had a better guideline to base my choices on. Thankfully, this book is available now, and it's a resource that every teen and pre-teen should read. Aunt Laya Saul is never preachy, she doesn't tell you what's right and wrong, she never says you can't make mistakes. Actually, the author is very adamant about that fact that each young adult should make their own decisions, and that you can learn from your mistakes. But as she also points out, there is still something to be learned from the mistakes that have already been made by others. Just as you know that jumping off the Empire State Building would be a bad idea (as shown by those who have tried it), you can realize that doing certain things will only bring you harm by seeing the results they've already had in other people's lives.

The book is laid out in four main categories, with many sub-categories in each one. They are:

Attitude, which includes Believe In Yourself, Everybody Has Something, Trust Your Intuition, Defining Boundaries, Don't Panic, The One Percent Adjustment, What Do You Expect?, It's Your Choice, and Accountability.

Challenges, which includes Failure-Missing The Mark, Handling Regret, Trusting The Hard Times, Pain And Suffering, Alcohol And Drug Abuse: Self-Medication, Sexual Abuse, Suicide, and You Are Never Alone.

You And The World, which includes Reflections On Relationships, Family, Friendship, Communication, Gossip, Be Nice, Feedback, and What You Really Need To Know About Sex.

Gaining Altitude, which includes Because You Are Noble And You Can, Forgiveness, Lend A Hand, You've Got To Stand For Something, Live Your Dreams, Changes, and The Gift of Time.

There is also an introductory letter from the author, a final word, a section on recommended reads and a bibliography, acknowledgments, how to contact the author, and an author biography.

This is a great book that you can give to the teen or pre-teen in your life. Or if you're a young adult looking for a handbook to get through the tough times of adolescence, pick up a copy of YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEARN EVERYTHING THE HARD WAY. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

[Sirah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was a lot of advice. While there were a few places where this book offered novel ideas and inspiring stories, the author spent a lot of time giving me a long list of "do" and "do not." I've already forgotten most of it, but some of the stories will stay with me, and a few of the activities (such as mapping out dreams) were meaningful to interact with. Admittedly, I'm not the target audience for this book, which is advice for teens, primarily, but I would have thought there would be more connection rather than just instruction. I still read through the whole thing though, so it can't have been that bad.

[Bryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be beneficial to anyone who needs help with their mental state or have had past trauma or if they feel lost. But if you do not relate to any of this it is not the best to read. My parents bought me this book, so I decided to read it. I did not relate to most of this book, but some aspects of the book were helpful and gave me new ideas on how to deal with certain situations.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book :)

[Helen Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a good book for those who have trouble in school and in life.

I'm not saying that its not a good book.
This is a really helpful book if you need advice or have problems. This book would have more of an effect on kids who aren't ignorant of advice. Although it would not really help kids today in our world. They are less obedient and probably won't let this book influence their thoughts and actions. I'm not really like that but the book wasn't really compelling and interesting to be much of a help.

For example, if you said " I hate you," to your grandma, first, thats rude and second that will definitely deprive them of their cheerful spirits. They care for you, as a mother for her child. On the other hand, if you said "I hate you" to a friend, they will most likely react differently, either being mad at you for a small time or completely ignoring it and thinking you are joking. Those are the two sides of reactions to this book. To older people, they might take some of this advice seriously. But to teens, it might not matter except for the explicit parts and gossip. This book is targeted for teenagers as well but I don't think that it fits right.

Despite the fact that this is a book review, I would say that this book can definitely be better. Maybe a group of helpful teenagers could've written each part in their own view and explain their experiences. I don't know, but it would be better than this book, sorry.

[Sandra McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book--from the quotations sprinkled through each chapter to the upbeat message delivered by each chapter! Aunt Laya covers every possible issue and doesn't avoid the tough ones. This is a "Book of Wisdom" packed full of common sense and delivered with love. If I could give my tween and teen grandkids only one book, this would be the one!

[S R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for adolescents and young adults