SELF-HELP

The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power

by Katherine Morgan Schafler
Portfolio. Jan. 2023. 352p. ISBN 9780593329528. $29. SELF-HELP
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As a therapist and self-proclaimed perfectionist, Schafler pulled inspiration from her private practice and personal experience to create this thoughtful guide. Though the client vignettes are fictional, they serve to help readers connect to the information presented. The book begins with a quiz to determine which of the five types of perfectionism the reader may identify with, chances being that they relate to some. The author posits that perfectionism is not a disease to be cured, but rather a gift that can be harnessed and managed in a healthier way. She offers useful tips to change perfectionist thought patterns by providing a list of new thoughts to stop overthinking, and a list of new tasks that will stop readers from overextending themselves.
VERDICT Practical application of the concepts is missing from the book, and journaling opportunities or exercises at the end of each chapter would help readers incorporate Schafler’s tools into their lives. Even so, the writing is engaging, and the title will be eye-catching to library audiences.
Reviewed by Jenny Shonk , Dec 16, 2022
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