Fitting in is Overrated: The Survival Guide for Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Like an Outsider
By: Leonard Felder
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co. (Oct. 7, 2008)


As someone who has spent much of her life not quite fitting in, I was delighted to find that Dr. Leonard Felder had written a book for those slightly off center folks who don't fit society's mold of the norm. Fitting in is Overrated: The Survival Guide for Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Like an Outsider is a very practical quide to finding your place in society and becoming comfortable with who you are. He helps you understand that it is possible to do both and still stay true to yourself.

Happily, Dr. Felder points out the benefits of being different. He shares personal information and stories about people who were outsiders but turned what could have been perceived to be a negative into a positive. He mentions Charles Schwab, Yo-Yo Ma, Oprah and others who could be classified as outsiders before they learned to use their special gifts and insights. Now their uniqueness is celebrated. Reading this book will inspire people who feel they don't belong, to move past the feeling of being an outsider and get on with their lives with confidence.

Dr. Felder gives the reader permission to skip chapters. He says, "If you have a busy schedule or you're not in the mood to read a book from cover to cover...You don't need to read all ten chapters." He recommends that you read the chapters that pertain to your own situation. This is the kind of book you want to share with friends and family, especially when you read a paragraph that is an uncomfortable, but accurate description of yourself or someone you know.

Fitting in is Overrated is a quck read because it is interesting. Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or has a child who does not fit in with peers will welcome the advice and solutions found in this book.

Leonard Felder, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, received an honorary degree in 2005 from the New Seminary in New York for developing methods to teach clergy and congregations to be respectful of diversity. He has written ten books that have been translated into 14 languages. He has appeared on CNN, The Today Show and Oprah; his television and radio appearances number more than 200. Some of Dr. Felder's book titles are very telling, "When Difficult Relatives Happen to Good People", "Making Peace with Your Parents", "Making Peace with Yourself" and "Wake Up or Break Up". See my review of "Wake Up or Break" in Related Links.

Fitting In Is Overrated: The Survival Guide for Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Like an Outsider is available from Amazon.com

Highly recommended. Read it, you will begin to feel comfortable in your skin.