The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

"What if your perfectionism exists to help you?" asks psychotherapist Schafler in her eye-opening debut. The author suggests that perfectionism is a "strength" to be harnessed and outlines the five types of perfectionist: classic, Parisian, procrastinator, messy, and intense. Parisian perfectionists, she contends, want everyone to like them but are embarrassed about how much they care, while messy perfectionists love to start projects but usually don't finish because they become frustrated that the execution isn't flawless. She posits that the line between the types is porous and that some individuals may display different types based on context: "You can be a messy perfectionist when it comes to dating but a classic perfectionist during the holidays." Contrasting adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, Schafler urges readers to emulate the former, which recognizes that perfectionism will always be out of reach but finds value in the striving, while the latter believes in the possibility of achieving perfection and feels discouraged by the inevitable failure to do so. Schafler's thoughtful treatment of perfectionism offers a fresh perspective, and the client anecdotes enlighten, as when she describes a "classic" perfectionist who was "so clean and crisp" that it looked "as if she'd purchased all her belongings earlier that morning." The result is an insightful guide on how to sweat the details. (Jan.)

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.

"What if your perfectionism exists to help you?" asks psychotherapist Schafler in her eye-opening debut. The author suggests that perfectionism is a "strength" to be harnessed and outlines the five types of perfectionist: classic, Parisian, procrastinator, messy, and intense. Parisian perfectionists, she contends, want everyone to like them but are embarrassed about how much they care, while messy perfectionists love to start projects but usually don't finish because they become frustrated that the execution isn't flawless. She posits that the line between the types is porous and that some individuals may display different types based on context: "You can be a messy perfectionist when it comes to dating but a classic perfectionist during the holidays." Contrasting adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, Schafler urges readers to emulate the former, which recognizes that perfectionism will always be out of reach but finds value in the striving, while the latter believes in the possibility of achieving perfection and feels discouraged by the inevitable failure to do so. Schafler's thoughtful treatment of perfectionism offers a fresh perspective, and the client anecdotes enlighten, as when she describes a "classic" perfectionist who was "so clean and crisp" that it looked "as if she'd purchased all her belongings earlier that morning." The result is an insightful guide on how to sweat the details. (Jan.)