SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA: Live in the Present, Find Your Future

Reading a Parrott book is like listening to a wise, trusted friend help you sort out your problems with warmth and compassion. In this instance, the problem is regret, which the author believes can serve as a springboard to a better life—once it's dealt with effectively. Parrott, a bestselling CBA author and clinical psychology professor at Seattle Pacific University, leads readers through a series of practical steps toward a regret-free life, culminating in a deeper appreciation for God's grace. He clearly presents the faith-based material through his seemingly effortless writing style, conversational tone, innate sense of structure and frequent use of fresh anecdotes. He's also vulnerable, exposing some of his own regrets. In fact, his personal experiences, coupled with the regrets he has heard others express, prompted him to write Shoulda ("I decided I'd regret it if I didn't write this book," he quips). The first of three sections indirectly defines the potential audience: "Every honest human has regrets," he writes in "We All Have Regrets." A second section, "When Regret Turns Toxic," deals with issues such as shame and blaming others, while the third, "Living Without Regret," promises to put an end to feelings of defeat and false guilt. Each of the 12 chapters ends with questions for reflection, and a number of self-assessment tests are sprinkled throughout. (Feb.)