In this follow-up to her popular The Personal Touch, Williams promotes seven Kwanzaa-inspired virtues—calling, thrift, responsibility, community, love, spirituality and creativity—as the essential ingredients for balanced living. As the head of America's most important African-American PR firm (they represent Janet Jackson, Sean Puffy Combs, Jesse Jackson and others) and a former social worker, Williams seems qualified to write about balancing a hectic life. While her first book was "about helping sistahs and brothers in business," this one discusses "caring for our souls and spirits and bodies." Williams's experiences growing up in the lower middle class, her relationships with friends, lovers and family, her hands-on service in the community to support disenfranchised youth along with her business career are the contexts through which she explains how to "work the virtues." She suggests readers spend a few hours every week reflecting on different aspects of each value and that they maintain a journal. Although Williams presents the seven virtues as part of the Kwanzaa faith, they are found in many spiritual paths. The material is clear and accessible, and if workaholics follow Williams's 52-week program, they should acquire some useful tips to help balance their lifestyles. (Nov. 5)
Forecast:The galley bills Williams's book as "
Simple Abundance [by Sarah Ban Breathnach] meets
One Day My Soul Just Opened Up [by Iyanla Vanzant]." Readers of both of those popular books are likely to look at this, although it is facing some competition with the near-simultaneous publication of Ban Breathnach's
Romancing the Ordinary (Forecasts, Sept. 30). Forewords by Vanzant and
Essence editor-in-chief Susan L. Taylor and an author tour ensure high visibility for this book.
