What We See and Don’t See by Robert Guarino with illustrations by Jeff Jackson explains how our brain organizes the complex information received by the senses into simple, meaningful patterns. Information gathered by the senses is the first step in perception. For thousands of years, humans were hunters and gatherers and the dangers of the wild were real. We had to be able to react quickly when hunting and when being hunted. It’s no wonder that our brain has evolved to take in so much complex information, yet present us with only the bare necessities – the simple and meaningful patterns that are our ordinary, everyday experiences. Robert uses this backdrop to elaborate the complex workings of our five senses. Wonderfully interactive, thoroughly engaging and a brilliant resource tool to deepen one’s own awareness about the self and our species, this book is a must read. Robert ends it by saying, “Being open to possibilities is an important characteristic of an effective problem solver”.

Me and My Memory – Why We Forget Some Things and Remember Others by Robert Guarino with illustrations by Jeff Jackson explains how complex the process of Memory is. The author informs us about our representational memory, experiences memory, procedural memory, absentmindedness, rote memory etc.; which gives us a clear picture of how memory functions in our everyday life. Further the distinctions between long and short-term memory helps us answer questions regarding what we forget and what we remember. Robert takes us through the ‘Memory Cycle’, where the processes of ‘perception’, ‘storage’ and ‘retrieval’ are elaborated by establishing the deep-rooted links between the brain and our memory. When memory is affected by suggestion, it also leads in creating false memories. The author illustrates the various deficits that occur due to loss of memory like ‘Amnesia’, ‘Dementia’ and so on. This book uses a very effective, interactive approach and should be read for understanding oneself and raise one’s awareness.

Me and My Feelings – What Emotions Are and How We Can Manage Them by author Robert Guarino examines our primary and secondary emotions through the lens of neuroscience, but in a simple and interactive manner. This book is a very useful resource tool for educators, parents and above all teenagers. Filled with illustrations by Jeff Jackson; this book empowers us with both knowledge about one-self and practical ways in which to use this awareness to navigate through choices, decision-making and all relationships.