Supernormal, Meg Jay
Supernormal, Meg Jay
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Supernormal
The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience

Author: Meg Jay

Narrator: Meg Jay

Unabridged: 10 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Twelve

Published: 11/14/2017


Synopsis

Clinical psychologist and author of The Defining Decade, Meg Jay takes us into the world of the supernormal: those who soar to unexpected heights after childhood adversity.

Whether it is the loss of a parent to death or divorce; bullying; alcoholism or drug abuse in the home; mental illness in a parent or a sibling; neglect; emotional, physical or sexual abuse; having a parent in jail; or growing up alongside domestic violence, nearly 75% of us experience adversity by the age of 20. But these experiences are often kept secret, as are our courageous battles to overcome them.

Drawing on nearly two decades of work with clients and students, Jay tells the tale of ordinary people made extraordinary by these all-too-common experiences, everyday superheroes who have made a life out of dodging bullets and leaping over obstacles, even as they hide in plain sight as doctors, artists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, parents, activists, teachers, students and readers. She gives a voice to the supernormals among us as they reveal not only "How do they do it?" but also "How does it feel?"

These powerful stories, and those of public figures from Andre Agassi to Jay Z, will show supernormals they are not alone but are, in fact, in good company.

Marvelously researched and compassionately written, this exceptional book narrates the continuing saga that is resilience as it challenges us to consider whether -- and how -- the good wins out in the end.

About Meg Jay

Meg Jay, PhD, is a developmental clinical psychologist who specializes in twentysomethings. She earned a doctorate in clinical psychology, and in gender studies, from the University of California, Berkeley. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and on NPR and BBC. Her TED talk, “Why 30 Is Not the New 20,” is among the most watched of all time. Dr. Jay is on faculty at University of Virginia and maintains a private practice in Charlottesville.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephanie on March 10, 2018

This is a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about their own childhood adversity and resilience, or the experience of a loved one. Jay writes in a thoughtful, comprehensive and conversational way that takes you from one page to the next, seamlessly. Some notes that stood out: - 75% of childr......more

Goodreads review by Rita on March 05, 2018

Interesting and entertaining read that reassures us we are not predestined to any behavior: “When I suggested to Jennifer that, once she had children, rather than becoming more understanding of her parents, she might find she is even less understanding of the choices they made, she began to cry with......more

Goodreads review by Shirley on July 05, 2018

Very well written audiobook but I must admit I struggled with this book. Will try a paper back edition at a later date.......more

Goodreads review by Ioana on August 16, 2021

Meg Jay, psiholog clinician si profesor de psihologie cu o vasta activitate de peste 20 de ani, isi propune ca prin cartea de fata, Supernormal. Povestea neîmpărtășită a adversității și rezilienței, sa ofere publicului larg o opera de nonfictiune narativa, bazata atat pe studii provenind de la cerce......more

Goodreads review by S. on October 05, 2019

I always loved survivors stories, and I guess that I finally have a somewhat explanation for why: “The ‘normal man,’” concluded the Goertzels, “is not a likely candidate for the Hall of Fame.” Through her book Dr. Jay tried to endow the reader with an insight of what it is like to be resilient, or......more


Quotes

"This extraordinary book taught me more about resilience than anything else I've read. With the ear of a therapist and the voice of a novelist, Meg Jay delves deep into the human condition to illuminate how we find strength after suffering. It's impossible to read SUPERNORMAL without seeing yourself in it -- and without seeing yourself more clearly too."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Calibri; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take, Originals, and Option B with Sheryl Sandberg

"Adversity is much more common than we think. But so is resilience, as Meg Jay reveals in this remarkable book. With a storyteller's grace and a clinician's insight, Jay explains how everyday superheroes triumph over traumas of every kind -- and how you can use their inspiration and lessons to transform your own life."—p.p1 {margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #2c2c2c}Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of Drive

"On our long journey through life, sometimes we get knocked down by adversity. Meg Jay's brilliant analysis of how to rise up even stronger is essential reading for all of us on the path of everyday heroism."—Philip Zimbardo, PhD, president of The Heroic Imagination Project

"SUPERNORMALis a compassionate, optimistic, yet realistic tale of resilience. We can bounce back from adversity. Even so, the bounce hurts. I recommend this book to anyone seeking guidance, or inspiration, for coping with everyday stress -- or a once-in-a-lifetime trauma."—p.p1 {margin: 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}span.s1 {color: #2c2c2c}Robert E. Emery, PhD, University of Virginia; Director of the Center for Children, Families, and the Law and author of Two Homes, One Childhood

"With SUPERNORMAL, Meg Jay takes us into the secret world of friends, neighbors, and colleagues, where many are fighting their own private battles. You will understand resilience quite differently after you read this book, and the world would be a more compassionate place if everyone did."—J. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D, director of Think:Kids

"...a fascinating look at how young people can triumph over profound adversity to lead fulfilling lives."—Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)

"SUPERNORMAL puts an end to the 'happily-ever-after' tales we tell ourselves about resilient children. But it does not stop there. Deeply researched and full of insight and wisdom, it is a book for anyone thinking about how we navigate the vicissitudes of life."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri; color: #2d2d2d}span.s1 {color: #000000}Steven Lagerfeld, public policy fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center

"In a world where quick fixes masquerade as the secret to health and happiness, SUPERNORMAL saves the day with an inspirational account of resilience that never shortchanges the pain, risk, or complexity of the challenges involved. Masterfully researched, eloquently written, and deeply felt, SUPERNORMAL satisfies at every level."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri}span.s1 {color: #424242}Daphne de Marneffe, PhD, author of Maternal Desire and The Rough Patch

"Meg Jay offers the supernormals among us -- those masses forged by adversity -- both self-awareness and community. They will see themselves, and one another, in her pages, exhaling with the relief of recognition."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri; color: #2d2d2d}span.s1 {color: #424242}Joshua Prager, author of The Echoing Green and 100 Years

"Compelling and hopeful. [Meg Jay] amply shows that though internal battles may not end, the joy that comes from living a balanced life is always possible. A well-researched, abundantly documented, readable work of social science."—Kirkus