This book offers meditations for troubled sleepers. Jody Grant-Gray, a self-described problem sleeper, scrupulously avoids the "I-word," insomnia. She opts instead for "problem sleep" or "troubled sleep". If you call yourself an insomniac, she maintains, you are more likely to see yourself as sick and in need of a cure rather than "temporarily compromised" and able to resolve your difficulties through your own action.

Grant-Gray writes for people who fret about their work or their children or their bills at bedtime, who sleep poorly when something's bothering them....in short, most of us. She acknowledges that people are only human, and allows for all the frailties that implies. She's careful to stress that people who snore, disturb their bedpartners by kicking in their sleep, grind their teeth, or have other physical illnesses that account for perhaps half of all complaints of poor sleep need to see their doctors. This is a book for everyone else. But even those receiving medical treatment for sleep disorders may benefit from it.

Grant-Gray is a contributing editor of The SnoozeLetter, www.howtosleep.com. If she were a psychologist, she might be practicing cognitive therapy. In this book, she helps readers to examine and reframe their sleep problems and make a fresh start toward correcting them. Her book is organized as an A to Z guide, with enticing headings used to draw readers in. In the entry called, "Busy," for example, she describes a familiar scenario: "In the evening, as tired as you are, you rouse yourself to work on your screenplay, fold your laundry, or write your bills before bed. You still have to check your e-mail.... Once in your bed, you can't relax." Her advice: "Don't make to-do lists in bed. Take care of this kind of mental activity during the day." Later on, under "Escape," she advises readers to turn off their anguish when they turn off the lights, to welcome the night as respite from the cares of the day.

Here are her thoughts on the bedroom clock, covered under "Chronophobia": "It's there: it ticks, it hums, it buzzes. You check it regularly, between tosses and turns, throughout the night. ....At first it's still early...then all too soon it's only a couple of hours before you need to get up; the night has reached disaster level. You will definitely be tired and cranky all day. The clock has told you so." Many sleep experts advise turning the clock to the wall. Grant-Gray suggests you train yourself not to check the clock and learn to concentrate on falling back to sleep without worrying what time it is. While awake, she suggests, enjoy the quiet of the night. Don't worry that you'll never get to sleep, she says. "Anxiety over whether or not sleep will happen," she asserts, "can only delay, not prevent it."

In the section called, "Don't," she advises, "Hold your tongue. Don't say it. Don't do it. Not tonight. Don't bring up the in-laws, the religion question, the money problems at bedtime." In the morning, she reminds readers, you may be less bothered by these concerns. At the least, you'll be better rested and can present your case with passion.

From advice on progressive relaxation techniques to use at bedtime to suggestions for improving your sleep environment, this book is loaded with practical tips. Best of all, Grant-Gray shows readers there are many paths to better sleep. This book offers a well-marked road map.

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