Kamloops Daily News, October 9, 2002
"...about smashing drop balls into stereotypes about women, middle age and competitive sport, drawing upon inner strength..."


Benchpressbooks.com
"Joy Conrad gives a whole new meaning to the Nike commercial slogan, 'Just do it.'"


Nancy Millar, reader, Kamloops, British Columbia
I liked your book! I read it through in one night!


Kamloops Daily News, Dec. 12, 2003, Sports Editor Gregg Drinnan
Nifty little read. Terrific look at woman searching for meaning of life as she turns the corner on 50.


Email: Gregg Drinnan, Sports Editor,Kamloops Daily News, Dec. 13, 2003
how impressed I was with the writing and editing. Your book was excellent.


Personal E-mail John Koruga, retired college administrator
Nice easy style, clear, helpful, inspiring. Will pass it along to my daughters.


Book Description
An in-depth account of one woman's quest through training and competing in squash. Honest and detailed perspective of the squash and fitness scene by a serious recreational player as she lives out her quest for excellence in sport and a change in her life. As much about mid-life change as sport. Illustrates using meditation during play. A Changing Course book.


From the Publisher
New: sturdier covernew page on zoom meditation during play


About the Author
Masters Degree, Speech/English, University of Washington Audio-book Dear Ming, Love, Mei-Ling distributed by J. Norton


Excerpted from Court Quest: Playing Women's Squash in the USA and Canada, 1992-1994 by Joy Conrad. Copyright © 2002. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From Ethereal Effects, p. 111 We wrap ourselves in towels and happy faces, long hair flowing down our muscular shoulders and backs. Gracefully we walk around the locker room, preparing to re-enter our other worlds. A flickering light makes our appearance heaven-like. At this time and in this light age doesn't matter much. We walk the walk of healthy women.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Court Quest uses squash as a backdrop to get at a pivotal part of the author's life story-her struggle to become a national caliber player at age 50, get fit, deal with personal and career crises, deserve to go to US Nationals and win her age group, and use her developed spiritual practices on the squash court. This effort has surprising consequences most women can relate to.

You, the reader, will chuckle at glimpses into squash club culture in North America in the early 1990's. You will recognize some compelling issues facing women at that time, and wonder how squash players Tamara and Denise fare.

You will begin to understand what drives not young players to enter age-group tournaments , and root for the author as she relentlessly trains and focuses, staying open to her quest.

You will learn how one player succeeded on the court through her use of quick-zoom meditation and mantras. Simply put, this book is an ode to squash players.

It extols unrecognized athletic ability.

In subtle ways it links aging, sport and spirit.