Ree Drummond
This was my mother's day gift to myself. I was lazy and read the whole book on Sunday. (While the boys were napping and after they went to bed, I didn't totally ignore them.) It didn't take long. I love the Pioneer Woman! I think she is a fabulous blogger because we all read her book or blog and find ourselves convinced we would be best friends. If only I lived near her ranch in Oklahoma, but wait I don't want to live on a ranch in Oklahoma. While I don't need black heels, I am also not up for tractor wheels. This was a fun story with a little realism, too. I forget that Ree's life is anything but perfect, and she has had her share of rough times. Some I could very much relate to these days. I think this is a good old fashioned fun, chick flick read. Run on out and grab you a copy.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
What the Dog Saw
Malcom Gladwell
I like Malcolm Gladwell books. They make me feel smart because they are non-fiction and I don't read much non-fiction. :) I have to say I didn't love this like I loved the other two Gladwell books I have read. For some reason the collection of essays bothered me a little, I am not a huge fan of short stories, and there were some that just weren't as interesting to me as others. Overall, I did very much enjoy it though. I like to think about things in a different way and Mr. Gladwell always helps me see things with a little more information and perspective. For instance, I knew I was a little bit frustrated with Avery's preschool teachers and the section on evaluating performance and how to promote as a result hit the nail on the head for our situation. His teachers are kind and nice, not bad at all. They just aren't that amazing teacher you sometimes find, they get the nuts and bolts perfectly. But, I don't think they know wiggling and leaning forward to look at the story doesn't mean you are disobedient, it means you are very interested in knowing more. You should read this when you want to feel smart and be entertained all at the same time.
I like Malcolm Gladwell books. They make me feel smart because they are non-fiction and I don't read much non-fiction. :) I have to say I didn't love this like I loved the other two Gladwell books I have read. For some reason the collection of essays bothered me a little, I am not a huge fan of short stories, and there were some that just weren't as interesting to me as others. Overall, I did very much enjoy it though. I like to think about things in a different way and Mr. Gladwell always helps me see things with a little more information and perspective. For instance, I knew I was a little bit frustrated with Avery's preschool teachers and the section on evaluating performance and how to promote as a result hit the nail on the head for our situation. His teachers are kind and nice, not bad at all. They just aren't that amazing teacher you sometimes find, they get the nuts and bolts perfectly. But, I don't think they know wiggling and leaning forward to look at the story doesn't mean you are disobedient, it means you are very interested in knowing more. You should read this when you want to feel smart and be entertained all at the same time.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Anybody Any Minute
Julie Mars
I thought this was an okay book. The main character was interesting enough however the plot didn't grab my interest and keep it. I think the story was just a little too contrived for my taste. I am not sad I read it, but it is definitely not worth the trouble it took to find it since it is not available on kindle. I won't spoil the ending but it was weird. The more I think about it, this just wasn't that good of a book. None of the characters were developed in a way that made you fall in love with them and want to really know their stories. I am an easy to please reader so I certainly didn't hate it, but I am an easy to please reader and I also didn't love it.
I thought this was an okay book. The main character was interesting enough however the plot didn't grab my interest and keep it. I think the story was just a little too contrived for my taste. I am not sad I read it, but it is definitely not worth the trouble it took to find it since it is not available on kindle. I won't spoil the ending but it was weird. The more I think about it, this just wasn't that good of a book. None of the characters were developed in a way that made you fall in love with them and want to really know their stories. I am an easy to please reader so I certainly didn't hate it, but I am an easy to please reader and I also didn't love it.
Heaven is for Real
Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent
This was another book club pick. I was a little nervous to read and discuss because we typically have a "no Jesus book" clause. This sounds a little silly as we are a group of Christian women, but we didn't want to get bogged down in feeling chained only to Christian works and let's be honest most Christian fiction is a whipping. We did read the Red Tent and it was great, well worth breaking the rules for. I have to say this book was just okay. I thought it was a sweet story and a very easy read, I finished it in an afternoon. The little boy seems like a sweet kid and I loved the way he described heaven, it would be more than great with me if that is how it is. I think he positively impacted many lives and that is awesome! Can you tell I feel weird talking negatively about a Jesus book? Another reason not to chose them, it's too hard to be honest. I think it is a sweet story. I think it is weird that he had an out of body go to heaven experience when he never died, normally people that tell these stories actually died. I also think it isn't a coincidence that he is the son of a small town preacher. My uncle was small town preacher for years and my cousin did go with him to visit people in the nursing home and hospital, or drive the joy bus on Sunday mornings. I think these experiences are hugely shaping in all the best ways, but probably greatly affect the experience written about. No matter what I am glad that this little boy is okay today, making a positive impact in people's lives for Christ, and most importantly I am so glad there is a heaven for us to go see for ourselves someday!
This was another book club pick. I was a little nervous to read and discuss because we typically have a "no Jesus book" clause. This sounds a little silly as we are a group of Christian women, but we didn't want to get bogged down in feeling chained only to Christian works and let's be honest most Christian fiction is a whipping. We did read the Red Tent and it was great, well worth breaking the rules for. I have to say this book was just okay. I thought it was a sweet story and a very easy read, I finished it in an afternoon. The little boy seems like a sweet kid and I loved the way he described heaven, it would be more than great with me if that is how it is. I think he positively impacted many lives and that is awesome! Can you tell I feel weird talking negatively about a Jesus book? Another reason not to chose them, it's too hard to be honest. I think it is a sweet story. I think it is weird that he had an out of body go to heaven experience when he never died, normally people that tell these stories actually died. I also think it isn't a coincidence that he is the son of a small town preacher. My uncle was small town preacher for years and my cousin did go with him to visit people in the nursing home and hospital, or drive the joy bus on Sunday mornings. I think these experiences are hugely shaping in all the best ways, but probably greatly affect the experience written about. No matter what I am glad that this little boy is okay today, making a positive impact in people's lives for Christ, and most importantly I am so glad there is a heaven for us to go see for ourselves someday!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand
Wow, what an interesting read. This was definitely tough to get through at times. I am a little embarrassed to admit I almost never think of anything other than the persecuted Jewish people when I think of World War II. While they absolutely deserve our respect and remembrance, there are so many other people who suffered miserably for our freedoms and fought valiantly for them. I thought this was a very interesting picture of a soldier's life on the Japanese side of the story. I really like that the author portrayed Louie as he was lovable at times, and very unlovable at others. I think she did a great job of letting us learn to love and respect him on our own. I did think the acknowledgements were interesting when she mentioned some of his fellow soldiers. Because Louie was famous for being a great runner he was automatically a great and well know soldier, I wonder if it was even harder to be an outstanding soldier and who gets lost in the shuffle because you weren't famous before hand. A very interesting read. Well worth the time it took, but you may have to step away occasionally it is pretty heavy. I am once again finding myself so very thankful for my charmed life!
Wow, what an interesting read. This was definitely tough to get through at times. I am a little embarrassed to admit I almost never think of anything other than the persecuted Jewish people when I think of World War II. While they absolutely deserve our respect and remembrance, there are so many other people who suffered miserably for our freedoms and fought valiantly for them. I thought this was a very interesting picture of a soldier's life on the Japanese side of the story. I really like that the author portrayed Louie as he was lovable at times, and very unlovable at others. I think she did a great job of letting us learn to love and respect him on our own. I did think the acknowledgements were interesting when she mentioned some of his fellow soldiers. Because Louie was famous for being a great runner he was automatically a great and well know soldier, I wonder if it was even harder to be an outstanding soldier and who gets lost in the shuffle because you weren't famous before hand. A very interesting read. Well worth the time it took, but you may have to step away occasionally it is pretty heavy. I am once again finding myself so very thankful for my charmed life!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood
Jim Fay & Charles Fay, Ph. D.
As I mentioned on my regular blog Avery has been getting into some trouble at preschool. While we now think he is only a piece of the puzzle, we still decided this was a good time to have a little more method to our madness.
Love and Logic was far and away the most recommended resource from our pediatrician to friends to the preschool newsletter.
I really liked this book. I liked that it was short and sweet, but thoughtful. I liked that it had lots of examples. I like that so far it is working. A lot of it is not all the different from what we were already doing, but it gives us ways to do it better or lets us know we were already on the right track. I of course do not agree with every single thing they say, but I would highly recommend putting this on your list if you are looking for some help with parenting. I think I am going to read the extended version as well and then take a break for awhile. I would love it if we could go to a workshop where we can ask questions, too. I wonder if there is a version for preschool teachers I could give as a gift. :)
As I mentioned on my regular blog Avery has been getting into some trouble at preschool. While we now think he is only a piece of the puzzle, we still decided this was a good time to have a little more method to our madness.
Love and Logic was far and away the most recommended resource from our pediatrician to friends to the preschool newsletter.
I really liked this book. I liked that it was short and sweet, but thoughtful. I liked that it had lots of examples. I like that so far it is working. A lot of it is not all the different from what we were already doing, but it gives us ways to do it better or lets us know we were already on the right track. I of course do not agree with every single thing they say, but I would highly recommend putting this on your list if you are looking for some help with parenting. I think I am going to read the extended version as well and then take a break for awhile. I would love it if we could go to a workshop where we can ask questions, too. I wonder if there is a version for preschool teachers I could give as a gift. :)
A Vintage Affair: A Novel
Isabel Wolff
So cute! I thought this was a very fun read. While it was definitely a chick flick it had some decent substance. I have always loved reading because a good book makes you forget you are reading while you picture the movie in your head. I LOVED picturing all the cool clothes and scenes in my head, and was so glad the author could get me there without long, flowery descriptions. I think this is a perfect spring break read!
So cute! I thought this was a very fun read. While it was definitely a chick flick it had some decent substance. I have always loved reading because a good book makes you forget you are reading while you picture the movie in your head. I LOVED picturing all the cool clothes and scenes in my head, and was so glad the author could get me there without long, flowery descriptions. I think this is a perfect spring break read!
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