And before someone says something about me buying books - one was bought and the other three were library books. So there. I have discovered the wonder of checking out e-books and I love it.
But as I keep checking books off my list, I thought I'd start reviewing them for you. I've read very few bad books because I tend to choose based on my taste but I'll try and be honest.
But as I keep checking books off my list, I thought I'd start reviewing them for you. I've read very few bad books because I tend to choose based on my taste but I'll try and be honest.
Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward by Dr. Henry Cloud
I loved this book! It's a how-to on removing yourself from situations - be it professional or personal - that are keeping you from growing. One of the chapters is called "Stuck is the New Normal" and honestly, if you looked at my journal for the past year, you would see the word "stuck" a million times.
I don't feel stuck anymore but it's taken quite a bit of work on my part. And had I read this book earlier, it might have come sooner. Here's one quote from the book that "stuck" with me:
"When we fail to end things well, we are destined to repeat the mistakes that keep us from moving on."
Endings are a part of life. You can either deal with it or fight it, but only one will bring closure and a new chapter.
I loved this book! It's a how-to on removing yourself from situations - be it professional or personal - that are keeping you from growing. One of the chapters is called "Stuck is the New Normal" and honestly, if you looked at my journal for the past year, you would see the word "stuck" a million times.
I don't feel stuck anymore but it's taken quite a bit of work on my part. And had I read this book earlier, it might have come sooner. Here's one quote from the book that "stuck" with me:
"When we fail to end things well, we are destined to repeat the mistakes that keep us from moving on."
Endings are a part of life. You can either deal with it or fight it, but only one will bring closure and a new chapter.
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
This was my strange book of the week. And I knew it when I checked it out. This is all I need to say for you to understand: it's a book about a family of alligator wrestlers in Florida. For real.
It started out well and I enjoyed the first part of the book. The second part was strange. As I told another friend, I can't decide if the book is weird or just Southern literature. Because truly, when Faulkner first started writing, how many people thought he was strange? I'm still debating it in my head but don't read it if you don't read books to think. I'm just warning you. But I'd love to hear your thoughts if you do.
This was my strange book of the week. And I knew it when I checked it out. This is all I need to say for you to understand: it's a book about a family of alligator wrestlers in Florida. For real.
It started out well and I enjoyed the first part of the book. The second part was strange. As I told another friend, I can't decide if the book is weird or just Southern literature. Because truly, when Faulkner first started writing, how many people thought he was strange? I'm still debating it in my head but don't read it if you don't read books to think. I'm just warning you. But I'd love to hear your thoughts if you do.
Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture by Peggy Orenstein
This was a total impulse check-out. I myself was not a girlie-girl but I did grow up reading fairy tales, loving romantic movies and dare I say, dreaming of a Prince Charming. I don't know what girl doesn't and to tell you the truth I still enjoy those dreams and stories to this day. But I don't confuse those with reality which I think is the author's concern. That little girls confuse the princess culture with what is actually attainable.
It's an interesting read especially if you have little girls. I don't agree or disagree with her. I do not think that the color pink is disastrous. But I did enjoy the fact that she did not like Bella in the Twilight series of books. I have my own issues with that and totally agreed that no girl should look to her as a role model.
This was a total impulse check-out. I myself was not a girlie-girl but I did grow up reading fairy tales, loving romantic movies and dare I say, dreaming of a Prince Charming. I don't know what girl doesn't and to tell you the truth I still enjoy those dreams and stories to this day. But I don't confuse those with reality which I think is the author's concern. That little girls confuse the princess culture with what is actually attainable.
It's an interesting read especially if you have little girls. I don't agree or disagree with her. I do not think that the color pink is disastrous. But I did enjoy the fact that she did not like Bella in the Twilight series of books. I have my own issues with that and totally agreed that no girl should look to her as a role model.
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
Three sisters that love each other but don't like each other very much come home when their mother is sick. Each with their own set of problems and a professor father that quotes Shakespeare in everyday conversation. This is the most literary book I've read in a while. Smart, reflective and in a way, I identified with each of the daughters. One had a passion for order, one had a passion for being noticed and the other a passion for meaning. Who doesn't have all of those at some point in life?
And they were my kind of gals. They carried books with them everywhere they went. One even broke up with a boyfriend because "he was not well-read and had no desire to be so. This was completely unacceptable."
So there are my four from the past two weeks. I have many more in the queue and look for more book reviews as I finish them.
Three sisters that love each other but don't like each other very much come home when their mother is sick. Each with their own set of problems and a professor father that quotes Shakespeare in everyday conversation. This is the most literary book I've read in a while. Smart, reflective and in a way, I identified with each of the daughters. One had a passion for order, one had a passion for being noticed and the other a passion for meaning. Who doesn't have all of those at some point in life?
And they were my kind of gals. They carried books with them everywhere they went. One even broke up with a boyfriend because "he was not well-read and had no desire to be so. This was completely unacceptable."
So there are my four from the past two weeks. I have many more in the queue and look for more book reviews as I finish them.
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