Why I have this book: I bought it because I think the author has an interesting story to tell.
I still think that, but I didn't think she really told it in this book. She does (a bit), but it seems really brief compared to the rest of the book, which feels like a fireside. I'm pretty sure it is geared towards the youth, and I think it would be more appealing to them.
Clean.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't) (Brenè Brown)
Why I have this book: A friend recommended it years ago, and it's been on my Kindle since then.
I've read several of Brenè's books, and this is probably my least favorite. It seemed to be trying too hard to sound intellectual and deep with the issue of shame (the focus of the book). I didn't disagree with a lot of her thoughts about how women struggle with feeling "good enough," but to keep labeling it "shame" and pulling everything back in that direction felt like an effort to me. Maybe it's all semantics.
I still highlighted a lot of things, and solutions for overcoming those feelings that seemed helpful. It just seemed to take a long time to get to the point, at least in my opinion. Maybe if the reader was more interested in the research and analysis, it would feel different to them.
There is some swearing in this book... and really, it's not necessary. Sexuality is also discussed, as it relates to the topic of shame.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
My Story (Elizabeth Smart)
Why I have this book: I bought it a while ago because, like most people in Utah, I was so amazed and grateful when Elizabeth was found safe and I admire her courage so much. It took me a while to read it, because I knew it would be painful to know exactly what she went through.
I loved this book, even though it was hard to read. Elizabeth is careful with how she words things and never gives descriptions about exactly what she was put through, but it still was sad and emotional to read and imagine how very traumatic this experience was for her.
But what a strong girl she was, and what an amazing woman she is. Even though I knew when she was finally rescued, my heart just ached so badly for all those moments when it seemed help was at hand and wanted it to happen desperately. It hurt to know those moments weren't going to save her. And I anxiously waited for her to come forward when it finally was that time. I wanted to hug the officers who persisted and who made her feel safe enough to finally speak up.
The writing is very simple and straight forward. It truly is her story, so if you're looking to have every angle examined, you won't find it here. It isn't needed here.
I really loved this book because I am filled with awe at Elizabeth's strength and the good she has done in her life since her return. It is a horrible story of evil, but a powerful story of the human spirit and the strength she was given by God and her upbringing in a wonderful family to endure a horrific situation.
Clean, with vague descriptions of the abuse (sexual and otherwise) she suffered at the hands of an evil man.
I loved this book, even though it was hard to read. Elizabeth is careful with how she words things and never gives descriptions about exactly what she was put through, but it still was sad and emotional to read and imagine how very traumatic this experience was for her.
But what a strong girl she was, and what an amazing woman she is. Even though I knew when she was finally rescued, my heart just ached so badly for all those moments when it seemed help was at hand and wanted it to happen desperately. It hurt to know those moments weren't going to save her. And I anxiously waited for her to come forward when it finally was that time. I wanted to hug the officers who persisted and who made her feel safe enough to finally speak up.
The writing is very simple and straight forward. It truly is her story, so if you're looking to have every angle examined, you won't find it here. It isn't needed here.
I really loved this book because I am filled with awe at Elizabeth's strength and the good she has done in her life since her return. It is a horrible story of evil, but a powerful story of the human spirit and the strength she was given by God and her upbringing in a wonderful family to endure a horrific situation.
Clean, with vague descriptions of the abuse (sexual and otherwise) she suffered at the hands of an evil man.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Love is a Choice: Making Your Marriage and Family Stronger (Lynn G. Robbins)
Why I have this book: I bought it because it looked good.
Soooo… well, I liked it better in some parts than others. The first part was better for me… but the last part just turned into a format/tone I didn't like as well. I felt like the book was kind of all over the place. It wasn't really what I was expecting, at least the further I got into it.
I did highlight a lot of thoughts and ideas throughout the book. I think the flow just didn't work for me on some of it, plus it just got to where it reminded me of those old Richard and Linda Eyre books. (I think I have a form of post-traumatic stress about those books. Back when I was a younger parent, they really made me stressed out about my parenting and how much more I should be doing.)
Anyway, it was good in some ways and not-as-good in others.
Clean.
Soooo… well, I liked it better in some parts than others. The first part was better for me… but the last part just turned into a format/tone I didn't like as well. I felt like the book was kind of all over the place. It wasn't really what I was expecting, at least the further I got into it.
I did highlight a lot of thoughts and ideas throughout the book. I think the flow just didn't work for me on some of it, plus it just got to where it reminded me of those old Richard and Linda Eyre books. (I think I have a form of post-traumatic stress about those books. Back when I was a younger parent, they really made me stressed out about my parenting and how much more I should be doing.)
Anyway, it was good in some ways and not-as-good in others.
Clean.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Between Heaven and Texas (Marie Bostwick)
Why I have this book: It is part of the Cobbled Court Quilt series, and I've read them all.
I guess this is considered #6 in the series (according to Goodreads), but on Amazon it seems to be the first in a new series. (A Too Much, Texas Novel is how it's labeled, so… series?) If it is a new series, I won't complain! I loved it.
It's actually a prequel to the Cobbled Court series, and if someone is going to read those books, I'd recommend reading this one first. It really helps to set this particular character up in a way that adds to the rest of the series.
In any case, it can stand alone… but I do hope the author continues it into a series. It was a really fun read, and I could see it as a movie. The characters were that colorful.
Clean, with maybe one or two mild swear words. There were a couple of characters who got pregnant out of wedlock, but it was kind of "small town" antics (in my opinion) and they both chose to get married.
I guess this is considered #6 in the series (according to Goodreads), but on Amazon it seems to be the first in a new series. (A Too Much, Texas Novel is how it's labeled, so… series?) If it is a new series, I won't complain! I loved it.
It's actually a prequel to the Cobbled Court series, and if someone is going to read those books, I'd recommend reading this one first. It really helps to set this particular character up in a way that adds to the rest of the series.
In any case, it can stand alone… but I do hope the author continues it into a series. It was a really fun read, and I could see it as a movie. The characters were that colorful.
Clean, with maybe one or two mild swear words. There were a couple of characters who got pregnant out of wedlock, but it was kind of "small town" antics (in my opinion) and they both chose to get married.
A Beauty So Rare (Tamera Alexander)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library because I like the author and I had read the first book in this series. (This is the second book.)
I liked this one even more than the first one. I liked the first one, too, but this one came out a bit on top in comparison. I'll keep watching for new books by Tamera, because I do like the way she writes.
Clean.
I liked this one even more than the first one. I liked the first one, too, but this one came out a bit on top in comparison. I'll keep watching for new books by Tamera, because I do like the way she writes.
Clean.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
The Cobbled Court Quilts Book Series (Marie Bostwick)
A Single Thread
A Thread of Truth
A Thread So Thin
Threading the Kneedle
Ties That Bind
Apart at the Seams
Why I have these books: I bought the first two a long time ago (and read and reviewed them earlier), and after waiting for the prices to drop on the others, I finally gave up and bought them anyway. (I had some Amazon gift cards!)
I had to re-read the first two books, just to make sure I would remember the details as I started the rest of the books. I liked them even as a second read. I really enjoyed this series. I'm sad that it's over (I do have one "prequel" still left to read), but I think the author has started a new series, so I'm glad about that.
There are a handful of swear words in each book, and an interesting contradiction with a bit of sexuality (nothing described, really, but more than I expected) and a fairly significant religious tone (also unexpected, but which I really liked). Subject matters include divorce, abuse, death, infidelity… but everything is presented as real life experiences, not sensationalized.
A Thread of Truth
A Thread So Thin
Threading the Kneedle
Ties That Bind
Apart at the Seams
Why I have these books: I bought the first two a long time ago (and read and reviewed them earlier), and after waiting for the prices to drop on the others, I finally gave up and bought them anyway. (I had some Amazon gift cards!)
I had to re-read the first two books, just to make sure I would remember the details as I started the rest of the books. I liked them even as a second read. I really enjoyed this series. I'm sad that it's over (I do have one "prequel" still left to read), but I think the author has started a new series, so I'm glad about that.
There are a handful of swear words in each book, and an interesting contradiction with a bit of sexuality (nothing described, really, but more than I expected) and a fairly significant religious tone (also unexpected, but which I really liked). Subject matters include divorce, abuse, death, infidelity… but everything is presented as real life experiences, not sensationalized.
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