Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the e-book library. I had seen the book around several times over the years, but had never read it.
I just finished the book and I'm not sure what feeling I'm left with. I can say the ending was really unsatisfactory. Not that it was a bad ending... it just didn't feel complete. Nothing about the story felt complete, but at the same time, I think it really represented life accurately. There is nothing neat and tidy about life, about families, about most marriages. So maybe leaving things untidy was the only way to end this book.
I liked it, but it wasn't really a happy book. Some of it was funny to me, but the overall tone became less funny as the book went on and just kind of left me feeling melancholy.
Clean, for the most part. I think the Lord's name was used in vain once, and there may have been a swear word or two, although I don't really recall any specifically. Just being on the safe side with that. There was some suggestion of marital intimacy, but nothing graphic.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Children's books...
I did a quick clean out of some of my little ones' books. There were a few I had no sentimental attachment to, and they also just weren't great books. Those are easy to let go. A couple of them, though, I feel a bit of "mommy" attachment to. I just can't part with them easily... or at all...
My Goodnight Book (Eloise Wilkin) - Our copy is messed up. I think it must have been in a diaper bag when my older kids were little and had milk spilled on it. It's a board book (Amazon still has pictures, even though it's not in print anymore), but the inner pages were obviously stuck together at some point, because there are rips across the tops of several pages. Just a sweet book with wonderful memories. I'm keeping our battered copy, just because it brings back memories of a special time of life with little ones.
Babies and Baby Animals (the one with the puppy on the cover) (Gyo Fujikawa) - I love these two books. I can't find the animal one... somewhere in my mind I think one of the kids drew in it to the point that I didn't keep it anymore? Or maybe it will turn up as I keep going through books. I still have the Babies one, and I am keeping it. My kids have loved it, and it's just a sweet book that I can share with my grandkids. :)
Baby Faces (by Funfax) - This little board book was a favorite of our younger three kids. It's so torn up. I'm going to buy a new one for our granddaughter for her upcoming birthday, and maybe a new copy to keep here at Grandma's house...
Potty Time (Jonathan Langley and Anne Civardi) - Another book that was used numerous times with all my older kids. Obviously, it's about potty training. We don't need it anymore, so I'll pass it on to my daughter-in-law for when our granddaughter is ready for potty training. I'm glad we're not going through that stage again around here, but it's still fun to look back and remember the sweetness of little ones learning to do new things. Special times. :) There are several pages that have been taped back together because one of our children actually took scissors and cut them out. I have a good guess at which one of them did that...
Pooh Dreamy Songs - This is one of those board books with the music buttons along the side. More good memories as I remember singing, "Good Night, Tigger", "Silver is the Moonlight" and "Are You Sleeping (Baby Roo)", and "Sleep, Eeyore, Sleep." I love it, but time to send it on to our grandbaby...
Here Comes Winter (Janet Craig) - This is a first reader that we've had from the time our oldest was learning to read. It's falling apart (already been stapled back together.) I don't really feel anything sentimental with this book... it just has been a part of our lives for a long time. I am just going to recycle it with other papers, but maybe it deserved a mention. We certainly have read it a lot of times around here. If it was in better condition, I'd keep it.
Also a couple of "personalized" books that belonged to my oldest sons. You know the kind... their names are part of the story. One of the grandparents gave them to my older kids... and I'll just pass them on to them.
There there are the DK board books... My First Words. One is random everyday stuff, one is animals. I had a love/hate relationship with these two books. The little kids loved them and I did, too... until there were little pictures with things kids don't recognize because they aren't a part of their world or look nothing like the version that IS a part of their world... or they used a word we don't use, like "sofa" instead of "couch." I don't know why that bothered me. They really were cute books that we used a lot. If they were in good shape (someone took a permanent marker to one... and I haven't seen the other one yet. I think it might have gone away in a previous clean out, because it was damaged, too), I would keep them.
Okay, one I have strongly disliked all these years... I Used to Be Afraid by Sally Hudson McMillan. The idea of the story is good (be brave even when you are afraid), but I don't know. I just didn't like the flow or the whole little gnome (or elf? I don't even know) friend who says, "I am Kandu, I am your friend..." My kids all liked it, but I'm not sad that it's now falling apart and I can get rid of it. Mean, I know.
There are so many more books, more than I can mention. Some I am handing down to the cute grandbaby, some are too trashed and are going in the garbage, and many are still being enjoyed here at home.
My Goodnight Book (Eloise Wilkin) - Our copy is messed up. I think it must have been in a diaper bag when my older kids were little and had milk spilled on it. It's a board book (Amazon still has pictures, even though it's not in print anymore), but the inner pages were obviously stuck together at some point, because there are rips across the tops of several pages. Just a sweet book with wonderful memories. I'm keeping our battered copy, just because it brings back memories of a special time of life with little ones.
Babies and Baby Animals (the one with the puppy on the cover) (Gyo Fujikawa) - I love these two books. I can't find the animal one... somewhere in my mind I think one of the kids drew in it to the point that I didn't keep it anymore? Or maybe it will turn up as I keep going through books. I still have the Babies one, and I am keeping it. My kids have loved it, and it's just a sweet book that I can share with my grandkids. :)
Baby Faces (by Funfax) - This little board book was a favorite of our younger three kids. It's so torn up. I'm going to buy a new one for our granddaughter for her upcoming birthday, and maybe a new copy to keep here at Grandma's house...
Potty Time (Jonathan Langley and Anne Civardi) - Another book that was used numerous times with all my older kids. Obviously, it's about potty training. We don't need it anymore, so I'll pass it on to my daughter-in-law for when our granddaughter is ready for potty training. I'm glad we're not going through that stage again around here, but it's still fun to look back and remember the sweetness of little ones learning to do new things. Special times. :) There are several pages that have been taped back together because one of our children actually took scissors and cut them out. I have a good guess at which one of them did that...
Pooh Dreamy Songs - This is one of those board books with the music buttons along the side. More good memories as I remember singing, "Good Night, Tigger", "Silver is the Moonlight" and "Are You Sleeping (Baby Roo)", and "Sleep, Eeyore, Sleep." I love it, but time to send it on to our grandbaby...
Here Comes Winter (Janet Craig) - This is a first reader that we've had from the time our oldest was learning to read. It's falling apart (already been stapled back together.) I don't really feel anything sentimental with this book... it just has been a part of our lives for a long time. I am just going to recycle it with other papers, but maybe it deserved a mention. We certainly have read it a lot of times around here. If it was in better condition, I'd keep it.
Also a couple of "personalized" books that belonged to my oldest sons. You know the kind... their names are part of the story. One of the grandparents gave them to my older kids... and I'll just pass them on to them.
There there are the DK board books... My First Words. One is random everyday stuff, one is animals. I had a love/hate relationship with these two books. The little kids loved them and I did, too... until there were little pictures with things kids don't recognize because they aren't a part of their world or look nothing like the version that IS a part of their world... or they used a word we don't use, like "sofa" instead of "couch." I don't know why that bothered me. They really were cute books that we used a lot. If they were in good shape (someone took a permanent marker to one... and I haven't seen the other one yet. I think it might have gone away in a previous clean out, because it was damaged, too), I would keep them.
Okay, one I have strongly disliked all these years... I Used to Be Afraid by Sally Hudson McMillan. The idea of the story is good (be brave even when you are afraid), but I don't know. I just didn't like the flow or the whole little gnome (or elf? I don't even know) friend who says, "I am Kandu, I am your friend..." My kids all liked it, but I'm not sad that it's now falling apart and I can get rid of it. Mean, I know.
There are so many more books, more than I can mention. Some I am handing down to the cute grandbaby, some are too trashed and are going in the garbage, and many are still being enjoyed here at home.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Between Two Minds (Dr. Judith Stay Moore)
Why I have this book: I saw it while browsing LDS e-books on Amazon.
The rest of the title: Healing from Depression and Anxiety for LDS Women.
This book took me a while to read... a few months, I think. Not because it wasn't good... I just stopped reading it for a week or two at a time - several times.
I should have a degree by now with all the books on depression and anxiety I've read lately. After I finished this book yesterday, I had a thought. Do we assume that we or others have clinical depression when we/they are actually just unhappy with our/their lives? I actually googled the question and there have been studies to indicate that depression is over-diagnosed and over-treated with drugs, and that many cases of depression are actually more about just being unhappy with how we are living. There were questions to ask to determine when it's depression or when it's just unhappiness.
*I know that depression is a real medical condition. I have no doubt about that. I know too many people who have battled severe depression to suggest otherwise.*
Anyway, back to the book... I liked this book. There was a lot of focus on the Savior, as well as scientific information on neuropathways in the brain and how they relate to depression. I think it would be helpful for anyone battling depression or for those who care about them.
Clean.
The rest of the title: Healing from Depression and Anxiety for LDS Women.
This book took me a while to read... a few months, I think. Not because it wasn't good... I just stopped reading it for a week or two at a time - several times.
I should have a degree by now with all the books on depression and anxiety I've read lately. After I finished this book yesterday, I had a thought. Do we assume that we or others have clinical depression when we/they are actually just unhappy with our/their lives? I actually googled the question and there have been studies to indicate that depression is over-diagnosed and over-treated with drugs, and that many cases of depression are actually more about just being unhappy with how we are living. There were questions to ask to determine when it's depression or when it's just unhappiness.
*I know that depression is a real medical condition. I have no doubt about that. I know too many people who have battled severe depression to suggest otherwise.*
Anyway, back to the book... I liked this book. There was a lot of focus on the Savior, as well as scientific information on neuropathways in the brain and how they relate to depression. I think it would be helpful for anyone battling depression or for those who care about them.
Clean.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Swimming to the Surface (Kristin Billerbeck)
Why I have this book: It's another of the freebie/cheapies I used to download.
For the record, this is the one that has sent me over the edge and compelled me to unsubscribe from the inspiredreads e-mail list (and to go back and delete even more books I have on my "to read" list in my Kindle.) Besides the fact that they only offer one free book each day now (as opposed to the three they used to offer), this was another book that was so bad that I couldn't wait to finish it. I was getting anxiety just waiting for the book to finish. I was skimming through the pages, just to be done. (I know I could have just stopped reading, but it takes a lot for me to quit reading a book in the middle of it.)
Disjointed story, disjointed characters, disjointed dialogue. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.
Ridiculous. And now I officially know not to put too much weight into Amazon reviews. I'm not sure the best way to find book recommendations anymore.
Clean'ish. There is some implication of a character being homosexual... but like the rest of the story, it's just weird.
For the record, this is the one that has sent me over the edge and compelled me to unsubscribe from the inspiredreads e-mail list (and to go back and delete even more books I have on my "to read" list in my Kindle.) Besides the fact that they only offer one free book each day now (as opposed to the three they used to offer), this was another book that was so bad that I couldn't wait to finish it. I was getting anxiety just waiting for the book to finish. I was skimming through the pages, just to be done. (I know I could have just stopped reading, but it takes a lot for me to quit reading a book in the middle of it.)
Disjointed story, disjointed characters, disjointed dialogue. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.
Ridiculous. And now I officially know not to put too much weight into Amazon reviews. I'm not sure the best way to find book recommendations anymore.
Clean'ish. There is some implication of a character being homosexual... but like the rest of the story, it's just weird.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Three books about image overhaul. LOL
Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight (Jen Brewer, RD)
Finished Being Fat: An Accidental Adventure in Losing Weight and Learning How to Finish (Betsy Schow)
Staging Your Comeback (Christopher Hopkins)
Why I have these books: The first two I saw at the local bookstore, and after flipping through them, I decided they looked interesting enough to check to see if they have ebook editions. They did (for less money), so I bought them. I am a sucker for success stories on weight loss.
The Staging Your Comeback one... well, I was looking at YouTube videos of haircut before and afters while waiting for a hair appointment. (Doesn't everyone do that???) Anyway, the author of this book does these whole makeover days at his salon... hair, make-up, dress... all sort-of geared toward ladies over 40. A lot of the women in the videos had read his book, and since I'm feeling frumpy lately, I thought it might be helpful.
I liked all three books. The one by Betsy Schow made me laugh aloud several times. Very entertaining! The other two were both informative and helpful. All three are keepers.
Clean. The Staging Your Comeback one might have had a swear word or two, but maybe not. I don't remember, and to be honest, I skimmed through a lot of it and only read the parts I was interested in.
Finished Being Fat: An Accidental Adventure in Losing Weight and Learning How to Finish (Betsy Schow)
Staging Your Comeback (Christopher Hopkins)
Why I have these books: The first two I saw at the local bookstore, and after flipping through them, I decided they looked interesting enough to check to see if they have ebook editions. They did (for less money), so I bought them. I am a sucker for success stories on weight loss.
The Staging Your Comeback one... well, I was looking at YouTube videos of haircut before and afters while waiting for a hair appointment. (Doesn't everyone do that???) Anyway, the author of this book does these whole makeover days at his salon... hair, make-up, dress... all sort-of geared toward ladies over 40. A lot of the women in the videos had read his book, and since I'm feeling frumpy lately, I thought it might be helpful.
I liked all three books. The one by Betsy Schow made me laugh aloud several times. Very entertaining! The other two were both informative and helpful. All three are keepers.
Clean. The Staging Your Comeback one might have had a swear word or two, but maybe not. I don't remember, and to be honest, I skimmed through a lot of it and only read the parts I was interested in.
The Secret Keeper (Kate Morton)
Why I have this book: It is our book club book this month.
Good book! There is a lot going on in the story, and you have to settle in and absorb all the characters as it sets up what ultimately happens. I was easily kept enthralled, and didn't expect the twist in the plot as the book came to an end.
What a creative mind the author has! I can't even imagine how some authors (certainly not all!) come up with their stories. My mind doesn't think like that.
It's on my Kindle, but if it was a real book, I'd probably keep it. It's one of those books (to me) that I would say to (select) others, "You should read this book."
And... maybe it's just me, but I'm so glad I had this book on Kindle. I looked up so many words! The author used a lot of words in this story that aren't commonly used. If I had been reading a printed book, I'd have been able to deduce the meanings, but since I could just tap the word and have the definition right there instantly, I did that. Love that feature!
There were a handful of swear words, including using the Lord's name as an exclamation of expression. There were a few suggestive moments, but nothing graphic.
Good book! There is a lot going on in the story, and you have to settle in and absorb all the characters as it sets up what ultimately happens. I was easily kept enthralled, and didn't expect the twist in the plot as the book came to an end.
What a creative mind the author has! I can't even imagine how some authors (certainly not all!) come up with their stories. My mind doesn't think like that.
It's on my Kindle, but if it was a real book, I'd probably keep it. It's one of those books (to me) that I would say to (select) others, "You should read this book."
And... maybe it's just me, but I'm so glad I had this book on Kindle. I looked up so many words! The author used a lot of words in this story that aren't commonly used. If I had been reading a printed book, I'd have been able to deduce the meanings, but since I could just tap the word and have the definition right there instantly, I did that. Love that feature!
There were a handful of swear words, including using the Lord's name as an exclamation of expression. There were a few suggestive moments, but nothing graphic.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Four Books by Rachel Ann Nunes
The Ariana Trilogy
Ariana: The Making of a Queen
Ariana: A Gift Most Precious
Ariana: A New Beginning
A Glimpse of Eternity
Why I have these books: I bought the trilogy on Kindle a while ago. All three books in one publication for just over $10.00. I had never read them, but saw them all the time back when they were first published (starting in the mid-1990's), so I kinda wanted to see what they were about. The fourth one I listed is a sequel of sorts to the Ariana books. The author also has several other books that tie-in to the series.
So... I did like the Ariana books. I thought it was interesting to tackle the subject of AIDS, and in my opinion, the author did a good job of lessening the stigma associated with the virus. In general, I'm glad I read them. Kinda nice to have a setting outside of Utah and have less of the typical LDS culture.
The fourth book was okay. Some of it was a little too Saturday's Warriors for me. I wouldn't read it again.
Clean.
Ariana: The Making of a Queen
Ariana: A Gift Most Precious
Ariana: A New Beginning
A Glimpse of Eternity
Why I have these books: I bought the trilogy on Kindle a while ago. All three books in one publication for just over $10.00. I had never read them, but saw them all the time back when they were first published (starting in the mid-1990's), so I kinda wanted to see what they were about. The fourth one I listed is a sequel of sorts to the Ariana books. The author also has several other books that tie-in to the series.
So... I did like the Ariana books. I thought it was interesting to tackle the subject of AIDS, and in my opinion, the author did a good job of lessening the stigma associated with the virus. In general, I'm glad I read them. Kinda nice to have a setting outside of Utah and have less of the typical LDS culture.
The fourth book was okay. Some of it was a little too Saturday's Warriors for me. I wouldn't read it again.
Clean.
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