Friday, October 8, 2010

Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage by Gottman

I've learned about Gottman and his research extensively in school, read his book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, so I was excited to read this new book- Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage. It started like his other book and I felt kind of like I was getting a review of the last movie to enjoy the sequel. However, I felt like the book never really took off of it's own. Nothing felt especially new to me and even after I renewed it three times, I couldn't find the energy to finish this book. Have I learned from Gottman? Yes. Do I think about his four horsemen anytime I find the urge to criticize character or speak with contempt? Yes. But one of his books was enough! Sorry, I didn't even finish this one!

A Leader's Heart

I truly believe we are all leaders in our own spheres, whether it is among our families, our communities, or even just as masters of ourselves. That's why I was so excited to read A Leader's Heart from John Maxwell. I received a free copy from BookSneeze and was so impressed with the quality of the book. It's absolutely beautiful and the first page I opened to gave me something to think about. I have different roles- woman, wife, mother, church leader, and they all must be balanced. Everyone I work with or serve is important and different. Reading through this book and taking the chance to reflect on the ways I can improve as a leader was wonderful. I can't wait to follow through the yearly diary and see how I can be better each day.

Max Lucado's Out Live Your Life

You Are Special is one of my favorite children's books so I was excited to read this newest book from Max Lucado, Out Live Your Life. I recieved a free copy from BookSneeze and started reading it immediately. It's a quick, easy read but also thought provoking. I love all the stories he shares about ordinary people making a difference. Sometimes, between all the housework and responsibilities I have with my little kids it's hard to feel like I can make a difference, but this book made me feel like I really can. I love how he explains that Jesus, the ultimate example, was humble and diligent. He worked and served and we can too. God has given us gifts so we can love and serve those around us, like His Son did. Lucado also shared the story of Mother Theresa and said, "None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus." And that is what it's all about. I loved this book and appreciate the chance I had to reflect and think about how I can apply these important principles to my own life!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

One Hand Two Hands by Max Lucado

I love You Are Special by Max Lucado so I couldn't wait to get ahold of his latest children's book, One Hand, Two Hands. My free copy from BookSneeze came in the mail and my son and I eagerly opened it. It was absolutely wonderful! The illustrations are happy and attention grabbing- my son loved seeing what came next. Even better, the words were sweet, meaningful, and easy to understand. I loved this and can't wait to read it over and over again with my children- to help them learn the meaning of service and the difference that they can make.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

I was very excited to receive this book from Booksneeze, the companion volume to Captivating. Written by John Eldredge, it claims to unlock the secret to a man's soul. I could tell from the very beginning that my husband would identify with this book and hope to get him to read the pair. Together I think they provide a good perspective on making a relationship work between two very different kind of people (because like the authors said in both books, we are certainly different, but God made us that way!) The Christian insight was also appreciated. Good read!

Monday, July 12, 2010

How Not to Be a Messie from Sandra Felton

I recently read The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton. The best thing I learned from this book is that the difference between a poor or a good house keeper is that when they walk by a little mess or thing to clean, the cleanie does it then instead of procrastinating. I've worked on that more recently and I think it's making a difference! She also suggests making a goal, then going room to room, cleaning out extra stuff, and eventually you'll have the skills to maintain a clean house.

Now I'm just trying to remember, "Our houses look the way they do because we give them permission to look that way!"

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

I read this book a month ago but I've been behind on my blogging to say the least! This book was lovely. I received a free copy of Captivating to review from BookSneeze and I'm glad I did- I wouldn't have bought it but feel enriched having read it. The premise of women as wonderful, special daughters of God is refreshing and enjoyable. Although my person beliefs aren't quite the same as the authors, I loved how clearly they described Christ waiting at the gate- just waiting for us to come unto Him. I also found myself agreeing with their ideas of what women want from men and our innate, God-given differences. This was uplifting and inspiring- a great read.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go by Lucille ONeal

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book after I saw it on BookSneeze (Thomas Nelson provided it to me for review). Written by Shaquille ONeal's mother, it chronicles her life in her own words. This was a quick and easy read- I was happy to pick it up and see what would happen next. Lucille wrote very candidly and did a great job conveying her feelings about growing up in difficult circumstances, becoming an unwed teen mother, and eventually having a very famous son. Although my faith is a little different than hers I liked learning about her beliefs and how they saw her through difficult times. I loved when she talked about dressing up her baby doll little boy and found myself identifying with her a lot (particularly as a very tall woman!) This uplifting book left me feeling positive and proud of her for accomplishing so much. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't focus only on Shaq but on how he changed her life for the better. I've already recommended this to my husband and mom and know others will like it, too.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Actor and the Housewife


Oh I absolutely loved this book by Shannon Hale! It's the first I've read from her, although I've heard many many glowing recommendations. You can bet I'm going to beg, borrow, and steal the rest of her stuff as soon as I can, though. This book was entertaining, enjoyable, real, and uplifting. I laughed, cried, and almost peed my pants laughing at some of the pregnancy/kid humor. It was fun to imagine myself in the same situations since Becky Jack's life was so close to my own (minus the writer bit- I'm no writer!) So read it- it's quick moving and wonderful. Only glowing recommendations on this one, really.

Monday, March 22, 2010

These Is My Words

A couple years ago These Is My Words was the Arizona book of the year. The program was designed to encourage everyone in the state to read the same book so you could learn a little more about the state and have something in common with your neighbors (I think). My mom had told me to read it long before but I hadn't yet, but after attending a reading and book signing by the author, Nancy Turner, I jumped right in.

This book is inspiring, entertaining, and based on a true story. It's wonderful (so are the sequels, though of course I loved this one the best!) I loved watching the character learn and grow and truly felt inspired by her strength and hard work in every situation.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Read and Share- the Story of Easter by Gwen Ellis

I just received a complimentary copy of Gwen Ellis' Read and Share- the Story of Easter from BookSneeze to review. I signed up for this particular book because it looked appropriate for my three year old son and I've wanted to teach him the really meaning of Easter and Jesus Christ's ministry. This book is illustrated by Steve Smallman and has nice, age appropriate pictures. The writing is very easy to follow and understand- I think it would be appropriate for preschool through elementary age children. My son also liked the DVD with so many great bible stories, but I preferred reading it to him so we had a chance to talk about the beautiful message. My favorite part of this book was the "you can retell the story" pictures at the end of the book. My son loved telling me what happened and I loved seeing how much he had learned. This book was a great and I look forward to reading it again and again with my children.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Here Be Dragons

 
This is the best book I've read since I graduated from college. It's probably one of my favorite books I've ever read, actually. It's engaging, exciting, romantic, and *gasp* educational. Set in England and Wales during the rein of King John, Sharon Kay Penman will make you fall in love with Llewelyn in a heart beat. Really, I read this while I was pregnant and honestly tried to convince my husband we should name our son Llewelyn. He just thought I was crazy pregnant but if we actually had any Welsh ancestry I think my son might have it for a middle name at least! As it it we did give both of our kids good British names that I grew to love after reading her books. Read it now. Really.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

 
This is the latest book I've read so I figured I'd start with it. I read the Da Vinci code when it came out and liked it, especially since I'd just been in Paris and loved reliving that. This one, however, sat on my nightstand for a couple of months, on loan from my husband's nice and generous boss. I finally decided I'd better read it so that I could return it. It was a quick read and an interesting, captivating story. Dan Brown can certainly lead you on easily enough and I couldn't wait to figure out the ending, even if I didn't really agree with much of the book. The giant squid scene was a little creepy violent for me but I like Robert Langdon's character so I forged on, eager to hear the ending. Would I read the next one? Maybe... but I think I'll save my reading time for something else!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Another blog...

I'm a mom, a wife, a wanna-be-chef, a casual photographer, a friend, a preppy, a church-goer, a shopper. I'm a lot of things but most of the time these days I'm "momma" to a toddler and baby. I've always loved to read and find myself reading childrens' books and cook books more than anything else these days. Right now on my night stand I have a parenting book, a Jane Austen book, a Dan Brown book, the scriptures, and a pile of magazines. I try to read often but it's hard to make the time. So I'm starting another blog. I'm sure no one will read it but it will be fun to look back and realize that I've tried to read and learn things along the way and to remember what I gleaned from them. Here goes!