I had a lazy weekend. I've been tired, as I've been working a lot lately, mostly from home, and trying flesh out appellate issues while wrangling the boys is exhausting.
So, this weekend being mother's day weekend and all, I figured no one would mind if I just lazed about reading. Right? Right. (Sorry, honey.) So, I finished Your Witness, Feeding the Hungry Heart and Things I've learned from Women Who've Dumped Me.
Your Witness was a quick read, and educational as well as entertaining. Only lawyers would enjoy reading other lawyer's war stories, but I found it to have some good advice, too. It was funny, but again, I think only because I've been there done that.
Feeding the Hungry Heart was a really quick read, and I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as When Food is Love. It just didn't seem as in depth or as insightful.
Things I've Learned from Women Who've Dumped Me was a book my husband bought for himself, but I took it and read it in an hour or so. It was hilarious. It was great insight into the mind of men, which I find is always helpful. It made me appreciate my husband, too, and remind me why I'm so glad I'm not single and that, even if he doesn't understand where the dishwasher is or how to use it, he's still an awesome guy.
I'm down 11 now, 89 to go. I have got some serious reading to do to finish this challenge, but even if I don't make it, I will have read quite a bit this year, which is never a bad thing.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Catch-Up
I have been crazy busy lately, so I took a break from reading books, and instead was reading transcripts, police reports, etc. for work. All the reading I do at work sometimes makes me have to take a break and home, but recently I've been back at it.
In the past couple months, I have finished the following: Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See; You're a Horrible Person, but I Like You; When Food is Love, by Geneen Roth. I have started some other books (yes, I'm one of those people who reads multiple things at once.).
I am currently reading: Three Cups of Tea; Your Witness; and multiple books by Geneen Roth (hello, uncomfortable sharing of my personal life).
I enjoyed Shanghai Girls, for the most part. I thought it was overwrought in some parts, and went on a little too long, but it was a quick read and kept my interest. I don't have a sister, so the dynamics of the sisterly relationship have always held interest for me. I also enjoyed reading about Shanghai in the 20's. I have been to some of the places in the book when I lived in China, and it was fun to read about them and picture them in my mind, as they might have been 80 years ago.
You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You was funny. I literally laughed out loud a few times. It was a super quick read, nice and mindless, which is just what you need sometimes to take a mental break. I actualy bought it for my husband, because it looked like something he would enjoy, but I brought it home, showed it to him and proceeded to read it. He still hasn't read it. Ingrate.
Geneen Roths' books are fabulous. Without going into too much personal stuff and turning this blog into my own private therapy session, I find them to be well-written and pretty spot on.
I think I'm up to seven now. Only 93 to go! Woot! Yeah. I better get on it.
In the past couple months, I have finished the following: Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See; You're a Horrible Person, but I Like You; When Food is Love, by Geneen Roth. I have started some other books (yes, I'm one of those people who reads multiple things at once.).
I am currently reading: Three Cups of Tea; Your Witness; and multiple books by Geneen Roth (hello, uncomfortable sharing of my personal life).
I enjoyed Shanghai Girls, for the most part. I thought it was overwrought in some parts, and went on a little too long, but it was a quick read and kept my interest. I don't have a sister, so the dynamics of the sisterly relationship have always held interest for me. I also enjoyed reading about Shanghai in the 20's. I have been to some of the places in the book when I lived in China, and it was fun to read about them and picture them in my mind, as they might have been 80 years ago.
You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You was funny. I literally laughed out loud a few times. It was a super quick read, nice and mindless, which is just what you need sometimes to take a mental break. I actualy bought it for my husband, because it looked like something he would enjoy, but I brought it home, showed it to him and proceeded to read it. He still hasn't read it. Ingrate.
Geneen Roths' books are fabulous. Without going into too much personal stuff and turning this blog into my own private therapy session, I find them to be well-written and pretty spot on.
I think I'm up to seven now. Only 93 to go! Woot! Yeah. I better get on it.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Books Two-Four Done
This week, I read The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start, and the Biggest Loser Simple Swaps . I also read Late Talking Children.
The Biggest Loser books were quick reads, but I am counting them. I also purchased them, but oh well. Really, the goal is to read more, and so they count. I also got them at a good price, and they are helping me in my seemingly never-ending quest to lose weight, so it's all good.
I enjoyed the tips, but found the tone a little annoying. I have been thin and in shape and healthy, so the books came across a little pedantic to me, but I think it's because they are geared towards people who are total newbs to fitness/eating healthy and don't know where to start. They are motivating, though, and full of great recipes. I also like that they advocate clean eating, i.e. no processed foods, no "white stuff", lots of whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies, etc. I think this is important information that a lot of programs ignore. I have done Weight Watchers, and I generally like it, but I don't like the food products they sell (waaaay too processed) and I don't think they emphasize enough that all calories are not created equal.
For that reason, I would recommend the books.
Late Talking Children was sent to me by my father-in-law, as I have a 2 year old who is not speaking yet. He's such a smart kid. He can understand complex commands, and has an amazing memory. He will point to objects in a book, and wait for you to tell him what it is. If you get it wrong, he gets upset by grunting, looking at you, and pointing again. He knows. He has done this for some time, so he's been processing these things.
Last night, he was watching TV and saw a police officer. He immediately pointed to my husband's Kevlar vest which hangs on a hook. He then pointed to daddy's flashlight and other cop stuff that stays by our front door. He makes these connections.
The author also had a late talking child, who he also knew to be very bright. The book chronicles his frustations with finding an answer and a "cure." He also tells the stories of other parents who contacted him after he published a newspaper article about his son. The anecdotal information he collected is amazing--the similarities between these children and what many of the children have gone on to become is enough to give hope to me about my son.
The author found that many of these kids (most of whom are boys) go on to excel in areas like math and science, and that many of them have relatives who are engineers, mathematicians or musicians (or related fields). What's fascinating to me is that 1) my father is an engineer and so is my father-in-law. My grandfather was also an engineer. My mother-in-law is a musician, as was my husband. My brother, also a late-talker, is absolutely brilliant and works with computers (another field that many of these kids excel in).
I felt I was reading about my son. Many of the characteristics fit him to a T. But what was sad is that the families and the kids struggled so much--too many false diagnoses of autism, too many teachers who don't care, don't have time to care, or don't know what to do to help, too many doctors who, because they don't know what is going on, can't help. A sad commentary on the state of our educational system and our medical system.
The book, also a quick read, gave me hope, but steeled me for a long fight against the system with my son. It's both a story of hope and a cautionary tale, but I'm thankful that I read it. The best advice from the book, to paraphrase: let go, go with the flow, but be your child's best advocate. Seems like common sense, but at times it can be difficult dealing with a child who cannot communicate with you and it wears on you. It can be maddening having to explain to people who give you the "what's wrong with him?" look, or ask about him. It's hard on siblings. It's hard on the child themselves sometimes. It's hard to try to convey to drs, grandparents, etc. that 1) it's not something I did, 2) he's not just defiant or lazy 3) he's not retarded 4) it's not because I'm overly permissive 5) it's not because I had a homebirth with a midwife.
So, thanks Thomas Sowell. Your book was more helpful than anything we have done in the last six months and I am filled with a renewed since of hope, love and patience for my baby boy.
The Biggest Loser books were quick reads, but I am counting them. I also purchased them, but oh well. Really, the goal is to read more, and so they count. I also got them at a good price, and they are helping me in my seemingly never-ending quest to lose weight, so it's all good.
I enjoyed the tips, but found the tone a little annoying. I have been thin and in shape and healthy, so the books came across a little pedantic to me, but I think it's because they are geared towards people who are total newbs to fitness/eating healthy and don't know where to start. They are motivating, though, and full of great recipes. I also like that they advocate clean eating, i.e. no processed foods, no "white stuff", lots of whole grains, fresh fruit and veggies, etc. I think this is important information that a lot of programs ignore. I have done Weight Watchers, and I generally like it, but I don't like the food products they sell (waaaay too processed) and I don't think they emphasize enough that all calories are not created equal.
For that reason, I would recommend the books.
Late Talking Children was sent to me by my father-in-law, as I have a 2 year old who is not speaking yet. He's such a smart kid. He can understand complex commands, and has an amazing memory. He will point to objects in a book, and wait for you to tell him what it is. If you get it wrong, he gets upset by grunting, looking at you, and pointing again. He knows. He has done this for some time, so he's been processing these things.
Last night, he was watching TV and saw a police officer. He immediately pointed to my husband's Kevlar vest which hangs on a hook. He then pointed to daddy's flashlight and other cop stuff that stays by our front door. He makes these connections.
The author also had a late talking child, who he also knew to be very bright. The book chronicles his frustations with finding an answer and a "cure." He also tells the stories of other parents who contacted him after he published a newspaper article about his son. The anecdotal information he collected is amazing--the similarities between these children and what many of the children have gone on to become is enough to give hope to me about my son.
The author found that many of these kids (most of whom are boys) go on to excel in areas like math and science, and that many of them have relatives who are engineers, mathematicians or musicians (or related fields). What's fascinating to me is that 1) my father is an engineer and so is my father-in-law. My grandfather was also an engineer. My mother-in-law is a musician, as was my husband. My brother, also a late-talker, is absolutely brilliant and works with computers (another field that many of these kids excel in).
I felt I was reading about my son. Many of the characteristics fit him to a T. But what was sad is that the families and the kids struggled so much--too many false diagnoses of autism, too many teachers who don't care, don't have time to care, or don't know what to do to help, too many doctors who, because they don't know what is going on, can't help. A sad commentary on the state of our educational system and our medical system.
The book, also a quick read, gave me hope, but steeled me for a long fight against the system with my son. It's both a story of hope and a cautionary tale, but I'm thankful that I read it. The best advice from the book, to paraphrase: let go, go with the flow, but be your child's best advocate. Seems like common sense, but at times it can be difficult dealing with a child who cannot communicate with you and it wears on you. It can be maddening having to explain to people who give you the "what's wrong with him?" look, or ask about him. It's hard on siblings. It's hard on the child themselves sometimes. It's hard to try to convey to drs, grandparents, etc. that 1) it's not something I did, 2) he's not just defiant or lazy 3) he's not retarded 4) it's not because I'm overly permissive 5) it's not because I had a homebirth with a midwife.
So, thanks Thomas Sowell. Your book was more helpful than anything we have done in the last six months and I am filled with a renewed since of hope, love and patience for my baby boy.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Book One--Done!
I told Steve about my challenged, and he laughed when I told him my first book was a YA book. Whatevs, Steve. Hey, I think reading 100 books in a year is awesome, and if some of those happen to be books for a younger reader, I don't see the harm. I told him that it can be any book, as long as I read it cover to cover.
And if someone doesn't like it, they don't have to do my challenge. (Steve.)
I finished the Lightning Thief. Our daughter got it for Christmas, and it looked interesting. I have seen the commercials for the movies, and I'm a big Harry Potter fan, so, why not?
The book was a quick read (I'd hope--since it's for kids!). It really can't compare to Harry Potter. Those books are just so amazingly well-written that it's not fair to compare. This book was okay. I think that a lot of kids are sort of fascinated by Ancient Greece and Greek gods (or maybe that was just me? coughcoughdorkcoughcough) and this book caters to that. It's an interesting story, but I really felt like it was sort of a rip-off from Harry Potter (half-blood kid, goes away to a special school, is a hero, etc.), and it just wasn't as well written.
I didn't really like the main character that much, and didn't feel that I became attached to him, either. I think it just needed more character development.
I'm guessing, though, that the target audience enjoys it. My daughter has the rest of the books in the series, and I started reading the second to see how the characters and plot line develops--it might get better.
Next up--two books in the Biggest Loser series of books. And yes, Steve, I am counting them, even though they contain lots of pictures and recipes. And yes, I cheated and bought them.
And if someone doesn't like it, they don't have to do my challenge. (Steve.)
I finished the Lightning Thief. Our daughter got it for Christmas, and it looked interesting. I have seen the commercials for the movies, and I'm a big Harry Potter fan, so, why not?
The book was a quick read (I'd hope--since it's for kids!). It really can't compare to Harry Potter. Those books are just so amazingly well-written that it's not fair to compare. This book was okay. I think that a lot of kids are sort of fascinated by Ancient Greece and Greek gods (or maybe that was just me? coughcoughdorkcoughcough) and this book caters to that. It's an interesting story, but I really felt like it was sort of a rip-off from Harry Potter (half-blood kid, goes away to a special school, is a hero, etc.), and it just wasn't as well written.
I didn't really like the main character that much, and didn't feel that I became attached to him, either. I think it just needed more character development.
I'm guessing, though, that the target audience enjoys it. My daughter has the rest of the books in the series, and I started reading the second to see how the characters and plot line develops--it might get better.
Next up--two books in the Biggest Loser series of books. And yes, Steve, I am counting them, even though they contain lots of pictures and recipes. And yes, I cheated and bought them.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
2010's Challenge--100 books in a Year
Steve's not too much into a reading challenge this year, so I guess I'm just challenging myself.
I had three that I was interested in: 100 books challenge (read 100 books in a year), the support your library challenge, and the TBR challenged (reading books you bought but never read.) I couldn't decide, so I decided I could easily combine them.
So, I am going to read 100 books. The plan is not to buy a single book, but to instead utilize the library, or a book I already bought and never read.
It doesn't matter what kind of books they are for them to count. Might as well make it easier on myself!
With that, my first book is going to be a book my daughter just bought, The Lightning Thief. Yes, it's a YA book, but again, any book counts. I'll post back with my review.
I had three that I was interested in: 100 books challenge (read 100 books in a year), the support your library challenge, and the TBR challenged (reading books you bought but never read.) I couldn't decide, so I decided I could easily combine them.
So, I am going to read 100 books. The plan is not to buy a single book, but to instead utilize the library, or a book I already bought and never read.
It doesn't matter what kind of books they are for them to count. Might as well make it easier on myself!
With that, my first book is going to be a book my daughter just bought, The Lightning Thief. Yes, it's a YA book, but again, any book counts. I'll post back with my review.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Losers
It's sad we can't finish a reading challenge. I like to think it's because we have such incredibly rich, full lives, but really we are just lazy. We start out gung-ho, and then just stop. We got halfway through last year's challenge, and were enjoying it, so I don't really know what happened.
I don't even have the excuse of my job anymore, because I don't have it anymore!!
This year we are going to finish it. Seriously.
Steve is picking the theme, and then we will pick our books. I'm looking forward to it.
I don't even have the excuse of my job anymore, because I don't have it anymore!!
This year we are going to finish it. Seriously.
Steve is picking the theme, and then we will pick our books. I'm looking forward to it.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Year of Reading Dangerously
We are going to join in this challenge: http://dangerouslychallenge.blogspot.com/.
The rules are: Read 12 books you deem "dangerous." between January 1st and December 31st 2009. They may be banned or challenged books, new-to-you genres, books that seem to inhabit a permanent space on your stacks, or authors you're afraid of.
We're obviously starting a little late, but hey, that's how we do it around here.
Steve and I will come up with a list. He'll be thrilled, I can tell you that much, because I can guarantee that I will pick either (maybe both!) Faulkner or Joyce (Ulysses, anyone? I mean, seriously, has anyone actually finished it?) How much more dangerous could it get?
We could also pick Mein Kampf, and get it from the library, thus testing that old story you'd hear about if you checked it out of the library, your name went on some government list somewhere.
Oh, the possibilities are endless.
The rules are: Read 12 books you deem "dangerous." between January 1st and December 31st 2009. They may be banned or challenged books, new-to-you genres, books that seem to inhabit a permanent space on your stacks, or authors you're afraid of.
We're obviously starting a little late, but hey, that's how we do it around here.
Steve and I will come up with a list. He'll be thrilled, I can tell you that much, because I can guarantee that I will pick either (maybe both!) Faulkner or Joyce (Ulysses, anyone? I mean, seriously, has anyone actually finished it?) How much more dangerous could it get?
We could also pick Mein Kampf, and get it from the library, thus testing that old story you'd hear about if you checked it out of the library, your name went on some government list somewhere.
Oh, the possibilities are endless.
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