Book Club {Self-Help}

Mama's been reading a lot of self-help and nonfiction books recently. Before you start rolling your eyes and wondering if I am a loon (the answer is YES), please know I am not having a nervous breakdown or anything. My wits are still about me, and we are all managing life pretty darn well, despite the fact that we cannot seem to stop getting sick.

It's just that there is sooo much going on in the world, and I kind of feel like my emotions and thoughts are being controlled by others. Not in a #fakenews sense, but maybe kinda? I don't really know. What I DO know is that I've read some really good books about life, parenting, and relationships in the last few months, and they have given me some great tools to make me feel like I have control over my actions, thoughts, and emotions. Because you only have one life, so why should you live it in fear and uncertainty?

I am not perfect, and I do not follow every word of these books every moment of my life. Some of them admittedly do not resonate with me in every chapter. For example, I don't hate my kids and I am not cheating on my husband. However, I love reading about the experiences of others, how these individuals engage with the world during these events, and how I can equip myself with tools for dealing with moments of stress and uncertainty.

Love Warrior: This book spoke to my soul. I started reading it, not realizing it was a memoir, and could not believe how much I identified with what was written. It was like reading my diary, even though I don't have one, but a hypothetical diary. I am not sure if men would be able to relate to Glennon Doyle, but I think it would be helpful for them to see a woman's world through an honest lens. I am a huge Glennon fan. There is a reason she is so successful, and that is because she is wise AF. You go Glennon Coco!

Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind the Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living: This book would most likely resonate with working moms or Pinterest moms. I will warn you that there are some Christian themes, and she kind of bashes other denominations at one point. However, once you move past the God stuff it has some really great advice. And if you are a Christian you will love the way she integrates faith into her daily life. God or no God, this book is a keeper.

The Danish Way of Parenting: I've talked about The Year of Living Danishly on this blog before. I do not want to sound redundant, so I will not list it again. However, it was a very eye-opening book for me. Wanting to dig deeper into Danish life philosophies, I thought it would be helpful for us to learn how Danish principles are manifested in parenting. The Danish Way of Parenting dramatically changed the way we interact with our children. I do not want to hype it up tooooo much, but to me this book is a major key to successful parenting. Give me all the hygge. 

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk: Jeff and I are only a few chapters in on this one, but we have already learned so much. What I like about this book is how the parents can do exercises together. The author describes scenarios, and the parents then discuss the different ways the problem can be addressed. Jeff is a counselor, and he is constantly saying, "This is good stuff."

No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame: This is the first parenting book we purchased, and I discovered it at a good time in our lives. Everett was a busy toddler who threw tantrums left and right, and I needed Janet Lansbury's words of wisdom to assure me that I wasn't raising a complete psychopath. Because let's face it, toddlers rock your world in a way you never thought possible, and they question every form of reason you thought came programmed in the human brain. Janet taught me to embrace Everett's independence, and to frame it as a successful tool that he will need during his life. Not all of her stuff has worked for us, so if there are any other Janet Lansbury fans out there I would love to hear how you implement her ideas!

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: Don't let the four-letter word in the title scare your delicate self away. I think everyone would benefit from reading this book. I do not have much in common with Mark Manson, but he is very wise. This book is about taking responsibility for your life, prioritizing what matters most, and accepting consequences for your choices. Read it! There is a reason it is a bestseller.

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So there's my list! I've read others that didn't make the cut (you guys, Brene Brown is better at TED Talks than books, and Bringing Up Bebe is cruel and heartless after reading The Danish Way of Parenting). Let me know if there are any more I should read! I am also always looking for good fiction.

Book Club {2}

Well, we are all alive. Barely.

It has been a stressful and terrifying week for a lot of people in the Spokane area. Last Tuesday there was a terrible storm that knocked out power for 90% of the city. For most people, power was restored within 5 days, but many are still in cold houses, and will be eating out for Thanksgiving. The stress of the week caused us to cancel our Thanksgiving trip, and we are pretty bummed. However, the uncertainty and fears that come with being without power in the dead of winter - worrying about damage to our house from the storm, constantly wondering when the pipes would burst from the cold, and wearing the same outfit every day - was just too much for us to handle on top of packing for a road trip. So, we are home for the holidays.

One of the only things you can do to escape the stresses of life in a power outage is to read. This is why I thought now would be an appropriate time to list all my favorite books I've ready over the last few months. Hopefully you have some camping equipment on hand, just in case you are reading in the dark like we were.

Me Before You. This book came as a recommendation from my coworker, and it is deeeeeelightful. If you liked The Fault in Our Stars, you will also love this. The protagonist is such a refreshing character, and I had a hard time putting the book down. There is a sequel called Me After You, and I will be reading it ASAP! In fact, I already have my name on the waitlist for it at the library.

Luckiest Girl Alive. A lot of people are comparing this book to Gone Girl. The danger of doing this is that you keep reading, expecting the same Gone Girl twist. News flash: it never comes. Which is good! No one likes a copycat! There are still surprising events, but not the same shocking plot twist that happen in Gillian Flynn's novel. The main character in Luckiest Girl Alive is not so likable on the outside, but her inner monologue reminds us that people always have a reason for behaving the way they do. I appreciated the themes covered in this book, particularly from her high school experiences, and I think this is a relevant read for the issues we face in today's chaotic world.

Just Mercy. This is a nonfiction book every American should read. When someone from the Pacific Northwest talks about racism in the United States, we have NO idea what "racism" really means. We can read articles online and hear stories in the media, but we never really understand without witnessing firsthand what goes on in our world, EVEN TODAY. This book is just...the best. Read it now. Especially if you are white.

Maude. This book is a biography written by Maude's granddaughter Donna. At first I was a little turned off by the voice of the book, but soon realized it was written as if Maude herself was telling me these stories firsthand. This amazing woman went through everything: World War I, the Spanish Influenza, the Great Depression, World War II, and so many other important historic (and personal) events. Despite these hardships, she presented herself with grace. She is an inspiration to Woman, and her strength is inspiring. I wish I could have known her. I hope you own a Kindle/iPad, because the e-version of this book is much cheaper than the paperback.

Wild. Another nonfiction, but this one is an autobiography. I think most people have read this book, but it is worth mentioning here just in case. I love stories of redemption, and I love hiking, so this book was a good read for me. Although I do not agree with all the life choices she made, I am inspired by Cheryl Strayed's resiliency. Heck, I don't even think she agrees with all the life decisions she's made! This story encourages you to find your true self through deep reflection and nature. Along this same genre, I also read Into the Wild. However, I do not list this second book as a "favorite" here because I feel Christopher McCandless had a mental illness and/or personal trauma that lead to his decisions, and ultimately his death. The poor kid needed help, and instead chose to withdraw. Please know that Wild and Into the Wild are very different stories.

The Language of Flowers. I'm starting to see a pattern in modern literature: brokenness and redemption. This book has these same themes, but with flowers. It is another delightful read about love and life. The main character uses flowers to convey her emotions, and I loved learning what each flower represents.

Chestnut Street. Good ole Maeve. She just had a way of writing delightful books. This is a collection of stories from people who live on Chestnut Street in Dublin, Ireland. Although each chapter focuses on a different character (as many of Maeve's books do), I loved hearing about each person's story, and always wanted to know more. I had a smile on my face at the end of the story, which is never a bad thing when it comes to reading.

A Shift in the Air. Wow, this list is getting long. But we are ending it with a goooood one because everyone needs a little werewolf erotica in their lives. The Elemental Shifter Series is certainly entertaining, and don't worry, it is not raunchy romance like Fifty Shades of Grey. There is more story than there is...you know...werewolf sex. I do not feel bad for saying this, because I think the author would say it too, her first book in the series is not as good as the second book. So why did I read the second book after reading a mediocre first book? Because my friend edited it! Which is obviously why the second book is so much better. Duh. Despite these facts, the first book isn't really that bad. It just isn't as well written as the second, which means it's already better written than Fifty Shades of Grey. Anyway, if you are looking for a fun read, or if you are a closet romance novel enthusiast, you should definitely try this series.

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That's probably enough for now. As I mentioned, I have my name on the waitlist for a couple books at the library, but I am always taking suggestions. Suggest away!

Book Club

I have been reading a lot of books lately - some for my book club, and some for my personal amusement. I thought I would share a few of my favorites from the last few months, for those who are interested.

I cannot express enough how much I admire Barbara Kingsolver. She might be one of my favorite authors, and her newest novel does not disappoint. Her work is always relevant, artfully written, and a joy to read. I think it is important for everyone to read this book, as we need to better understand the class system in America, and recognize the importance of our everyday actions.

This book did not get good reviews, and I can tell you exactly why: this book is NOT Harry Potter. In The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling has removed herself from entertainment writing and has stepped into a whole new role - that of relaying the human condition through the medium of words. This book makes her an artist, in my opinion. I put this book on my list because it was real, and I like reality (which is why I watch The Bachelor...?). Maybe it is because my husband is a counselor, and I hear stories like the ones told in this book every day, but I think it is important for people to step outside their comfort zones and realize that life is not easy, nor is it perfect. When you read this book, you do not like any of the characters, but you relate to all of them, because we all have a little evil inside us, which is eloquently reflected through the characters in this story.

If you are looking for redemptive endings and strong, likeable characters, The Invention of Wings is a great read! Based on historical events and figures, this book is an easy read. You get a snapshot of what life looked like for a slave in the South, but without causing the reader to go into a severe depression. Sue Monk Kidd is always a consistent, accessible author. I challenge anyone who reads this book to brainstorm ways our society is still violating human rights (sweatshops..?).

Looking for another feel-good read? This one is fantastic. It has strong female characters, witty dialogue, and a decent storyline. There is certainly not a ton of depth, but that makes this book a perfect poolside read. 

This is another excellent book I have read. It is very accessible, the writing is artistic, and the characters are beyond heroic. Grab a box of tissues though, because The Fault in Our Stars will make you weep like a pregnant lady. 

If you are a fan of sci-fi/fantasy, or are interested in a good read in this genre, this book series is my FAVORITE. Rothfuss has written 2 of 3 books, and I don't even care when the third book comes out, because I could read these stories over and over (and OVER) again. The hero is incredibly likeable, but makes idiotic mistakes like the rest of us, and the story is artfully written. I finished The Name of the Wind, then immediately started it from the beginning again - the ultimate sign of a good book. When reading The Wise Man's Fear, I found myself laughing out loud and writing down quotes from almost every page. If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be "Clever." Warning: like many books in this genre, the descriptions can get tedious at times, so the novice sci-fi/fantasy reader should just plow through those descriptors and enjoy!

And those are my most recent favorites! Check out some of my other "Favorites" for more good reads. Tonight, I start Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer. The Wirths are considering building a chicken coop! Yeeeeehaaaaaww!