Book Review #3

A Stolen Life A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard

Ever since Jaycee's book was released roughly a year ago I have wanted to read it. I have put off reading it this long because I was struggling and wondering if I really wanted to read it. I had a pretty good idea of what was done to Jaycee while she was kidnapped for 18 years of captivity but I didn't really want to hear all the disgusting details. Out of respect for Jaycee I decided it would be a 'must read' but also a 'must read quickly'. I managed to finish this book in 2 days. All I can say is to make sure you read all the way to the end, and not let those first stories turn you off from reading the rest of the book.

When I was younger and I first read 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks my mom had read it before me and managed to paper clip, and for good measure post-it closed the pages of the sex scene. She said I didn't need to know the details of what happened so she had closed them shut. While reading 'A Stolen Life' I had wished someone had closed the pages and just gave me a 'you don't need to know the details'  answer.

Other than the parts of the book that I am sure have disgusted many people, Jaycee does tell a very good story. She admits in the beginning that her writing jumps around a lot, but that she was merely writing how her mind was thinking of things.

If you are unfamiliar with Jaycee's story you can follow these links:
wikipedia's interpretations of the event.  
abc's interview with Jaycee after.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone that is familar with Jaycee's story. Although there are some 'gross' parts, it is unbelievable to hear how her life is going now. She discusses being found, and their first moments after being saved. I must admit the book did bring a few tears to my eyes after reading her reuniting with her mother. What a nightmare for any parent to have anything like this happen and nothing short of a blessing to have your child home 18 years later. I am very happy to hear Jaycee's outlook on life, and her ideals of her own family. I wish her and her family the very best on their new life together.

Until next time, best wishes and happy reading!

Book Review #2

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

I am sure it seems strange that I am doing one book review after the other, but once I finished the last book I wanted to keep reading right away. I was able pick back up a book I had started reading quite a while ago and finish it in the blink of an eye. The book 'Who Moved My Cheese' by Spencer Johnson, M.D.  is a great book to learn a lesson about dealing with change in your work and in your life. This book is 95 pages long and is probably the quickest read you will ever encounter. With the large font and words that don't even fill the pages it is quick to pick up and very fast to read! It is also a #1 Bestseller and you can tell why. There are so many things to learn about yourself or others and how people deal with change. The story describes 4 mice and what happens when their cheese is moved. I would hate to ruin the book by giving any more details so you will have to check it out for yourself.

This book applies greatly to my life right now as I have found my 'New Cheese' and am starting to deal with the change. I would reccommend this book to anyone in the working world as well as parents in-home because it gives you a general understanding of how other people may deal with change and how to recognize different personalities. Check it out!

Have you already read this book and have a new out look on change because of it? Are you currently reading something that you would love to hear my book review? Please let me know, post a comment! Thanks for checking out my book reviews!

Best wishes and happy reading!

Book Review #1

52 Things Kids Need From A Mom by Angela Thomas

 It is so bitter sweet to finish a book. As soon as you really get into it is when it seems to end. I have really enjoyed reading this book '52 Things Kids Need From A Mom' by Angela Thomas. While reading I like to highlight favorite passages, flip the corner of the page and mark  favorite things with a post-it.

The majority of the things I marked in this book would pertain to me if my children were older. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who has teenagers and is having a hard time communicating or understanding them. This book has given me plenty of pointers to raise a teenager and things you can do to raise them right. Being that I have small children it has given me some insight into what to expect, how to not take offense and love them anyways, and some parenting tips for any stage.

The biggest thing I took from this book was #20: Kids need their mom to give grace-filled consequences. I (like every parent with a toddler or any age I'm sure) struggles with communicating effectively when the child is doing something wrong. Here is a clip from the book that I really enjoyed; 

'When the children were little, I remember hearing Dr. James Dobson say, 'Mama, don't just shout an instruction to your kids. Get up, go across the room, and address the behavior.' After the fourth child, I realized why Dr. Dobson had said that. When you are exhausted, it's so much easier to stay where you are and just bark at the kids. And the sound of your voice rarely accomplishes anything. Even when you turn up the volume and say the same thing over and over. It really takes a commitment to get up, go to the child, and either remove them from their misbehavior or look them in ht eyes to give a consequence. Going to where my child was making a wrong choice usually gave them a few extra seconds to decide to obey, and it also gave me a few seconds to choose grace-filled words.' 

-52 Things Kids Need From A Mom by Angela Thomas

I believe this quote speaks volume to a parent with young children. Another chapter of this book I really enjoyed was #13: Kids need their mom to learn their unique love language. Love languages are different ways a person can express and interpret love. These different ways are: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. I have learned that it will help you greatly once you know each child's love language. If you want to know more you can pick up the book yourself, it is definitely a good read!

*Another favorite quote of mine can be found on my previous blog when just picking up the book here.

One thing that is communicated throughout the book is that you need to want your child to become not what you want them to be, but what God wants them to become. This message speaks volumes to all parents. A friend of mine posted this picture and I believe it is exactly what this book wants you to remember at all times, as well as something I have taken away from it.

I would definitely recommend this book to mothers of children of all ages looking to make a lifelong difference in their child's life. 

Best wishes and happy reading!