The Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson : I have a lot of caveats for this book, and I’m not prepared to get into a discussion about the “right” way to discipline, but this book did help me to realize that we needed to firm up our methods of disciplining and to be consistent about what we do/when we do it. (3 stars)
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline : Just SO much fun. I had heard high reviews of this one but I admit that for some reason I thought it was nonfiction so it didn’t interest me as much. When I got it in the mail for postal book club, I was so excited to see that it’s fiction! And it’s fast-paced, smart, with a bit of a romantic side as well. I gave it to my dad to read right when I was done, and he loved it too. (4 stars)
How to Blog for Profit without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup : I started this e-book many months ago and wanted to finish it up. At one time I considered trying to make more money from my blog, but currently I just want it to be a hobby that I do a really good job at. So a lot of the advice I feel no longer applies to me, but then again a lot of it does! And I am glad that I have it in case I ever want to monetize. But I highly recommend it if you want to take your blog more seriously! (5 stars)
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan : This was a fun book to listen to: light, quirky, and smart. I probably expected more from it than it gave, but it was still definitely worth the time. (3 stars, audio)
Crossed by Ally Condie : YA dystopia is always a good palate cleanser for me, or something I pick up when I’m not sure what else to read. This is the second in a series, but it had been so long since I’d read the first that I couldn’t remember many things. I liked it, but am not super invested in the characters (especially the female, who isn’t very well developed). I’ve heard the third in the trilogy is solid, so I’ll probably read it sometime. (2 stars)
Reading challenge:
This year I’m participating in Modern Mrs. Darcy’s reading challenge:
- a book you’ve been meaning to read – The Magicians by Lev Grossman (January)
- a book published this year –
- a book in a genre you don’t typically read –
- a book from your childhood –
- a book your mom loves –
- a book that was originally written in a different language –
- a book “everyone” has read but you –
- a book you chose because of the cover –
- a book by a favorite author –
- a book recommended by someone with great taste – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (February)
- a book you should have read in high school –
- a book that’s currently on the best seller list –
From Trish:
Is The Strong-Willed Child the first you’ve read in terms of “discipline?” I have The Spirited Child but haven’t gotten into it yet…I have a big stack of parenting books but somehow they always get pushed to the side. :( Consistency is tough for us…I’m less likely to give in the crying and screaming that my husband is and so it sends a very mixed message. Or even worse…when I say no and she goes and asks daddy and he doesn’t know I’ve said no and says yes. Sigh. I’m definitely the strict parent. Which sadly also makes me the least favorite parent. Anyway…not to start venting here…but I would be curious of your thoughts on this and others!
From Kathleen:
Raising Your Spirited Child was the first real parenting book I read. It doesn’t go so much into discipline but gave me a much better understanding of my child overall. I feel like it was a solid foundation for me and one that I should probably revisit. I took lots of notes and I meant to blog about it but I don’t know if I’ll get around to it! The Strong-Willed child was helpful for discipline, but it definitely advocates spanking for willful defiance & I know that is controversial! I don’t have my mind made up on the matter but I know we need to do something!
From Trish:
It’s so hard! Sometimes I feel like I am paralyzed when we’re having an “episode” and I admit that sometimes spanking comes to mind…especially when she’s being willfully defiant, but more times than not I take a few deep breaths and walk away for a moment to collect my own cool. Anyway, hugs. I KNOW that some of this will end up being a good trait…I just don’t know how to harness it for the positive.
From Nora:
Fun! I’m doing the Read Harder challenge and coincidentally posted my updates so far, maybe the one I read that was published this year is one you’d enjoy (Girl on the Train).
I enjoyed the 24 hour book store until it got closer to the end, then I felt like it dragged on for days.
From Melissa:
I just did a book round up too… but my list was much shorter. ;-)
I’m going to have to look into this Ready Player One book! And what an interesting challenge. I’m challenging myself to read at least 12 books this year. Sometimes I really fall out of reading and I figured that I should surely be able to handle at least one book a month… So far I’ve read three books this year.