Book Report Catch-Up

I am behind on book reports. So here is a re-cap of some of my recent reads.

Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik

This is a good attachment parenting book in that it's informative, engaging, and not preachy. There are things that Philip and I choose to do in this book. There are things we don't choose to do. Either way, It's a good read. 

Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank: A Slightly Tarnished Southern Belle's Words of Wisdom by Celia Rivenbark

This is a re-read. In fact, I've read it several times. But I love it and when I have a three kiddos, including a newborn, it's good to have a fun read that makes me laugh. (And requires very little brain power to read.) 

There were more books. But to be honest I can't remember what they are. I am currently reading How to Be a Women by Caitlin Moran. I am really enjoying it and will write about it when I am finished. 

Books Reports - Catching Up!

I have been reading a ton, but I have not been reporting on my reading. So here is my quick list of books and reviews:

1. Blink-ThePower of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell - A super interesting read! Non-fiction and really intriguing book about how our minds work and make decions/come to conclusions.

2. The Tall Pines Polka by Lorna Landvik - She wrote one of my favorite books, Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons. Since reading that I have read several of her other books. This one was not as good as Angry Housewives, but much better then Welcome to the Great Mysterious. It was on par with Patty Jean's House of Curls. The characters were likable and memorable, but the story line was pretty out there. It was a good summer read.

3. Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon - Creepy book about a missing girl, but a GOOD creepy book. It will keep you up until 4 AM reading because you'll want to figure it out. And right when you think you have figured it all out it twists again.

4. Do Tampons Take Your Virginity: A Catholic Girl's Memoir by Marie Simas - Meh, it was 99 cents for my Kindle. It was recommended because I liked Tina Feys' Bossypants. It did not change my life. I am not sure it is worth 99 cents.

Currently I am reading At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson. It's super interesting and I am learning a ton! I am loving it.

Book Report: Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen

Last night at about 3 AM I finished reading Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen. It's set in the small town of Ringgold, Georgia. The main character is Catherine Grace who wants so badly to escape Ringgold and the ghost of her mama. It's a coming of age story. It's a predictable story, but that's not a terrible thing. It won't change your life. But I enjoyed reading it. It's a good summer read. There were a lot of great messages about the power and strength of roots and how they tug hard, especially when one tries with all their might to escape.

Book Review: Welcome to the Great Mysterious

I recently finished reading Welcome to the Great Mysterious by Lorna Landvik. I have read a couple of her other books (Angery Housewives Eating Bon Bons and Patty Jean's House of Curls) and I really enjoyed them. Landvik is a good story teller and this book is no exception, although it's not as good at the other two I read. I didn't feel like I developed the same frienship with the characters like in Angery Housewives or House of Curls. It was a nice story, but it was very predictable. I enjoyed the characters, but not as much as her other books.

The story follows diva Geneve Jordan who travels from New York, where she is a well known, well paid Broadway actress, to Minnesota to care for her nephew for a few weeks. Her nephew, Rich, has Down's syndrome.

So in short, it's a fun read. It won't change your life and it's not nearly as well written as her other books.

Freedom... Is A LONG Book

I'm reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen for the CPM Book Club (my mommies group). I am enjoying that, for the most part, it's set in Minnesota and I get the referances. I am also enjoying the story, even though it rambles a great deal. (I am ADHD... I can do rambling and roaming!) BUT it's LONG! It's my first book on my Kindle, that my dear husband and fantastic parents got me for Christmas. It's hard to judge the length of a book when you don't actually hold the paper in your hands. I do know I am 41% through thanks to the handy little counter on the Kindle, but this paperless book is going to take some getting used to for sure.