***Edited to include book review***
Here are books #4 and #5. You may recall my New Year's Resolutions that I listed here included to read at least one book a month, optimally alternating fiction and non-fiction. So here's my latest "book" report:
April's non-fiction selection....James Dobson's Bringing Up Boys
May's read (This is technically non-fiction too since it's the author's memoirs): Jeannette Wall's The Glass Castle
After reading your comments, I decided I better chime in too with a review in addition to my "report"!
To be quite honest both of these books were somewhat disturbing to me. I guess once you become a parent, you have a whole different way of looking at things. Topics and subjects that may have never bothered me before just about turn my stomach when reading them in light of knowing what a huge commitment it is to raise our children.
That being said, Dr. Dobson's book, Bringing Up Boys, was scary in terms of what us parents are up against to raise up our boys for the Lord in today's world. Feelings that I felt throughout this book ranged from fear to anger to thankfulness for a better understanding of the challenges that lie ahead as we raise our son.
If you have a boy, I would definitely recommend this read. I would say it's a good parenting book in general. Three good pieces of parenting wisdom I got from the book...
"Rules without relationship lead to rebellion."
"Love is giving somebody your undivided attention."
"The primary mechanism by which these goals are realized is the application of confident leadership and discipline at home, tempered with love and compassion. It is an unbeatable combination."
As for Walls' The Glass Castle, I was having horrible dreams two nights into reading this book, so if you wonder if it's disturbing, the answer is yes. Now, I did profess to having a "weak stomach" for these sorts of things, but still. Perhaps the reality of knowing the events taking place in the book were true and that the author lived to tell about them is what stung the most. That being said the book was a compelling read, and I would definitely recommend it.
So, now, I have two questions for you!
1) Has anyone read Jeannette Wall's Half Broke Horses? If so, would you recommend it?
2) Does anyone have a good "light hearted" read? I think I'm in need of one!!!
Trying to get a family picture before going into church. The key word here is "trying!"
This one's not so hard to get a picture of...yet!
The tables all set up and ready for lunch! Because church let out right around lunch time, we decided to let the Olive Garden prepare lunch for us:) It was yummy!
Dessert? Well, you don't have to twist my arm to order a cake from the Pastry Shop! Yellow Cake with a lemon cream cheese filling. It was wonderful, and their detail always amazes me!
We decided to give Frances a crash course in cake eating. After all, she has less than two months until here next "big" day.
It was a day filled with three of my most favorite things: Family, Fellowship and Food!