As one of the authors, I'm admittedly biased, but as I reread my copy after publication, I was struck again by both the breadth of experiences describAs one of the authors, I'm admittedly biased, but as I reread my copy after publication, I was struck again by both the breadth of experiences described in this book and the similarities in the challenges faced by very different women united only by their common faith. I hope that this book becomes widely read in the LDS church, as it gives an insightful look on how church culture, lessons, and perspectives are shaping Mormon women in both positive and problematic ways. In particular, I think this book should be read by anyone working with young girls & women (church leaders & mothers/fathers alike) so that they can see how their well-intentioned but perhaps flawed lessons can negatively impact impressionable girls who want so desperately to do what is right.
I am also interested in seeing a wider discussion in the church about the role of education for women and how it impacts career choices. As I describe in my own essay, women are constantly encouraged to get all of the education they can, but we aren't discussing what to do with this education afterwards in order to be productive & happy wives/mothers/daughters/career women/stay-at-home-moms who feel confident that we are pursuing the appropriate path. ...more
So torn on this book! Did I stay up until three am to finish it? Yes! But did it have what I loved most about the previous Fitz books...the sense thatSo torn on this book! Did I stay up until three am to finish it? Yes! But did it have what I loved most about the previous Fitz books...the sense that each word Hobb wrote had been weighed and considered? The amazing relationship between Fitz and the Fool? The depth of character development coupled with decisive action? The sense that this is a book that can be fully enjoyed on its own, albeit as part of a planned trilogy?
Sadly, no. I love, love, love Hobb's earlier work, and I'm hoping that this was a set-up for more complex sequels to come. I found it less disappointing than the Rain Wilds books, and don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to read about Fitz again, but it didn't feel as deep, complex, and rich as previous works. And Fitz was...for lack of a better word...getting lazy in his old age. Here's hoping that things get going now that the Fool is back in the picture. ...more
I can't say enough good things about this book; it's a must-read if you have children. The author describes how to effectively use literature--and GOOI can't say enough good things about this book; it's a must-read if you have children. The author describes how to effectively use literature--and GOOD literature, not just that twaddle that fills the book orders these days--as a part of your children's upbringing. I especially appreciated several points:
1) the idea that reading needs to be a family affair, involving both parents and preferably the entire family together. We've instituted a weekly "fireplace night" where my husband reads aloud to the children and when I look around on those evenings I feel like I'm living the life I've envisioned as ideal.
2) the extensive bibliography & recommendations (by age) at the back of the book. This alone is worth the price of purchase. AWESOME....more
Loved this book--I devoured it and immediately started creating a plan of my own. I was hooked from the Why hello, Goodreads, it's been a year or two.
Loved this book--I devoured it and immediately started creating a plan of my own. I was hooked from the get-go; I especially appreciated the fact that the author introduced her project by saying that she had everything she needed to be happy, and she embarked on this project in an effort to better appreciate all that she had without quitting her job or her marriage or moving across the world--she simply wanted to be happier with the husband, children, and job she had. ...more
I can't believe I'm just now getting around to leaving a review for this book. I love how accessible this is--much more so than, say, The China Study.I can't believe I'm just now getting around to leaving a review for this book. I love how accessible this is--much more so than, say, The China Study. I also really enjoyed the cellular-level discussions of exactly what this type of food does to your mitochondria--I felt like I walked away with a much better understanding of what particular types of food I could eat to address particular issues.
I still eat a more vegan/vegetarian diet than the one Johnson outlines, but by and large I agree with all the things he's advocating. Of special interest is the "food target," which I think is a fantastic 'fridge reminder of where foods fall on the "good for you" scale.
And last but not least, I love the whole-body approach. I am so glad he also addresses the importance of exercise, because I think that's left out of many whole-foods nutrition books. Just because you're thin and you eat well doesn't mean that you have the necessary lung capacity, endurance, and flexibility your body needs to function at its peak! Exercise!!! (stepping down off my soapbox now)...more
I've heard a lot of hype about this book, but I thought it was pretty sub-par. The author came off as egotistical, foul-mouthed, and generally annoyinI've heard a lot of hype about this book, but I thought it was pretty sub-par. The author came off as egotistical, foul-mouthed, and generally annoying. Yes, he obviously knows his way around a kitchen. Yes, it was interesting and enlightening and also a little disturbing (let's just say I will never order fish again on a Monday), but mostly I found Bourdain's voice to be far too intrusive, and I kept thinking, "This man runs an incredibly lax and unsanitary kitchen, and I have no desire to eat anything he's cooked." ...more
If you're as obsessed with food as I am, this book is a really, really cool read. Essentially it boils down to this: the author signs on as a chef on If you're as obsessed with food as I am, this book is a really, really cool read. Essentially it boils down to this: the author signs on as a chef on a private yacht owned by an extremely wealthy Italian couple. His cooking orders: local ingredients (sourced early in the morning after they make port), and no repeats all summer. This is the kind of thing I dream about: spending a summer sailing the Mediterranean and working with local producers to get the very very best ingredients you can possibly find.
As an added bonus (which is good because the writing makes you both a) want to move to the Mediterranean immediately or b) at least head for the kitchen), there's a whole stash of recipes. Perfect!...more
I love this book. Not just because the recipes are so darn fantastic (Snobby Joes, anyone?) but because it has such great practical information. I wouI love this book. Not just because the recipes are so darn fantastic (Snobby Joes, anyone?) but because it has such great practical information. I would have bought this solely for the discussion of how to cook practically any vegetable, grain, or bean you can think of in every possible way you can imagine. ...more
I struggled with rating this book. Was it well-written? Absolutely. Did it draw me in? Yes. Did I read it straight through in a single sitting? Yes.
BuI struggled with rating this book. Was it well-written? Absolutely. Did it draw me in? Yes. Did I read it straight through in a single sitting? Yes.
But it was so bleak. So uncompromising bleak. The central premise of the book revolves around the dissolution of the main characters' marriage--and its effects on their children. The people in this story are not happy. There is no happy ending. It is miserable straight through, and you're not going to feel uplifted when you're done.
That said, I always think Louise Erdrich is incredibly gifted. Many of the motifs running throughout the book made me really think. But if you're going to read an amazing motif-filled Erdrich novel, go straight for Love Medicine, not this. ...more
While not quite as interesting and "sticky" (i.e. I remembered random things from it later) as The Year of Living Biblically or The Know-It-All, this While not quite as interesting and "sticky" (i.e. I remembered random things from it later) as The Year of Living Biblically or The Know-It-All, this was a very interesting read. The premise is that the author spent a month doing different experiments (i.e. living by George Washington's 100 rules for behavior, obeying his wife's every whim, posing as a celebrity, etc.) One of my favorites: the chapter about outsourcing his life to India. Very amusing. ...more
This was absolutely fascinating! This book recounts a study conducted of people who had lived to (or past 100) and evaluated their diet, activity leveThis was absolutely fascinating! This book recounts a study conducted of people who had lived to (or past 100) and evaluated their diet, activity level, lifestyle, etc. to find common ground (big surprise: eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much. Thank you, Michael Pollan). Interestingly, however, the research showed that relationships were also very important to long life--cultures who care for aging parents in-house tend to have better longevity.
In any case, very very interesting. One thing I added to my diet after reading this book: more nuts.
This book isn't just about living longer; it's about having a better quality of life (i.e. being functional and with all your mental capacities) as you live a long life. ...more
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